Please help with a couple questions

I pulled a tick off 2 weeks ago and had a rash start to pop up.  I went to the dr. 5 days later because my lymph node in my groin also was swollen and sore.  The dr. believes that its lymes and started me on doxycycline 100mg for 3 weeks and I should have the test results tomorrow.  Well the rash is getting much better (not really a rash but about 7 bumps that itched and swoll up the center scabs) but itches a little still.  But yesterday out of no where my hands started tingling and its seems to be up my arms a little today.  They get much worse when I wash my hands and then it gets better but now its all the time I can feel it but it gets worse with hand washing.  I've been getting a little dizzy and lightheaded also.  My hands will also get really hot out of nowhere and when I wash them they get really cold.  Has anyone ever experienced this and since I caught it so early should I really worry?  Catching so early should the RX take care of it or will it always be with me.  Dr. said it will be gone but I'm not sure because things are getting worse on the RX.  Also is the RX enough mg?  Thanks for any help I'm just really scared about this.

[patsy10]

Welcome to MedHelp.  I'm glad you are getting treatment early.  Are you on the doxy once or twice a day?  

Tingling is common in lyme.  The symptoms can worsen with treatment.  This is called a herxheimer reaction.  When the spirochetes die they release a toxin which in turn temporarily increases symptoms.  I would let your doctor know about the increase in symptoms.

It takes several weeks for the body to form antibodies to lyme so your test is likely to be negative whether you have it or not.

[Jfs123]

Thanks, I am going back to my dr. today to find out the test results and to talk to him about this.  So there is no need to go to a neuro. you think?  I'm going to ask the Dr. also but Its nice to have opinions from others that have this issue.  I take doxy twice a day.  Is that the norm.?

[Jfs123]

I went to the dr. today and test came back neg.  but I was tested 5 days after I pulled the tick.  I have all these symptoms and the dr. wanted to take me off the antibiotics and thinks its something neuro. instead.  I said no I wanted to keep taking them so I am and he reffered me to a neruo dr. and a infectious disease dr.  I'm hoping this will help.  He admittedly said he knew nothing much about lymes so he couldn't help me anymore.

[wughead]

Were you able to save the tick? if it were  me, I would have the tick identified by a lab. If it is any kind of tick bite,why stop the doxy.You dont want chronic lyme that so many of us have because of inadequate or no antibiotics after the bite.

[Jfs123]

Went to neuro and he can't find anything wrong so I go to the infectious disease dr. friday.  I'm  not stopping the rx I am taking them still.  I didn't save the tick because I didn't think about it.  It was a deer tick though.

[patsy10]

If you get bit again save the tick and take it to your local health dept.  They can send it out for testing.

[holly1125]

i've never found a tick... don't even know if i've ever seen one as a matter of fact.  I've also nver had any rash.  Can lyme still be possible?

[JackieCalifornia]

Oh, yes, no bite, no tick and no rash (but still having Lyme) is common.  Estimates vary, but maybe half of all Lyme patients have had none of the above.

The reason drs get all interested in a bite and a rash is that it makes diagnosis easier, but things have gotten confused and instead of using it as a marker of Lyme that sometimes shows up, doctors use it a *required* marker to diagnose Lyme.

I never had a rash or a tick, and I definitely have Lyme.  

[LORR]

your having a reaction to the meds and it is clearing the lyme just keep taking it.. just side effects.