Do I have Lyme Disease?

[Radical Activist]

I went hiking over the weekend. One part of the 14 mile hike (yes 14 miles in one day. I am a badass) had more tics than I have ever seen in my life. I had to brush over a dozen of them off my legs.

I read up on the symptoms and I don't have any, however some people don't get common symptoms for weeks. I also read that a tic must be attached for 48 hours to cause infection, and after checking, I'm not aware of any that dug into me. I brushed them all off before they found a place to hang on.

I don't really want to get tested without having any symptoms because I don't have health insurance, but I'm still nervous.

What do you think?

[Jara sang]

1. With out reading anything in your post I'm gonna say probably

and this will be locked in about 5...4...3...2...1...

[Radical Activist]

5. Why would this be locked?

and why would you say probably without reading the post? Pretty lame post, I'm not sure why I'm taking the time to respond.

[Jara sang]

8. Because you should not seek medical advice from people

who are not licensed doctors. Just saying.

[KitchenWitch]

2. deer ticks (which carry Lyme dx) are small

1.5 times the size of a head of a pin.

Look for a rash that looks like a bullseye in the next week or so.

[Radical Activist]

4. I read that..

no rash so far...I'll keep a look out.

[salinen]

3. I hike almost daily

and have had more tick bites than Rove tells lies. Forgetaboutit.

[Radical Activist]

6. That's a shitload of bites.

This post is comforting. Thanks.

[GoddessOfGuinness]

7. What kind of ticks?

Deer ticks are the ones that carry Lyme. They're much smaller than dog ticks.

My dog has Lyme, but it seems to be under control at present. I hope you're healthy!

[Radical Activist]

9. This was in an area with deer ticks

Some were big enough that I could tell. Others were tiny little bastards.

I probably should have worn bug spray, but I usually don't because its bad for the environment I'm hiking in.

[GoddessOfGuinness]

11. You might want to ask your doctor about it...

A friend of mine suffers chronic pain since he contracted Lyme. He was a wonderful cellist, and now he can't play at all...

[Spinzonner]

10. Sounds like you may have a case of hypochondria

which a type of Lemon Disease

[ghostsofgiants]

12. Were you performing 'Hair' outdoors or something?

[Radical Activist]

13. I was clothed

but I wore shorts. I should have known better but I didn't realize how bad it would be.

[ghostsofgiants]

14. 'Hair' sucks without the nudity anyway

[Technowitch]

15. Locking

You should always seek this kind of advice from qualified, licensed medical professionals. Asking DU members isn't appropriate or a good idea.

-Technowitch
DU Moderator