[Gemstone]

I have no clue what this is. I got stung or bit by something on the back of my neck on Wednesday night. I have no clue what it was. it wasn't a bee because I am really allergic, and I didn't have the sort of reaction I normally have. I also would have heard a bee that close. It stung pretty good whatever it was.

That day I got raised hives around where I was stung. Then yesterday I noticed tender bumps on both sides of the back of my neck. They aren't hives, they are lumps, and tender to touch. I also got a high fever last night.

My doctor can't see me until Monday, so I thought I would check if any of you have any ideas. I'm hoping whatever it is is gone by monday.

sounds like lpmph glands...my daughter had them....Dr gave her anti-biotics...viral infection and the glands work just like tonsils and are raised because their fighting the virus...could be? o

[Gemstone]

I think the lumps are lymph nodes. I checked on webmd and that sounds right.

Maybe I got an infection from the bite or something.

The nurse at my doctors office said to take bennedryl for the hives, tylenol for the fever, and to come in on Monday if I still feel crappy.

((( Gem )))

If you don't feel better, don't wait until Monday. Go to a walk-in clinic and have them take a look.

I'm not allergic to stings as far as hives go, but I sure have bad reactions. Mine always swell up huge and then get all goopy and weepy and stuff. Bugs just love me.

[allthegirls6]

How are you doing now gem?

[(JD)]

Did you see a ring of redness around the bite at all? (Sorry, I'm leery of spider bites ) What did you decide to do Gem?

[Gemstone]

Still Feeling sick today. I'm going to the doctors in an hour to get checked out. I went to the walk in clinic yesterday, but there was a 2 hour wait, and I felt to crappy to sit and wait.

The rash has spread a lot, and doesn't look so much like hives anymore. They aren't raised bumps. Still have a fever, but it is a bit lower at 101 now.

I'll let you know what they come up with.

[Gemstone]

I just got back from the doctor, and he thinks I have lyme disease. He ran a blood test to be sure, but he said he was pretty positive thats what it is. Apparently the rash I have is a pretty tell tale sign of lyme disease.

He thinks the bug bite I got last wednesday was unrelated. He said thats probably just the reason I noticed the rash. Apparently it takes a while for symptoms to show up. I remember taking a tick off me about a month ago, so thats probably the offending bug.

He said that since I caught it early I shouldn't have any permanent problems from it. He sent me home with antibiodics that should clear it up. He said that if I had ignored it, I might have had permanent nerve damage or heart problems from it.

I have also had a lot of muscle soreness lately, and he said that was from the lyme disease.

He said it was really common in this area. I'm glad its not too serious.

Oh my Gem.

I'm glad the Dr thinks they'll be no long term problems. I know someone that had Lyme disease and the Dr.'s couldn't figure out what was wrong with her for the longest time. She could hardly get out of bed she was in so much pain. They kept telling her it was the flu.

She's much better now.

Other than the antibiotics, is there anything else you should be doing?

Are you resting?

Feel better soon.

[Gemstone]

I'm on the antibiodics for 20 days, and he gave me some pain meds too, but I don't really like to take them.

I'm glad I caught it early, and my doctor knew what he was looking for. He said he was glad I didn't wait at the clinic, because there was a good change they would say it was the flu. He said other than the rash there is not a good way to know what it is. The symptoms are a lot like the flu.

I'm resting too. I've been feeling really crappy. He said I should start to feel a lot better in a week or so.

{{{{{ Gemstones }}}}}

Oh my goodness... I would not have thought about Lymes...
I am so glad they caught it early.. I hope you start feeling better soon.

[January]

(((((((((( Gem ))))))))))

I'm so glad your Dr. knew what to do for you. I'm so very glad that you won't have long term problems from it.

Please take extra good care of yourself.

Hugs,

Jan

[Fuzzybear]

((((((((((((((( Gem )))))))))))))))

[(JD)]

(((Gem))) I was recently in a hospital setting and heard a few doctors talking about how Lyme Disease is a crock while I'm interested in following up on what they were saying, I was apalled that they were discussing this in front of patients! I surely hope they find what causes what they are calling lyme disease... and that it's soon. It's not a good thing with which to have to contend, I'm sure! TC

[Gemstone]

Wow Sky, that is terrible they were saying it in front of patients.

I'm confused why they would think it was a crock considering it is a bacteria that can be tested for. Now, I'm curious I'll have to look more into it.

Here is some basic information on lyme disease from the cdc. It shows pictures of the characteristic rash too.

http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dvbid/lyme/

[(JD)]

Well, obviously there is still alot they don't know about it. I know of a few people who suffer greatly because of whatever it is!

(((hugs)))

It continues to be a growing problem in Massachusetts.

When I lived there they were always telling us if we had been out in the woods to check for ticks. They warned us to roll up our socks and not fold them over so ticks could hide. And of course they said bug spray.

It's prevalent in heavily populated deer areas, especially on the outer islands. I moved in 1994 and it was bad then. My friend, who works for the Massachusetts Division of Foresty, got it and was quite sick for some time.

Maybe those Dr.'s had a liquid lunch or called in sick the day they were learning about it in med school.

Lyme Disease on the rise.

[allthegirls6]

Good grief Gem. I hope you get better very soon. Its a pretty serious thing to have