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Posted 4/10/2012 12:57 AM (GMT -5)
Today I took my son to the doctor to ask about Lyme. I am currently on abx and will be getting blood test soon. My son had a tick in the middle of his back a year or two ago. No rash, not a super problem. Now that my doctor said that I could possibly have had lyme since I was a kid and thats why I am so sick, and in an advanced stage, I started worrying about my son. So I took him to his doctor. He was willing to give him blood test but doubts that he has lyme disease. He said children usually display the first stage of Lyme-rash, fever, sick, and did I notice it at the time? I ended up feeling a little like an over anxious mom. The only thing I have noticed since the bite is periods of intense anxiety and shakiness that he occasionally has before bed. And burning red ears. But the doc said Lyme is tricky and usually is noticed by symptoms, which he doesn't have much of.

I think I am very relieved. He got his blood drawn, I think it will be negative, and he will be fine. I just don't want him to live his life with bizarre symptoms.

I hope I did the right thing...I guess it's better to be safe than sorry.

Posted 4/9/2012 9:44 PM (GMT -5)
I don't think that you are being overcautious. I would be concerned too with ANY symptoms after a tick bite. I never would have been concerned before, but it took getting it to realize how serious it was. Unfortunately, if your son is going to a non-LLMD, even if he has Lyme he is not likely to be given any treatment at this point. I would take him to consult with your LLMD instead (if he will take someone your son's age).

It sounds like your son's doctor is following IDSA guidelines of having a rash AND a positive test. Do you know what kind of test was run and through what lab? If it's an ELISA, it is NOT accurate enough to definitively rule out or rule in Lyme. A western blot is better, but only if done through a lab that reports all the Lyme-specific bands. Igenex is the main one.

I just went to a presentation by a microbiologist who stated her belief that the rash is meaningless. Generally only nymphal stage ticks can give people the rash because their mouthparts are not strong enough to penetrate past the first layers of skin. Therefore the rash is produced while the infection is still temporarily trapped in the skin.

A bite from an adult tick, can penetrate through all of the layers of skin and inject spirochetes directly into your blood stream. An adult tick bite will rarely produce a rash, but it can still transmit Lyme and other co-infections.
Posted 4/9/2012 10:06 PM (GMT -5)
Given all that you're going through and all that you know about lyme it makes perfect sense that you'd want to make sure your son doesn't have to go through the same thing!

Hopefully the test will be negative and you'll have a little more peace of mind. I wouldn't worry too much (although that's easier said than done, I know) - I'm sure you'll recognize any red flag symptoms if you see them!
Posted 4/9/2012 10:27 PM (GMT -5)
Just curious how old you are since the dr thought it could be from childhood?  That is what I think...from childhood in my case.
Posted 4/9/2012 10:27 PM (GMT -5)
One of my children just had a complete blood work-up, including g Western Blot (which is a must). It is hard waiting for the results.

I hope your son had the WB and comes back negative and healthy!
Posted 4/10/2012 12:19 AM (GMT -5)
Beachlover, I am 37. My son is 13. The test is being sent to Seattle, which worried me a bit. My future test will be sent to California and New York.
I just sort of felt stupid once I was in the office and seemed like I was paranoid. My son's doctor is very laid back, he knew enough about lyme to know it was hard to pinpoint and that it is very controversial in the Pacific Northwest. I did think it was interesting that he said there was 3 stages of Lyme. He also named a few test, including blot, but was not at all confident that there is testing to conclusively prove Lyme disease. He said the symptoms that I was worried about wasn't red flags to him. My son is a healthy, very active boy. So, I guess we will see.
I did just want peace of mind.
Posted 4/10/2012 10:06 AM (GMT -5)
I am 41 and know for a fact I had a tick in my head several days in my head  after a girl scout camping trip.  As kids we were put on doxy and various antibiotics which IMHO could have kept it dormant until a roll MVA in 08.

How old were you when you were bitten? 

The same thought crossed my mind with my daughter but she is healthy and I am sure he is fine!  :)

96% of what we worry about doesn't happen!  :-)

 

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