Lyme Disease

Craig Cutler · Post by **Craig Cutler** » Wed Jun 11, 2008 3:20 pm

I tested positive 2 years ago and was put on antibitoics, symptoms went away but I have some recurring symptoms. Slight pain in the back of the jaw. Im getting tested again next week. Anyone know if Lyme is curable? I can't seem to get an answer. I am wondering if I am clean and if these old symptoms are just damage from the original infection. ugh.

Andy Gallerani · Post by **Andy Gallerani** » Wed Jun 11, 2008 3:35 pm

It depends on what stage you caught the lyme at when you were first treated. There are three stages and if you catch it in the first stage then you should be fine long term as long as you take the full course of anti-biotics. If you did not and the disease progressed to the 2nd or 3rd stage then you will have effects for the rest of your life. From what i understand the latter stages have much more severe effects than pain in the jaw. One example is extreme swelling of the face, arms, and legs to at least double the current size. This is in addition to the exhausted feeling that comes along with lyme. Hopefully you are alright and it is something else because permanent lyme disease is not good at all.

S sjfoop · Post by **S sjfoop** » Wed Jun 11, 2008 3:37 pm

No cure to speak of that I'm aware of

I've had it at least once and from what I know, people that have it and go on antibiotics can treat the symptoms temporarily but you may always come up positive when tested. Getting on antibiotics as early as possible is the best thing to do. You usually know if you have it due to the joint pain throughout your body or sometimes just on one side of your body even if you don't have the bullseye rash. A friend of mine who was treated for Lyme years ago was just admitted to the hospital for periodic random numbness throughout the left side of his body. The diagnosis was that the Lyme he had and was treated for years ago has crept back up. Not a new occurance.

This time of year and in the early fall, I average finding at least one tick on me a day. Without exaggeration I've probably removed around 20 in the last 10 days. Ticks like some people a whole lot more than others. If I could keep my drives on the fairway, I'd probably cut that in half.

Dave McHale · Post by **Dave McHale** » Wed Jun 11, 2008 3:50 pm

could just be TMJ. Ive had jaw problems ever since i had my tonsils out, friggin' surgeons....

antibiotics can "cure" lyme disease if it's caught early enough, otherwise it's possible recurring effects may be left. Look on the bright side, if the jaw issue comes and goes and isnt very painful, you're extremely lucky. I have a buddy from college who got fairly well into a case of Lyme as a kid before he was treated... he's permanently on meds now and has irreversible nerve damage, to the point where he has no feeling in parts of his hands and sometimes will start slightly shaking in his limbs (like, you'll be sitting there and it looks like he may just be nervous, the way his arm will start going - they're not these huge spasms).

good luck with the testing though

Mark Sherwood · Post by **Mark Sherwood** » Wed Jun 11, 2008 4:20 pm

I don't like to put on insect repellent but I am looking to start because we have a lot of deer ticks in this area. Anyway, I would like some recommendations on non toxic or "green" repellents. What do you have? thanks.

John DeBois · Post by **John DeBois** » Wed Jun 11, 2008 5:15 pm

I caught it last August. The doctor said after 3 weeks of antibiotics (amoxicillin or doxycycline) it would go away but that I would still test positive for lyme for quite a while - maybe a fews years? idk. They said the side effects should go away permanently. I still have some random tingling in my hands/feet but it;s less intense than it used to be.

Steve Solbo · Post by **Steve Solbo** » Wed Jun 11, 2008 5:41 pm

Craig,

I also tested positive 2 summers ago. I also have recurring symptoms from time to time...

I am also a wetland/wildlife scientist... thus I have an invested interest in this little bugger.

Anyways. What you are probably experiencing is Post Lyme Syndrome. You get the occasional stiffness, fatigue, flu like symptoms, etc.

The reason... it's contreversial, but as Gregg said... "there is no cure", I dont believe this.. but Post anything sickness is because you didnt officially cure it, and for some reason or another you are experiencing some of the same symptoms.... my belief is that when you take the Doxy for it... it eliminates 99.9% of the spirochetes that cause the disease... that .01% hangs around, and in oppurtune times of the year.. spring summer, (warm temps etc..) heats up, bacteria starts breeding.. blam.. symptoms... then they go away.. feel lucky YOUR immune system is still strong enough to fight off the bastards, and the symps go away.. (right)?

Google Post Lyme Syndrome, Craig, you'll find it very helpful.

Steve Solbo · Post by **Steve Solbo** » Wed Jun 11, 2008 5:42 pm

JDB wrote:I caught it last August. The doctor said after 3 weeks of antibiotics (amoxicillin or doxycycline) it would go away but that I would still test positive for lyme for quite a while - maybe a fews years? idk. They said the side effects should go away permanently. I still have some random tingling in my hands/feet but it;s less intense than it used to be.

JDB will also attest that I went to Clemson, therefore, I know everything! :wink:

Bill Dunne · Post by **Bill Dunne** » Wed Jun 11, 2008 6:18 pm

Steve-O wrote:
JDB wrote:I caught it last August. The doctor said after 3 weeks of antibiotics (amoxicillin or doxycycline) it would go away but that I would still test positive for lyme for quite a while - maybe a fews years? idk. They said the side effects should go away permanently. I still have some random tingling in my hands/feet but it;s less intense than it used to be.

