Should I be tested yet?

[Jenn1957]

I just removed what I believe to be a deer tick from my stomach this morning.  It has a bullseye center and a red ring around it.  Should I be tested?  I have no idea how long the tick was on me as I live in an area where deer ticks are popular.  Should I wait?  The past three days I have had a sore throat and a swollen left gland but I'm sure that it would be too soon to be symptomatic, right?

[JackieCalifornia]

Ditto comments above, and if you are feeling better after a course of doxy, be sure to follow up with your doc anyway, because Lyme ticks carry infection other than Lyme about half the time, and doxy may well not be effective against those infections.  So I'd check back with the doc after the doxy treatment to be sure you don't have any other untreated infections.  fwiw.

[kathloj]

A tick encounter that leaves a bullseye rash is 100% confirmation of Lyme disease. No test needed! As the others stated, get on Doxycycline immediately, minimum 6 weeks, 200 mg bid! Also get seen by a LLMD or LLND for followup.

[Murphgolf]

Everyone else has said it, and they're right. "safe than sorry" is the key. Nothing to lose by getting treatment started. Hope all goes well. And be aware of how naive many doctors are with Lyme Disease.  

[wonko]

If you test too early it can come back negative since the test looks for antibodies and not the bacteria directly.

Bull's eye rash IS diagnostic alone, push for antibiotics NOW!

[mojogal]

I have told this story before, my ex husband is a golf course superintendent. He got bit often but would go immediately to the Dr and start taking doxy. Last I heard he has never gotten Lyme. The quicker you start the better off you are.

[JackieCalifornia]

PS  I reread my message, and wanted to add:  the reason for speed in getting started on the meds is because the Lyme bacteria (assuming you have Lyme) will, at a fairly early point after biting you, begin to find their way into areas of the body, such as cartilage, where the antibiotics can't easily reach.  At that point, whenever it occurs, the simplest treatment, with doxycycline, then isn't able to penetrate the areas where the bacteria are hiding, and longer treatment with different meds is then needed.  

Not all (non-Lyme) MDs understand this, but it is a factor to keep in mind.  
It's just the way Lyme works, and many of us (like me) were ill for quite a while before learning that what I had was Lyme, so it's not the end of the world if the bacteria go and hide ... but getting rid of Lyme quickly is a benefit for several reasons.  Keep us posted!

[JackieCalifornia]

Totally agree with bdonahue!  Don't wait any longer to see a doc.  If your regular doc can't see you right away (like tomorrow), then I would go to urgent care.   If they blow you off (since not all docs understand Lyme), then go right away to another.  Time really is important.  Good for you for finding the bite and following up!  Let us know how you do if you think of it.  You go!!

[bdonahue7]

Yes go in right away, pls do not wait. You need to get on a strong dose of antibiotics right away then see a lyme literate Dr who can monitor you. Good Luck!