neck swelling-scared!!

[gorbybelle]

I think I have asked this before - but need to re-ask - : does anyone get swelling at side of neck - not gland area but lower down where neck meets clavicle/collar bone.  I have had some slight swelling there for a while buy today has swollen to quite a large lump  -  it feels sort of fatty/fluidy  -  it is starting to worry me quite a lot.

I went to doctors today and he wants me to get a chest x-ray and have some blood tests - I talked to him about my LLMD's thoughts on lyme - he didn't respond in the way I was expecting - he actually prescribed 'doxy' - as I said that is what LLMD has recommended - [my doctor hasn't even recieved report from LLMD yet!]

So I have just taken first dose of 'doxy' - can you give me an idea of how long before I might start having any affects - if I do have lyme??

-I realise I may just get a reaction to 'doxy' anyway - if that makes sense.

I have been 'looking up' possible causes for the swelling and I don't like what I am reading - though one thing caught my eye - possible infected arthritis - can be from 'cat scratch disease' - bartonella - also carried by ticks.

Any thoughts?

I am a bit over-reactive at the moment - but this swelling is scaring me

[patsy10]

I have not had the swelling you mention above.  I had a friend who had cat scratch and it was an actual lump on his neck.

A herx reaction is different in each person so I can only speak for myself.  It usually hits me about 5 days into treatment.

[JackieCalifornia]

Hi gorbs, wow sounds like your dr is with the program!

I haven't had doxy, so can't speak to it.

As to your neck, I get puffy watery bits like that below and inside my knees right after a Herx (if I'm on meds) or after the bugs have had a little hatching party (if I'm off meds).  Gravity causes the watery stuff to run downhill to a spot where it stops and has to just be absorbed back into the body.  Ask your LLMD, it's a worthwhile question.

I don't really remember how long it took to get my first Herx after starting treatment, probably a half week or a week.  Mine were never much more severe than the symptoms I was having already, tho some people have worse Herxes I think.  Others can comment....?

Remember, the fear and anxiety are the bugs talking; hang in there and that too will eventually go away.

Keep us posted!  Good for you!!