Lyme Disease Support Group

Hello,

I was diagnosed with Lyme after being exposed to what I thought were ticks in a bed at a "nice" business class hotel near an airport. I had more than 50 rashes/bites. The bites turned into intensely itchy blisters that initially I thought were poison ivy, then as each blister flattened, rings started to form, expand and fade around each bite. The ring size varied, max about the size of a quarter. The rash presented on my chest and shoulders, then "spread" down my arms to my fingers, and up my neck to my face: chin, cheeks and eyelids (how terrifying!). My diagnosis was based on the rash.

Could the ticks have been bed bugs? Can bed bugs transmit Lyme? Supposedly, bed bugs to not transmit disease...but maybe they do?...

Any thoughts?

Thanks!

SouthernLadyBug

SLB,

You tested positive for Lyme after these bites? Did you get antibiotic treatment right away? And did this take care of the problem?

Sorry to blast you with questions, but this is very interesting.

Tom

Hi Southernladybug,

This is very interesting, indeed. You poor gal. Ouch, 50 or so bites????

Please tell us more about you. Have you been treated for Lyme? How are you feeling? WHat kind of doctor treated you??

You would know if they were ticks, especially if there were 50 or so. Ticks have to be removed by us unless they feed to completion.....I can't imagine 50 ticks would get away with feeding to completion and you not know it.

So, it indeed sounds as if these 'bedbugs' transmitted Lyme. I have read that Lyme can be transmitted by many bugs that 'exchange fluids' with us. This is the first I have heard about 'bed bugs.' Aren't bed bugs a form of lice? I guess those and head lice could transmit Lyme,too. Hmmmm......

Well, let us know how you are doing , when you have the time. Thanks for sharing with us.

Peace,

Connie

My god I'm itching as I read this post. You poor thing..

I don't have the answer to your question, except I feel for you. Someone will come on and help you....

Julie

Hi SLB,

I have not had a blood test yet... I was diagnosed at an urgent care center, and now I'm waiting for the urgent care center to refer me to an Infectious Disease doc for futher follow-up. I started the 3-week course of amoxicillin right away (I'm allergic to tetracycline, so that wasn't an option) I'm on my second week of amoxicillin...I'll keep you posted!

SouthernLadyBug

Hi Connie,

I'm on my second week of amoxicillin. I was diagnosed at an uregent care center, and I'm waiting for a referral to an Infectious Disease physician. Last week, I called the county health department where the hotel was located to report the issue - they inspected the hotel today. They have quarantined the room. The health department took a sample of the bugs. I'm not sure what the next step will be...

SouthernLadyBug

Hi Slb,

Thanks for the update....how strange and scary (spelling of scary? ). Anyway, I'm not sure if three weeks of antibiotics is enough. I 've always heard at least four weeks and I would follow that up by taking excellent care of yourself. Do everything you can to keep your immune system strong. Are you taking probiotics. Probiotics are a must while on antibiotics and after, too.

It is good that you are attacking the Lyme infection so early. Keep reading and researching this disease. It might be wise to consult with an LLMD. If you are interested in finding one in your area, contact me or one of the other group leaders and we can help you.

I have personal experience with a biological MD in the South. If you'd like info about my doc, please pm me and I will answer any questions that you may have.

Peace,

Connie

I agree with Connie - find a good LLMD. Many of us have nightmare stories about Infectious Disease docs - it's surprising how many of them are not capable of understanding or treating Lyme. This is a good time for you to really research this disease and learn as much as you can. I have never just taken what a doctor has told me at face value. I researched Lyme like a mad woman before undergoing treatment. I think it's good you were put on abx immediately.

Now let me just say "HOLY MOLY!?". Bed bugs?! How horrible. I also agree with Connie that if they were ticks, you would have at least found one or two attached to you with that many bites.

Ugh. I'm itchy now...

I got lyme disease too, and think it was from bed bugs. I didnt have many bugs, but I saw at least 3 in my bed, and shortly afterward tested pos for lyme.

I am in NYC, a place with few dear ticks.

I have a friend in florida who just got tested pos for lyme, after she had symptoms. She said she had been bitten a few times by the bed bugs as well.

I believe, we haven't fully discovered the variety of ways this disease can be transmitted, I believe mine was through cat scratches, all the positive bands on my test are Bb specific. I believe with this disease anything is possible and many things yet to be explored.