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Posted 6/26/2015 5:18 AM (GMT -5)
Hello
I found a tick on my neck a few weeks ago after cycling in Scotland. I pulled it off myself just over 24hours afterwards not realising at first what it was but I think I got it all out. I didn't think anything of it but woke up one morning (approx 10 days later) with a sore neck...I put it down to sleeping funny. 3 weeks later I still have a sore neck and I am feeling generally unwell - headaches, low mood, nausea, dead left arm, fatigue. There's been a couple of mornings I have woken up (after a couple of drinks one night) where I have literally felt like I couldn't lift my head off the pillow and have almost felt paralyzed around my neck / head area (which isn't normal for me). I haven't had a typical bullseye rash but have been generally flushed on my chest and cheeks. Does this sound like Lymes or could I just be generally a bit unwell?
Thanks
Posted 6/26/2015 5:32 AM (GMT -5)
~Emijane

Hi there :)

Welcome to our forum... YES... it sounds very much like Lyme.
And alcohol can make things worse.

Please read the New to Lyme Thread as soon as you can.
Also... get to the doctor and see if you can get antibiotics.

If you can get on antibiotics when it is new...there is a good chance of
getting it out of your system. But if you do not treat asap...it can become
"chronic" and much more difficult to treat.

I don't want to scare you... i just want you to be aware of what you are
dealing with.

Please continue to ask questions here...there will be others coming in to offer suggestions for treatment.

I am going to look for some info about dealing with a "new infection" ... i will come back and post it for you.

And... be aware of your stress level... Lyme feeds off stress... reduce your stress in any way that you can... Even a ten minute meditation can be a good "mind break" ... you can find guided meditation videos on Youtube.

Will be back...
Posted 6/26/2015 5:52 AM (GMT -5)
Here is one source of information to check out...
europepmc.org/abstract/MED/1379147/reload=0%3bjsessionid=Pej237Xs2CLLyajTv9gh.0

Here is a list of 10 minute meditations to choose from.
/www.youtube.com/watch?v=6p_yaNFSYao&list=RD6p_yaNFSYao#t=36
Posted 6/26/2015 6:01 AM (GMT -5)
Thanks very much for your help
Posted 6/26/2015 6:41 AM (GMT -5)
Hi Emijane,

As you were cycling in scotland I am assuming you are living in the UK?

You may find ye good ol' NHS of little help. Many people, me included have been given a proper run around by them, and honestly the sooner you treat the better.

If you can't get your GP to take you seriously (or if the do one of the quite frankly useless NHS lyme blood tests - which will come back negative - before deciding whether or not to treat you) feel free to drop me an email as I can give you the details of a Lyme doctor in the UK whose able to both diagnose and treat with abx, if you need them. (We can't post doctors info here)

Please feel free to shout here if you have anymore questions, the folks here are extremely helpful and knowledgeable
Posted 6/26/2015 11:59 AM (GMT -5)
Hi Emijane - welcome to our community!

Yes, tick bite plus your symptoms....indicative of lyme disease.

Is it possible to get to a Dr. and get some antibiotics? Try and get a course of doxcycline - 400 mg per day. And you need to treat until symptom free for 4-8 weeks.

To email silly sheep - just click on the blue envelope under his/her name (sorry silly - don't know your gender)

And, when you have a moment, please take a look and read the "New to Lyme?..Start Here!" thread at the top of the page. It's full of great information...important information. The section on detox will provide you with ideas. Detoxing is essential when you are fighting a lyme infection.

Good luck!
Posted 6/30/2015 6:10 AM (GMT -5)
Thanks everyone for your help.
I'm now on antibiotics and had a blood test yesterday and feeling a bit better from what I have been after a few days tablets.
Do we know how accurate NHS testing is?
Posted 6/30/2015 10:52 AM (GMT -5)
Emijane - I doubt if the NHS testing is accurate...it's a government agency, right?

Even the better testing - like Igenex, in California, U.S.A. don't always pick up lyme disease.

also, if you are on antibiotics, this reduces your chances of a positive test, if the test relies on antibodies.

I'm hoping you are on antibiotics long enough to irradicate it. How are your symptoms now?
Posted 7/2/2015 4:18 AM (GMT -5)
Emijane - even the ID doctor at the RVI in Newcastle who I saw said 'the test will of course come back negative, they pretty much always do'.

That said tbe NHS will not treat you based on positive test results that they don't carry out themselves (eg from Germany or igenex) so catch 22.
Posted 7/16/2015 6:03 AM (GMT -5)
Sorry Silly Sheep, I have just seen this post...must have missed it on the emails. I am from Newcastle and yes my test came back negative...I do feel like I am a lot better after finishing the antibiotics but I just feel very fatigued still, snappy and occasionally a weird ache in my shoulder. My Doctor has since rang and would like me to do another blood test...but I am assuming that will just have the same outcome? Do you know of any specialists in Northern England at all? Thanks
Posted 7/19/2015 6:26 AM (GMT -5)
Just got your email and have sent you the info, hope it helps!!

If your symptoms haven't fully gone you will most likely need longer treatment.

The doc whose info I sent you will clinically diagnose you rather than rely on the UK blood test (mine was negative too)

Nice to meet a felow Geordie- well, I'm from Darlington, so just down the road really!! I live in Greece at the mo, but went back to the UK as there are no Lyme docs here. We don't have Lyme, yada, yada, yada...

Anyhow, reeeaally hope the info helps- give us a shout and let me know how you're doing :)
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