Anyone have Lyme disease?

[Billybob]

Just wondering. I've been having this serious stiffness in my knees for a long time now, and recently this tingly feeling in my hands/arms.The dog had lyme, I had this curious bug bite about 9 mos ago, but thought nothing of it. I've had 2 negative tests, BUT I've done some research and a LOT of people go a long time with negatives before they figure it out. Seems not a lot of doctors are that savvy about lyme? Lot's of horror stories out there.
Any of you guys?

[Jimbo]

I had it, but it was the classic symptoms. I noticed what seemed like a spider bite on my thigh driving to work one day. By the end of work it was annoying enough that Ilooked again and it was red, the size of a softball and warm to the touch. I suspected, but wasn't convinced. That night I had chills and a fever and was convinced. The doctor took one look and there was no doubt in his mind. I was on Amoxacillin for a long time and that was it. The disconcerting thing is you have to assume the amoxacillin worked, because apparently, having had it once, you will probably always test false positive. The horror is you could contract Lyme's, possibly not suspect it and later on that's when it can really hurt you. Treatment sooner rather than later is key. And there's no loss for information on the internet.

[HighTide]

I haven't had it, but my sister in law was finally diagnosed with it after years of suffering its symptoms. Also, my neice was bitten by a deer tick and had that bullseye rash, she was treated with antibiotics and never showed any symptoms beyond that.

Here's a link to lymenet. Good source of info

[BigBo]

Check with Notaro, I think he had that..........oh wait, it might have been FEB or something like that.
Sorry, didn't mean to make light of your situation. I just couldn't help myself.

[redlite]

My mom has been battling it since she got bit by a tick last summer down the cape. It has been real bad. It messed up her kidneys and she has been on a cocktail of drugs to battle it for over a year now. Sapps the energy right out of you. I think she is allergic to amoxicillan and penicllian, so she has had to go on other antibiotics. One she was on for a while had a side effect that she absolutely couldn't be in the sun for. Used to think it was a thing like the flu, but after watching my mother battle it, I sure hope I don't get it. At least I only fish at night so I don't have to worry about the sun issue.

[Karl F]

My wife had a hell of a time with it for a couple of years. You are right, negative on the test don't mean squat, and most Dr's don't know enough about it, or are so misinformed, they do not treat it correctly. A lot of so called medical profesional's will misdiagnos, or even accuse the patient of having psych troubles..

Try and find someone who is a specialist.. Dr. Samuel Donta at Boston University Hospital is one of the leading ones, but I hear it is tough to get in to see him now..

Best wishes to find relief for whatever is ailing you.

[Billybob]

Thanks for the input guys. I went to another Dr. yesterday, drew a bunch of blood for a barrage of tests, we'll see what that turns up. I'll keep you posted.
That Lymenet site is good, but pretty scary - hard to believe that in this day and age it's so hard to tell if you have it.
Bill

[Joey T]

I recalled that there is a vaccine for the lyme disease? I haven't heard anything about it lately. I have the major paronioid of the diseases like lyme. I once found it on my pants from a toilet breath collie in Bourne and it jumped on me. My friend's aunt dumped it on the sink and her husband freaked out because it might jump outta the underground ghetto and infect us.