ticker

Hi suezy, welcome to the board!

Many people are bitten by ticks without knowing it. They are tiny and inject a numbing agent so you cannot feel them on you. Although a bulls-eye rash is a definite sign of Lyme, there are many types of rashes you can get and only about 50% of people who have Lyme ever get a rash. I suggest that you get copies of all your test results.

What dose of Doxy are you taking? Three weeks of treatment is never long enough for Lyme. An infection caught within two weeks of the bite needs a minimum of six weeks of the proper dose antibiotic. The antibiotics kill the bacteria when they are reproducing, which is estimated at four weeks. Six weeks of treatment will cover one growth cycle. If symptoms are still present, further treatment is warranted. A longer infection needs longer treatment.

Pearlscale gave some good advice about Doxy. Do not have any dairy, magnesium or iron products two hours before or after it or it will not be absorbed properly. If it makes you nauseous, eat something substantial and non-dairy before taking it. Drink a full glass of water when you take and do not lay down for at least an hour or you can ulceate your esophagus. This is very painful! Avoid the sun. You can get a severe burn in minutes even when wearing sunscreen.

Whenever you take any antibiotics, make sure you take high-quality acidophilus capsules. They replace the good bacteria in the body and help to prevent yeast overgrowth. The best ones to get are refrigerated. Most healthfood stores have them. Wait at least two hours before or after taking the antibiotics to take the acidophilus.

It is very important to see a knowledgeable doctor. Many doctors do not understand Lyme and treat with outdated protocols. Besides Lyme, ticks can transmit several co-infections including Babesiosis, Ehrlichiosis (HME & HGE), Bartonella, and Mycoplasma. Many people who have Lyme are co-infected, and it may affect treatment choice and progress. It is important to be tested for these by a Lyme reputable lab such as IgeneX in Palo Alto, CA. Were you tested for these?

It is good that your infection is early. Getting the proper treatment early in the infection may reduce the chance of long-term complications. I do not know of any Lyme doctors in OH. There is an excellent one in Hermitage, PA. Would you like his name?

Be aware of the Jarisch-Herxheimer Reaction (herx). Often, when people who have Lyme take antibiotics, their symptoms become worse or they get new ones. When the antibiotics kill the bacteria, toxins are released making them feel sicker. It can be very scary when it happens, but it is a good sign the antibiotics are working. Although it can vary individually, many people experience this at the beginning of treatment and every three to four weeks. It is a good idea to document your symptoms daily. One way to do this is to list the three main symptoms you have each day and a numerical rating of their severity, from 1-10. Over time when you review this, you can see when your herxes occur and how you are responding to the meds.

It is also important to learn as much as possible. I recommend reading
"Everything You Need To Know About Lyme Disease (2nd edition)" by Karen Vanderhoof-Forschner and Dr. Burrascano's treatment guidelines. He is one of the top Lyme doctors in the country, and many doctors follow his protocols.

Hang in there okay? Good help is available.