Lyme Disease Support Group

We all learn the hard way...

But we should NEVER ignore strange rashes that develop after a bug bite!

I had what turned out to be an EM about a week or so after an overnight camping trip. I made an appt with the dermatologist but the rash went away before the appointment came and I canx the appt.

I got very sick several weeks after that and never even thought to mention the rash to the doc I went to for the illness...the end result was that I became very ill and nearly bedridden for almost 4 years before I finally found a doctor who would listen to me about the rash I had remembered in a lightbulb moment while researching the FMS I was dxed with.

Lyme presents a little bit differently for everyone and lab tests alone are NOT a reliable way of dxing LD. You need to see a Lyme Literate doctor(LLMD) to get a complete evaluation of your case...

Click the leaders tab and PM(private message) Jaime or Connie with your location and they can help you find an LLMD in your vicinity.

In my opinion, and please understand I am NOT a doctor, but the rash you described and the arthritis would definitely make me suspect Lyme.

I hope that you can find the answers you need. This is definitely a good place to start.

Prepare yourself for a visit with an LLMD by educating yourself further about the disease. You can browse some of the threads here and I also like ilads.org for the basics and lists of symptoms and conventional tx options. There are many other good(and not so good) sites for information out there.

Please don't hesitate to ask questions here. Our members use both conventional meds and alternative or some combination of the two. No matter what you are inclined to try, there is probably someone here who has been there....

It is also a good idea for you to take some time to put together your own case history as best you can recall. This will be very helpful to your doc when evaluating you. Also be sure to keep a diary/journal of your current daily symptoms. Some members here also have suggested(and I think it's a great idea too) creating a chart or checklist of daily function to help keep track of disease progression or efficacy of a treatment plan.

First things first though...get yourself to an LLMD!

If you need anything...please ask...and welcome!

Sorry to hear what you've been through. When I started getting sick and was diagnosed with lyme, my mother-in-law remembered me being bit with a rash over 10 years ago. I didn't remember it until she brought it up. Didn't even know it was bad.

I would suggest you get to a lyme literate doctor as soon as you can. I started out with the arthritis really bad. Everyone is so different with these symptons. But I would definitely get to a LLMD as soon as you can. Jaime and Connie can help if you need one in your area. I think I'm repeating Dharma, oops.

Anyway, take some time and read as much as you can and get educated if you suspect it is.

We're here for you and please keep us updated.

Take care of yourself,

I have a file for each of us. I hope we never need it.

I am one who just comes out & says it. EM rash = 10 will get ya 20 - you probably do have Lyme. Ya know I have heard of cases of people with RA being treated with abx - with success...

As far as being on abx over the years - it take more then a little here or there to do the job. And since you have had it for so long - plan on long term conventional abx or even natural treatment - whichever you prefer - or a combo of both.

Getting with an LLMD will be your best bet - as they will run blood tests and such - but much will be based on you - this is a disease that is mostly clinically diagnosed. Dont bother with docs who are not educated regarding Lyme - you will get a run around.

In the meantime - cut out the gluten and refined sugars from your diet. gluten will increase the artritis pain - get to a health food store and get on a good detox plan too...half your weight in ounces of plain water daily will help too. fruits and veggies can help too - see if the health food store has a good whole food supplement - or pm me and I can give you a site that is affordable.

Take charge - this is a disease in which you have to fight with - both within yourself and with the world...Being here is a great place - as we all have eachothers backs!

Good luck and always feel free to pm me for anything

Christine