06/25/2024
Please someone tell me why doctors and PAs at local urgent care and primary care facilities are telling patients “oh, that’s not Lyme” without even looking at, or glancing briefly and immediately dismissing, the blazing bulls-eye rashes and NOT EVEN ASKING about symptoms? I have heard this story 3 times in the last 2 weeks!!! 3 patients, all with blazing, text-book rashes (less than 1/2 the people with lyme ever remember having a rash)and other classic symptoms are having to insist on/beg for/demand testing and coming back positive...then get a call back saying “oops, you were right.”
Diagnosis is supposed to be a CLINICAL DIAGNOSIS (meaning someone actually examines you!) The blood test is simply 1 piece of the puzzle, especially because it is quite limited and flawed in its accuracy. It does often take 4-6 weeks after a bite for your body to launch a response and antibodies, which is what the test is looking for... so, if you are bit, getting a test right away is pointless. If you do not know how long the tick was on you (you find it embedded and/or engorged and did not feel it bite you) and you feel poorly with new symptoms, treating as if you are positive is what should happen, while waiting the 4-6 weeks to be tested to improve test accuracy. If you have developed the rash and other symptoms, the likelihood is that you were bit anytime in the last 3 months (even if you only remember a tick yesterday) or picked up Lyme some other way (mosquito, saliva, ... not just a bite) and your body is clearly launching a response. If you have very noticeable symptoms, your body is likely launching a response. The bulls-eye rash, (if you are one of the lucky 50% of Lyme-positive patients who get this obvious red flag) is 100% confirmation whether you remember being bit by a tick or not. You may never develop antibodies or a proper immune response if you are immune-compromised or already have multiple chronic diseases. Needing a positive ELISA (screen) test to treat you for this disease is 100% corporate protocol, outdated CDC guidelines (not rules), and insurance coverage requirements that are your barriers to appropriate treatment.
There is no shortage of accessible information for doctors about this disease. I have lots of resources for patients to share with and educate their docs. (There are also many natural, effective things you can do if you do have lyme to help your body heal, but that will have to be another post.) If you go to your doctor because you suspect Lyme...here are some resources to arm yourself with. When it comes to Lyme...you will have to be your best advocate - no one is going to do it for you. You are smart, You know your body, and it is Your life this affects.
https://www.lymedisease.org/lyme-basics/lyme-disease/diagnosis-and-treatment/
https://www.ilads.org/patient-care/ilads-treatment-guidelines/
https://lyme.health.harvard.edu/diagnosis-and-testing/
https://www.hopkinslyme.org/lyme-disease/diagnosis-of-lyme-disease/
Lyme disease can be difficult to diagnose because early symptoms of fever, severe fatigue, and achiness are also common in many other illnesses.
