Am I in the clear

I noticed a tick on me about a week ago and I quickly removed it. I was outside in my backyard the night before so I assume it attached itself to me then so it was on me for about 12-24 hours. It is now a week later and I do not have a rash or anything. However, I has somewhat of a scratchy throat. I am probably being paranoid about this.  Is a scratchy throat a sympton of Lyme? I have no fever, aches, pain, etc. Just a scratchy throat. I guess it be a cold coming on or even allergies. I'm just worried and I want to start treatment ASAP if there is a chance I have contracted Lyme.

Thanks!

[patsy10]

Welcome ss826.  A scratchy throat could be one symptom of lyme but as you stated it could be allergies or a cold etc...I would call or see your doctor and discuss the tick bite and see what the doctor says.  Even if you were infected you may not have any symptoms yet.  Early symptoms may be flu-like.  Less than 50% of people remember a rash.

[JackieCalifornia]

Knowing what I know now, I personally would take the meds, and the sooner the better.

I have read that there is no scientific research supporting the often-heard statement that a tick must be attached for X hours before you can be infected.  

Bottom line for me:  why take the chance?  The risks of the antibiotics vs having the disease are not even close, for me.

Good luck, let us know what you decide and how you do!

[gorbybelle]

I have to go along with 'JackieCalifornia' - take the antibiotics.

[ss826]

I have made a doctor appointment for Friday since it has developed from a scratchy throat to a sore throat. Should I tell them about the tick up front or should I just let him see if it's strep or something?  I usually get these throat infections like once a year.

Thanks for your help

Will the antibiotics pracatially "cure" the Lyme disease if I took them this soon after I found the tick on me?

[wughead]

were you able to keep the tick for identification?

[ss826]

No I wasn't able to keep it.  I felt a pinching in my inner thigh while at work and went to the restroom to check what it was. When I saw it, it was trying to burrow into my skin and I quickly brushed it off. I have no idea where it fell.  It left a very small mark the size of a tiny pimple. It healed completely in a day and I have been inspecting the area every day since it happened. There has been no rash or discomfort in the area ever since.

[gorbybelle]

I would tell the doctor about the tick - and take it from there.

[JackieCalifornia]

You ask:  'Will the antibiotics pracatially "cure" the Lyme disease if I took them this soon after I found the tick on me?'

The sooner antibiotics are taken, the more likely a quick and complete cure.  Speed really does matter, because the Lyme bacteria spread through your body and begin very soon to hide in cartilage and other places that antibiotics have a hard time reaching, which then leads to the need for longer and longer treatment.

Treat soon and a short treatment usually works; wait to treat and you're looking at an entrenched disease process that sometimes is never fully cured.  

Sorry to be a scaremonger, but I've seen it happen to others and lived through it myself.  Correction:  I'm still living through it after 1 1/2 years under treatment and not fully well yet, though making progress.

Don't delay.  Come back and let us know what your dr says and what you do, okay?

[wughead]

I think that most of us who have chronic lyme would want to treat our loved ones preventively with doxy or amoxicillin and follow with blood testing.

[ss826]

Thanks to all

I will make it very clear to the Dr. that it was a deer tick that bit me and I actually saw it in the process of biting me.(too bad I don't still have the mark to prove it)  My fear is that the Dr. will just think that I saw a tick on me and I freaked out and he will blow me off.  I hope it doesn't happen that way. I will be dissapointed to walk out of there without an antibiotic prescription.

Any suggestions on what to tell the doctor?

[JackieCalifornia]

If he blows you off, I'd be very firm about what you want, which would be basic antibiotic treatment to prevent the development of Lyme disease.  

If he still resists, you could say something about having read how hard it can be to get rid of the disease if it doesn't get treated early, and it worries you a lot that it might happen to you...then perhaps he'll give in due to your 'anxiety' and prescribe.  It's manipulative, but it might work.  

Or, you could try the 'If it were an earache that might or might not be developing, would you prescribe?  I look at it the same way:  better to nip it in the bud.'

Three tries like that might work, and if it doesn't, then at least you know you need to find another dr.

Sorry not to be more helpful!

[gorbybelle]

if all else fails I would go to an LLMD for antibiotics.