antibiotics after tick exposure?

[EAMom]

Hi All,

 

I'm from the PANDAS board. My dd doesn't have Lyme (that I know of--no real tick exposure etc). But, for the first time my dd is going to sleepaway camp this summer (where I presume there will be ticks). I won't be there to see/monitor if she does get a tick. So, I am worried (all we need is Lyme on top of PANDAS!). (This is in Northern CA)

 

I'm also worried b/c it looks like a family friend (high school student) now has Lyme (severe fatique, in the process of getting a diagnosis). Every summer for many years, this girl has gone to sleep away camp, so I bet that's where she got bit. It's not the same camp, but they are also in No. CA.

 

Anway, dd is already on Azith. 250mg/day for PANDAS (she's about 90-100 pounds--almsot 12 years old). Should this protect her if she does get bit? Should I up the Azith to 500mg/day for a month after camp...or the week she is in camp? We have a script for 500mg/day, so that would be very easy to do.

 

Or would Azith. not be considered protective? Should I somehow try to get a rx for Amoxcillin (I could probably get Augmentin, on the premise that it is for her PANDAS) or Doxycyline (that might be harder to get). And how long would I treat her after camp (3 weeks?)

 

Thanks for any insights!

Edited May 21, 2012 by EAMom

[sf_mom]

EAMom,

 

The Bay Area Lyme Fund is just finishing up a tick study for our area. They do not have results in yet but keep a look out for it as they collected ticks along some of the more trafficked walking path like Windy Hill and Portola Valley, etc. There is also a cluster Borrelia Hermsii in both Northern and Southern CA which is not the same as BB.

 

http://thetickthatbitme.com/infection-fact-sheets/borrelia-hermsii-tbrf-fact-sheet/

 

Our LLMD would treat a recent tick bite with Doxycyline. However that does not cover for Babesia if the tick carries the infection. It is always best to collect tick and have it tested for Lyme and co-infections. REI also carries protective clothing that you might also consider. Staying out of grassy area's is best. They love the shade, trees and moist areas rather than direct sun light. Here is what REI recommends.

 

http://www.rei.com/expertadvice/articles/insect+repellent.html

 

Lets just say... I understand your worry!!!

[philamom]

You can purchase insect shield shirts at www.haeleum.com, www.columbia.com, www.exofficio.com. You can also send your own clothes to have insect shield added. $8.75 per article of clothing. It last 70 washes. Sorry for any typos-on iPhone. www.insectshield.com

Edited May 22, 2012 by philamom

[EAMom]

Hi SFMom,

 

What would you test for if you found a tick? Lyme, Babesia, and what else ? . Isn't it $65 per test? I'm thinking these ticks can get pretty pricey if you spend a couple of hundred of dollars every time you find a tick! Plus, that doesn't count the ticks you don't see or find (which would be the likely scenario if dd was away at camp).

 

The camp is in Boulder Creek near Big Basin.

 

My main problem, is that I won't be there to check dd, or in any way influence where she goes (eg. sitting in grassy areas) or even what she wears.

 

So, I kind of want the piece of mind of antibiotics (esp. since she is on abs anyway!) ... and if Augmentin or Azith would be okay (or if doxycyline is really the only way to go.) Ughh. I know you can't keep them in a bubble...

 

I'll check out the links and philamom's clothing links.

 

PS. thanks for the info on Borrelia Hermsii ... going to pass this to my friend with the dd with possible Lyme. I don't know if they checked for that one. (The mom said they were checking for coifections).

Edited May 21, 2012 by EAMom

[sf_mom]

Oh I get concerns....

 

Concrete camps is my new motto but you are right we can't keep them in a bubble either. Unfortunately doxycyline is the first line of defense for newly bitten individuals. I know Mom2Alex's DH was bitten in San Mateo on a concrete path. They had the tick tested and it was positive for BB but not positive for co-infections of Bartonella and Babesia. He went on Doxy for one month but seemed to have some minor potential symptoms and then was given another month of doxy . They were relieved to know the tick didn't have co-infections.

 

The Hermsii is coming out of Monterey.

 

I would minimally treat her clothes as Philamom suggested. It will give you piece of mind... The Azithro can help with Lyme and would definitely consider upping her to 500 m.g. while away. Samento is a great herb for Lyme and you could use it when she returns from camp. Its as powerful as any antibiotic I've tried. You would build very slowly (1 drop per day) to 15 drops x 2 day in water for maybe a month or two. You can buy Samento at http://www.nutramedix.com/

 

Hope that helps, Wendy

[EAMom]

You can purchase insect shield shirts at haelium website- cheaper. Also at www.columbia.com. You can also send your own clothes to have insect shield added. $8.75 per article of clothing. It last 70 washes. Sorry for any typos-on iPhone. Www.insectshield.com

 

I found this on amazon... it looks pretty good b/c I could find out what she is packing and spray it myself at the last minute. I'll also look at the insect shield shirts link. The problem is she is weird and picky about clothes, and I couldn't count on her actually wearing insect shield shirts if I bought them (and I won't be there to know one way or the other if they were worn!).

