TICKS!!!!!!

[Redbug]

I've done a lot of reading up on Lyme Disease. Antibiotics may not completely cure it, (new findings). Sometimes your own system keeps it in remission and you don't know you even have it. It can affect the body in many different ways, from mental conditions, (and learning disabilities), to arthritis, fevers, heart problems and more. Fibromyalgia like. Many Lyme tests are inconclusive, and give false negatives, although there is a newer antibody test that is pretty accurate. You don't always get a bullseye rash, and the tick does not have to be attached for any length of time for you to contract the disease, (latest studies).

 

[mjfox6]

I've done a lot of reading up on Lyme Disease. Antibiotics may not completely cure it, (new findings). Sometimes your own system keeps it in remission and you don't know you even have it. It can affect the body in many different ways, from mental conditions, (and learning disabilities), to arthritis, fevers, heart problems and more. Fibromyalgia like. Many Lyme tests are inconclusive, and give false negatives, although there is a newer antibody test that is pretty accurate. You don't always get a bullseye rash, and the tick does not have to be attached for any length of time for you to contract the disease, (latest studies).

I believe it, I have way too many aches and pains for my age. Plus, I am a little "mental!"

 

[davitk]

I believe it, I have way too many aches and pains for my age. Plus, I am a little "mental!"

DITTO!!

 

[sunspot]

I got bit by a deer tick on my foot. A few days later I developed the bulls-eye rash. It develops in an odd way. Firsts it just a red rash and then it spreads out in a wave fashion and as it spreads, the rash fades. It went away in a little more than a week. I went to my doc a few weeks later for the lyme test. The Doc gave me a Rx for Cipro that I never filled and the test came back negative. Lucky me

 

[Skyco]

If it was me I'd take that Cipro anyway...did you see in Redbug's post where many lyme tests come back with false negatives?

 

[sunspot]

Oops, re-reading my post, I forgot to mention a time frame. This was a few years back.

Have you seen the new black box warning on Cipro?

 

[Redbug]

A couple good Lyme links...

LymeNet -

Lyme Disease Symptoms, Treatment, Prevention, Advocacy (Lyme Info)


You know, the Indians used to burn off sections of woodlands. One reason was for ticks.

 

[ragkar]

Sunspot - if you get Lyme disease, you will develop antibodies. From then on you will always test positive for Lyme disease, whether you have it or not since the detection test is for antibodies.

A quote:
Lyme disease starts with a tick bite and typically involves a " bull's-eye" rash -- a round, red mark surrounded by a paler ring and, often, a larger red ring -- accompanied by symptoms such as fever, fatigue, headache and aching muscles and joints." Definition per CDC

It appears to me that you had Lyme disease, but luckily like me, never developed any debilitating symptoms.

 

[sunspot]

ragkar- I developed the bulls-eye rash but that was it. No other symptoms at all.
It may have been due to the fact that I had just finished an 11 month treatment that had me using Interferon, an immune booster.
I'll go check with Medhelp and ask them what is the best blood test for Lyme.

Did you test positive for Lyme but no longer have any active infection?

 

[Doc_Bob]

is it just me or are ticks WORSE this year then EVER?

More ticks in the Milwaukee, WI area. Trust me when I tell you these are ticks!

When Lyme disease was hot topic, folks tried to eliminate the ticks. Nothing really works. Cut your lawn and wear long pants. Do tick checks after every trip outdoors. I find about 5 on me every time I head out. The adult ticks are about 5 mm and easy to spot. I crush the suckers with a pen tip, as they are tough to kill (must be related to cockroaches??).
Bob