Lyme Disease Info, Watch for ticks

[CAPTJJ]

It's a good idea for everyone that spends time outdoors to keep an eye out for ticks during the warm weather seasons. Lyme disease can be very disabling if left untreated, I know as I had it about 10 years ago for 2 years. I had to fight with a couple different doctors about what I had, finally found a good doctor, but even he admitted I knew more about the disease than he did. My symptoms returned about three weeks ago, which often happens if you don't get treatment with antibiotics soon after exposure; have an appointment with my specialist this week.

Lyme disease is a bacterial infection that is spread to humans by a couple species of ticks. Not all ticks can carry the disease, black-legged ticks are one of the main carriers, especially in the northeast where I live:



larger dog ticks do not carry LD:



One of the first symptoms to appear is the bullseye rash that forms at the site you are bitten, not everyone that gets the disease ends up with this but if you do be sure to see your doctor immediately. I was bitten on my upper back, had the rash, but didn't think anything of it.

Mine looked like this:

This rash went away, then reappeared all over my upper body. I didn't think much of it, it also went away. A month later i came down with what seemed like a really bad flu. This time I went to a doctor, but was told Lyme disease wasn't in our area; I later found out this was untrue.

Others have the classic bullseye:


It is probably a good idea to see you doctor if you find an embedded tick on you, especially if you live in an area where the disease is known to be present. You can also save the tick and have it tested. Some doctors will prescibe antibiotics as a preventative. I want to add that there is no test that can rule out Lyme disease; a positive test result will verify that you have Lyme disease, but a negative should not be used to rule it out, especially if you are showing the symptoms which can vary greatly from person to person. I still haven't tested positive, was retested last week; but I have shown the classic Lyme symptoms and they haven't found anything else wrong with me.

Lyme disease risk areas:


There is still a lot that is not known about Lyme disease, but they have learned a lot since I was first infected. There is a great deal of info on the web. Feel free to ask any questions, and like I said don't be afraid to see your doctor; the disease is easily treated with antibiotics if caught early, but can be difficult if left untreated.

[itz gunnar]

Great informative post thanks for the good info hope you get well soon

Where I live it is high risk

[SupBrah]

WOW


I can't believe this was posted today.....I was out checking some property last night and guess what I found on my upper thigh when I woke up this morning? I pulled the sucker out but part of it broke off and is still in my thigh. There is a red area around it like your first picture but only about the size of a quarter. I have a doctors appointment this afternoon....thank you for posting this. I'm not leaving his office until I get tested and get a prescription for some antibiotics.

[CAPTJJ]

Originally Posted by SupBrah

WOW


I can't believe this was posted today.....I was out checking some property last night and guess what I found on my upper thigh when I woke up this morning? I pulled the sucker out but part of it broke off and is still in my thigh. There is a red area around it like your first picture but only about the size of a quarter. I have a doctors appointment this afternoon....thank you for posting this. I'm not leaving his office until I get tested and get a prescription for some antibiotics.

Don't rely on the test results, they are often false negative. It is a good idea to start on antibiotics as a precautionary measure, especially if you live in an endemic area. Good luck.

[CAPTJJ]

Lyme Disease is the fastest growing vector borne disease in the US, far more prevalent than bird flu, SARS, etc., but you don't hear much about it in the media. The number of reported cases is far fewer than the actual number of people being treated because of CDC guidelines for LD that are way too strict; it is a very tricky disease.

[Big Eazy]

Thanks for the great post. Hope you don't mind, I copied and pasted your story for others on the net to see.

[Stanley]

ttt

[CAPTJJ]

Originally Posted by Big Eazy

Thanks for the great post. Hope you don't mind, I copied and pasted your story for others on the net to see.

Feel free to share the info, that's why I posted it.

[StrutStopper]

Originally Posted by SupBrah

WOW


I can't believe this was posted today.....I was out checking some property last night and guess what I found on my upper thigh when I woke up this morning? I pulled the sucker out but part of it broke off and is still in my thigh. There is a red area around it like your first picture but only about the size of a quarter. I have a doctors appointment this afternoon....thank you for posting this. I'm not leaving his office until I get tested and get a prescription for some antibiotics.

