A. Almost certainly not! This scenario has caused many people to needlessly suffer for months or years. Left untreated, LD can be a devastating disease. There are few conditions that mimic the LD rash. Lyme-literate doctors suggest starting immediate antibiotic treatment, regardless of the results of any tests.
Often a person suffering from chronic, unsuspected Lyme disease will be diagnosed as having something else, such as chronic fatigue syndrome, fibromyalgia, lupus, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson’s disease, Alzheimer’s disease, ALS, Crohn’s disease, carpal tunnel syndrome, temporomandibular joint disorder (TMJ), and a wide variety of psychological or psychiatric disorders. Doctors often mistake tick bites for spider bites, but spider bites are actually an uncommon cause of illness. In areas where LD is prevalent, it should be seriously considered before a doctor denies antibiotic treatment.