Ticks & Lyme
- Thread starter stubear
- Start date
Hi
I have problems with severe joint pain and I mentioned Lymes to my GP only last week. He was very arrogant and told me there was no Lymes in Scotland!!! This was not open for discussion either. 'There is no Lymes in Scotland'.
Anyway he said I could have the test so we will see what happens.
I have problems with severe joint pain and I mentioned Lymes to my GP only last week. He was very arrogant and told me there was no Lymes in Scotland!!! This was not open for discussion either. 'There is no Lymes in Scotland'.
Anyway he said I could have the test so we will see what happens.
Norfolk Horn
Well-Known Member
Well what a doctor you have. I would write to the practice manager and explain your concerns. At best your GP needs a bit of training.
Hi NH
He is one of the senior doctors too. With my renewal due next year I did not fancy an argument. He did not look to impressed when I mentioned Stalking and being bitten by quite a few Ticks over the years.
I looked on net and 200 cases of Lymes in Scotland in 2015. 5% of Ticks there carry Lymes.
He is one of the senior doctors too. With my renewal due next year I did not fancy an argument. He did not look to impressed when I mentioned Stalking and being bitten by quite a few Ticks over the years.
I looked on net and 200 cases of Lymes in Scotland in 2015. 5% of Ticks there carry Lymes.
there are three types of doctors on the NHS in Scotland.
1. Clueless
2. Good doctors but are slaves to saving the NHS money, so have this in-built belief you should be knocking on heavens door before it’s serious, and then you can at least have the A&E float the bill not the practice.
3. Doctors who see the NHS as over funding people who refuse to loose weight, reduce drinking or smoking, but who then have no problems providing whatever care they feel is right, no matter the cost to the NHS.
in my practice we have a 2 and a 3...if I get seen by 2, I simply calll next day and ask to see No. 3, then it’s sorted.
in the last five years, my Scottish GP has done 4 lymes tests on me,
he says it’s a here but mostly in D&G regions, but prevention is not only right morally speaking,
but a lot cheaper to the NHS than a long treatment process.
personally, I give my trousers and boots a spray with ballistol, stops them from jumping on me, few people
kmow that trick
also so perfect for oiling my rifle, stock, sling, and cleaning the bore after a few shots. What’s not to like,
in fact, I think Ballistol has got to be my favourite product all round, and it smells like a fine lady’s
perfume,,,actually, a lot better
Including some shepherds.[/QUOTE]
I have had Lyme disease twice but refuse to use anything with permethrin , while it has been passed for use on humans at low doses I am not convinced that its safe .
It kills aquatic life,is deadly to cats ,causes neurologic issues in dogs and is known to be carcinogenic.
It kills aquatic life,is deadly to cats ,causes neurologic issues in dogs and is known to be carcinogenic.
You can quote my experience if it helps. I had a peculiar rash and hard swelling on my calf and a odd scaly thing on an ear lobe, combined they indicated a tick bite reaction. I was concerned it might be Lyme although I had not seen a tick on my leg. I take one or two off the dogs every week and the deer have them which I handle and which visit the garden.
Doxycycline is effective in the early stages of Lyme. My doctor weighed up the likelihood of Lyme, the time delay and cost involved in what is a fairly inconclusive test, and the cost of the Doxycycline...and offered to put me on a course immediately.
The classic bulls eye rash only presents in less than half the cases of Lyme, but when it does it is a positive indicator and you should go onto Doxcycline immediately and not delay treatment waiting for the results of the rather poor test...the bulls eye rash is apparently a more accurate indicator than the current blood test because the Lyme bacteria migrates into the tissue rather than staying in the blood stream so is very difficult to detect.
Doxycycline is a relatively cheap anti-biotic and is used as a matter of course for Malaria prevention if travelling to infested areas...it has a good track record as being safe regarding side-effects. I had no worries about taking it on the chance of Lyme.
I am not a Doctor so you need to do your own research to confirm the above.
Alan
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there are three types of doctors on the NHS in Scotland.
