Aa
Question on test results
Results of EIA is positive..*2.78 normal <0.91.. Lyme IgG positive.. Bands present p66,p45,p41,p39, p23 ,p18... Lyme IgM p23 Negative..... Interpretation says Consistent with Bb infection in the past. My Dr. started me on 3 weeks of Doxycycline twice a day and then retake the test. What sent me to the dr. was a weird circular line about 3/4 inch wide that made a complete circle going up my back over my shoulder down my breast and under my arm connecting to make a circle.. He said it did not look typical to him but sent me for the test. My question is if it is not a current infection, why does he have me on the antibiotics? I have never taken a Lyme test before so have never been treated for it.. Does the one band p23 being present on the IgM mean anything.?. I know there have to be at least two to be positive. Not seeing the dr. until Dec. 23 rd and I have all these questions going through my mind.. Thanks for any help.:)
I would hazard a guess that your doc is indeed confident of his ability to treat you, or he would not be treating you now. If it doesn't work out, though, consider getting a second opinion from another doc who specializes in Lyme. Best wishes --
Thanks again for all the info.. Am anxious now to talk to dr. face to face and put questions to him..Maybe he will suggest I see someone else, if he is not confident of his ability to treat..
and PS:
Your post above says: "I was given doxy first for my very old infection and it kicked my butt. I Herxed from it and I stayed on it for almost a year, adding other ABX for co-infections and a cyst Buster." To my understanding (just from what I read; I'm not medically trained), doxy is not effective once the Lyme bacteria have concealed themselves in the body in biofilms, slimy protective coating that keeps the immune system and the meds from reaching the bacteria. Doxy is the first line defense against Lyme, so I read, but if given too late after infection, is ineffective, and other meds are needed to break through the biofilms. Because I had been ill for a while, my doc didn't even try doxy but went straight to Flagyl as a cystbuster, plus another antibiotic to kill the bacteria thus exposed. Herbs may have a similar effect, but I was never on them. Worth checking out the cystbusters imo, tho, because so-called mainstream medicine (meaning nonLLMDs) just doesn't understand the biofilm issue.
Your post above says: "I was given doxy first for my very old infection and it kicked my butt. I Herxed from it and I stayed on it for almost a year, adding other ABX for co-infections and a cyst Buster." To my understanding (just from what I read; I'm not medically trained), doxy is not effective once the Lyme bacteria have concealed themselves in the body in biofilms, slimy protective coating that keeps the immune system and the meds from reaching the bacteria. Doxy is the first line defense against Lyme, so I read, but if given too late after infection, is ineffective, and other meds are needed to break through the biofilms. Because I had been ill for a while, my doc didn't even try doxy but went straight to Flagyl as a cystbuster, plus another antibiotic to kill the bacteria thus exposed. Herbs may have a similar effect, but I was never on them. Worth checking out the cystbusters imo, tho, because so-called mainstream medicine (meaning nonLLMDs) just doesn't understand the biofilm issue.
I was never on doxy, so don't have the experiences you all have had -- whatever I say about it is just from what I read, and I *know* how off-base that can be!
About payment plans, it can't hurt to ask the doc's office. There are also some charitable organizations that can help fund testing and treatment (?) for Lyme -- Lymelight Foundation and Lyme-TAP. I don't know their requirements to participate, but they have websites. If worse comes to worst, ask family and friends for loans to get the testing done so you'll know what the plan is and can then work toward financing it.
There are other docs who have learned from Dr B's approach, so plow ahead and keep us posted. You go!
About payment plans, it can't hurt to ask the doc's office. There are also some charitable organizations that can help fund testing and treatment (?) for Lyme -- Lymelight Foundation and Lyme-TAP. I don't know their requirements to participate, but they have websites. If worse comes to worst, ask family and friends for loans to get the testing done so you'll know what the plan is and can then work toward financing it.
There are other docs who have learned from Dr B's approach, so plow ahead and keep us posted. You go!
