OK ironically my last post was about 'easy tick removal'. I guess it's easy if you find them! Apparently I picked one up last
Sunday at the riding trail care day at Wompy. I went right home after and showered, checked myself a few times, then went to work. When I got home, showered again, checked myself a few more times, then went to bed.
Tuesday I went for my customary road ride up into and around the 'Hills and back. About 20 miles,and one of those hell-hot days we've been having for weeks. As soon as I got home, I felt a tightness of the skin just below my kneecap. Looked down and saw the huge rash, at least 4x4 inches, top of my shin, with a central reddisher area right over where the patellar tendon meets the shin bone, maybe just below that. No tick or real 'bullseye' but an obvious center.
I called for an appointment right away. I'm not messing around.
Wednesday I got a NP to diagnose without even a test, since she said I'm at 'high risk' anyways, since I spend at least 3 days a week in the woods, and it looked like 'some kind of cellulitis' but most likely a tick bite. She prescribed me Doxycycline, 2x100mg, for three weeks. Stay out of the sun or use lots of sunblock. I went right to Sandwich and spent the afternoon on the beach. Had to escape the effin heat and discovered a new place to do that. Well worth the trip, and I think it was late enough in the day that I didn't get burned.
I had ridden the 20 miles again that morning, and the same for the next two days. Not that I really wanted to stay outta the woods, just getting out early and blasting out the workout seems to work with the teenagers outta school for summer, and I get home as they're rolling out of bed.....
So, about 80 miles of road last week. Today, one week after being bitten, I finally got out the Redline to do the BrownShirt ride (more on that later) with J, we did a nice local town ride, mostly dirt and most importantly, in the shade. About 12 miles, in about an hour's pedalling time. Nice average.
So, I'm feeling normal, as normal as I get. I have to take the medication away from meals, but havent had any problem keeping it down. The rash does look nasty but I've been taking care of it so should heal up eventually. I never saw the tick. I thought I was careful in inspecting myself, but I guess I have to pay even more attention. This is an exceptional year, due to the mild winter, and I have lots of friends with Lyme right now. Many have had complications ranging from fevers to facial palsies to blown-up joints, long hospital stays and take-home IV setups.
I'm glad I found it early!
