Think I might have Lyme... what kind of doc to go to?

Over the summer I was bit by a very teeny tiny tick. Left a purplish circle behind that kind of grew bigger until it went way. So, that should have been hint enough that I should go to the doctor right away, right?

Well, now I'm sitting here and my elbow is in so much pain I can't straighten it or bend it all the way. When I try to bend it closed, it feels... I don't know how to explain it... painful and almost like I can't bend it all the way because it's swollen. But it doesn't really LOOK swollen, I don't think? Can't really rotate it in either direction, either. It hurts up into my shoulder and down into my wrist. I also have a lot of twinging pain in my shoulder and neck on the opposite side. And I notice I've been saying how tired I am lately. Like, I say this pretty much every other sentence. To anyone who will listen. In fact, I even nodded off a couple of times this weekend... once on the couch and once in the car (something I NEVER do).

So, now I guess I kind of HAVE to go to a doctor. Problem is, I don't have a primary doctor.

Yes, I am a terrible, terrible patient.

I don't need referrals with my insurance so I can go to any specialist, but I don't even know where to start since I am, of course, not even sure that this is Lyme.

I have an allergist that I see regularly and a rheumatologist that I am supposed to see more regularly than I do. Or should I just go to a walk in clinic?

Has anyone here dealt with Lyme? Does this even sound like Lyme? What doctor did you go to? You can FM me if it's easier.

I'm a little nervous.

Re: Think I might have Lyme... what kind of doc to go to?

Question- why do you see a rheumotoligst? Because your symptoms sound a bit like rheumatoid arthritis.
And then when you said you see a rheumotoligist it rang a bell.
Just wondering if maybe it could be related ?

Re: Think I might have Lyme... what kind of doc to go to?

I would start with an internist for a Lymes test ASAP.

Re: Think I might have Lyme... what kind of doc to go to?

Think I might have Lyme... what kind of doc to go to?

I would just go to your regular doctor. Mine drew my blood and sent it to the lab for lyme testing.

Re: Think I might have Lyme... what kind of doc to go to?

Posted by shaleywhale

Posted by NervousNell

Question- why do you see a rheumotoligst? Because your symptoms sound a bit like rheumatoid arthritis.
And then when you said you see a rheumotoligist it rang a bell.
Just wondering if maybe it could be related ?

I see a rheumatologist because they suspect that I may have RA. Although my blood work has never come up positive. So that occurred to me. But, I was looking through my phone this weekend and I came across the pictures of my tick bite circle and that's when the Lyme thought came back to me.

So, I guess first stop should be the rheumatologist? It always takes a few weeks to get an appointment with them...

Ugh. Between work and going to school and kids and life, I don't have time for any of this nonsense! If I ignore it for a few more days, think it might maybe just go away?


Yeahhhh. Didn't think so lol.

Message edited 9/14/2015 10:15:16 AM.

Think I might have Lyme... what kind of doc to go to?

DH had no idea he had Lyme and was recently diagnosed by his PC. He was seeing his PC for something else (or so he thought - after being diagnosed with that other thing in 2 different ERs), and the PC did blood work that came up positive for Lyme. DH is currently on the meds for Lyme but is still having pretty severe pain (like arthritis) in his hands

Re: Think I might have Lyme... what kind of doc to go to?

Get a quick blood test. You can go to an urgent care or even call your allergist to request a script for bloodwork at a local Quest or LabCorp. Do it ASAP. If it's positive for Lyme, you can start treatment right away.

Re: Think I might have Lyme... what kind of doc to go to?

Think I might have Lyme... what kind of doc to go to?

just call a dr in your plan and become a patient and ask for an appt right away. keep calling drs until one can take you. get tested right away the longer lyme doesnt get treated, if its lyme, the worse it is.

Re: Think I might have Lyme... what kind of doc to go to?

I was bitten by a tick. You want an infectious disease doctor.

Re: Think I might have Lyme... what kind of doc to go to?

Re: Think I might have Lyme... what kind of doc to go to?

I would say any doctor that gets to see you first. Your Primary or Rheumatoid.

Although, your symptoms sound similar to Tennis Elbow; or even Carpel Tunnel; believe it or not. Could also be your ulnar nerve as well which runs from wrist to elbow.

If all bloods come back negative; hopefully, then make an appointment with a Neurologist to get an EMG test done.
(It's a nerve test). I have a great Rec; so FM me once you get down that road if you need it.

Think I might have Lyme... what kind of doc to go to?

Thank you for all the responses!

I will try to get to a walk in clinic on my lunch tomorrow. Hopefully it's just nothing... but at least I will know one way or the other.

Thank you for the suggestions!

Think I might have Lyme... what kind of doc to go to?

I sent you fm. Dr datwyler has late hours tomorrow. Go see him.

Think I might have Lyme... what kind of doc to go to?

I would see Dr. Irwin Ingwer in plainview. He is an internist and infectious disease doctor that specializes in Lyme disease. He will run all the bloodwork.

Message edited 9/14/2015 7:55:27 PM.

Re: Think I might have Lyme... what kind of doc to go to?

I would go to an infectious disease doctor. They are more likely to have specific training with lymes vs a general practitioner (unless the internist specialty is infectious disease).

Message edited 9/14/2015 8:49:29 PM.