Funny, my internist when we used to live out on Long Island was Dr. Burrascano out in Easthampton.. Sure could use him now.lol.. I believe he is retired or possibly passed by now.. We moved to North east Pa. around 10 years ago so very possible I was bit on L.I and we are surrounded by deer here and I am always taking ticks off my dogs even with the front line on them. As a matter of fact my neighbor and my dog were both recently diagnosed with Anaplasmosis another tick related illness. She (my neighbor) was quite sick and hospitalized for a few days and my dog was treated with doxy too. Hers was a recent infection...... Jackie, I am not big on asserting myself but in this day and age we do have to watch out for ourselves and be proactive in our healthcare.. My dr. didn't even think I should take the Lyme test but I pushed for it Glad I did.. I don't want to hurt anyone's feelings but my health is more important.. I wonder if any of the drs. well versed in LD are willing to work out payment plans or offer cash discounts.? Without insurance right now .. :(
Jackie, I just want to mention that I was given doxy first for my very old infection and it kicked my butt. I Herxed from it and I stayed on it for almost a year, adding other ABX for co-infections and a cyst Buster.
I feel that all the Abx did a little bit for me. For example, with the doxy I went from not being able to walk to walking. However the abx only could do so much and it wasn't until I went on the herbal protocol that I felt I turned a corner. I am still on the herbals but much better than before.
I feel that all the Abx did a little bit for me. For example, with the doxy I went from not being able to walk to walking. However the abx only could do so much and it wasn't until I went on the herbal protocol that I felt I turned a corner. I am still on the herbals but much better than before.
You're very welcome. I think it a cruel trick of nature that when we are so sick is just the time when we have to learn and think through a bunch of messy, detailed, contentious matter to try to figure out what to do and what our docs ought to be doing. Been there.
It's quite possible to be bitten and infected with Lyme or a co-infection that your immune system manages to keep to a low roar, and then when bitten again later, it becomes too much keep the symptoms tolerable. Ticks are rude little creatures, and think nothing of biting people they already bit before.
I am sure your doc is trying the best he can for you, but if you have any concern about him being up to date, then I would not hesitate to get a second opinion. Giving doxy is what is recommended by both the CDC (Centers for Disease Control) and IDSA (Infectious Disease Society of America, the largest voluntary group for docs who practice in that field), no matter how long established the infection is and often without regard to what co-infections may be present. You do not need to tell him you are getting a second opinion; that is your personal business. If at some point you decide to tell him that you have seen another doc and the results were x, y and z, then consider doing so. Many wise and good-hearted docs are just on the wrong side of Mother Nature when it comes to Lyme, and someday it will be sorted out, but likely not real soon. I am sure your regular doc is doing what he believes is right, based on CDC/IDSA pronouncements and guidelines, but that doesn't mean it's right. Your doc would want what is right for you, so do what you have to for a full diagnosis and work up, and wait till another time to pass along to him what you discover and do.
You don't mention in your short bio what state or area you live in; if you want to, you can post here something like "Need LLMD in Des Moines IA" and see what you get back from posters here. Doesn't mean the doc would be the right one for you, but it's a start, and hearing personal experience someone else has had with a particular doc is often helpful. As noted, those specific responses should come in private message rather than out in the open.
Here's a thought -- Lyme bacteria like to use up magnesium (Mg) in the body as part of their (ewww) reproductive process, which can leave Lyme patients with low Mg levels. Some docs think that's wrong and/or silly, but I read up on it and gave it a whirl. It worked very well for me, and I still take it daily now. Any good quality variety of Mg supplements (in capsules) that ends in "-ate" is supposed to be the most absorbable: Mg malate, orotate, aspartate, citrate, and so on. I am a fan of Mg malate, and have also had good effect from a blend called Magnesium CAO [short for citrate, aspartate and orotate]. Some drug stores carry Mg capsules, but I get mine online -- often good pricing and good quality. If you do take any vitamins or supplements, be sure to give your Lyme doc a list of what you take, how much, and how often, so the doc can factor that into your condition and presentation of symptoms. Bonus: Mg helps me sleep like a baby, just like a baby downing a bottle of milk [lots of magnesium!] just before a nap.
Enough from me;don't want to overwhelm you. And don't worry about hurting your current doc's feelings -- you don't need to tell him you are getting a second opinion from (or being treated by) another doc. There is a lot of animosity among docs about whether Lyme is a serious thing or not, but your first job is to take care of you and not worry about your doc's feelings. You don't need to tell him/her that you are seeking a second opinion etc.
Take care -- we have all been where you are.
It's quite possible to be bitten and infected with Lyme or a co-infection that your immune system manages to keep to a low roar, and then when bitten again later, it becomes too much keep the symptoms tolerable. Ticks are rude little creatures, and think nothing of biting people they already bit before.
