Three years ago I was bit by a tick and have been on and off antibiotics ever since.  Unfortunately my MD did not know about tick bites and sent me on my way to see what happens.  Well many things happened including heart problems, vertigo, joint pain, eye pain, headaches, and many other things.  The best way to not get Lyme Disease is prevention! 

Allison at My Lyme Disease Blog has made this list to help prevent that tick from biting you.



PLEASE, PLEASE remember right now the nymph (babies) ticks are out!! So when you are outside whether you are hiking, playing in the yard, gardening, camping or even at a local park do a tick check when you come home. Here are some tips I would suggest too…these are cheap products that can help.

1. Wear some kind of hat
2. Wear light colored clothing so that you can see the ticks
3. Cover any or all exposed areas such as your ankles, arms, & legs. Ticks love the warmer spots like your Ears, armpits, groin, etc. I know it can be hot to wear long clothes in the spring/summer so if you prefer there are products that help protect from ticks such as…

A. Permethrin Spray, this is good through 6 washes of clothing-http://www.walmart.com/ip/21947774?wmlspartner=wlpa&selectedSellerId=0&adid=22222222227022234839&wl0=&wl1=g&wl2=c&wl3=40968437432&wl4=&wl5=pla&wl6=78911591192&veh=sem

B. Spray with DEET to apply to the skin- http://www.amazon.com/Deep-Woods-Sportsman-Insect-Repellent/dp/B000WOU414

C. Natural spray is also good for kids and if you don’t want the chemicals on your skin is- http://www.google.com/shopping/product/5192824551280969911?lsf=seller:7960,store:2059309246457266924&gclsrc=aw.ds&gclid=Cj0KEQjwpM2pBRChsZCzm_CU0t4BEiQAxDVFmpThkCqNZ0rSyGtMxOebp_boiD5ywDO6EfLNmIB9_SYaAkTe8P8HAQ&ei=-7gzVeyCCYmegwSb7YHIDg&hl=en&lsft=gclid:Cj0KEQjwpM2pBRChsZCzm_CU0t4BEiQAxDVFmpThkCqNZ0rSyGtMxOebp_boiD5ywDO6EfLNmIB9_SYaAkTe8P8HAQ,gclsrc:aw.ds&prds=oid:3487776867837259213;

D. For your lawn there are many different things you can do. Remember ticks love the to hang by the edges of your yard and walking paths. They HATE the Sun but LOVE the shade so putting things like your kids swing set in the shade isn’t the best idea. Here are a few products to help- http://www.tickencounter.org/prevention/protect_your_yard

E. Don’t forget about your pets! Use a pet product on them to help prevent ticks as well. Remember to check them when they come inside and one of the best things I can tell you as well. Do not allow them to sleep in bed with you at night. I’ve had many people with stories of ticks transferring from their pets onto them- http://www.1800petmeds.com/Flea+++Tick+Prevention-cat50.html

F. When Hunting there is a Tick prevention suit and clothing you can wear. In fact my Father In-law uses one and says it works great!- http://www.cabelas.com/catalog/search.cmd?form_state=searchForm&N=0&fsch=true&Ntk=AllProducts&Ntt=Tick+prevention+clothes&x=10&y=6&WTz_l=Header%3BSearch-All+Products

Reputable Lyme Disease Info-
http://www.ilads.org
http://www.lymedisease.org/lyme101/ticks/about_ticks.html

Warm hugs,
 

The "TICK" Got Me!

Two days after my last post in August I was in the emergency room with heart problems..afib and heart block two caused by Lyme Disease. In March a tick bit me but I never imagined that something so serious would come from that bite.

Heart block two can be caused by Lyme Disease and since I had seen my doc in March about the tick bite they tested my blood and it came back positive. So I've been on antibiotics for about six weeks now and I'm really scared the treatment won't take care of the Lyme Disease. My cardiologist has me on blood thinner (warfarin) since afib can cause a stroke. Also there was some talk about giving me a pace maker but decided not now. Next Wednesday I have an appointment with a infectious disease doc so he can decide if I'm getting the correct treatment or if other drugs should be added. Then in early October back to the heart doc.

 I hate this!!! I've seen more docs in the last two months than in the previous two years. I'm hardly ever sick and don't have any major illnesses. What's really scary is the doctors don't seem to know much about Lyme Disease guess they don't see much of it here in Pittsburgh it's mostly in the wooded areas not in the city (which is where I live). If my original doctor had put me on antibiotics last March when I saw her I would not be having this problem. Needless to say I have switch docs because I might have punched her in the nose if I saw her again!!

Lyme Disease is a horrid disease it can cause problems for every part of a persons body, been doing too much research on the internet and it has really frightened me.  Has anyone else had any problems with Lyme Disease?  I could really use some positive reinforcement.

This is what will happen to future intruders ticks in my garden 

Source: pxleyes.com via Shabby on Pinterest