DiscoveryA

Hi everyone, I need advice on how to self treat acute lyme.

About a month ago I noticed what I thought was just a spider bite on the inside of my arm just above my elbow. I didn't think anything of it at first, but noticed a red oval gradually expanding around the bite over the course of a week. Additionally the rash was very hot to the touch. I showed a friend and she immediately said it was not a spider bite but looked like lyme. I also noticed I had a very mild headache throughout that week. I began reading up on lyme and decided to seek treatment. I am currently a graduate student without health insurance so must rely on the university health center for care. I showed the bite/ rash to a NP at the health center and she said it was "definitely a tick bite." She measured the rash at 9cm by 7cm. Even with the rash she said it was 90% likely not lyme and just an allergic reaction. Well I have never had an allergic reaction that expanded over several days and felt like a fireball on my arm. She said she would prescribe 100 mg of doxy for 14 days, just in case. As I was leaving the office she said, " oh if you ever get a rash like this again its probably just a histamine reaction to some allergen, it is springtime afterall." I continued to read up on lyme in the days following. While taking the doxy the headaches contined and I became extremely exhausted, even falling asleep at work. The rash went away quickly, but I started worrying after everything I have read here saying that more doxy for a longer time is needed. I went back to the NP and asked for a more aggressive course of antibiotics and she laughed in my face. when I told her about the continued headaches and exhaustion, she said I was having "psychosomatic symtoms" and that I need to stay off the internet.

Anyway, I've now finished the prescribed doxy. I feel like I should have more treatment to be sure the lyme is gone, but definitely can't affird to see a llmd. Does anyone have advice about how to proceed with self treatment with early lyme? I've been considering ordering the doxy off the internet, maybe even the tablets for birds.

I really appreciate your help!