I am sure your doc is trying the best he can for you, but if you have any concern about him being up to date, then I would not hesitate to get a second opinion. Giving doxy is what is recommended by both the CDC (Centers for Disease Control) and IDSA (Infectious Disease Society of America, the largest voluntary group for docs who practice in that field), no matter how long established the infection is and often without regard to what co-infections may be present. You do not need to tell him you are getting a second opinion; that is your personal business. If at some point you decide to tell him that you have seen another doc and the results were x, y and z, then consider doing so. Many wise and good-hearted docs are just on the wrong side of Mother Nature when it comes to Lyme, and someday it will be sorted out, but likely not real soon. I am sure your regular doc is doing what he believes is right, based on CDC/IDSA pronouncements and guidelines, but that doesn't mean it's right. Your doc would want what is right for you, so do what you have to for a full diagnosis and work up, and wait till another time to pass along to him what you discover and do.
You don't mention in your short bio what state or area you live in; if you want to, you can post here something like "Need LLMD in Des Moines IA" and see what you get back from posters here. Doesn't mean the doc would be the right one for you, but it's a start, and hearing personal experience someone else has had with a particular doc is often helpful. As noted, those specific responses should come in private message rather than out in the open.
Here's a thought -- Lyme bacteria like to use up magnesium (Mg) in the body as part of their (ewww) reproductive process, which can leave Lyme patients with low Mg levels. Some docs think that's wrong and/or silly, but I read up on it and gave it a whirl. It worked very well for me, and I still take it daily now. Any good quality variety of Mg supplements (in capsules) that ends in "-ate" is supposed to be the most absorbable: Mg malate, orotate, aspartate, citrate, and so on. I am a fan of Mg malate, and have also had good effect from a blend called Magnesium CAO [short for citrate, aspartate and orotate]. Some drug stores carry Mg capsules, but I get mine online -- often good pricing and good quality. If you do take any vitamins or supplements, be sure to give your Lyme doc a list of what you take, how much, and how often, so the doc can factor that into your condition and presentation of symptoms. Bonus: Mg helps me sleep like a baby, just like a baby downing a bottle of milk [lots of magnesium!] just before a nap.
Enough from me;don't want to overwhelm you. And don't worry about hurting your current doc's feelings -- you don't need to tell him you are getting a second opinion from (or being treated by) another doc. There is a lot of animosity among docs about whether Lyme is a serious thing or not, but your first job is to take care of you and not worry about your doc's feelings. You don't need to tell him/her that you are seeking a second opinion etc.
Take care -- we have all been where you are.
Thank you so much Jackie for all the info. It is all so confusing and I may end up looking for a Dr. more trained in LD.. I love my PCP but I don't want to mess with this.. I will take the doxycycline and meet with him on the 23rd and try to get a feel for how knowledgeable he is on this .. I am not having a problem so far with the antibiotic but noticed that same rash I described that had disappeared a couple of weeks ago, had popped up again in the same spot and was present for a day or two and then faded again.. My joints are aching like crazy but have off and on for a few years.. I always blamed it on the weather or getting older.. Never thought about LD.. Good to know I can private message to get some suggestions for another Doc, if need be... Again, thank you for your kind advice!! :)
PS -- forgot to say:
You will notice that we AVOID putting LLMD's names on this site in public.
The reason is that the so-called mainstream medical docs don't take kindly to being told they are all wet when it comes to Lyme diagnosis and treatment, so we try to protect LLMDs' identities here in public. We may give recommendations to other posters here, but it's done through private message on this site. More about that later, if needed.
(There are some states and locales in which the medical boards are packed with docs who are of the old school 'We don't have Lyme here' approach. Those are the ones who can cause trouble for the more open-minded docs we need.)
You will notice that we AVOID putting LLMD's names on this site in public.
The reason is that the so-called mainstream medical docs don't take kindly to being told they are all wet when it comes to Lyme diagnosis and treatment, so we try to protect LLMDs' identities here in public. We may give recommendations to other posters here, but it's done through private message on this site. More about that later, if needed.
(There are some states and locales in which the medical boards are packed with docs who are of the old school 'We don't have Lyme here' approach. Those are the ones who can cause trouble for the more open-minded docs we need.)
[continued from previous message pane]
You say: "Does the one band p23 being present on the IgM mean anything.? I know there have to be at least two to be positive." Yes, from my reading, band 23 is specific to Lyme, meaning only Lyme lights up that band. The 'rule' about requiring at least two bands is left over from studies that were done years ago when Lyme first came on the scene, and the docs and scientists investigating it wanted to be SURE they were looking at people with Lyme so that their research data was pure and accurate.