Its not unusual to have a red area where you pull a tick off of you even if it isn't infected with lyme. Also, a lyme test done too soon will probably have negative results. Anyway, hope the Dr. can get the rest of that lil bugger out and you don't come down with the disease.

[Rolando]

Thats a great post JJ, I previously lived in Putnam Ct, where lime is very prevalent, In the towns of Fishkill/ hopewell Junction Dutchess Ct, you have some of most severe cases in the US / World. nasty stuff not to be taken lightly, if you dont catch it ( no signs) then 10 month, or a Year later star having joint pain, fatigue etc, you need more then your regular doctor! Insurance companies are NOT paying for more the 60 days of treatment without positive proof, its a racket . My Friend's daughter has one of the most severe case ever recorded, intavenous antibiotics for several month at a time, going on for over 6 Years!!! he had to change insurance companies several time till he got them to pay, his out of pocket is over 20K so far,nasty stuff. On the plus side the lime ticks are the smalest ones, not the run of the mill you can see well and twist off.

[Keith t]

While hunting yesterday I found what appeared to be a dear tick at my waist line. I pulled it off, getting it all but the area is still sore and there are two red marks top and bottom of the bite area. They have gotten smaller overnight.

Is this anything I should be concerned with?

[CAPTJJ]

Originally Posted by Keith t

While hunting yesterday I found what appeared to be a dear tick at my waist line. I pulled it off, getting it all but the area is still sore and there are two red marks top and bottom of the bite area. They have gotten smaller overnight.

Is this anything I should be concerned with?

It is normal to get some redness where you are bit, the EM rash will grow in size but doesn't show up right away. If you live in an area where the disease is prevalent you might want to check with your doctor; especially if a rash appears or you get flu-like symptoms.

[CAPTJJ]

The best way to remove a tick is with tweezers, grab the tick close to your skin. Definitely don't squeeze the ticks body, you can inject it's bodily fluids and the bacteria, if present, into your bloodstream. It is a good idea to save the tick in alcohol for identification or testing in the future.

[Keith t]

OK thank's I live in central Ca.. It's here but not too prevalent, I will keep an eye on it.

[joneshat11]

(Please sorry, before hand on spelling I didn't have spell check)

This is a great post. Let me tell you my experience with this. I got Lyme Disease three years ago while Turkey hunting in Houston County, MN. Lucky I found the tick on me while sleeping and new to watch for the symptoms. About 5 days later I was enjoying memoiral weekend but was sweating all three days which I thought was wierd but went on anyways. That Tuesday I went back to work and started to feel like flu like symptoms. It wasn't just noticed by me but by my co-workers. I looked so bad my co-workers wouldn't let me drive home. Once I got home I started to get headaches and neck pains then I could feel my heart skipping. I called my Mother at her house and had her take me to the hospital. While in the emergency room one of the nurses found the target on the back side of my arm where I could not see. Luckly they then figured out it was lyme disease becuase of the target rash. NOW REMEMBER THIS, MY TEST CAME BACK NEGITATIVE BUT I VERY MUCH HAD LYMES.

The next 4 days was pretty much the worst days of my life. I went to the clinic and got the antibiotics then followed with rest. During this time of the 4 days I then got a 104.5 temp and can only remember 2 of those days. I had people come visit that I still don't remember them being there. Luckly I broke the fever and was on my way for the next 4 weeks of treatment. Now I was on the anitibiotics and during this time was not enjoyable. Remember these anitibiotics kill all the bad and good bactiria in your body. Which makes you feel pretty ill during that time and the skin on my hands died then peeled off about 10 times.

All and all after the treatment I have felt better but seem to have some joint pain still. But please, luckly I actually got sysmptoms to tell me what was wrong and some people don't get these symptoms. I know this cause in my Grandmas assited living place there is a man that is 52 years old and lives there cause he has lymes that went untreated and no longer can walk.

