Lyme testing

[weblyish]

But without any of the usual symptoms, if removed within 24 hours , you wouldn’t get treatment?

I’ve now started putting a tick remover in the car and in my jacket etc. not needed often but better to have

My standard welcome pack for sheep country Hillwalking groups or any new forest trips now includes a 50p tick card I got by the hundred off AliExpress

Same as you I have one in a wallet, car, stalking kit, and wash bag.

They Work fine and mean they always have one nearby

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[sikamalc]

There used to be 4 test places in the UK.
London, Inverness, Bristol and Belfast. Of course this may have changed now, its been 15 years since I had Lyme. I will admit back in the day it was difficult to find a GP that knew about Lyme.
Today, it may have improved, but knowing the NHS, I won't hold my breath on it.

Many people are still under the belief that you have to have a bullseye rash spreading out from the bite area to have Lyme. This is NOT true. In my case I had no such rash. But began to feel the effects after about a week of being bitten. And I don't as a rule attract a lot of ticks when out. I was fortunate in that I managed to get seen and treated with antibiotics. However the ongoing effects of catching Lyme has affected my joints quite badly.

Paying for a private consultation is important if you cannot get a GP appointment. And we all know what that's like these days Down here you need to walk into the surgery with a coffin under your arm to get an appointment.

Lyme can have far reaching and damaging effects on your body, it's really not worth ignoring any symptoms that may develop, even if it proves not to be Lyme. This time of year is particularly bad for ticks, so be aware, and be careful. This includes young children, when out for a walk or picnic in the countryside.

 

[Martiniblack577]

My basic understanding stands corrected in that case.

What I do know is taking them long term is crap and caused me lasting issues with my gut.

However it was worth it to get those little blighters out of my prostate!

Eating full fat -NOT reduced fat - Greek yogurt with banana blueberries and strawberries etc will support gut health and vital when on abx’s. Many prescribed courses are now cut down to just 3 days such is the threat of resistance to them that we now face

 

[25 Sharps]

Eating full fat -NOT reduced fat - Greek yogurt with banana blueberries and strawberries etc will support gut health and vital when on abx’s. Many prescribed courses are now cut down to just 3 days such is the threat of resistance to them that we now face

I used goat kefir, probiotic tablets and foods good for gut health and stayed on them and after for about 6 months.

12 months later I ended up in hospital with severe diverticulitis that resulted in a perforated bowel. Although my dad has it and it’s hereditary 42 is a bit young and I don’t think the year on antibiotics did my bowel any good at all!

 

[Martiniblack577]

I used goat kefir, probiotic tablets and foods good for gut health and stayed on them and after for about 6 months.

12 months later I ended up in hospital with severe diverticulitis that resulted in a perforated bowel. Although my dad has it and it’s hereditary 42 is a bit young and I don’t think the year on antibiotics did my bowel any good at all!

Yup I’d query whether the abx allowed the hereditary disease to break through as it were. Sorry to read what happened but it really is a cursory warning on the downsides of abx to some people.

 

[Stringer]

Thanks for all the replies. The reason for my qustion is, I have been to GP several times for a few vague symptoms (numb feet and hands/ aches and pains) in the last month or 2 and various blood tests none of which have come up with any answers. While doing my own research I ccame a cross an article that suggested that Lyme can cause this. I have had plenty of latched on ticks over the years (none recently that I'm aware) and a course of antibiotics after a bite site inflammed (not classic bulls eye). I also had a fall and knock on the head a couple of weeks ago (may or may not have been alcohol related) and have felt rough since. Again, I read that trauma/illness can exacerbate symptoms

I have now requested a Lyme test be carried out and have an appointment booked at GP. Will report on result.

 

[triggertrix]

There used to be 4 test places in the UK.
London, Inverness, Bristol and Belfast. Of course this may have changed now, its been 15 years since I had Lyme. I will admit back in the day it was difficult to find a GP that knew about Lyme.
Today, it may have improved, but knowing the NHS, I won't hold my breath on it.

Many people are still under the belief that you have to have a bullseye rash spreading out from the bite area to have Lyme. This is NOT true. In my case I had no such rash. But began to feel the effects after about a week of being bitten. And I don't as a rule attract a lot of ticks when out. I was fortunate in that I managed to get seen and treated with antibiotics. However the ongoing effects of catching Lyme has affected my joints quite badly.

Paying for a private consultation is important if you cannot get a GP appointment. And we all know what that's like these days Down here you need to walk into the surgery with a coffin under your arm to get an appointment.

Lyme can have far reaching and damaging effects on your body, it's really not worth ignoring any symptoms that may develop, even if it proves not to be Lyme. This time of year is particularly bad for ticks, so be aware, and be careful. This includes young children, when out for a walk or picnic in the countryside.

You may not have seen the rash, it’s an autoimmune disease, so rash could have popped up on the back of your leg or shoulder blade where you might never have seen it.

People falsely keep inspecting the bite mark, but should be checking in the mirror as well

 

[Martiniblack577]

Thanks for all the replies. The reason for my qustion is, I have been to GP several times for a few vague symptoms (numb feet and hands/ aches and pains) in the last month or 2 and various blood tests none of which have come up with any answers. While doing my own research I ccame a cross an article that suggested that Lyme can cause this. I have had plenty of latched on ticks over the years (none recently that I'm aware) and a course of antibiotics after a bite site inflammed (not classic bulls eye). I also had a fall and knock on the head a couple of weeks ago (may or may not have been alcohol related) and have felt rough since. Again, I read that trauma/illness can exacerbate symptoms

I have now requested a Lyme test be carried out and have an appointment booked at GP. Will report on result.

