Lyme is not pleasant. Early diagnosis and treatment are paramount. I had to fight for it as my GP at the time was utterly dismissive.

I had the bullseye rash around 4 bite sites on my legs. I had pretty much every symptom going, I lost nearly 3 months of my life. After being admitted to hospital with a temperature of 41C I finally persueded them to treat for Lyme disease and made a slow recovery. I had several tests for Lyme disease and none of them showed positive. The test used to detect the disease in the UK is notoriously innaccurate.

That was back in 2007. I am convinced that I still suffer from the after effects of contracting Lyme. I never used to get ill and I seem to pick up every cold going and get hit hard by it. I also suffer from occasional joint pain which I never used to.

This was my experience anyway. YMMV. DEET all the way for me these days.