Think it might be wise to take a good look at protective clothing, repellants etc. in the future. Tough when you are in hip boots in the swamp a lot of the time, getting wet, muddy and really sweaty. Seems that every time Judy was away I would get a tick in the middle of my back or other. Got one in my belly button last time. Made a mess digging it out. Just looked at the list of tick borne diseases in the U.S. They number 16. A local man 70 years old that lived about 4 miles from here died of Powassan last year. Always thought that because I was healthy that I could fight off what might come along. Guess not. Think the time is now right to sign up for social security too. Thanks for all the support. Maybe others can benefit from hearing the saga and take this stuff seriously.

YES everyone should take this serious it effects the young and the old! Healthy or weak makes little difference either! Just be the unlucky one that gets bit by a carrier and your getting something unpleasant! Be very vigilant about tic bites. Telling docs about tic bites will speed up your recovery and their testing.

In the summer I went to a seminar where a speaker was an expert on ticks. He made all of the diseases seem very real. He said he talked to the CDC who told him that 90% of tick illnesses are not reported because of Doctor ignorance about ticks and these diseases.

Jim........

You just need to make Judy pick them bugs off you at night

Sorry I missed you this summer Kiewit had us running left and right would never give us plans more than a day ahead

we are closing on a place in Dunkirk this week ( bought it for poop and giggles nice Little community I think )

Maybe next summer

Vinke,

Always worth having the wife do a thorough tick check. LOL. Seems that some of the tick diseases are transmitted instantly, so even same day removal is not quick enough.

Where were you this summer? Where is Dunkirk? If you can let us know when you are in the area we can plan something.

Last tests for whatever I had, all negative. Doc is leaning on false negative for Anaplasmosis perhaps, but who knows? Anaplasmosis is fatal 1%, but dangerous to those over 60 and those not treated quickly. Well over 60 now, but got treated just in time it would appear, 48+ hours after it began. Symptoms, fever, nausea, headache, chills, exactly what I had, but Lyme has similar symptoms. Would be nice to know for sure, but looks like that will not happen. If you ever get chills, shakes, fever, best not blow it off. I was lucky to be in the E.R. when it all went south badly.

Still catching beaver anyway.

Good to revive this post. Had a nice tick feeding on me for a few days.

Had a friend in my Beagle Club found a tick in his beard, when he started feeling poorly, went to the Doc and got some pills, went home and died from Rocky Mt Spotted Fever.
Take this stuff seriously people.

Our tick business is booming. We've had a bunch of people saying they're pulling ticks off already.

I have to imagine all the PSAs have raised awareness quite a bit.

I was at the Dr last week. He was naming off a number of tick borne diseases. He said there's 1 overseas that he fears could make it the States. I'm not sure what it's called. He advises using a pump bottle of spray & spraying 40% DEET on clothing...or using permethrin.