JDB will also attest that I went to Clemson, therefore, I know everything!

Did you know Clemson took 3rd place in The 2008 Collegiate Disc Golf Championships (losing to Georgia by 10 shots)? And... that they have 2 first team all americans (in disc golf)?

John DeBois · Post by **John DeBois** » Wed Jun 11, 2008 6:46 pm

Nice, they put a course in right after we leave, sweet!
Lyme Sucks! I hope post lyme eventually goes away ,,..

Steve Solbo · Post by **Steve Solbo** » Wed Jun 11, 2008 7:20 pm

JDB wrote:Nice, they put a course in right after we leave, sweet!
Lyme Sucks! I hope post lyme eventually goes away ,,..

The closest course is in Seneca.. I have been in contact about Disc Golf Club shirts... clemson style.... want one jdb?

John DeBois · Post by **John DeBois** » Wed Jun 11, 2008 8:03 pm

hell yeah I want one.. I'll send you a pm...
check out this clemson basket:
http://winbytwo.com/images/clemsondgc.jpg

Matt Stroika · Post by **Matt Stroika** » Wed Jun 11, 2008 9:40 pm

My vote is that it doesnt go away even though my doctor told me it does.

This is usually the time of year that I start feeling Lymey, as I have for the past 4, but so far so good!

Craig Cutler · Post by **Craig Cutler** » Thu Jun 12, 2008 8:49 am

Thanks. Who knows, this stuff makes can make you paranoid. I had the flu like symptons when I was first bit, 2 months later (a day after the GHDGO) I had real bad headaches. My doctor told me i was dehydrated from the tournament. Then, two days before the Skylands Classic half my face went numb/paralyzed. That's when we knew it was Lyme. 3 weeks of Rx cleared the symptoms, but you have to wonder.

Ryan Brunelle · Post by **Ryan Brunelle** » Thu Jun 12, 2008 2:21 pm

Very strange disease indeed. I got it about 5 years ago, caught it early, took the meds and was told that I was cured. Whatever that meant. I insist on getting tested at least twice a year, no matter what my doctor says and I have yet to come up positive since. So.....I guess I'm cured?? Do I feel achy, tired, run down, fluy, limey. Uh, yeah, every day. But I also have a 16 month old and an 8-month pregnant wife. So whos to say what the hell is making me tired. There are some people who get REALLY f'd up from this disease, so if this is how I am going to feel for the rest of my life, I sure as hell can live with it. Now... wheres my alcohol and vicodin.

Dave Mourad · Post by **Dave Mourad** » Thu Jun 12, 2008 2:38 pm

Ryan Brunelle wrote:Very strange disease indeed. I got it about 5 years ago, caught it early, took the meds and was told that I was cured. Whatever that meant. I insist on getting tested at least twice a year, no matter what my doctor says and I have yet to come up positive since. So.....I guess I'm cured?? Do I feel achy, tired, run down, fluy, limey. Uh, yeah, every day. But I also have a 16 month old and an 8-month pregnant wife. So whos to say what the hell is making me tired. There are some people who get REALLY f'd up from this disease, so if this is how I am going to feel for the rest of my life, I sure as hell can live with it. Now... wheres my alcohol and vicodin.

Huh - I've also had it twice, but the tests will always come out positive with the ELISA or better version Western Blot because it looks for anitbodies and once you had lyme the antibodies will always be present. I also was lucky to have the bulls eye twice so there was a direct indication and I was treated with anitbiotics accordingly and was spared the severe symptoms - much more difficult to diagnose without the bite based on symptoms alone.

S sjfoop · Post by **S sjfoop** » Mon Jun 16, 2008 12:26 pm

In mid June the Cranbury Classic TD wrote:

Ryan Brunelle wrote:But I have an 8-month pregnant wife.

The classic is set for July 19th so yes, I'll totally be that guy and jinx it by asking "what if?"

You also wrote:

Now... wheres my alcohol and vicodin.

I like your style.

Ryan Brunelle · Post by **Ryan Brunelle** » Tue Jun 17, 2008 8:14 am

Clearly the tourny would be cancelled :lol:

TD by committee if the kid comes on July 19th. Due dates Aug. 20, so we should be OK. Hopefully...

Scott Selders · Post by **Scott Selders** » Wed Jun 18, 2008 10:51 am

In an 8 day period, I developed 3 rashs, When detected all 3 had a small black stinger that I easily removed with tweezers (or fell out the next day)- not sure if they are tick or spider bites. I have yet to see a tick on me, yet I have found spiders. The one on my leg expanded to a quarter, but has since disappeared, the one on my balls (sorry) lasted a day. The one on my right arm 3' from my underarm has swelled a little, and expanded to 2'. There is a red dot in the middle, where the bite was I've applied creams to the arm. There is almost no itching, if I didn't look at the rash, I wouldn't know it's there.
I was bit 2 years ago on my leg, the rash expanded to grape fruit size. I felt fine. Went to see the Doc, put me on Amoxycilin, as a precautionary treatment. The rash went away in a week. The meds wiped me out for 2 weeks + a week to gain my strength after the meds. No teaching tennis, playing Disc for 3 weeks. Lying in bed watching the tube.
I feel great right now, and don't want to be knocked out again during the summer/Disc Golf . Should I wait, and if I start detecting any of the symptoms go immediately to my Doc, and get the Meds?

