Lyme disease left untreated

I had it two summers ago. I never got the bullseye rash, but I did get weird flu-ish symptoms and fatigue. I immediately suspected Lyme because of where I live and the sorts of things I do, and got to the doc right away. It took a few weeks for the fatigue to completely go away. I'd be terrified to let it go for a long time.

I wonder what people did back before antibiotics?:eek:
 
this thread gives me the worries. i pulled literally 100's of those small deer ticks off of me a couple of years ago. i did that twice and decided not to hike there anymore.

a month ago i had a bigger tick attached to my bicep and i still have a red bump there that itches. i didn't think lyme disease is carried by "dog" ticks???
 
I saw my DR today. Told him what I reported here. He said i did not have Lyme disease, that ticks in Missouri do not carry it. He said the bulls eye rash could be caused by other things, and if I was infected Id have symptoms at the time of the bite.

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dipbait said:
I saw my DR today. Told him what I reported here. He said i did not have Lyme disease, that ticks in Missouri do not carry it. He said the bulls eye rash could be caused by other things, and if I was infected Id have symptoms at the time of the bite.

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Get a second opinion. Dr. Knowitall doesn't know a damn thing. You don't have to have symptoms at the time of the bite. Be pushy with the next guy and demand a test. When you get the results, slap that silly SOB in the face with them...just my .02.
 
j williams said:
It also sounds like symptoms of MS....
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Yes it does. MS is another of the common misdiagnosis for Lyme. There is a reason why Lyme Disease is called "The Great Imitator"; it has a large range of possible multi-systemic symptoms which depend on the mutation rate of the Spirochete itself (the type of bacteria that causes Lyme) and the patient's immune system. Most Lyme symptoms are similar to symptoms of several different much better known diseases, hence the misdiagnosis.
 
dipbait said:
I saw my DR today. Told him what I reported here. He said i did not have Lyme disease, that ticks in Missouri do not carry it. He said the bulls eye rash could be caused by other things, and if I was infected Id have symptoms at the time of the bite.

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Click to expand...

Don't waste time and find a specialist who treats Lyme patients. This is a nightmarish disease, not only for the symptoms but the problems with doctors who don't understand Lyme. There is a documentary on this (Under Our Skin) which is very informative and a little scary.

Lyme is a very controversial disease and there is a lot of genuine misinformation and misconceptions in the medical community; like Lyme been confined to the Northeast. Also between ten to twenty years ago some doctors lost their medical license out of treating Lyme with protocols not recommended by the Infectious Diseases Society of America (protocols which are common today, although still not recommended by the IDSA. The ISDA set up the first protocols used by Insurance companies to decide what they'll pay for and what they won't regarding Lyme treatment). Although a couple of lawsuit and legal action for financial conflict of interests put a stop to that, many doctors are still hesitant to treat Lyme. Add to that the influence of Health Insurance companies. Some health insurance companies prefer the original recommended treatment of Doxycycline for 28 days ($10.00 at Walmart) instead of the treatment preferred today by Lyme specialists for late (chronic) symptoms of IV antibiotics for 3 to 6 months ($3,000/month).

My point is, if you don't live in the Northeast (where most doctors are familiar with Lyme) or if your doctor isn't an avid outdoorsman (who may have gone through Lyme himself) don't take the word of someone who may or may not understand Lyme disease. Look for a specialist and spare yourself the all too common long list of misdiagnosis. In my case, after years of misdiagnosis and getting progressively worse, my kids and I (2 of my three kids also have Lyme) had to go all the way to Connecticut to be diagnosed and treated. You don't have to go to Connecticut to be treated, but you do want to find someone who knows Lyme.
 
dipbait said:
I saw my DR today. Told him what I reported here. He said i did not have Lyme disease, that ticks in Missouri do not carry it. He said the bulls eye rash could be caused by other things, and if I was infected Id have symptoms at the time of the bite.