Just my experience with Lymes so far and it was not fun.

Lawrence C. Luoma

[ParkerBow]

any chance of getting a mod or someone to make this a sticky thread

[Ode1891]

I've seen several already in Maryland this year. Looks like the year of the tick! I had Lymes and went through the 30 day treatment--sucked.

After my wife pulled a few off that were climbing for cover, I bought sawyers laundry additive with Permethrin (sp) and their spray for clothing. Strange how few I saw last year by comparison.

Good post.

This ought to be up in the top row for sure!

[Mil6161]

2 of my buddies got it last year..Its bad news.....One got MRSA soon after Lyme and the Doc. just caught it in time or he might be gone.......serious disease......

[PAhunter]

What is the best thing to use to keep ticks off of you?

[Mil6161]

Originally Posted by PAhunter

What is the best thing to use to keep ticks off of you?

Permithrin (treat your clothes and let dry for 4 hours +)....Duranon and Sawyers are two companies making it. I've used it the last few years and no ticks.......

[dx2]

TTT

got bit a week ago and the bite site still itches.

[Matt G]

Great info and reminder. I live in an area where it is prevalent. I was out hiking with my lab looking for sheds. By the time I got back to my car, I had 5 female deer ticks, and one nymph. The next day I found my dog got bit twice although he had the advantix on him. Keep a look out.

[alfabuck]

Good heads up for those who aren't aware of it. Here in NJ pulling 10 deer ticks off you after coming out of the woods is commonplace. They say 1 in 3 here carry it. Scary isn't it.

[paohbowhunter]

great post, like the map

[chuckatuk]

both my boys had lyme disease which was treated with antibiotics.the first one the docs at the emergency room had about twenty docs and nurses come look at the bite area since it was so rare in my area.

[CAPTJJ]

ttt

[forkedhorn]

My wife has been sick for 10 years and just finally got a positive Lymy test. She is undergoing very intensive antibiotic treatment at this time. This is nasty stuff. I never gave Lyme a second thought, until now. There is a documentary out called "Under Our Skin" that gives quite a terrifying view of the Lyme epedemic. I recommend watching it if you get a chance. By the way, we live in Washington state, and supposedly, there is no Lyme disease here.

[tttlll77]

I got lime's last fall while deer hunting and learned a few things I can pass along. My tick was behind my right thigh so I had to find someone to remove it. I put alcohol on the tick thinking it would kill it which softened it to the point where it pulled apart and the head was still in; Mistake! Got the head out with a needle. Put the alcohol on after you get the tick out. I had no target rash, just a red splotch about the size of my hand, swollen a little, itched like crazy. I didn't find the tick until after 4 days had passed and time is critical. I read a lot about the disease and read that 'the tick need 36 hours to actually give the disease so finding it soon is good.

Not thinking I had contracted lime's I did nothing until (about 2-3 weeks later) when I got the flu type symptoms and joint stiffness, pain and weakness The nurse/friend who pulled the tick out strongly urged me to get treated because she suspected lime's. I called my local clinic and told them I suspected Lime's disease and I needed antibiotics to treat it. They told me they would not prescribe antibiotics and I would have to get a test done that would take 2-3 weeks for the results to come back. I asked why they would not treat it while waiting for the test and was told it was because I might develop a resistance to antibiotics! For dumb!

I call the VA hospital, which I would have done first, but figured it would take to long to get in. When I explained my situation they got me scheduled in three days. My VA Doctor was great and put me on a 21 day antibiotic treatment starting immediately. He made the decision based on a few things and this is important;

It takes valuable time for the test results to come in and even if the results were negative my doctor said he would treat anyway. These tests are very inaccurate so why have it done. Rely on the story and symptoms and error on the safe side. This disease is to serious to wait for a test that will be inconclusive anyway. And, it cost about $400.00... Find a Doctor that will treat you based on the symptoms and start the treatment as soon as possible.

