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Would you get tested for Lyme Disease? (Read 23 times)

XtremeTaper


    I may just be grasping at straws here, being an injured runner and all, but here is my situation.

     

    Early October, sort of out of the blue, my running took a huge setback with awful joint pain and swelling in the left knee. I figure it's just typical tendinitis, overuse, but in reality I wasn't really training hard or big miles at the time. Just normal stuff for me. So since then I've been going back and forth, a week off here, 2 week there, intermixed with some low miles running, lots of time at the gym, even a lot of PT including estim and ultrasound. I don't seem to be seeing any improvement.

     

    Now both my knees have had meniscus repairs (2011) so it's likely just a tracking issue but here is the thing. I remember definitely having a nasty tick bit sometime in late August or September. Not a typical tick, that had just latched on for an hour or two, but one that had dug into my inner thigh pretty good. The head was buried into the skin and it wasn't just a matter of flicking it off. While I never noticed the bulls-eye rash, there is still a small scar where I removed the tick. So co-incidental, or should I go get tested? I'm leaning toward getting a blood test figure it's a few hundred bucks maybe.

    In dog beers, I've only had one.

    wcrunner2


    Are we there, yet?

      Yes. There are actually two different tests, the second being recommended if the first test is positive or ambivalent. If left untreated Lyme disease can cause permanent damage.

       2024 Races:

            03/09 - Livingston Oval Ultra 6-Hour, 22.88 miles

            05/11 - D3 50K
            05/25 - What the Duck 12-Hour

            06/17 - 6 Days in the Dome 12-Hour.

       

       

           

      Daydreamer1


        I would. If the tests come back clear at least you know it's not Lymes. If it is Lyme then the quicker the treatment the better.

        NorthernHarrier


          YES!

           

          Around here they will prescribe doxy with the mere hint of symptoms while they wait for test results it is so common.

           

          For the record I have been treated 5 times with the last occurrence being a real MF'er. The accuracy of the first test is somewhat questionable while the second test being much more thorough is still open to a doctors interpretation. This last time of just a few months ago the 2nd test was considered positive by one doctor and negative by an infectious disease specialist I saw. If memory serves me I believe line/bar 23 was positive which is very lyme specific but the specialist still said negative.  I was in bad shape and stayed on the antibiotics anyway. All symptoms cleared up and I have felt great ever since.

           

          If I were in your shoes I would be proactive and insist on starting the doxy series with or without any testing. It is very inexpensive and there are virtually no side effects. I would also mention how long you have had your symptoms so you could get a longer course of treatment.

           

          When my specialist checked back with me I told him I had cont'd the doxy despite his interpretation of the results and have been feeling great without any more symptoms, he of course had to say it could have been any number of things. Yeah right.

           

          Again, usually no issues around here putting you on the drugs as a rule. I even had a PA I had seen in the past prescribe me based on my description of symptoms and exposure over the phone.

           

          Good luck!

          AT-runner


          Tim

            Yes.  If your PCP is not the proactive type, insist on at least testing and you can discuss AB's after results come in. . You have nothing to lose by testing.

             

            See, if we want NH to show up we just need to mention grouse and tics.  Hiya stranger, hope you are healing.

            Now if someone posts about hips, I'm sure Mandy will pop in, too.

            “Paralysis-to-50k” training plan is underway! 

            Queen of Nothing


            Sue

              Take two beers and call your doctor in the morning. 

               05/13/23 Traverse City Trail Festival 25K

               08/19/23  Marquette 50   dns 🙄

               

               

               

               

               

              runtraildc


                Yes, what Harrier said.

                 

                See, if we want NH to show up we just need to mention grouse and tics.  Hiya stranger, hope you are healing.

                Now if someone posts about hips, I'm sure Mandy will pop in, too.

                And stop by more often NH. Can you snowshoe?  Seeing lots of snowy pics coming out of MN and WI.

                XtremeTaper


                  Went and had the blood draw and test today at one of those walk-in clinics. I should know the results tomorrow, end of the week at latest. Weird. Not sure if I want a positive test to explain my current situation, or a negative result and just face the fact that I'm an old injured decrepit runner.

                  In dog beers, I've only had one.

                  Sandy-2


                    XT, good luck.  I was going to chime in that you should get the test.

                     

                    A friend who lives in upstate NY has been battling "something" for years now, they're actually not sure what it is but the most likely thing is some sort of strain of Lyme's.  With all the tests, treatments, voodoo, faith healers, etc. it's been a really horrible situation.  (Ok those last two have basically been internet search remedies that they actually didn't follow, but you get the picture.)

                     

                    Seriously though, I really hope it turns out to be good news.

                    2/17/24 - Forgotten Florida 100 Mile, Christmas, FL

                    LB2


                      I think the test was a good idea. I know a couple of people who have battled Lyme Disease.

                      LB2