The problem is that what is needed for scientific *research* standards is way way higher than what is needed in a doc's office, looking at a patient. The too-high 'research' standards were unfortunately adopted by the medical community instead of 'clinical' standards a doc should use when confronted with a patient. Research data has to be totally pure, or the research is not as accurate as it can be -- but research standards should NOT be applied in a clinical setting like a doc's office.
Lyme is such a recent event in doc's offices that too many of them don't yet understand how sick is sick enough, and how many of the Lyme symptoms need to be present to prove you are sick. (I went through 20 docs before one of them finally ran a Lyme test, which came back positive!! -- but the doc said I didn't 'look sick enough' to have Lyme. Dumb doc. I found a Lyme specialist, got diagnosed and treated with antibiotics, and have been fully well now for more than five years.)
A 'real' Lyme doc (that is, someone who understands all the stuff -- and more! -- outlined above) will take a progressive view of much that has been learned about Lyme disease in recent years. Unfortunately, much of the rest of the medical community is still holding to the previous idea that Lyme is hard to get, easy to cure, and no big deal. Wrong.
There is a voluntary association for MDs who think more up-to-date thoughts about Lyme, called ILADS, the International Lyme and Associated Diseases Society. My doc was an ILADS member, and he diagnosed and treated me accurately and promptly. ILADS has a website with a referral function to its member docs to help people find a doc nearby, and you can also post a new message here like "Need LLMD near [Dallas TX]" and we can respond with suggestions. ("LLMD" is short for 'Lyme-literate MD' and is not a title or degree -- just patient slang for a doc who thinks more progressive thoughts about Lyme and its co-infections.) Not all ILADS docs are geniuses, but a lot of them are. :) The ILADS website is at --- ILADS [dot] org ---. If you are up for reading, Dr Burrascano's treatment guidelines posted on the website may be of interest.
Sorry to run on -- let us know how we can help. Best wishes -- !
You say: "Does the one band p23 being present on the IgM mean anything.? I know there have to be at least two to be positive." Yes, from my reading, band 23 is specific to Lyme, meaning only Lyme lights up that band. The 'rule' about requiring at least two bands is left over from studies that were done years ago when Lyme first came on the scene, and the docs and scientists investigating it wanted to be SURE they were looking at people with Lyme so that their research data was pure and accurate.
The problem is that what is needed for scientific *research* standards is way way higher than what is needed in a doc's office, looking at a patient. The too-high 'research' standards were unfortunately adopted by the medical community instead of 'clinical' standards a doc should use when confronted with a patient. Research data has to be totally pure, or the research is not as accurate as it can be -- but research standards should NOT be applied in a clinical setting like a doc's office.
Lyme is such a recent event in doc's offices that too many of them don't yet understand how sick is sick enough, and how many of the Lyme symptoms need to be present to prove you are sick. (I went through 20 docs before one of them finally ran a Lyme test, which came back positive!! -- but the doc said I didn't 'look sick enough' to have Lyme. Dumb doc. I found a Lyme specialist, got diagnosed and treated with antibiotics, and have been fully well now for more than five years.)
A 'real' Lyme doc (that is, someone who understands all the stuff -- and more! -- outlined above) will take a progressive view of much that has been learned about Lyme disease in recent years. Unfortunately, much of the rest of the medical community is still holding to the previous idea that Lyme is hard to get, easy to cure, and no big deal. Wrong.
There is a voluntary association for MDs who think more up-to-date thoughts about Lyme, called ILADS, the International Lyme and Associated Diseases Society. My doc was an ILADS member, and he diagnosed and treated me accurately and promptly. ILADS has a website with a referral function to its member docs to help people find a doc nearby, and you can also post a new message here like "Need LLMD near [Dallas TX]" and we can respond with suggestions. ("LLMD" is short for 'Lyme-literate MD' and is not a title or degree -- just patient slang for a doc who thinks more progressive thoughts about Lyme and its co-infections.) Not all ILADS docs are geniuses, but a lot of them are. :) The ILADS website is at --- ILADS [dot] org ---. If you are up for reading, Dr Burrascano's treatment guidelines posted on the website may be of interest.
Sorry to run on -- let us know how we can help. Best wishes -- !
