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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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How Can Lyme Disease Be Diagnosed?

About 3 years ago my primary care doctor ordered a test for Lyme s disease. Previous blood work indicated that testing for Lyme s disease was needed. The test results were negative. Two weeks ago I found 3 ticks on my body. One had burrowed just it s head into my thigh. The second tick had burrowed half of it s body into my hip.The third tick I discovered after getting ready for bed. I found blood in my bra but I did not conclude that it was a tick until 2 days later when I discovered the other ticks. I removed the ticks,cleaned them with soap and water the applied an antibiotic ointment. Then I contacted a nurse hot line and was referred to a walk in clinic as I was not positive how long the tick had been on my breast. I was prescribed and took an antibiotic. A week went by without complication,however,last week and part of this week I have been experiencing knee and shoulder pain. I have arthritis in my knees,hips,sine and shoulders,however,I rarely have had pain in all joints but last week I did. The most pain was in my shoulders,the least being my hip. The pain limited my range of motion and interrupted my sleep. Could the joint pain be related to the tick bites? Should I have further testing for Lyme s disease and other tick Bourne diseases?
Mon, 2 Jul 2018
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General & Family Physician 's  Response
Hello and Welcome to ‘Ask A Doctor’ service. I have reviewed your query and here is my advice.

It looks like you are suffering from the complications of Lyme disease. However, if you are not yet diagnosed you need to visit ER. For diagnosis you will have to go though investigations like ELISA test & Western Blot test. Since you are developing some complications you may get relieve after symptomatic treatment , else you will have to get a few more investigations done for total cure. Don't worry take Cefuroxime or Amoxycillin for two weeks but you may need intravenous antibiotics depending on the investigation report & diagnosis. Take multivitamine supplements & keep yourself well hydrated, stop all addictions & get treated.

Hope I have answered your query. Let me know if I can assist you further.
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How Can Lyme Disease Be Diagnosed?

Hello and Welcome to ‘Ask A Doctor’ service. I have reviewed your query and here is my advice. It looks like you are suffering from the complications of Lyme disease. However, if you are not yet diagnosed you need to visit ER. For diagnosis you will have to go though investigations like ELISA test & Western Blot test. Since you are developing some complications you may get relieve after symptomatic treatment , else you will have to get a few more investigations done for total cure. Don t worry take Cefuroxime or Amoxycillin for two weeks but you may need intravenous antibiotics depending on the investigation report & diagnosis. Take multivitamine supplements & keep yourself well hydrated, stop all addictions & get treated. Hope I have answered your query. Let me know if I can assist you further.