1. Clueless
2. Good doctors but are slaves to saving the NHS money, so have this in-built belief you should be knocking on heavens door before it’s serious, and then you can at least have the A&E float the bill not the practice.
3. Doctors who see the NHS as over funding people who refuse to loose weight, reduce drinking or smoking, but who then have no problems providing whatever care they feel is right, no matter the cost to the NHS.
in my practice we have a 2 and a 3...if I get seen by 2, I simply calll next day and ask to see No. 3, then it’s sorted.
in the last five years, my Scottish GP has done 4 lymes tests on me,
he says it’s a here but mostly in D&G regions, but prevention is not only right morally speaking,
but a lot cheaper to the NHS than a long treatment process.
personally, I give my trousers and boots a spray with ballistol, stops them from jumping on me, few people
kmow that trick
also so perfect for oiling my rifle, stock, sling, and cleaning the bore after a few shots. What’s not to like,
in fact, I think Ballistol has got to be my favourite product all round, and it smells like a fine lady’s
perfume,,,actually, a lot better
Never heard that before use Ballistol for several things so will give it a try
Thank you.
May I make a suggestion ,make an appointment to see an ears, nose and throat specialist.
A fine ladies Lady's perfume ! My a@@e lol
I have had debilitating fatigue, brain fog, joint aches, especially shoulder blades and neck for 5 yrs now.
I am 38 and otherwise fit. Don't smoke or drink and am not overweight. I have a history of being active and enjoying all sorts of sports etc.
I have been tested for everything under the sun, all of which I am told comes back negative and that I am the pillar of health ha ha ha. Really, coulda fooled me.
About 2 yrs back I considered Lyme, although I had never knowingly been bitten by a tick but obvs spend vast amounts of time outdoors and lay in grass etc, especially shooting around the farm. Told the doc and in fairness she did organise a test for me but It came back negative. I am told they do an insensitive test first which needs to come back positive prior to the secondary better test being conducted. Neither are 100%, so I do wonder if I do in fact have Lyme but it has not been detected. I suspect I am way too far down the line to treat effectively now and in any case, with a negative test on my records, they will not test again. It sounds like a git of a disease. Whatever I have, the last 5yrs have been a miserable time for me. I have had to give up cycling and all exercise as it just zaps me. I wait for the better days and go shooting.
If in doubt, get it checked out but it won't guarantee anything.
I am 38 and otherwise fit. Don't smoke or drink and am not overweight. I have a history of being active and enjoying all sorts of sports etc.
I have been tested for everything under the sun, all of which I am told comes back negative and that I am the pillar of health ha ha ha. Really, coulda fooled me.
About 2 yrs back I considered Lyme, although I had never knowingly been bitten by a tick but obvs spend vast amounts of time outdoors and lay in grass etc, especially shooting around the farm. Told the doc and in fairness she did organise a test for me but It came back negative. I am told they do an insensitive test first which needs to come back positive prior to the secondary better test being conducted. Neither are 100%, so I do wonder if I do in fact have Lyme but it has not been detected. I suspect I am way too far down the line to treat effectively now and in any case, with a negative test on my records, they will not test again. It sounds like a git of a disease. Whatever I have, the last 5yrs have been a miserable time for me. I have had to give up cycling and all exercise as it just zaps me. I wait for the better days and go shooting.
If in doubt, get it checked out but it won't guarantee anything.
[/QUOTE]
spent many years dipping sheep an dgetting soaked in the cypermethrin dip solution (and even nastier things berore that). Have suffer years of exhustion, aching muscles etc. - not sure whether to blame the dip or Lyme's. Of course the Govt will always say the dips were safe - dipping was compulsory and they are never going to admit that hey force people into using unsafe chemicals.
270TOMMY
Well-Known Member
Heym you hit the nail on the head mate ever since the sheep dip was stopped ticks have been on the rise year after year.I was stalking yesterday in the borders with my GWP i took 14 off him upon arrival home and 3 off me its starting to become a bit worrying especially when you have had lyme disease 4 times previous
sikamalc
Administrator
How are you doing Tommy?
