lyme rash

how long would a lyme rash last? i have seen a neurologist for about three years now for muscle weakness with no dx. i have others symtoms (symptoms) also, but the muscle weaknees was my inital complaint. With all of my symptoms lyme fits better than any. About a year or so ago i noticed a perfect circle red rash spot at the top of my groin area, it has'nt changed since i first noticed it, i was just wondering if this could be a so called "Lyme Rash"?

[JackieCalifornia]

To my knowledge (and I'm not medically trained), Lyme rashes (if they are present at all) tend to come and go within days/weeks.

However, as one poster here has said recently, it may be that different strains of Lyme (and there are at least dozens) tend to different symptoms -- some give a skin rash, others don't.  

Neurologists are at the top of the list of MDs who don't "believe" in Lyme and who discount it as anything more than a mild annoyance.  

My advice, as a Lyme patient, would be to find an MD with a more progressive view of Lyme and be tested.  The tests are not perfect, far from it, but when read in conjunction with your history and symptoms, a diagnosis is more likely.

Three years with a neurologist and still having issues says to me that it's time to get a second opinion, and to get it from an LLMD (so-called Lyme Literate MD).  

If you go to the website ItsAboutLyme [dot] org, on the right side of the home page there is a list of links, and a number of those will have a referral function to help you find an LLMD in your state or area.

Let us know it goes -- oh, and just in case your rash decides to go away, take a photo of it *today*!  A cell phone photo is fine, put a ruler next to the rash to show its size, and take the photo with you to the LLMD.  I have seen lots of MDs who were half asleep till I showed them a photo of my rash, my tick, whatever.  It gets their attention.

Note that you may NOT have Lyme or another tick disease at all, but if do, and if your MD lacks imagination, you can start making up for his shortcomings by taking steps on your own.  We've all been there one way or another.

Best wishes to you --

[hillclimber11]

I have had a second opinion from a supposedly top five clinic and what i got from them was they cloud"nt obtain all the records, but from what they could tell was it was a muscle problem. So i dont know!  The first place i went to,  the Dr. said it was a nerve problem, and the patholigist said it was a musle problem. All i know is i am on the brink of going crazy, dont want them to know that then i wouldnt get anything done

[JackieCalifornia]

--what kinds of MDs did you see?  

--what tests did they run?  I always get copies of test results for my own files so there's no question.

--what muscle problem did they say it is?

[hillclimber11]

Both Drs. have been neurologist. I have had about all the test you would expect in a case like this, emg, single, fiber emg, ct scan of spine, and brain, mra of brain, muscle biopsy, and dont even want to think about all he blood i have given.

   Neither place actually put a name on it the first place i went was where the Dr. thought it looked like a nerve problem and the pathologist thought it looked like a muscle problem. couldnt get a better answer than that though.

The second place i went based there answer on a emg/ncs and blood work that they did

[JackieCalifornia]

Neurologists as a group are not known to understand or be interested in Lyme disease.

I would suggest locating an LLMD (an MD who specializes in Lyme and other tickborne diseases) for an evaluation.

Try googling "Kentucky LLMD" or "Louisville LLMD" or wherever you are located, and see what comes up.  Also try some of the Lyme websites that have a referral functions, such as ILADS [dot] org, or truthaboutlymedisease [dot] come, or itsaboutlyme [dot] org, or others.  You may also find local support groups if that is helpful to you -- sometimes people are put off because groups can turn into a big whine fest instead of a supportive place to be.

Take copies of all your tests with you if possible, so the LLMD can see what's been done and what the results were.

I'll send you a private message with some other information I found online.

Best wishes!