Could this be Lyme? (Pics + Symptoms)

Hi everyone!

Around last May, I woke up with a bullseye bite on my ankle. I don't remember walking through any grass, but it looks similar to a tick bite.

The doctor I went to said it was nothing and gave me some anti-fungal cream. At that point, I looked at the Lyme Disease symptoms list and said in my head "hmm, let's see if I get any of these next year". I live in Australia where Lyme isn't really recognised although there are stories of people with Lyme here.

The bite stayed for 3 - 4 weeks and also got infected. Also, I don't remember having a flu with the bite

Fast forward to February this year, I started getting panic attacks out of nowhere for about 2 months. They went away when I joined the gym in April, but still had a lot of nausea and diziness. From then til now, I'm continuously experiencing all sorts of things that come and go which I'll list below.. Doctors keep saying it's all anxiety because I might have been depressed last year but I feel like some symptoms don't match with anxiety/depression. (Keep in mind I was a healthy 20 year old)

(Sorry for the long list)

- Anxiety
- Panic attacks
- Depression
- Digestion problems
- Stomach aches/cramps
- Tinnitus (worsening)
- Plugged ears
- Head pressure
- Random stabbing pains in abdominal and back area
- A spasm on the left side of my head lasting for hours with numbness of the face (left side)
- Muscle cramps
- Back pain and stiffness (lower and upper)
- Neck pain and stiffness
- Constant headaches
- Constant nausea
- Flu like body aches
- Constant brain fog
- Concentration problems
- Depersonalisation
- Shortness of breath
- Night sweats
- Eye pain and strain
- Jaw fatigue
- Teeth are aching
- Bladder weakness
- Irritable and moody
- Waking up at night
- grainy vision (seeing patterns/dots on walls)
- Noise and light sensitivity
- Diziness/lightheadedness
- Head pressure
- Heart palpitations

If anyone could give me their opinion on this, that would be great I'm seeing a doctor in a few days but am afraid I'll be laughed at or turned away.

Thank you!

If the doctor your going to see does turn you away or tell you it's all in your head, then post a new thread titled "looking for LLMD in _____" . fill in the blank with your city and state. Keep us posted.

opugirl said...
Hi Aria,

Welcome to the forum. It is not uncommon with lyme, especially in a healthy individual to not get symptoms right away. I also got bit in my twenties and didn't become quite ill until years later.

Many of the symptoms you have correlate with lyme and although I'm not a physician your bite looks very similar to what I had, which was identified by a physician as a bullseye rash. Probably the best thing you can do is to take a copy of the picture to the doctors appointment along with treatment guidelines. That is a lot of paperwork but it will give your doctor a good start to be able to treat you if they are openminded to it.

http://www.lymenet.org/BurrGuide200810.pdf

If your doctor is unable to help, that does not mean you cannot get treatment. Many heal naturally from these infections using herbs and other natural forms of medicine that are easily attainable. I would recommend checking out our "New to Lyme, Start Here" thread as well.

Let us know how the appointment goes!

~beth

Hi Beth,
Thanks for your reply :) I'm just worried about the treatment in Australia as there aren't many doctors who are willing to diagnose it. And it will probably be very expensive ...
I'll check out the thread!

Thank you!

Def. try another doctor. If you can't afford the LLMD, you could try an LLND, or a Lyme Literate herbalist.

You can also try one of the online protocols. Buhner and Cowden are good, although there is no need to use every single tincture in the Cowden protocol. If you use Buhner, it would be best if you bought one of his books first.

Feel free to email me,

Margaret

I used to live in Perth, Australia for a year. I know of 3 doctors in Australia who can help you. That looks like Lyme and those symptoms sound like lyme! You can PM me if you need any info.
While in Australia, I used herbs - specifically the Buhner herbs from Green Dragon Botanicals (shipped from US).

SLML said...
I used to live in Perth, Australia for a year. I know of 3 doctors in Australia who can help you. That looks like Lyme and those symptoms sound like lyme! You can PM me if you need any info.
While in Australia, I used herbs - specifically the Buhner herbs from Green Dragon Botanicals (shipped from US).

Hi there!
Sorry I can't figure out how to PM on this forum.. Did you contract Lyme in Australia?

teragram said...
Hi Aria,

I checked, and she doesn't have an email address.

I would contact one of the mods who does have email, and tell them you need to figure out how to contact or PM SLML regarding LLMDs in Australia.

I think it's likely you do have Lyme.

Margaret

Hi that's alright, I have the name of one of them here. Will make an appointment soon after I go to my GP first. :)
Someone here told me the bullseye could have been another insect bite, and I'm probably overreacting so now I'm not too sure.. Argh! This is doing my head in

A lot of those symptoms are what alerted me. Anxiety/panic was my first. I felt like I was dying for days until I went to the doc who said it was anxiety, gave me pills and sent me away. I also have heart palps, chest pains, GERD, stomach issues, aches and pains, headaches, sinus issues.......the list goes on. This does sound like lymes and I would look for someone asap to help you. Good luck!

MS in PA said...
A lot of those symptoms are what alerted me. Anxiety/panic was my first. I felt like I was dying for days until I went to the doc who said it was anxiety, gave me pills and sent me away. I also have heart palps, chest pains, GERD, stomach issues, aches and pains, headaches, sinus issues.......the list goes on. This does sound like lymes and I would look for someone asap to help you. Good luck!

Hi thanks for your reply! Yeah I've been living for months wondering why I had such sudden panic attacks.. It's still not certain that I have Lyme but in a way I'm hoping I'll have an answer to why I've been sick for the last few months