Tick bites!

[Looking]

OOOWW Yuk
I just googled "tick bites" and got loads of pic's of infected wounds.

[Looking]

On a more serious note. This is something I did not know about. And this thread has made me aware of it.
Thanks Dave

[celiar]

Originally Posted by Looking

OOOWW Yuk
I just googled "tick bites" and got loads of pic's of infected wounds.

Have a look at these then. Click the link and then click to enter the Gallery:

http://www.bada-uk.org/gallerywarn.html

[celiar]

Originally Posted by Looking

On a more serious note. This is something I did not know about. And this thread has made me aware of it.
Thanks Dave

That's the best thing to happen. More people should be aware of a growing problem in the UK.

[Zildjian]

I am another Lyme disease sufferer here. I have had it for 3 years as I was misdiagnosed with other conditions before finally getting a diagnosis.
I started treatment for it 2 weeks ago, but It's going to take many months.
The HPA has said there is at least 1000-2000 cases per year in the U.K, but most G.P's think there are more like 100 cases per year, so they very rarely consider the diagnosis unless you have a rash. The blood tests are extremely unreliable and miss most cases, so this is another reason why the REPORTED figure is low in the U.K. I expect there are over 2000 cases a year in the U.K.
I never had a rash, and it took 12 months before I had full blown Lyme symptoms - once you have a tick bite you need to remember it for the rest of you life because if you develop illness later on in life, it could be related to the tick bite.

[Wild-Woman]

Oh blimey. Poor you. All those years, that must be awful. What do they give you? Antibiotics? Have they said how long before you will be clear? ww

[Zildjian]

Hi.

They have put me on high dose antibiotics. It will probably be 3-6 months before I see any improvement, but I will probably be on them for up to a year.

I see you are also from Kent, that is where I actually got the disease.

[Wild-Woman]

You're joking-you're not!! I'm always out in North Kent marshes. Can I PM you? Julie

[Zildjian]

Hi.

Yes you can P.M me. I think Lyme disease is all over the U.K, a study showed it is in 80% of England and Wales. Also, 30% of ticks are infected in Wales alone, this figure can rise to 80% in some places in Scotland!

[celiar]

Originally Posted by Zildjian

I am another Lyme disease sufferer here. I have had it for 3 years as I was misdiagnosed with other conditions before finally getting a diagnosis.
I started treatment for it 2 weeks ago, but It's going to take many months.
The HPA has said there is at least 1000-2000 cases per year in the U.K, but most G.P's think there are more like 100 cases per year, so they very rarely consider the diagnosis unless you have a rash. The blood tests are extremely unreliable and miss most cases, so this is another reason why the REPORTED figure is low in the U.K. I expect there are over 2000 cases a year in the U.K.
I never had a rash, and it took 12 months before I had full blown Lyme symptoms - once you have a tick bite you need to remember it for the rest of you life because if you develop illness later on in life, it could be related to the tick bite.

Hi Zildjian. I didn't realise you were another Lyme sufferer. I obviously missed the post where you mentioned it.

I'm really glad you are receiving treatment now. I have had 'Lyme' for most of my life (I'm 57 now). I was finally diagnosed two years ago privately, after receiving an NHS mis-diagnosis of ME/Fibromyalgia. It's only now after 18 months of antibiotic treatment that I am beginning to get something of my life back.

Good luck with your treatment. It's not an easy, or a short road, but for many of us there is better health at the end.