Lyme and Associated Tick-borne Diseases: Global challenges of Lyme Disease

http://journal.frontiersin.org/Journal/10.3389/fcimb.2014.00074/full

Lyme disease Erythema Migrans

Shortly after I developed my Oval Rash on 6/3/08 I found these pictures on the CDC web page....The Oval rash on the CDC page was very similar to my rash.  The CDC has taken down these pictures and now has a picture of a Bulls Eye rash only.... Doctors don't always recognize the rash when it is staring them in the face so more education needs to be done about the rash.... When I went to my Dr. he prescribed this lotion for the above rash.....

 My treatment was delayed and inadequate because I received a lotion instead of an antibiotic.... The sooner the treatment the better... As mentioned on the CDC page in June 2008 "A key component of early diagnosis is recognition of the characteristic Lyme Disease rash called Erythema Migrans." This rash is indicative of Lyme disease and should be clinically diagnosed and treated ASAP with antibiotics not a lotion... Test are usually not positive when the rash is present so don't wait for test results.... 

CDC:Lyme Disease Rates 10 times higher than previously reported.

www.snsanalytics.com/JZrty3

Five Years Later

http://www.bostonglobe.com/metro/2013/06/01/lyme-disease-rise-and-controversy-over-how-sick-makes-patients/OT4rCTy9qRYh25GsTocBhL/story.html?s_campaign+sm_tw  Controversy continues, interesting article above.
     This blog was first intended to tell my story and educate about the rash. I haven't blogged since May 2011 but not much has changed. I continue to research and educate because Lyme is more than a Bulls Eye and not everyone with Lyme gets a Rash. The rash occurs in ~ 70% of cases.  The rash can be hidden on the back, scalp, neck, buttocks and knee. As in my case the rash can be OVAL or solid in color. It usually doesn't itch and gradually expands. Multiple rashes may occur when the disease progresses and disseminates. If the rash is present YOU HAVE LYME.  Don't wait for the test and the SOONER the treatment the better. Generally antibodies don't start to show until 6 weeks and therefore test taken before will be negative. Ticks can also spread co-infections so treatment should be individualized if symptoms persist. I will update further in my next blog.


                             

Deer and a typical oval Lyme rash.

When we first moved here I saw lots of deer in my back yard.... I thought they were beautiful!! I enjoyed looking out the window and seeing them walk, eat and relax... I knew little about Lyme Disease until I developed a rash on my chest similar to the rash below.. The rash was oval and gradually expanded. It didn't itch. Went to my doctor and he said in his professional opinion the rash did not appear to be Lyme... He sent me home with a lotion... As a result the rash expanded across my chest and then I developed 2 more typical rounded rashes on my legs...The bacteria had started to spread... GET treatment ASAP if you see an OVAL rash like this.... THIS rash is indicative of LYME DISEASE and requires immediate treatment...

Diagnosis is a big problem

http://www.phoenixnewtimes.com/2011-05-05/news/a-young-woman-believe-she-would-ve-died-if-she-d-continued-treatment-for-alleged-lyme-disease-from-chandler-clinicians/1/

This is an example of OVER diagnosis. Lyme is both UNDER diagnosed and OVER diagnosed.

Dangerous treatment of Lyme disease with Salt and vitamin C

Two years ago I discovered something VERY disturbing on the internet.... Google Lyme and no doubt you will see this SO CALLED miracle cure for Lyme and the various sites promoting it .... This is not a Cure for Lyme or anything else for that matter and may cause more harm than good. The recommendation for Sodium is less than 2400 mg daily.... Check any food label and you will see the amount of sodium per serving. Sea Salt which is generally recommended on this regimen contains ~ 2350 mg of Sodium in 1 tsp. This SO CALLED miracle cure recommends 5 - 10 times that amount. Excess SODIUM can cause problems with fluid retention, electrolyte imbalance, high blood pressure, heart disease, kidney disease, stroke, gastric cancer and osteoporosis. Last year the IOM made recommendations to decrease dietary Sodium which may save ~ 100,000 lives a year. The food industry and restaurants are presently working on decreasing sodium in their products. Please beware of this and other scams for Lyme disease.