I went to the doctor today, and she put me on antibiotics. A couple weeks ago, DH and I were raking and burning brush. We had a few trees taken down on our property, so we were cutting wood, and DS's were splitting it.

When I got in the house, I felt this little thing like a "skin tag" on the front part of my right armpit. I looked, and it was a small tick. I removed it...no big deal. We live in the forest and have pets, so over the years, I've removed a lot of ticks from everybody.

A few days ago, it started to get real itchy, and then it burned a little, like a bee sting. I had bought new bras, and thought maybe the strap was a little stiff. (I wear the big ol' granny bras, LOL). I looked and the area was bright red and HOT. As the days progressed, the redness spread, and it hurt to lift my arm. I have the classic "bullseye" rash of Lyme. I called my DD, who is an ER nurse and asked her how urgent it was that I get treated. I told her that I was going to the gyno in a few days, so she said to show it to him; that he would probably prescribe the doxycycline. Well, the pain got so bad, I called my primary doctor. He was on vacation, but one of the other docs in the practice saw me. She measured the rash, and gave me the RX, to be taken for four weeks, then go back and see her. I was supposed to have a mamogram in a few days, too, but the doc said to put it off for at least four weeks. She said that there are swollen lymph glands in my armpit, and that it could cause a false alarm on the mamo film.

So far, I have no other symptoms. My DH has had it three times, once so bad, he spent a week in the hospital with high fevers and excruciating headaches. I don't have time to be sick. I am always on the run.

Anybody else ever have Lyme, especially you ladies in the Northeast? I live on the RI/CT border, so I am in the "hot bed" for it.

By Gammiejoan on Saturday, May 28, 2005 - 08:40 am:

Oh, Holly, I hate it that you have Lyme Disease. Hopefully the fact that you have started on an an antibiotic before other symptoms appeared will prevent it from getting any worse. I don't have any experience with Lyme Disease.

By Eve on Saturday, May 28, 2005 - 08:48 am:

(((Hol))) I have no experience, but I'm glad you caught it early! I'm in CT too and it's a concern for us as well!

By Karen~moderator on Saturday, May 28, 2005 - 09:29 am:

Holly, make sure you follow through on the treatment for lyme disease. It can cause a host of other health issues if not dealt with. {{{{{{{HUGS}}}}}}}

By Mrsheidi on Saturday, May 28, 2005 - 10:15 am:

Sorry, Holly!! I've never had lyme disease (yet)...let us know how you're recovering!! So sorry you have to go through this!!! (And, I KWYM about the granny bras!!LOL)

By Trina~moderator on Saturday, May 28, 2005 - 11:04 am:

{{{HUGS}}} I'm also in CT and ticks are a concern, but fortunately we haven't had to deal with Lyme Disease as of yet. From what I understand early detection is important. You caught it right away, which is GOOD.

By Crystal915 on Saturday, May 28, 2005 - 11:24 am:

I grew up in the NJ Pinebarrens, my family still lives there. My mom, dad, little sister, and dog all had it in a 2 year span. Mom didn't get the rash, she was just showing the fatigue and other symptoms. I was tested twice that year because of mysterious fatigue, but I've never had it. Anyway, I'm glad you caught it early, I hope you're feeling better!!

By Amecmom on Saturday, May 28, 2005 - 01:38 pm:

I was always told that the tick had to be on you 48 hours for lyme to be passed. I always took some comfort from that - I hope it's true.
Feel better soon!
Ame

By Tink on Saturday, May 28, 2005 - 06:54 pm:

I have no experience with this but I hope you are on the mend soon. So sorry that you are dealing with it.

By Lauram on Saturday, May 28, 2005 - 06:56 pm:

I have had it twice (I'm in CT). I also have Post Lyme Syndrome, so for me it's here to stay. That didn't show up until about six months after the bite. I was treated right when I go the bull's eye both times. Just be careful. If you start feeling weird, ask for another blood test. Also, the second antibiotics (for the second time) didn't agree with me. I was constantly vomiting. YUCK.... Hope you feel better soon. The way I understand it is the more you get it, the worse your prognosis is. Also the later you treat it the worse off you are. I don't garden anymore! LOL!

By Hol on Sunday, May 29, 2005 - 12:02 am:

Thanks all, for your concern and good wishes.It's a real pain in the butt to be bothered with this thing. It can be fatal in dogs. We have friends whose dog almost died. They pulled him through, but then he developed a heart condition which ultimately ended his life.

They did develop a vaccine, first for animals then people. I guess it wasn't very effective, and in the case of humans, caused a host of other problems.

I had heard that, too, about the tick having to be on you for 48 hours, but I don't know. This tick was very small and hadn't gotten engorged yet, so it couldn't have been on there long.

I have heard of Post Lyme Syndrome. I'm sorry Laura, to hear that you have it. I felt a little off today, dizzy and kind of nauseous, but I don't know if it is the Lyme or the antibiotic. I know that I am VERY thirsty and have a mettallic taste in my mouth. I have been brushing my teeth all day. Last night, the lesion hurt so badly, and was so red hot that I had to take Motrin and put hot compresses on it. It is less sore and red today.

Who'd think that a little tiny bug could cause so much misery?