[Lil Okie]

ttt

[RBLUE]

Does anyone know what % of Permethrin is required to be effective.I bought some Repel Permanone with .05% permethrin and 99.5% other. Just wondering if this is the right stuff. I asked on AT 2 yrs ago about tick prevention and someone said to drink a few tablespoons of vinegar each day when hunting, I did and had lots of ticks that year but no bites or diggers. Last year I didn't drink any and had 2 ticks dig in so maybe it does work.

[ArrowDucker]

Originally Posted by RBLUE

Does anyone know what % of Permethrin is required to be effective.I bought some Repel Permanone with .05% permethrin and 99.5% other. Just wondering if this is the right stuff. I asked on AT 2 yrs ago about tick prevention and someone said to drink a few tablespoons of vinegar each day when hunting, I did and had lots of ticks that year but no bites or diggers. Last year I didn't drink any and had 2 ticks dig in so maybe it does work.

I've been using Permanone for years now and the stuff works great. If you do find a tick on your clothes or on you it will be dead before it bites you. Amazing results is what I seen with the stuff.

Rich

[athomPT]

Thanks

[Carolina Hunter]

Good post glad there are people like you to keep us hunters on our toes and educated about stuff like this. Thanks again

[Musky Hunter]

TTT

[CAPTJJ]

Bumping up, just remember Lyme Disease is easily treated with antibiotics if you catch it early, don't delay if you are bitten

[MELLY-MEL]

my poor dog is now on his 3rd bout in his 8 yrs of being alive. the vet told me they are unsure of whether this disease is reoccurred or new cases each time he has an episode. he is fine for yrs, and than wham, one day he can barely walk. this 3rd bout is seeming to hit him very hard. feel badfor my boy! it's no joke, and scares the hell out of me. had a few ticks last yr, but pulled them out, have not had any signs or anything, but it's scary. my mom had it, and had a rough time with it as well. here in ny, dutchess county, it's very bad. be safe.

[gamecooker]

something you might want to do instead of pulling them out - and chance of the head being left in your skin (especially with kids)....is to use vaseline on the little buggers, just cover them real well...they can't breathe and will back out, if you are camping, backpackin etc. you can just carry a small amount in your firstaide kit or pack pocket, just put a bit in a tight fitting lid container.

[SupBrah]

Quick update of my tick bite-

I saw a doctor to get the head that was left in removed- he had to use a scalpel. I was prescribed amoxicillin as a precautionary measure to take 3 times a day for 2 weeks.

Something interesting the doctor told me was that most cases of lyme disease transfer happen when the tick has been dug in for 48hours. The tick I found had only been on me for about 16 hours. He also mentioned that spraying the tick with hairspray will help with removal. It keeps the tick from moving so you can grab it with FINE POINT tweezers. Most people don't keep fine point tweezers, but I will be adding a set to my hunting first aid kit, along with extra alcohol wipes.

[SupBrah]

Originally Posted by gamecooker

something you might want to do instead of pulling them out - and chance of the head being left in your skin (especially with kids)....is to use vaseline on the little buggers, just cover them real well...they can't breathe and will back out, if you are camping, backpackin etc. you can just carry a small amount in your firstaide kit or pack pocket, just put a bit in a tight fitting lid container.

That does make sense. I forgot to add it in my post, but my grandmother told me to poor some cooking oil on it. Have you tested that method?

[CAPTJJ]

Originally Posted by gamecooker

something you might want to do instead of pulling them out - and chance of the head being left in your skin (especially with kids)....is to use vaseline on the little buggers, just cover them real well...they can't breathe and will back out, if you are camping, backpackin etc. you can just carry a small amount in your firstaide kit or pack pocket, just put a bit in a tight fitting lid container.

That is very bad advice, not recommended at all by the professionals. The problem with that is they will end up regurgitating their bodily fliuds and possibly the Lyme bacteria in to your bloodstream. The best method is to remove the tick with tweezers; lots of times the head will remain, but the bacteria comes from the ticks body, the head remaining won't hurt you. Just remember the tick needs to be attached for at least 24 hours to transmit the bacteria; inspect for them anytime you go out and remove them promptly.