Hep C and Lymes Disease

[jules2551]

Hi everyone!  On Fri  Nov 4th I noticed that a tick had embedded in my calf.  I must have gotten it the night before from walking my dog in the woods.  Of course I pulled it out and forgot about it.  It wasn't until Sunday and I really looked at it and realized I had a classic "bulleye" from the bite.  So Monday went to GP and he put me on antibiotics for 7 days as a precaution.  I have not been tested for Lymes yet because he said you need to wait a couple of weeks before the blood test.  Now my question is.....If I were to have Lymes Disease would this prevent treatment for Hep C?  I will be seeing my liver specialist this Friday and was hoping to get into treatment ASAP if it was appropriate timing.  I hope everyone has a great day!

Jules  

[jules2551]

Thanks fl....I was just curious as to whether they would delay Hep C treatment.  I didn't know if that would play a factor into treatment or not.  I will discuss it with him on Friday.  I am glad you beat Lymes....I have heard horror stories from individuals who has suffered with it.  Kudos to you!

[flcyclist]

Lyme disease is a bacterial illness caused by a bacterium called a spirochete - Borrelia burgdorferi. You did the right thing by going to your doctor after recognizing the classic bulls eye rash and your treatment for a week of antibiotics should resolved this.   Since it will probably take severals weeks for approval of med, ordering, etc for the HCV, this brief trt shouldn't force any delays in your beginning.  Certainly something to discuss further with the Hepatologist.  Hope you clear the Lyme disease quickly and best of luck beginning trt.

I also acquired Lyme in the late 80's, recognized the rash and did 2 week of tetracyline with no further symptoms.  I know of others that didn't catch it early and later suffered from sever arthritic symptoms