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I guess Lyme just jumped over Missouri to get to Oklahoma? Your doctor needs to study up, and while he's doing that find another doctor or call your local health department and see if they know of anyone.

My oldest girl had it when she was 9 and her pediatrician recognized the symptoms immediately and started treatment.

I've a friend whose daughter was misdiagnosed for 5 years before they found someone who knew what was going on.

All doctors don't know everything, so find one that knows something about lyme.
 
crossada said:
this thread gives me the worries. i pulled literally 100's of those small deer ticks off of me a couple of years ago. i did that twice and decided not to hike there anymore.

a month ago i had a bigger tick attached to my bicep and i still have a red bump there that itches. i didn't think lyme disease is carried by "dog" ticks???
Click to expand...



The little deer ticks need to feed on you for a good 24-36 hours to transfer the disease (if they are carrying it). If you pick 'em off soon enough, there is less risk.
 
John said:
Get a second opinion. Dr. Knowitall doesn't know a damn thing. You don't have to have symptoms at the time of the bite. Be pushy with the next guy and demand a test. When you get the results, slap that silly SOB in the face with them...just my .02.
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Preacher Man said:
Don't waste time and find a specialist who treats Lyme patients. This is a nightmarish disease, not only for the symptoms but the problems with doctors who don't understand Lyme. There is a documentary on this (Under Our Skin) which is very informative and a little scary.

Lyme is a very controversial disease and there is a lot of genuine misinformation and misconceptions in the medical community; like Lyme been confined to the Northeast. Also between ten to twenty years ago some doctors lost their medical license out of treating Lyme with protocols not recommended by the Infectious Diseases Society of America (protocols which are common today, although still not recommended by the IDSA. The ISDA set up the first protocols used by Insurance companies to decide what they'll pay for and what they won't regarding Lyme treatment). Although a couple of lawsuit and legal action for financial conflict of interests put a stop to that, many doctors are still hesitant to treat Lyme. Add to that the influence of Health Insurance companies. Some health insurance companies prefer the original recommended treatment of Doxycycline for 28 days ($10.00 at Walmart) instead of the treatment preferred today by Lyme specialists for late (chronic) symptoms of IV antibiotics for 3 to 6 months ($3,000/month).

My point is, if you don't live in the Northeast (where most doctors are familiar with Lyme) or if your doctor isn't an avid outdoorsman (who may have gone through Lyme himself) don't take the word of someone who may or may not understand Lyme disease. Look for a specialist and spare yourself the all too common long list of misdiagnosis. In my case, after years of misdiagnosis and getting progressively worse, my kids and I (2 of my three kids also have Lyme) had to go all the way to Connecticut to be diagnosed and treated. You don't have to go to Connecticut to be treated, but you do want to find someone who knows Lyme.
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misque said:
I'm with Preacher Man and the others. Find a Lyme Disease specialist.
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VA27 said:
I guess Lyme just jumped over Missouri to get to Oklahoma? Your doctor needs to study up, and while he's doing that find another doctor or call your local health department and see if they know of anyone.

My oldest girl had it when she was 9 and her pediatrician recognized the symptoms immediately and started treatment.

I've a friend whose daughter was misdiagnosed for 5 years before they found someone who knew what was going on.

All doctors don't know everything, so find one that knows something about lyme.
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100% :thumbup:

Doc
 
DOC-CANADA said:
Since you were in Muskoka, I'm going to assume you're a fellow Canuck. If so, be advised our Lyme tests (ELISA) are not very accurate. Check out the website in my previous post in this thread.

Doc
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Yes I sure am. I live just north of Toronto.

Btw, I am so glad Dipbait started this thread. Great info in here:thumbup:
 
Doc13 said:
Btw, I am so glad Dipbait started this thread. Great info in here:thumbup:
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The documentary "Under Our Skin" and the book "Cure Unknown: Inside the Lyme Epidemic" by Pamela Weintraub are great sources of information on Lyme disease and the controversies surrounding it.
 
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