Quix-Lyme Disease-Western Blot

Quix,

I noticed in another post, one to Rae; that you spoke about the Western Blot test for Lyme Disease.

While you know that I was diagnosed with MS over 12 years ago, I WAS bitten by a tick one year ago.  I was visiting with my daughter and felt an itch on my mid-back.  When she lifted my shirt, she saw a tick and noticed a small red ring around the bite.

I immediately made an appointment with my family doctor.  I put the tick in a baggie (and named his Rocky) and headed to the doc.  They saw the red ring around the bite and examined the tick under a microscope to make sure that the "head" was still intact.  This to verify that no part of the tick remained in my skin, obviously.  I was put on antibiotics right away and I was given a blood test for Lyme Disease.  Even after a course of 10 day antibiotics, a slight rash and a red ring at the site of the tick bite, remained for almost 3-4 weeks.  I had no symptoms of Lyme Disease, at any time.  I say this, with you knowing that I DO have a definitive diagnosis of MS.  So when I say that I have had no symptoms of Lyme Disease after my bite, I cannot be 100% certain, that I haven't.  Of course, my blood work, including a Western Blot for Lyme Disease came back negative, one year ago.

Do you feel that a test for Lyme Disease should be repeated at this time?  I do not have any symptoms of Lyme Disease. After the slight rash and red circle went away, I have not had anything like it again.   I know that you are a retired peditirician, but would welcome your advice.

Thanks, as always, Heather

[Momzilla]

Hi, Heather~

The very same thing happened to a family friend -- minus the MS.  He had a tick bite and was started immediately on antibiotics.  He did start to get a few symtoms (symptoms) of Lyme, like Joint pain and fatigue, but continued a few courses of antibiotics and saw his physician.  He is symptom free, now years later.

I THINK the problem with Lyme is that it can injure the nervous system if left untreated.  It becomes 'neuroLyme' at some point.  I may misunderstand this.  I hope someone KIND will correct me if I'm wrong.  We've had these conversations before....

Anyway, since you were treated right away, and tested negative, I bet you are fine.  Perhaps Rocky did not carry the disease, even.  If I were you, though, I might feel better just getting another test done, to reassure myself.  There's certainly no harm in retesting.  But I am telling you our friend did have an infection and is symptom free to this day.  Completely recovered.

Good luck!

Zilla*