Thanks to all the tick bite experts on this forum.

S sjfoop · Post by **S sjfoop** » Wed Jun 18, 2008 4:11 pm

poster4 wrote:In an 8 day period, I developed 3 rashs, The one on my right arm 3' from my underarm has swelled a little, and expanded to 2'. There is a red dot in the middle, where the bite was I've applied creams to the arm.

As a person often mistaken for a doctor, I say if you have a 2' rash with a red dot in the middle you should go to your pcp and see if he/she puts you on antibiotics. I'd have to see it to judge but I'd probably suggest going on it if that's the case.

In general when it comes to tick bites, if you haven't felt the full body fatigue or don't have the bullseye rash I say don't go on antibiotics "just to be safe". I pulled yet another tick off me when I woke up this morning. That's at least 30 in the last 30 days. (I'm not normal) I catch them all with less than 24 hours. They swell to the size of a bee sting and within a day or two the mark goes away. Catching Lyme isn't a foregone conclusion when you find a tick on you. Those that never have ticks on them freak out when it finally happens. When the full body fatigue hits you, you usually know. That's when you schedule a doc appointment ASAP. Or the bullseye rash of course.

Craig Cutler · Post by **Craig Cutler** » Wed Jun 25, 2008 3:39 pm

So my test just came back positive again and they want me to go on the doxy again. Can't get any straight answers so I guess I have to go back on the pills. sucks

Scott Selders · Post by **Scott Selders** » Thu Jun 26, 2008 8:04 am

There are false positives with the Elisi test. The Elisi test looks for increases in Antibodies-there are many reasons antibodies can be high. Going on Doxy, Amoxy etc is very hard on the body when there is no disease/bacteria to fight.
I went on Amoxy 2 years ago-wiped me out for 2+ weeks. After talking with a homeopath I believe I didn't have Lyme-only the rash. Right now the bulls eye on my arm is the size of an orange. It's been 3 weeks I feel great-taking a lot of vitamins, and exercising regularly. If I start having other symptoms I will go on the Antibiotics. From my research I found that experts believe 15% of people with the Bulls eye get lyme.

85/100
850/1000
8500/10000

Hopefully I am one of the 15%

Mark Sherwood · Post by **Mark Sherwood** » Thu Jun 26, 2008 8:19 am

Good luck, I agree some jump to the antibiotics as soon as they get a dug in tick, however if you have a definite bulleseye rash I would go to the doctor and take the medicine.

Dave Mourad · Post by **Dave Mourad** » Thu Jun 26, 2008 8:33 am

Sharky wrote:Good luck, I agree some jump to the antibiotics as soon as they get a dug in tick, however if you have a definite bulleseye rash I would go to the doctor and take the medicine.

Agreement and ask for a better test like the Western Blot - the ELISA is far from conclusive.

Doug Bechtel · Post by **Doug Bechtel** » Sat Jun 28, 2008 7:41 am

I got Lyme when I was on the Vineyard for the Tournament three years ago. Had 10 orange-grapefruit sized bullseye rashes (wrist, knee, back, chest). Doctor opened the door and from across the room said: Lyme. And walked out. I was on the antibiotics before the test even went to the lab. In two weeks I started to feel the fatigue aches, but it was gone two days later. Meds worked for me. I have not had recurring symptoms. Pills made me stay out of the sun for two weeks, otherwise I was ok.

Chris Martin · Post by **Chris Martin** » Wed Jul 16, 2008 9:23 pm

Started doxycyclin today. Found a tick on my upper arm about 48 hours after throwing 36 in NJ last sunday, and yesterday I found an inch diameter bulls-eye rash around the area. Symptoms have only been fatigue this far. Crazy thing is I was wearing deet on my body, wore a hat, and checked myself when I got home (I think it was in my hair, where deet wasn't, and climbed down). The doctor saw the rash, asked me if I was allergic to anything - I said no - and she prescribed doxy before any blood was taken.

Scott Selders · Post by **Scott Selders** » Wed Jul 16, 2008 10:03 pm

My rashes have left. I have felt great everyday. I used a "special cream" (presription) on my arm, that killed the rash, and most likely any disease. I am wondering why Doctors don't look into using this cream as a potential cure. Maybe they have. I do find it peculiar that in all the research I did on Lyme rashes they never mention applying any sort of topical creams to kill the rash.

Gotta kill the :evil:

diease.

Chris Martin · Post by **Chris Martin** » Wed Jul 16, 2008 10:11 pm

Gotta kill the diease.

[quote]

Indeed.