Lyme test

[klassykitty]

My doctor called me the other day and wants to do a Lyme disease test,or is it Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever, whichever one that ticks carry, that's the one he wants to do.   Does anyone know anything about this test? 

Nurse Vampire is always looking for a reason to stick a needle in me and take most of my blood.

He wants to do it because I live and walk in wooded areas.  Yes I use bug spray,  wear long sleeve and jeans but if there is a tick or mosquito out there it will find me and ignore the spray.

Michelle

[WillyWump]

Heya Kitty,

I'm sure it's just a typical blood test of some sort, and I think Ticks carry both Lyme and Rocky Mtn Spotted.. I've heard Lyme can be a bitch, so hopefully you'll come back A-ok. Let us know.

and stay outa the woods girlie 

-Will

[Miss Philicia]

Lyme is really bad if you get it. My father had it a couple of years ago and one of my good friends had it five years ago.

[weasel]

                 Good luck Michelle  ,
                                                   It is just a poke .

               A     V.A. Doctor  told me there is NO   LYME  in  Missouri !

                  I had asked for a test because  I am picking ticks off daily   

                 Bob had LYME   , Yes here in Missouri !

                 Next time I am in Connecticut I will go the the V.A. there . As  Lyme  started in

                  Old Lyme Connecticut  , They take it  seriously   .

                   My sister had a bad reaction to it !  Bob just had the big red Bull's EYE on his belly 


                                                                           Weasel

[aztecan]

Hey Weasel,

Tell the VA they are wrong. The Mayo Clinic site said Lyme disease is the most common tick-born illness in North America.

Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever is less common, and is found more often in the South and the Mountain West.

Both are tick born, both can be quite severe, but both can be treated, at least the Mayo Clinic and CDC said. they could.

Kitty, it is better to test now than wait for later in either case, from what I read. I am at work, or would post the links.

HUGS,

Mark

[mecch]

What is the issue?  You are afraid you might have lyme?  You are afraid of the test for lyme?  Lyme is not something to fuck around with, just get the test and take it from there.  

Its not always a straightforward diagnosis. It can be diagnosed by tests or by symptoms.  

The important thing is to have a doctor who is familiar with this and just go forward.  In the old days before doctors paid attention to this in endemic areas, a chronic lyme infection could lead to hideous long-term health consequences.  

Again, even a suspected lyme infection probably needs to be treated and lyme is easier to treat in recent infections than in chronic ones.  

You should also ask your doc for literature or just to explain about identifying ticks, potential infections, and lyme prevention, and if you live in an area with lots of diagnosis, you might plan on regularly checking for it.

Even the wiki article has good information that should fill in the basics for you.

[weasel]

Hey Weasel,

Tell the VA they are wrong. The Mayo Clinic site said Lyme disease is the most common tick-born illness in North America.

Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever is less common, and is found more often in the South and the Mountain West.

Both are tick born, both can be quite severe, but both can be treated, at least the Mayo Clinic and CDC said. they could.

Kitty, it is better to test now than wait for later in either case, from what I read. I am at work, or would post the links.

HUGS,

Mark

     I shall do that Mark .
We will be in Saint Louis A few times this month , Thanks


                                                                    Carl