Bitten by a tick did not know what it was

In April 2012 was bitten by a tick did not know what it was so it was attached to me for awhile (3-4 days). Finally took it off when my leg looked infected and was warm to touch. (How can a 67 year old women not know what a tick is!!) Saw my family doc immediately.. with the tick.. she did not give me any antibiotics because the tick was on too long and I should wait for bulls eye to appear. Which never did!
Fast forward to August 11 - felt very sick, tired, dizzy. Took blood pressure and it was fine but pulse was at 45 (too low). Husband said I had irregular heartbeat he took me to the hospital. Diagnosed with heart block 2 and atrial fib. Heart block 2 can be caused by Lyme Disease so they tested for lyme and it came back positive. My heart doc put me on doxycycl 100 mg twice a day for 21 days. Also warfarin (blood thinner) and set up an appointment to see about getting a pace maker. Can not treat the atrial fib with heart block 2 without pacemaker to keep me alive. Needless to say I'm a little stressed!
I live about 3-4 miles from the center of Pittsburgh...I don't play in the woods but do love to garden...this tick bit me in my little garden! My heart doc is very good but she knows nothing about Lyme Disease. This is not a Lyme Disease area. I talked to Health Department and the lady told me they only had one positive test for Lyme Disease in Allegheny County last year and me this year! Is that possible?
I'm reading all this information on the forum and getting more frightened by the minute! I've had many symptoms the last few months that I can now say could be from Lyme Disease. Need to find a LLMD in my area. Thanks for listening and being here!

Hi rose67 - welcome to the forum! A lot of doctors unfortunately still don't understand the ins and outs of lyme disease - the absence of a bull's eye rash is pretty common in documented cases of lyme disease. It is possible that your heart symptoms and others you're experiencing could be caused by lyme disease - try not to panic, there's lots of great help out there!

If you just click on "My profile" and add your email address, then people can send you recommendations directly.

Otherwise, for information on finding a Lyme Literate Medical Doctor(LLMD) in your area, please email our long time member, Dan's Mother at:
[email protected]

If you'd like more doctor suggestions, you can email stephanie at: [email protected] You can also go to: www.turnthecorner.org/bod.htm if you want to learn a little bit more about Lyme Disease.

You can also go to The Lyme Disease Association and search for LLMD's 3 times in a month. You have to register first. Here is the link: www.lymediseaseassociation.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=277&Itemid=74

You will want to find an ILADS (International Lyme And Associated Diseases Society) doctor. The ILADS site is a great place to read to get you started on your Lyme journey.
www.ilads.org/lyme_disease/treatment_guidelines_clearing_ilads.html