Lyme disease

[mendiplogs]

Thought I'd share my experience as a wee reminder to others.

 

Just got confirmed that I have been exposed to the bacteria, starting a 2 week course of antibiotics that should clear it.

 

Spent this spring/summer carrying out woodland surveys, getting bit by ticks about once a week I reckon. Never got any symptoms or the "bulls eye" rash but thought it would be best to get checked anyway once the contract finished. Felt a bit guilty about wasting the doctor's time, getting blood test sent off to experts in Inverness, etc, but glad I did it now.

 

Being self-employed would hate to imagine if I'd left it and ended up hospitalised/unable to work for weeks on end.

 

My barber got it when out dog walking was bitten on the b****ck whilst wearing shorts. Had to explain to his boss at the time why he was late as he had to get his missus to help get it off (his missus that is, not his boss's)! Just goes to show it can only take one bite.

 

Cheers

 

Lucan

HI LUCAN thanks for the heads up mate i no someone years ago had it not nice at all mate thanks jon

[kevinjohnsonmbe]

My mate had the bulls eye bruising year before last, ex Royal Marine he knew it was Lymes but GP said no, not in West Country. GP obviously never been on Woodbury common, he was ill for months, eventually got the blood tests and got it sorted.

[Lucan]

I had no idea you could request tests. Will remember that one. Last year I reckon I removed in the region of 100 ticks from myself, this year none, oddly. I was pretty much expecting to come down with something though. It's been 14 months since my last one now and I think I got away with it but it was a bit of a worry for me for a while.

 

You can't request a blood test yourself, they have to be autherised by your GP. You can request an appointment with your GP and explain your situation then (as I did). What with early symptoms often being "flu-like" and winter coming up it could be worth it for your peace of mind.

[scbk]

There was an article in the paper this year, a member of a mountain rescue team was saying the NHS blood test for lymes is no use, his came back negative, but he paid for a private one (possibly abroad?) which came back positive!

 

 

I spend all my time in bracken, long grass, etc, but think I only got 1 tick this year!

[spruce man]

I also had lyme disease about 5 years ago.i had the bull's eye rash so went for a

blood test.it came back negative after about 7 weeks I went back to the doctor

as I was having bad flu like symptoms and a stiff neck.i said to the doctor who

was different from the first one i saw that I though I might have lyme disease. He

told me that i had the blood test so it wasn't that.I went home and 10 minutes

later he phoned me to go back for another blood test and it came back positive.

I think he must have Googled information about it because he said it needs

a few weeks in the body to show up. Took some antibiotics and have been fine

since. Never alway s believe your doctor

[Arborist]

I also had lyme disease about 5 years ago.i had the bull's eye rash so went for a

blood test.it came back negative after about 7 weeks I went back to the doctor

as I was having bad flu like symptoms and a stiff neck.i said to the doctor who

was different from the first one i saw that I though I might have lyme disease. He

told me that i had the blood test so it wasn't that.I went home and 10 minutes

later he phoned me to go back for another blood test and it came back positive.

I think he must have Googled information about it because he said it needs

a few weeks in the body to show up. Took some antibiotics and have been fine

since. Never alway s believe your doctor

 

You can say that again!! I knew someone that had a bad fought and had lost weight, she was told just a bad fought six months later she died of lung cancer!!

[Lucan]

My GP sent my blood sample off to the "National Lyme Borreliosis Testing Laboratory" in Inverness.

[Bren.]

My mate had the bulls eye bruising year before last, ex Royal Marine he knew it was Lymes but GP said no, not in West Country. GP obviously never been on Woodbury common, he was ill for months, eventually got the blood tests and got it sorted.

Plenty there and at Aylesbere. Worst place for them this year has been on the Undercliffs between Seaton and Lyme Regis. The dog and I seem to have picked them up every day there.

[Bren.]

This is the bit the little sods stick you with. Savage!