Welcome to MedHelp Lyme -- sorry you are ailing, but glad you are taking steps to figure it out and deal with it.
Lyme is a persistent infection that does not go away without treatment (usually antibiotics), so no matter how long you have been infected, treatment is still (from my experience and from what I read) the right thing to do (I'm not medically trained, so this is just me talking as a former Lyme patient).
EIA is (from what I read) a screening test, and if it is positive, then additional tests are performed to confirm the positive test.
The IgM and IgG tests look for your immune system's reaction to any Lyme bacteria present. IgM is short for 'immunoglobulin M', which your immune system manufactures soon after an infection begins, and IgG (immunoglobulin G) is made by the body some time after the initial infection, to take up fighting the infection when IgG begins to trail off.
Your results:
-- Lyme IgG positive.. Bands present p66,p45,p41,p39, p23 ,p18...
-- Lyme IgM p23 Negative.....
Each numbered band has a specific meaning, which is the same whether it is IgG or IgM (since IgG and IgM are just timing differences for the same bands):
========================
66 -- common to all bacteria, so might be Lyme, or might not be.
45 -- common to all spiral-shaped bacteria, of which Lyme is one.
41 -- ditto 45 above
39 -- a major protein of Lyme bacteria's little whiplike tail -- ONLY Lyme will show positive on this band
23 -- also called OspC (outer surface protein C), which is specific for Lyme (meaning ONLY Lyme will show positive on this band)
18 -- highly specific to Lyme -- many Lyme docs say if this band alone is positive, then you have Lyme
========================
I copied these comments (above) several years ago from a website called Truth About Lyme Disease. At the bottom of the list of all the possible bands, there is a this: "An IgM positive test result means more recent & likely currently active infection. IgG positive means previous exposure to the [Lyme] bacteria or [an] older infection of Lyme. If no symptoms are present with IgG positive, it may mean an 'inactive' LD [Lyme disease] infection. No matter the results, please remember LD is a clinical diagnosis, you can have a negative test and still have Lyme Disease and the co-infections, even through the best labs. If you have symptoms, you need treatment."
But back to your doc's approach and comments.
-- "Interpretation says Consistent with Bb infection in the past." I think he doesn't mean the infection is gone, but that it has been present for quite a while.
-- "My Dr. started me on 3 weeks of Doxycycline twice a day and then retake the test." Doxy is the usual first treatment, but only for a very recent infection, not for one that has been in place for anything more than a few weeks or so. Many docs don't seem to know that.
The reason is that shortly after infection with Lyme, the Lyme bacteria hide in areas of the body (cartilage, biofilms) that the immune system cannot reach into, and what can't be reached, can't be killed. Other meds are needed to break open the biofilms and allow other antibiotics (not doxy) to go in and kill the bacteria.
There is a split in the medical community on this point, and a Lyme specialist knows the difference. Bottom line: doxy almost immediately after infection may work against Lyme, but after an extended period of time as you seem to have had it, other meds are needed.
There is also a question of what other infection(s) your 'Lyme' tick may have brought along, which happens about half the time. A knowledgeable doc would, based on your symptoms, run other tests for those possible infections.
About the circular line looping around your torso: it sounds like an extra wide version of 'erythema migrans' [ER], medical-speak for a spreading red rash. It is an immune system reaction to the bite, and what docs often ask about is 'did you get a little red bump that spread out into a circle shape?' That would be a sign of a tick bite, which could well be Lyme. The circular rash starts small and gets bigger, then fades away, but how fast it fades is a function of how strong your immune system is in fighting the bacteria injected into your skin by the Lyme ticks.
I have seen photos of fairly large such ER rashes, and you can probably find some online too. Search -- lyme rash -- or something similar and select 'images'. (Your doc saw the rash and I haven't -- and I'm not even a doc!! -- but if he doesn't know about ER rashes, well ... that's not a good sign imo fwiw.) If you have photos of the rash at any stage, take them to the doc (either this one or a future one).
You say, "My question is if it is not a current infection, why does he have me on the antibiotics?" As a precautionary measure. However, if you have Lyme and have had it in the past and never been treated, then doxy won't do it, and many docs don't know that. So he means well, but may not have the experience and knowledge you need to knock out whatever infections you have: Lyme will bring with it about half the time other infections that need to be tested for and treated differently from Lyme. I had Lyme and babesiosis, which is first cousin to malaria. Getting diagnosed and treated *soon* is always better for a lot of reasons.
