Hi~
Ten years ago, I had a bite on my finger which turned into an open necrosing wound. I never saw or felt what bit me, but it became a nasty wound. It became infected and I took some erythromycin for it. A week AFTER finishing the erthyromycin, I developed a rash on the trunk of my body and on my palms and soles. It was hard to walk or hold a pencil. I also didn't feel well.
The bite and rash healed, and I was in very good health for ten years.
I got a steroid shot in the knee in the fall of 2003 and fell apart 3 weeks after that with bizarre symptoms. It took a year and a half and many doctors before I was finally diagnosed with Lyme disease at Columbia University Medical Center. A neurologist at Cornell University also confirmed the diagnosis. (Note: I live in the SW)
It is likely that the steroid shot activated latent lyme in my body....possibly from the bite 10 years ago.
I have been on antibiotic treatment since April of 2005, and I have gotten significant improvement. However, due to complications of treatment, the antibiotics were suspended for 2 months, at which time the lyme symptoms began returning.
First question...I understand that rickettsia infections can cause a rash on palms and soles and that it is best treated with doxycycline. Correct? Any other organisms that can cause a trunk/palm/sole rash??
I tend to think that the rash ten years ago was not associated with the erythromycin, since it appeared a week after I finished the drug. Most drug allergies occur while on the drug. Correct?
It has been an interesting observation on my part to note that 10-12 days after the start of an antibiotic regime, I have a "significant issue" which is most likely a Jarisch-herxheimer like response to the antibiotic. (See www.columbia-lyme.org at "key terms" for more info on a J-H reaction)
My most recent J-H reaction to my first dose of IM bicillin LA landed me in the ER Saturday with signicant tachycardia. This was 10 days after the IM bicillin LA shot. Today I noticed on the trunk of my body a circular rash. About the size of the circle formed when an index finger and thumb touch each other. It is a slightly raised rash...but so far, just the outer edge is red with any color.
This is not a typical bull's eye rash...at least not yet, but I'm curious as to what this might be. A lyme rash? Other ideas?
Lyme disease is horrible. I went from doing 17 mile races over 13,000 foot mountain passes to having to sit on a stool to make dinner. When I would stand, the wall would have to hold me up.
Thanks in advance for your input.....Timaca