HELP! I might have Lyme's Disease!

**forHISglory** · 09-15-2008, 11:45 PM

Got some bad news today. A little over a week ago, I found a tick on my waist after working in the yard. There were several bites in the area. I pulled it off, and tried to keep from scratching. But daily, I began to break out in welts and rashes from toes to chest.

Friday my neck was covered in the welts and I began to lose my voice. Sunday, it had spread to my face and ears. Arms are also covered.

I was itching so badly that I tried almost everything I had ever heard of: calamine, Gold Bond, Anti-Itch Pen, hot compresses, ice packs, Preparation H, Ora-Gel, nail polish (yeah, really...), Biofreeze....... Nothing really stopped the itch very long.

My mind was racing through the possibilities: poison ivy? poison oak? spider bite? tick bite? fleas? bedbugs? chiggers? hives? whatever it is that is a complication of chicken pox?

I went to the doctor today, and he confirmed that I had the tick bite and some sort of massive reaction to it. He's not sure if the reaction is just a huge allergy/hives reaction or Lyme's Disease. They took blood to be tested for the disease, and started me on three meds, just in case. I have had hives before a couple of times, but they were just huge welts, and not welts and rash together.

Have any of you ever had this? What happened? What were your symptoms? How were you treated?

Frankly, it's got me a little scared, and I don't scare easily. I'd appreciate hearing any experience with this that you may have had.

**HandyMom** · 09-16-2008, 12:38 AM

Sounds like what happened to me when I had poison ivy.

Anyway I hope it is nothing serious and you get some relief soon!

**Jamauk** · 09-16-2008, 12:48 AM

I looked it up on [ame="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lyme_disease"]Widipedia[/ame] and it didn't say anything about itchiness or a rash. The welts seem to look like bull's eye's.

I would bet its a nasty case of Poison Ivy or something like that. Have you tried an oatmeal bath?

**Nishu** · 09-16-2008, 01:15 AM

It doesn't sound like lyme disease to me at all. If he suspects it though, your doctor should have given you an antibiotic and that should take care of it. Don't freak out... You're probably just reacting to something.

**cmdarlin** · 09-16-2008, 06:24 AM

I pray its just a reaction to something and not the tick bite. I'm always scared of that as living out in the country, we seem to have our fair share and then some of ticks. Let me know how your doing.

Debbie

**mnmarty03** · 09-16-2008, 06:33 AM

Hopefully it's just poison ivy or a reaction...

Try not to be too scared. If it is Lyme's disease, it is something that is liveable. My mom got lyme's disease a while back and was cured of it - the only remaining problems is some stiffness in her hands (similar to if she had arthritis). Not so stiff though that she can't due every day things.. they just hurt her now and again.

Anyways, let us know what happens!

**TheRootedNomad** · 09-16-2008, 06:44 AM

Here's to hopeing your haveing just an allergic reaction to something. I don't know very much about Lyme disease and your rash sounds like a bad poison ivy rash but pictures are always worth a thousand words and I am not a doctor.

Here's what I can pass on though:
Here's a link with some pictures. I only know the basics about lyme disease from first aid. I do remember one instructor telling us that although the bite mark almost always ends up looking like a "target" that the rash does vary some on how it looks and spreads by the individuals reaction to it. The boy's rash sounds closest to what your describing.

****mild warning*** these are mostly medical pictures

http://www.ask.com/web?q=lyme+diseas...20080916103151

Hope you feel better soon!!!!

**prftstrngr** · 09-16-2008, 07:04 AM

My son had poison ivy earlier this year and what you are discribing sounds alot like his. Hopefully not Lymes disease!

**nodmicks** · 09-16-2008, 07:56 AM

I had a terrible case of lymes that took 3 rounds of pills and a round of intervenous IV. That doesn't sound like lyme but if it is you caught it early and simple antibiotics will fix you up.

**Ceashels** · 09-16-2008, 08:00 AM

It doesn't sound like Lyme's from what I have read. I wonder if someone had been burning some poison ivy in the area and you are having a bad reaction to it?

**gardenstategirl** · 09-16-2008, 08:04 AM

DH, DS & I have all had Lyme disease and none of us were ever itchy. I'm glad your Dr. ordered a test to rule it out, but even if you have it, antibiotics should wipe it out quickly so don't panic.

**VanVivCam** · 09-16-2008, 08:52 AM

I don't have any suggestions, just big hugs and hoping you feel better soon.

**Michelle68** · 09-16-2008, 09:04 AM

Sending you lots of hugs

. Try not to worry, hopefully as others have posted, it's just a reaction.

--Michelle

**Michelle** · 09-16-2008, 09:05 AM

I agree that it doesn't sound like Lyme Disease. I hope it's just a reaction to poison ivy or the like. Feel better soon

**momof2joys** · 09-16-2008, 09:31 AM

My step daughter's other grandpa had Lyme's and he had to go to Iowa City for some major operation, and a series of medications. But he was at home for like a month before he went to the doctor and the Lymes ate away at his muscles and tendons, not to mention that he didn't take very good care of himself, which contributed a lot to the complications!!! He is doing fine now, and only had to go to Iowa City like once a month or every other month!!

Are the meds working??? I wouldn't worry to much, it doesn't sound like Lymes to me, nothing more than an allergic reation!! Get plenty of rest and drink lots of fluids!!

FEEL BETTER SOON!!!