Possible lyme? Need help!

Hi all,

While visiting Zurich, Switzerland two summers ago, I found a tick attached to my back after a day of hiking. After removing it and monitoring the bite for a few days, no bullseye rash appeared and I don't remember feeling any symptoms that alarmed me.

In December of last year I started feeling dizzy and foggy and noticed some slight twitching in my fingers and other parts of my body. It's been 4 months and the dizziness hasn't improved and I've had other symptoms such as ringing in ears, headaches around my temples, pain in my facial bones, feeling of not being able to focus my eyes, tiredness in my neck, fatigue, IBS and on one occasion a rash that appeared on my right chest and arm.

I've gone to regular doctors, and have had regular blood work drawn, but have not mentioned the tick bite. Is it possible that I have contracted lyme or another tick- borne illness and have not felt symptoms until now? Will US tests be able to detect European infections? Also, can someone help in finding an LLMD in Texas? I'm in the DFW area.

Any information is greatly appreciated!

-Alex

Welcome to our community, Alex!

As Purrrsiankitty mentioned - there can be a delayed reaction to the tick bite and infection.

Tick bite PLUS symptoms that are lyme symptoms = lyme disease.

You could do an Igenex test. I believe the strains now aren't limited geographically - what was here is now there and vice versa.
It wouldn't hurt to try the Igenex WB IgM and IgG ($210) - and see what it shows.

Although, a LLMD should be able to treat you based on a clinical diagnosis...knowing that you had a tick bite.

I would do what Purrrsiankitty said and start a new thread.

You can also shoot me an email and I will check my lists and send you names if I have some for your area.

Also you can contact ILADS:

ilads.org/ilads_media/physician-referral/

Okay, Alex - I may not get back to you until tomorrow morning...I've got several emails to go through this evening.

Hope that's okay.