Tick antibiotics query

[Jetliz]

Previous post on tick bite in France. After receiving antibiotics for a tick bite that I managed to remove within the hour the Dr has given me Amoxicillin 1g 3x times a day. He stipulated its precautionary because of CLL otherwise he wouldn't have given anything. I've contacted my own CNS at the hospital and left a message as this seems a very large dose especially with me only having one kidney. I had a nephrectomy a year ago and my kidney function is still recovering although well. Hoping I get a reply today but they don't always respond straight away understandably. Just feeling even more anxious now. Common side effects vomiting and diarrhea. Won't take any until they respond. Just full of anxiety.

[HopeME]

Hi Jetliz:

I think you are handling your situation correctly. You have the prescription for Amoxicillin from the local doctor and you reached out to your doctor at home who has an understanding of your overall health issues to confirm that this prescription won’t cause problems with your remaining kidney. I assume you mentioned to the local doctor that you only have one kidney?

The good news is you got the tick off quickly so there is a low risk of you getting some of the nasty diseases such as Lyme disease that these insects carry. That being said, with CLL there is a higher risk that the bite site becomes infected where the tick broke your skin. Thus, the prescription for amoxicillin.

My suspicion is that the local doctor took your kidney issue into account when issuing the prescription but confirming it with your doctor in the UK is the way to go. If/when you start the prescription make sure you take all of it. Starting and stopping a prescription of amoxicillin before completion isn’t good for you.

Enjoy your vacation in France. You are handling the tick bite by the book so it is extremely likely everything will be fine. I haven’t been to France in twenty years but it is a beautiful country and I have fond memories of my visit.

Best,

Mark

[Jetliz in reply to HopeME]

Thanks for your reassurance. It means a lot in this situation. I did show the Dr my current CLL bloods and Heamotology history. The tick bite on the skin is a minute pin prick only. The common side effects sound daunting for travelling around France but what will be will be. Hopefully with an reply from the hospital I can get the best outcome swiftly.

[Motorman in reply to Jetliz]

My Gson had a tick bite in France and got a weird infection called Alpha Gal (this is not a joke). It is best to avoid tick bites using the usual stuff. bing.com/ck/a?!&&p=9ab01c75...

[LeoPa in reply to Motorman]

Does it mean he can't eat ruminant meat anymore?

[Motorman in reply to LeoPa]

Yes, he eats poultry and fish, nothing else. Dairy foods are a problem as well although small amounts are tolerated. MM

[Vlaminck]

Lucky you, finding it within an hour. As I'm sure you know, the rule of thumb is that it takes 36 hrs for it to infuse its badness. What kind of ticks do they have in France, deer ticks (lyme), long star ticks (alpha gal)? Amoxicillin is what they gave my 3yr grandson when he had strep, but must be a bit mild.

[Jetliz in reply to Vlaminck]

Yes very lucky! I'm on holiday in France so not sure on the ticks but I received Amoxicillin 1g three times a day so quite a significant dose. Given as a precaution because of CLL

[CycleWonder]

To counter the side effects of the antibiotic, you can take some probiotics. You need to carefully space out the two different medications. We have found these help my son avoid the side effects of the antibiotics you noted.