[continued in next message pane]
Lyme is a persistent infection that does not go away without treatment (usually antibiotics), so no matter how long you have been infected, treatment is still (from my experience and from what I read) the right thing to do (I'm not medically trained, so this is just me talking as a former Lyme patient).
EIA is (from what I read) a screening test, and if it is positive, then additional tests are performed to confirm the positive test.
The IgM and IgG tests look for your immune system's reaction to any Lyme bacteria present. IgM is short for 'immunoglobulin M', which your immune system manufactures soon after an infection begins, and IgG (immunoglobulin G) is made by the body some time after the initial infection, to take up fighting the infection when IgG begins to trail off.
Your results:
-- Lyme IgG positive.. Bands present p66,p45,p41,p39, p23 ,p18...
-- Lyme IgM p23 Negative.....
Each numbered band has a specific meaning, which is the same whether it is IgG or IgM (since IgG and IgM are just timing differences for the same bands):
========================
66 -- common to all bacteria, so might be Lyme, or might not be.
45 -- common to all spiral-shaped bacteria, of which Lyme is one.
41 -- ditto 45 above
39 -- a major protein of Lyme bacteria's little whiplike tail -- ONLY Lyme will show positive on this band
23 -- also called OspC (outer surface protein C), which is specific for Lyme (meaning ONLY Lyme will show positive on this band)
18 -- highly specific to Lyme -- many Lyme docs say if this band alone is positive, then you have Lyme
========================
I copied these comments (above) several years ago from a website called Truth About Lyme Disease. At the bottom of the list of all the possible bands, there is a this: "An IgM positive test result means more recent & likely currently active infection. IgG positive means previous exposure to the [Lyme] bacteria or [an] older infection of Lyme. If no symptoms are present with IgG positive, it may mean an 'inactive' LD [Lyme disease] infection. No matter the results, please remember LD is a clinical diagnosis, you can have a negative test and still have Lyme Disease and the co-infections, even through the best labs. If you have symptoms, you need treatment."
But back to your doc's approach and comments.
-- "Interpretation says Consistent with Bb infection in the past." I think he doesn't mean the infection is gone, but that it has been present for quite a while.
-- "My Dr. started me on 3 weeks of Doxycycline twice a day and then retake the test." Doxy is the usual first treatment, but only for a very recent infection, not for one that has been in place for anything more than a few weeks or so. Many docs don't seem to know that.
The reason is that shortly after infection with Lyme, the Lyme bacteria hide in areas of the body (cartilage, biofilms) that the immune system cannot reach into, and what can't be reached, can't be killed. Other meds are needed to break open the biofilms and allow other antibiotics (not doxy) to go in and kill the bacteria.
There is a split in the medical community on this point, and a Lyme specialist knows the difference. Bottom line: doxy almost immediately after infection may work against Lyme, but after an extended period of time as you seem to have had it, other meds are needed.
There is also a question of what other infection(s) your 'Lyme' tick may have brought along, which happens about half the time. A knowledgeable doc would, based on your symptoms, run other tests for those possible infections.
About the circular line looping around your torso: it sounds like an extra wide version of 'erythema migrans' [ER], medical-speak for a spreading red rash. It is an immune system reaction to the bite, and what docs often ask about is 'did you get a little red bump that spread out into a circle shape?' That would be a sign of a tick bite, which could well be Lyme. The circular rash starts small and gets bigger, then fades away, but how fast it fades is a function of how strong your immune system is in fighting the bacteria injected into your skin by the Lyme ticks.
I have seen photos of fairly large such ER rashes, and you can probably find some online too. Search -- lyme rash -- or something similar and select 'images'. (Your doc saw the rash and I haven't -- and I'm not even a doc!! -- but if he doesn't know about ER rashes, well ... that's not a good sign imo fwiw.) If you have photos of the rash at any stage, take them to the doc (either this one or a future one).
You say, "My question is if it is not a current infection, why does he have me on the antibiotics?" As a precautionary measure. However, if you have Lyme and have had it in the past and never been treated, then doxy won't do it, and many docs don't know that. So he means well, but may not have the experience and knowledge you need to knock out whatever infections you have: Lyme will bring with it about half the time other infections that need to be tested for and treated differently from Lyme. I had Lyme and babesiosis, which is first cousin to malaria. Getting diagnosed and treated *soon* is always better for a lot of reasons.
[continued in next message pane]
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