to ask you to sign this petition (Lyme Disease)

[elfycat]

link

Back in June I started an AIBU about 'class pets' being sent home (nits. worms and on that day a tick in her scalp from rolling in the grass at lunchtime).

My light-hearted tone was missed by many. And there was a suggestion that I was being a little hysterical about it.

I carried on being paranoid and hysterical over the summer. Finally forcing DD2 (5) into having a blood test. The GP humoured me...

Results? Yesterday I got a call to say that she's tested positive to Lyme Disease. Luckily she's asymptomatic ish and I'm hoping that after she recovers from a huge course of antibiotics she'll be free from it.

But I attended the GP twice (three times including the tick removal) and was utterly dismissed the first time I asked for her to be checked. The next time I asked for a specific GP to call me because I hoped he would listen to me. I have never taken my kids on a time wasting trip.

The only 'symptom' apart from the tick itself was that her bite mark remained inflamed. As it was in her hair (and we've been treating for nits) I couldn't see if the mark developed the customary bullseye appearance. She had a course of antibiotics for another reason and the mark faded during that course and returned afterwards. Amoxicillin is one of the best antibiotics for Lymes, but now she's had a lesser dose, for half the time that one will be off the list. It's why the redness faded but the first GP dismissed my argument that antibiotics would only have had an effect if an infection was present and perhaps that needed to be looked at even if it wasn't Lyme Disease. There were also a couple of feverish cold/flu days but we'd all had various summer holiday viruses.

The incidents are on the rise; this is not a good year to be bitten and still it's something that GPs aren't looking for. If not found she could have become quite unwell in odd and non-specific ways. I've nursed people with it as an underlying condition, complicating their other treatments. A blood test and antibiotics is all it takes to cure most people.

[NK346f2849X127d8bca260]

Signed
My son had a tick bite that we think could have been attached for 36 hours, he displayed flu like symptoms a few days later and was prescribed Doxycycline for 2 weeks. First blood test was negative but we need to get a second one done.

[2beesornot2beesthatisthehoney]

I have Lyme. It's a nasty disease that the medical profession had / have little awareness of. Lyme attacked my facial nerves causing immense pain. I did have the 2 blood tests both positive but by that time the damage was done. I had missed the bite and thought the flu sysmptems were flu. As
That was nearly 6 years ago. 2.5 years ago I had very significant brain surgery - a DBS sytem same as is used for some Parkinson sufferers to relieve the pain nothing was working by then. It is not a cure but I am now pain free. Thank goodness. I think I may be the only person to have had DBS for Lyme. I am very lucky. Hope your daughter is safe.

[BathshuaSpooner]

We live in Massachusetts. My daughter has been diagnosed with Lymes disease for the second time. She is on antibiotics for a month. Lymes disease is nothing to trifle with. I hope your daughter gets the care she needs.

[MrsMozart]

Bump.

[blinkowl]

My DS had a tick bite a year ago that won't heal. He's going to the hospital next week about it (dermatology).

I don't think they've tested him for Lymes, should I be asking then to test even though no symptoms?

[Eastpoint]

I have 2 friends who suffered enormously with Lyme Disease in the 1990s. Voted & will share.

[Eastpoint]

Or rather signed & verified & will share

[TwoFs]

Signed.

I worked in the states about 20 years ago and everyone was so clued up on Lyme disease then. It's about time we caught up!

Wishing your daughter a speedy recovery

[Greypuddle]

Signed. Good luck to you and your daughter. Will share on Twitter.

[ButEmilylovedhim]

I've signed. This really worries me, I'm always checking DD for ticks and the bullseye rash. You'd think doctors would know more about it. It's in the news all the time. Thanks for highlighting this petition OP.

[Berthatydfil]

I've signed. Several years ago after gardening in cut off trousers I noticed a bite on my shin which didn't itch etc like other bites. I never saw the insect,
Over about a fortnight I started to feel really ill tired and achey and I noticed a bulls eye rash on my leg around the bite.
Being a casualty and house fan I self diagnosed it could be lymes. Gp was a bit reluctant she had never seen lymes and we aren't a high risk area but gave me the recommended treatment and blood test,
I felt so much better after the treatment I think the test was inconclusive but I am convinced it was lymes and thank my lucky stars she treated me as I dread to think what might be the case now if she hadn't,

I signed and urge every mumsnetter to do the same

[JeNeSuisPasVotreMiel]

Signed. I have three friends with Lyme and they have all had their careers massively derailed. It's unlikely that they will ever get back to where they once were, health and work wise.

[passportmess]

I'll sign. We live on the edge of heathland with deer in Scotland and this is an issue that I am becoming concerned about.

[age81]

Signed

[IceRoadDucker]

I also had Lyme this summer. I was also dismissed by the first doctor I saw, who said it was just a reaction to the tick bite. Because lots of reactions only appear two weeks after a bite?! She gave me antibiotics that don't work on Lyme (as I later found out).

Luckily the second doctor I saw was aware that Lyme is becoming more common in the UK, and gave me the correct antibiotics. I'm fine now.

[toomuchtooold]

Signed, absolutely. We live in south Germany and tick bites are taken much more seriously here, partly because they have more ticks, and partly because the German health service is better funded - but I am still amazed that your GP wouldn't have erred on the side of caution and ordered ALL the tests after an inflamed tick bite.

[RedforDanger]

For anyone who notices a tick still latched on, these are great for removing and ensure the mouthpiece is removed reducing the chance of infection . They're available from most Vets.

[TeaRexit]

Signed

[BigTroubleInLittleChina]

Signed.

[CraftyPenguin]

Signed

[averylongtimeago]

Signed and shared. My neighbours DD has Lymes, their gp didn't prescribe anti biotics in time and she still gets symptoms.

[user1468407812]

Signed.

[Liminalstate]

Signed, shared and I've written to my MP. I hope your DD is ok.

[Magicpaintbrush]

I've signed.

I find it completely baffling that people are being dismissed by doctors when they've been bitten by ticks and may have lyme disease. It's crazy.

There was an article about it on the bbc website just a few days ago which made for sobering reading:
www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-37252925

I hope your DD recovers fully OP.

[HeresashatinaboxpAt]

Signed