So I finally got the bloodwork back and tested positive....so I'm about halfway on my doxy cycle hopefully it works out for the best.
As for those of you using "off" in huge quantities, I'd think twice. Most of those so called tick repellents use DEET (N,N-Diethyl-meta-toluamide for you chem nerds) spray it all over your skin and what not but it only works while evaporating so I'd advise using it only on your clothes (so long as they aren't synthetic as it damages certain types of fibres). It's not EPA certified and has shown toxicity in humans, even some rare cases of causing seizures.
And I quote:
The Pesticide Information Project of Cooperative Extension Offices of Cornell University states that "Everglades National Park employees having extensive Deet exposure were more likely to have insomnia, mood disturbances and impaired cognitive function than were lesser exposed co-workers".
Now lyme sucks and no one wants it, but using stuff like DEET is questionable since it's MAINLY a mosquito repellent and works only so-so on protecting against ticks unless you take a bath in the stuff which I wouldn't recommended. It gets absorbed in your skin so I'd use it sparingly if at all. I've become really paranoid about ticks as of late so I ride early in the morning or late at night and wear long running pants (tight fitting). I look like more of an ass, but I can now assure there are no ticks on my legs. I also try and wear a tight fitting undershirt so that the only areas I check are below the ankle and my arms. It's been working great, I've been pulling off on average of 2-3 ticks a ride from my pants I usually pedal fast and keep moving but they still make it on. I used to roll around in the woods as a kid with no worries of ticks and never had a problem till now.
Also those with kids be careful, I have a coworker who's 5 year old had a tick from a picnic trip and ended up on cephalosporins because the tick tested positive for lyme (they tested the tick instead of the kid). The complications of untreated lyme are pretty severe and the prognosis for early antibiotic treatment is good so don't scoff it off like it can't happen to you, better safe than sorry