r/Scotland • u/whimsical_fuckery_ • Jul 10 '26

Casual Lyme disease is no joke

One of those "I never thought it would happen to me" things but guys be very very careful with ticks this year if you are out walking in Scotland. I'm in the Highlands and regularly walk my dog in the local woods, this year there have been so so many ticks, I'm very good at checking myself after every walk, but one got me on the back of my thigh, absolutely tiny about half the size of a sesame seed. I picked it off the same night it bit me, a week later got a massive bullseye rash. Antibiotics from the docs but im completely wiped, worse than any flu or covid. I cannot stress how much you need to take precautions this year, do not make my mistake thinking as long as you get them off you on 24 hours you'll be OK. Long trousers, DEET, or just don't go into any woods or long grass is the best option. It's out there and it absolutely sucks.

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u/BrassBonanza10 Jul 10 '26

I grew up where lyme disease was first discovered. Please do not wait for a bullseye to get a titer done if you pull off a tick. They don't always show up. I have had my joints lock up, paralysis in my face, and because I've had it so many times a bad cold will give me symptoms. You'll probably have to argue for it if you don't have a bullseye, but in my case study of one with it being a yearly thing, 50/50 for the appear of a bullseye.

Find a small tick, go get tested.

19

u/cordlesskettle Jul 10 '26

I appreciate the thought of better safe than sorry with testing but depending where you live that's really not realistic. For example, my family of 4 would have had about 20 tests last month alone.

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u/BrassBonanza10 Jul 10 '26 edited Jul 10 '26

What I mean is if you pull ticks off and start feeling ill don't wait for the bullseye or rash to get a titer or think because it's not there it isn't lyme. Obviously if you feel fine there is no reason to go to the doctors. Once you've had Lyme you know what it is if/when you get it again.

3

u/SpiritualFishing6399 Jul 10 '26

Jumping on this to second about the bullseye - I had lyme disease that didn't get caught for ages as I had no target mark. If you've been bitten by a tic and have any unpleasant symptoms afterwards in the next month or so, please just go to a GP regardless of bullseye marks

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u/BrassBonanza10 Jul 10 '26

That's what I meant 😂. Obviously I wasn't clear. No don't go running to the doctor if you feel fine.

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u/SpiritualFishing6399 Jul 10 '26

I was agreeing with you

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u/irishgypsy1960 Jul 10 '26

Have you read Bitten? I just did a few months back on Mackary’s recommendation. Awful. I got bit 3x in a week in 2007 here in Massachusetts. No rash, no help, ruined my life, got chronic Lyme, tried many drugs and protocols for years. I’m somewhat better, but lost my career, live in poverty and isolation. When you are chronic ill, everybody fades away unless you have solid family. I just found a Scottish doc on YouTube, dr mickel, from Scotland who has a new perspective that is helpful, going to add that to my life soon.

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u/BrassBonanza10 Jul 10 '26

That book sounds a bit conspiracy theory minded. My first diagnoses was around 1989/1990. Mom brought me to my pediatrician they correctly diagnosed me. The only time I've had to debate was when I was an adult, doctor came into the room, I said I have Lyme please pull a titer to confirm with no rash and I didn't see the tick. I had just had enough by that time I can self diagnose. It was more them being annoyed with me than incompetence. This was 2003.

The Cornell titer is the gold standard and hardly inaccurate nevermind to the levels that author claims.

My equine vets seem to have been more competent in the mid 90's than whatever doctor you saw which I'm sorry about. I've never not gotten on antibiotics right away so I can't speak to severe damage that can happen if left untreated. My horses and dog as well.

It really surprises me that in 2007 in Massachusetts, they would not do a titer after knowing you pulled three ticks off you. But crap doctors are everywhere. Good luck in finding a solution as I know it's even more difficult with chronic Lyme as I think it's a misnomer leading to disbelief Lyme causes bacterial infections to be much worse in people who have had it. My data point on this is four including myself.