Lyme Disease

[mamaloca2]

Hello, I was hoping that some of you that are familiar with Lyme disease could give me their opinions. My son was bitten by a tick about a month ago. I removed the tick but accidentally killed it while I was getting it to back out so I had to pull it. I think whatever was left, his skin pushed out. It scabbed over and there is a small nodule left over. Anyway, a couple weeks ago I noticed his lymph node at the base of his neck was swollen and some on his neck. Took him in. Dr. prescribed a Cephalexin for I week. Gland on head still swollen and wondering if I should be concerned about Lyme Disease. He has no other symptoms that I have noticed. Should I push for different antibiotics? Any advice?

[CarlaB]

If it were my child, the day he got bitten I would have put him on a heavy dose of doxycycline for a three months(at least!!) ... (that isn't for you, but for those reading this thread!! ) For an adult, the dose is 200 mg. twice per day.

I would take him to an LLMD (Lyme literate MD). If you post on Lame Advertisement on the "seeking doctors" section someone will be able to tell you what doctor is closest to you.

There is a political battle on the treatment of Lyme. You can learn about it at Open Original Shared Link, the faq's section.

I would not mess around with a doctor who is not a Lyme specialist. This is your ONLY chance to be sure your child does not develop the chronic disease I suffer from! It is serious. I would act quickly. When you make the LLMD appt., tell them about the tick bite ... maybe they'll have suggestions on how to get him started on medication right away ... or at least maybe they can suggest what medication to have your doctor prescribe.

Keep us posted!

[CarlaB]

I just reread your post ... how were your trying to remove the tick? You are supposed to pull them out with tweezers.

[mftnchn]

I agree with Carla. Avoid the chronic form of Lyme at all costs. Check with an LLMD. There is a characteristic rash but not all who are infected get that.

[Rachel--24]

I would not mess around with a doctor who is not a Lyme specialist. This is your ONLY chance to be sure your child does not develop the chronic disease I suffer from! It is serious. I would act quickly.

I agree...address this now. Dont wait to see if more symptoms develop...see a specialist (LLMD) and make sure this wont progress. One week of antibiotics isnt nearly enough if he's been exposed...but you can still catch this early if he indeed has Lyme.

[mamaloca2]

I just reread your post ... how were your trying to remove the tick? You are supposed to pull them out with tweezers.

I did end up pulling it out with tweezers, but first I tried to get it to back out on it's own with a hot match tip. (My mom used to do this with us when we were kids)

I had a blood test run on him to find out if he has Lyme, but I now I've read they are not accurate. Should I just have him put on antibiotics to be safe? And He's 5, does he really need 3 months worth?

[mamaloca2]

Thanks everyone for your imput. I will keep you posted!

[mftnchn]

What I understand is at least a month to 6 weeks of antibiotics to treat an initial exposure.

The Bb organism in lyme disease has a very long life cycle, a month. During that cycle it also has the ability to encapsulate itself and in that form antibiotics cannot impact it. This is part of the reason it is so very difficult to eradicate once it establishes itself in our bodies.

Reading about how this organism works in our body is like reading a science fiction horror novel!

I am now doing pretty well with lyme but that was after 6 years of strong antibiotic treatment. That has not been a fun journey believe me.

[CarlaB]

NEVER USE A HOT MATCH TO REMOVE A TICK. Sorry I had to yell it.

I KNOW you thought it was the right way, I used to think that, too. It makes the tick regurgitate back into the host ... so it's a sure way to get any infections it's carrying.

You really need to talk to an LLMD (Lyme specialist). Your son has had one month to let possible Lyme establish in his system. He might actually even need LONGER than three months. I have had Lyme for 35 years and have been on antibiotics, and much more than just one, for four months ... I'm probably looking at several years of intensive treatment, then a lifetime of maintenance. Hopefully, I can just use supplements to support my immune system for the maintenance, but some people have to stay on antibiotics their whole life with chronic Lyme, so don't be worried about three months.

I HOPE he didn't get it! But it's better safe than sorry.

As far as the blood test, they are not accurate. The lab that has the best accuracy and that is used by the LLMD's is IGeneX (Open Original Shared Link). If his test comes out positive, consider it positive. If it comes out negative, I'd have him retested through IGeneX. But I'd REALLY talk to an LLMD as it might be better to get him on meds now.

Plus, be sure you get a copy of his test results and either post them here or Lymenet (or show them to an LLMD) as MOST doctors don't know how to read them. My doctor told me I was negative and I was very clearly positive ... of course, I'm seeing an LLMD now!

I'd post on Lymenet's seeking doctors section and find a doctor near you. Don't be surprised though if it requires travel. I go to NY from Ohio to see mine. Please take this seriously (I know you are) ... especially since he has swollen lymph nodes.

[mamaloca2]

NEVER USE A HOT MATCH TO REMOVE A TICK. Sorry I had to yell it.

I KNOW you thought it was the right way, I used to think that, too. It makes the tick regurgitate back into the host ... so it's a sure way to get any infections it's carrying.

You really need to talk to an LLMD (Lyme specialist). Your son has had one month to let possible Lyme establish in his system. He might actually even need LONGER than three months. I have had Lyme for 35 years and have been on antibiotics, and much more than just one, for four months ... I'm probably looking at several years of intensive treatment, then a lifetime of maintenance. Hopefully, I can just use supplements to support my immune system for the maintenance, but some people have to stay on antibiotics their whole life with chronic Lyme, so don't be worried about three months.

I HOPE he didn't get it! But it's better safe than sorry.

As far as the blood test, they are not accurate. The lab that has the best accuracy and that is used by the LLMD's is IGeneX (Open Original Shared Link). If his test comes out positive, consider it positive. If it comes out negative, I'd have him retested through IGeneX. But I'd REALLY talk to an LLMD as it might be better to get him on meds now.

Plus, be sure you get a copy of his test results and either post them here or Lymenet (or show them to an LLMD) as MOST doctors don't know how to read them. My doctor told me I was negative and I was very clearly positive ... of course, I'm seeing an LLMD now!

I'd post on Lymenet's seeking doctors section and find a doctor near you. Don't be surprised though if it requires travel. I go to NY from Ohio to see mine. Please take this seriously (I know you are) ... especially since he has swollen lymph nodes.

I just read last night that I am not supposed to use a match on a tick! I wish I would have known, I feel so guilty! I hope that is not what he has but I do want to be safe. I will wait for blood test results and find a lyme specialist regardless of results. Thank you for all your help. I had no idea how serious all this was!

[CarlaB]

There is no reason to feel guilty for trying to do the right thing. You tried, that's all that you can do.

It is serious. Be sure he's tested by IGeneX for a reliable test. The ones the doctors automatically use just aren't reliable ... at all. I had to call IGeneX and have a test kit sent to me, then I took it to my doctor, who told me the results were negative. Fortunately, I had a copy of the positive results!