 

http://www.amazon.com/Sawyer-Permethrin-Clothing-Repellent-24-Ounce/dp/B001ANQVYU/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1337642572&sr=8-1

[EAMom]

Oh I get concerns....

 

Concrete camps is my new motto but you are right we can't keep them in a bubble either. Unfortunately doxycyline is the first line of defense for newly bitten individuals. I know Mom2Alex's DH was bitten in San Mateo on a concrete path. They had the tick tested and it was positive for BB but not positive for co-infections of Bartonella and Babesia. He went on Doxy for one month but seemed to have some minor potential symptoms and then was given another month of doxy . They were relieved to know the tick didn't have co-infections.

 

The Hermsii is coming out of Monterey.

 

I would minimally treat her clothes as Philamom suggested. It will give you piece of mind... The Azithro can help with Lyme and would definitely consider upping her to 500 m.g. while away. Samento is a great herb for Lyme and you could use it when she returns from camp. Its as powerful as any antibiotic I've tried. You would build very slowly (1 drop per day) to 15 drops x 2 day in water for maybe a month or two. You can buy Samento at http://www.nutramedix.com/

 

Hope that helps, Wendy

 

Thanks, I'll look into Samento.

 

So if we do find a tick in N. Ca, do we test for BB, bartonella, and babesia? anything else? (love how everything starts with the letter "B")

[Hopeny]

EAMom my DD has Lyme, Lyme co infections, Myco, elevated Strep titer etc. Although only 8, most of her friends are going to camp this year, if she is God willing healthy next year I have told her she could go - however I am planning to speak to the medical department in advance and ask them to check her every other day. Frankly I am terrified but not willing to let this thing rule our lives. I have read about camps having tick prevention programs - and think this is a prefectly reasonable thing to ask the director about. Doxy can cause sun senstivity so I would not use if not absolutley required. Good luck

[sf_mom]

Yes you would check for all three in Northern CA: BB, Bartonella and Babesia. Samento is a good, inexpensive option to combo with Azithro and would work just fine for Lyme. BUT, I will caution starting low and slow.. as it is powerful.

 

I would check for Hermsii if there where extreme symptoms, known tick bite and none of the above were positive.

[NancyD]

Anyone ever try spraying white vinegar and water to prevent ticks? I know it works with ants (they hate it and stay away).

 

And I read that Brewer's yeast works with dogs by making their blood too acidic for ticks and fleas. Wonder if it would work with humans!

Edited May 21, 2012 by NancyD

[EAMom]

Anyone ever try spraying cider vinegar and water to prevent ticks? I know it works with ants (they hate it and stay away).

 

And I read that Brewer's yeast works with dogs by making their blood too acidic for ticks and fleas. Wonder if it would work with humans!

 

Many years ago my mom would give our dog Brewer's yeast (on the flea theory)...not sure how well it worked!

[EAMom]

EAMom my DD has Lyme, Lyme co infections, Myco, elevated Strep titer etc. Although only 8, most of her friends are going to camp this year, if she is God willing healthy next year I have told her she could go - however I am planning to speak to the medical department in advance and ask them to check her every other day. Frankly I am terrified but not willing to let this thing rule our lives. I have read about camps having tick prevention programs - and think this is a prefectly reasonable thing to ask the director about. Doxy can cause sun senstivity so I would not use if not absolutley required. Good luck

 

I'm going to get that spray from Amazon (permethrin) and spray as much of her clothing as possible (what she packs). The reviewers also mentioned spraying sleeping bags and tents. I'll also spray her sleeping bag/pillow case. That way if a tick does crawl on her neck, hopefully the permethrin on the pillow case/sleeping bag will kill it.

 

If I find any dead ticks in her sleeping bag at the end of the week, I'll get them tested.

 

And I'll up her Azith. to 500mg /day (might not be a bad idea in case she is sharing a cabin with a strep carrier anyway) and for 3 weeks after camp. I'm also going to look into that herb sfmom recommended.

 

Yeah, if we used doxy, it would be AFTER the camp was over. But that is a good point that it will be the summer and sun sensitivity could be an issue.

[NancyD]

I hope she won't be holding any cats. Permethrin is supposed to be toxic to cats and fish.

[EAMom]

Yes you would check for all three in Northern CA: BB, Bartonella and Babesia. Samento is a good, inexpensive option to combo with Azithro and would work just fine for Lyme. BUT, I will caution starting low and slow.. as it is powerful.

 

I would check for Hermsii if there where extreme symptoms, known tick bite and none of the above were positive.

 

re Samento...did you follow these instructions? does it have to be water? can it be another drink? (seems very specific, wait 1 minute before drinking!). does it taste bad?

 

Shake well before each use.

 

Put 1 to 30 drops in 4 oz of water and wait one minute before drinking. Start with 1 drop twice daily (30 min. before meals) increasing slowly up to 30 drops twice daily or as directed by your physician.

[EAMom]

I hope she won't be holding any cats. Permethrin is supposed to be toxic to cats and fish.

 

It says the product is safe for cats once it is dried. So, it sounds like you wouldln't want your cat around when you sprayed the clothes, but the next day should be okay if your cat contacts the dry clothing.

Edited May 21, 2012 by EAMom