Found tick on my neck, freaked out!!!

[Suda]

Dear Lyme Disease Group,

This is my first post on this site, so hello to one and all.  My name is Suda.  Three days ago I was doing my morning washing, brushing, etc.  I looked in the mirror and freaked out because I found this black spot on my neck.  At first, of course was hoping it was some type of lint....ha!  I saw that it was a tick and freaked out and pulled it out and flushed it.

Of course now I hear I should have put it in a baggie, but hindsight and late information doesn't help me now.

I have fibromyalgia, lupus, ostheoporosis, mitral valve prolapse....I do go on!  The only reason I'm listing all of this caca is because I have absolutely no idea what I should be looking out for with the tick situation.

I feel horrible almost each and every day, therefore; you who have known and lived this lyme disease may be able to tell me just what to keep an eye out for i.e. the bite site.

I put rubbing alchohol (sp) on it and since it bled a bit, I did put on a band-aid.  I've taken the band-aid off now because the bleeding has stopped.  The site is red, but I don't see that it is spreading or anything.

I apologize in advance for my verbose message here, I'm just concerned and would like and appreciate any and every educated quess as to what I should be on the look out for.

Thank you again for your patience with my long, drawn out question.

All my best,

Suda

[Suda]

Dear Wonko,

I was diagnosed with fibromyalgia in 1994, then with lupus in 1995.  It took forever to be diagnosed with lupus, but then something very severe happened and there was absolutely no doubt I also had lupus.

The location of where I found the tick, on my neck is not showing any signs of spreading out, no rings around the bite area.

I will be going to my doctor, or one of my doctors later this upcoming week so I will ask about the tick situation.

The other conditions besides the ones listed above are believed to be genetic, except for the osteoporosis which is believed to have been caused by the high doses of steroids I was on for years for the lupus.

Thanks for your response.  It helps to find out what others in similar situations know, and would do about these things.

All my best,

Suda

[wonko]

Hi,

Just to clarify, are you saying that the fibromyalgia, lupus, ostheoporosis, mitral valve prolapse all pre-date your tick bite?

Lyme symptoms can overlap with all of those conditions, so I can see why you are concerned.  How long have you had those conditions, and are you certain you didn't have an earlier Lyme exposure?  Many with Lyme are mis-diagnosed with those conditions.

Lyme testing is lousy and sadly, you won't test positive if the exposure is recent.  I think it takes a few weeks to show up.  But in your situation, I'd get to my primary care doc ASAP and tell them about the bite and red rash.  Hopefully they can figure out the best course of action.