When you had a fall, was it from standing? Any nausea? Loss of consciousness? No idea if you are on ‘blood thinners’. Similarly a knock on the head whilst under the influence of alcohol can deem an MRI to assess for a sub-arachnoid bleed. Some the symptoms you are describing are neuro based and also consistent with someone who has had a fall.

 

[Stringer]

When you had a fall, was it from standing? Any nausea? Loss of consciousness? No idea if you are on ‘blood thinners’. Similarly a knock on the head whilst under the influence of alcohol can deem an MRI to assess for a sub-arachnoid bleed. Some the symptoms you are describing are neuro based and also consistent with someone who has had a fall.

I fell over a dog whilst tipsy. Didn't black out or feel sick. I had a CT and docs were fairly confident there was no bleeding. My medical history is complicated and I do take blood thinners but my symptoms started before the fall. If you have a medical background and would like anymore information send me a PM. Thanks

 

[Martiniblack577]

I fell over a dog whilst tipsy. Didn't black out or feel sick. I had a CT and docs were fairly confident there was no bleeding. My medical history is complicated and I do take blood thinners but my symptoms started before the fall. If you have a medical background and would like anymore information send me a PM. Thanks

Ok if they did a CT that would or should rule out a sub arachnoid. Distal numbness can be linked to neuro but also your engine room not getting enough oxygenated blood through. Am assuming your ECG was ok as well - am thinking AF??

 

[Stringer]

Ok if they did a CT that would or should rule out a sub arachnoid. Distal numbness can be linked to neuro but also your engine room not getting enough oxygenated blood through. Am assuming your ECG was ok as well - am thinking AF??

Blood thinners are not for AF. It’s complicated . Pulses all checked ok on feet and arms.

 

[Martiniblack577]

Blood thinners are not for AF. It’s complicated . Pulses all checked ok on feet and arms.

Blimey you are a complicated one!! AF will be safer being on them though. So if you’re saying heart all under control I’d have a chat to doctor primarily about the peripheral neuropathy to rule out onset new diabetes/MS/compression of nerves?? Assuming the GP is not accessible else I’d pay £300 for a private consultation to get some answers

 

[sikamalc]

You may not have seen the rash, it’s an autoimmune disease, so rash could have popped up on the back of your leg or shoulder blade where you might never have seen it.

People falsely keep inspecting the bite mark, but should be checking in the mirror as well

Nope, did't have any other rash anywhere else.
At the time I was going through a lot of stress, and my first indication that something was wrong was my eye sight started to play up. I had blurred vision, and felt awful.

 

[Cyres]

Couple of years ago a mate gave me a Dorset sika head. Several days old. Post skinning it out I had two nasty tick bites. Contacted GP with photos and they were not bothered!
Since then bouts of tiredness lethargy and general aches and pains. Eventually Lymes test which was neg
I still think I have an underlying issue.
What should I do?
D

 

[VSS]

Couple of years ago a mate gave me a Dorset sika head. Several days old. Post skinning it out I had two nasty tick bites. Contacted GP with photos and they were not bothered!
Since then bouts of tiredness lethargy and general aches and pains. Eventually Lymes test which was neg
I still think I have an underlying issue.
What should I do?
D

Get tested for other health conditions that have similar symptoms.
Just because you haven't got Lyme, doesn't mean you're not suffering from something else totally unrelated.
(I have a debilitating degenerative autoimmune condition, which can have very similar symptoms to Lyme. I developed it about 5-6 years ago. I insisted on being tested for Lyme as part of the diagnosis process, despite only once ever having had a tick on me. It was negative).

 

[Stringer]

Couple of years ago a mate gave me a Dorset sika head. Several days old. Post skinning it out I had two nasty tick bites. Contacted GP with photos and they were not bothered!
Since then bouts of tiredness lethargy and general aches and pains. Eventually Lymes test which was neg
I still think I have an underlying issue.
What should I do?
D

Google 'csf test v blood test for lyme disease'.

 

[Rake Aboot]

Bloody took 2 of my legs this morning
What’s worse is I suspect they have been there 3 days or so !
Annoyed with myself but will keep an eye on the area

 

[dryan]

In my case, It was three months after the tick bite that the rash showed.



By which time I was really struggling. Muscle and joint aches, low energy level, etc. I had a three week course of Doxy which really helped, but I am convinced that the damage was done. The Doc took one look, and wrote out the prescription. Did not bother with a test.


Steve.

Crikey, I regularly have bruises like that from dealing with an errant toddler, dog or working outside.

I guess permethrin spray on clothing and using full arm lambing gloves for gralloching are the precautions to take. There’s no way I would be able to identify that as a Lyme infection.

 

[matt308]

So is it possible to have the rash somewhere other than the site of a bite?

And is it possible to have an infected bite without realising you’ve been bitten? I’d always assumed that you saw the tick, removed it and then wait for a rash in the same spot.

Asking because my wife has suddenly acquired a suspicious looking rash on the front of her shoulder where we’d definitely have seen a latched on tick.

 

[weblyish]

So is it possible to have the rash somewhere other than the site of a bite?

And is it possible to have an infected bite without realising you’ve been bitten? I’d always assumed that you saw the tick, removed it and then wait for a rash in the same spot.

Asking because my wife has suddenly acquired a suspicious looking rash on the front of her shoulder where we’d definitely have seen a latched on tick.

If you've been in a likely area and have a likely looking rash then it's safest to assume it might be and point it out to the doc

The problem is the standard test is not "have you got Lyme now" it's "have you ever had Lyme"

So you may well get antibiotics if you have previously been exposed and still not be treating the actual problem of it is in fact something else