I still joint pains and my knees have not been too bad this summer. Good warm weather. However they are about to get a good testing in Scotland and a busy winter programme ahead of me. Your right about the sheep dip in my opinion. Tick numbers seem to be increasing at an alarming rate, even down here in the south.
Hope to catch up sometime.
I still joint pains and my knees have not been too bad this summer. Good warm weather. However they are about to get a good testing in Scotland and a busy winter programme ahead of me. Your right about the sheep dip in my opinion. Tick numbers seem to be increasing at an alarming rate, even down here in the south.
Hope to catch up sometime.
it was baltic up, here then roasting and they are STILL everywhere. The Experts are talking through a hole....
Heym SR20
Well-Known Member
the tests for Lyme disease are only specific in c40 to 50% of cases. Ie if it shows positive you have it, but even if negative you can still have it. The challenge with tests for infectious disease is that they are detecting the preconceived of antibodies. The Lyme bacteria sits deep in your nervous system, and is slow to replicate. It is only in the blood system when it replicates and that’s when you mount an immune response and antibodies are produced.
But it I would definately go back and have a good chat with the doctor and have a course or two of antibiotics.
Saying that your symptoms can also be a function of other immune response - have you become intollerant to something in your diet. Look into this as well.
i feel for you as you describe pretty much the symptoms I suffer from as well.
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Thanks for taking the time to type. Yeah I have tried a variety of things outside of standard medicine including but not limited to osteopathy, accupuncture, various diets and having undertaken food allergy testing which showed I am not even intolerant of anything let alone allergic. I think I am the only person that York do not want to make money out of ha ha. I have seen rheumatologists who have ruled out Fibromyalgia amongst other arthritic stuff.
I will challenge the doctor again soon. I can be bounding up a hill one moment with a rifle on one shoulder and a handful of rabbits in the other and the next week a single flight of steps has me out of breath. It is random, cannot be timed or anticipated and is beyond frustrating. Wouldn't want to wish it on my worst enemy but it could always be worse. I find myself saying that alot ha ha. Laughing also helps.
Heym SR20
Well-Known Member
Yup recognise all of the above. My conclusion is that there are several things at play:
1) Age - we are all getting older, and whilst in my own eyes I am still 25 and a very fit oarsman who has no issues running up a hill with a 20kg pack on his back, in reality I am nearly twice that age, and spend a lot of time driving a desk and travelling - although of course this makes bugger all difference.
2) immune system is not what it was and hence you pick up all sorts of other viruses / bugs going around, and this stimulates symptoms that mimic Lyme Disease.
3) I do not have the stamina I used to have and have to manage this. You cannot do an early mor ing stalk, full days work, late evening stalk, early morning, full days work etc etc. I have to make sure I get lots of sleep.
4) Pace yourself - try not to get too out of breath, high heart rate etc - long steady exercise rather than short bursts
5) And regular fresh air and exercise. Its very easy to be feeling ***** and curl up in small ball, but actually getting out and about makes a huge difference.
6) Avoid stress - I constantly have to a take a deep breath or two, bite my tongue etc, but just not allowing yourself to get wound up by others makes a huge difference. I have learnt not to take life too seriously
7) shortness of breath - I was fishing with a heart surgeon a couple of years ago. One of the first things he now looks for with shortness of breath is the potential of Lyme disease. It affects the nervous system around the heart, and he has found that a course of antibiotics can often treat such conditions.
And to provide evidence for the Doctor to follow - keep a diary
270TOMMY
Well-Known Member
Hi malcolm lovely to speak with you again mate had a total knee replacement in march its been 100% sucessful cant wait to get the other done asap.The ticks are really bad this year i was stalking every day last week and ive taken a average of 30 per day off me and the dog every buck ive had has had quite a few i find it worrying the way they are multiplying im frightened of getting lyme again as it hurts worse every time,will give you a buzz when you are in scotland maybe we can meet up and have a natter atb tommy
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