My 3 1/2 year old son was bit by a tick four months ago. We have the tick, it was in him at least 30 hours, most likely at least 48. Never got a rash. about a month ago, he started having symptoms (bizarre fever, loss of appetite and he normally eats like a horse, tingling in his arms, fatigue, muscle aches, a few strange eye episodes).
I talked immediatly at the time with the doctor, the state lab, and they said they dont test anymore for it because its inconclusive. If he became symptomatic, they'd probably just treat him. HOWEVER, the antibiotics are not reccomended for anyone under the age of nine, and this scares me. ALSO...the fact that I dont know if he is having pain, loss of sleep, fatigue etc... because he is just a growing boy who is having normal growing pains and interrupted sleep, how do I know ?!!! ACK. Im gonna go nuts wondering or waiting like they suggest. But I DO NOT want to just dump antibiotics in him either. He has been healthy his entire little life, never had an ear infection, cold, flu (once only) nothing. He has been very healthy and a good eater. His fatigue is so bad, he is skipping meals on ocassion and my child who can usually out eat any adult (were vegetarian) is not eating. He had a strange mild chicken pox type rash in a small area of his body, has the lymes rash ever presented in this way?
Has anyone else dealt with a child who had this? How/were they diagnosed? Treated? Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Im a nervous wreck :-(
Do I go for the ELISA followed by a western blot? My doctor will run what ever we want I think, even If I have to pay for it out of pocket, I want to know for sure.
Ack. there is probably more im leaving out.
Anyone?
Thanks so much,
Melissa (Mel)
Hi Melissa. Please read the post "Lyme Disease Information" on this forum. I am so sorry your son is sick, I know it is heartbreaking. How was the tick removed? It is good that you saved it,it can be tested for disease at IgeneX Lab in Palo Alto, CA.
There are antibiotics that can be given to young children. There are many different types of Lyme rashes. Also, the kind of rash you describe could be from other tickbonre infections such as Ehrlichiosis or Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever. It is a good idea to photograph his rash for documentation. Place something near it, like a coin or ruler, before photographing it to give it size definition.
There is an excellent Lyme pediatrician in New Haven, CT. I suggest calling his office to see if he could consult with your son's doctor about testing and treatment. He has helped many chidren all over the country. His name is Dr. Charles Ray Jones. The lab in CA mentioned above is an excellent one for testing Lyme and other tickborne infections.
Thanks Ticker, for the info.
I removed the tick all wrong, did the vaseline thing, not knowing how and I had heard someone mention it just the week before that you do it that way. (More I can blame myself for). Lets see. I guess having the tick tested would show if it was infected or not right? If the tick is negative, lymes is less likely right? But if its positive, that doesn't necessarily mean that he contracted it.
I will try to contact that peditrician tomorrow that you spoke of, thank you.
I suspected lymes in myself years ago when I was pregnant with my son, did indeed have a deer tick in me during that time as well. No one around here knew of it much and my OB did a test but it was "inconslusive" as well. Grrrrr. (Im getting irritated with this entire disease and its introduction)but I digress....
I NEVER thought of photographing the rash! GEEEZE, I work with photography for a living, and it never entered my mind. Crud!
I am very thankful for you post, I am so frustrated, and feelings of guilt, Angry...I see now that this is not going to be an easy diagnosis of any sort, and something I feel like I will worry about for the rest of my life. But, you give me hope. I remember seeing some sites with organizations in our area, i'll look there as well for a ped who specializes in this here. Im in Wisconsin, you'd THINK theyd know something about it here.
Bless your heart. THank you, from the bottom of mine. And if anyone else has any input, id still really appreciate it. Anything.
Hugs, Mel
Hi Melissa,
I just saw your post. I am impressed with anything and everything that ticker says here. Since he knows of an excellent pediatrician who knows exactly how to treat Lymes in children, I would contact that person without delay. There are quite a few doctors who kinda know, but do not exactly know, how to treat this disease. And with the nature of this illness, time is crucial. Your son needs the exact treatment necessary now to get better and not have to deal with this the rest of his life. The pediatrician that ticker mentioned is your son's ticket to getting well. Please contact him without delay. I have had Lyme disease for eleven years. The long term effects are life altering. I finally found a doctor who diagnosed me and got me back on my feet, but I still deal with the effects of Lyme daily. I just did not find her soon enough, and now I have chronic Lyme disease. Your son can make a complete recovery at this stage, so don't waste time trying to find a Lyme doctor for him in your area. Get in touch with the specialist immediately. I wish you the very best. I always said that the only way I could deal with having Lyme is to know that my children did not have it. This is a terrible illness that affects you all over. I do not wish this on anybody! Keep us posted here please, as to his progress. And take care of yourself too!
Do not blame yourself, it is not your fault that your son is sick. I recommend getting the tick tested. When you contact the lab that does the testing, I would ask how reliable this testing is. It usually takes weeks to get the results back, and since your son is already sick he should be evaluated as soon as possible. Have you got in touch with the Lyme pediatrician?
Lyme Disease can be passed through pregnancy and breastfeeding. What did your doctor mean that your tests were inconclusive? Are you having symptoms?
Hang in there okay? There is hope! You are not alone, and there is good help available.
My child is sick, how do I know.... 
Linear Mode
