In Nov. 2021, I was again bitten by a tick. I was placed on antibiotics for 3 weeks. I tested neg for lyme disease twice even though my symptoms worsened to the point where I could barely walk. Had xrays, MRI, fluid aspirated from knees and cortisone injection. Recently, after lots of blood work, I was diagnosed with Borrelia Miyamotoi - which is related to lyme disease. I read it is most common in the upper Midwest, northeast and midatlantic states. Unfortunately many doctors are not aware of Borrelia Miyamotoi and so they don't test people for it. My suggestion is: If you get bitten by a tick and you test negative for Lyme disease and you still have symptoms do not hesitate to be tested for Borrelia Miyamotoi. 5 months have passed since I initially got infected and I can walk now although I still have discomfort in both knees. I am on antibiotics for another month and have been told if this treatment is not effective I may have to be administered antibiotics by IV. I am now in the process of seeking a LLMD (Lyme Literate Medical Doctor) that has training from ILADS (International Lyme & Associated Diseases Society). I am writing this post in an effort to get the word out about Borrelia Miyamotoi. Here are a couple of articles as follows:
https://www.futurity.org/borre...
https://igenex.com/tick-talk/w...

Margie, I hope the antibiotics will resolve your symptoms soon! so many diseases out there to worry about these days...

Thank you Sandy @Weedwhacker. I am looking forward to locating a specialist as I believe I need more aggressive treatment.

Thank you, Margie. Get well soon!

Tiffany @purpleinopp I am glad you took the time to read my post. Please pass the word around to others.

Scary to think of the many complications from tick bites.
Thanks for making us all more aware, Margie.

pirl said: Scary to think of the many complications from tick bites.
Thanks for making us all more aware, Margie.

You're welcome Arlene.
In the first link I provided it states: ""We're talking about the possibility of tens of thousands of New England residents becoming infected with Borrelia miyamotoi based on what we found," says Peter Krause."

Hi Margie, really sorry to hear about your troubles. I had Lyme back in the late 90s, thinking I caught it at a Boy Scout Camp with my son. My symptoms were very high temps off and on and just feeling incredible beat up. Wasn't sure what was going on, went to the dr and he said probably just a virus, I asked about West Nile and Lyme, the response was you do not have a "bulls eye" and West Nile was not that prevalent. Ok, after a weekend of 104 temps I went back in and said test me for both, yes the results were Lyme, forget the percentage of individuals that do not get the bull's eye but it is substantial.
I was put on a 3 weeks of antibiotics, which fortunately for me it worked, when the CDC is looking at the numbers, I always wondered why they are also not tracking the infections via Vets, which would give a better idea what the numbers are in the area.

Rj - Thank goodness you were persistant in your request to be tested for Lyme disease. You must have experienced a sigh of relief knowing your treatment was successful after such a terrible ordeal. Thank you for sharing your story with me.

I've been bitten several times and tested positive every time. The last time was particularly nasty with the tick bighting 5 times before he latched on. A good 48hrs passed until I could get to my doctor. He wanted a blood test of course. Needless to say I ran a high fever for a week or so and could do nothing but lie in bed. Thank heavens I recovered with no ill effects but I know people who have residual issues because of Lymes disease. This is a serious disease and it can be crippling. I hope you get the proper treatment, Margie and are on the road to a good recovery.

@breith95 Brenda thank you for your kind thoughts and sharing your story.

BTW I never got the bullseye rash either. Just intense itching that confirmed something was wrong with my shoulder. I used the old fashioned way to remove the tick with vaseline and tweezers and it worked. That was probably the sickest I've been.I couldn't do anything but lie down and sleep. Nothing relieved the fever and body aches. I'm always aware now that they're out there and check when I come in the house after gardening.

Same with me Brenda, the sickest I have ever been, the strange thing was that a few days before I had felt super good, thinking it was my immune system kicking in to fight it off.

To @breith95 @crawgarden @pirl @Weedwhacker @purpleinopp
Here's a special on the explosion of ticks & the diseases they can carry.

https://www.lymedisease.org/ti...

Thank you, Margie. ; )

they're going to have "controlled burns" in the Jersey Pine Barrens to kill off the ticks. Apparently these critters do not like dry conditions.

https://www.printfriendly.com/...

Do you have all the symptoms of Lyme disease but test negative?

A new study out of San Francisco State University (SFSU) has found more Borrelia miyamotoi than Borrelia burgdorferi (Lyme disease) in Ixodes pacificus ticks in some areas of Northern California.

How are you feeling, Margie?

Thanks for asking. I still have discomfort in both knees. I do excerises to address this issue on a daily basis. I did attend PT for 4 months.
When I orginally went to Urgent Care on a Sunday 2021, after having been bitten, It was noted that my B/P was 180/90 (previously 120/80). The next day I was placed on a med for high blood pressure by my family doctor. Recently, I visited with a cardiologist, who placed me on a new med for the same condition (130/80) and is doing extensive testing.
https://www.medicalnewstoday.c....
Hopefully, everything will check out O.K.
Margie NY

What an ordeal! I hope they get you feeling back to your old self, and soon.