+The BeeGees Posted June 12, 2005 Share Posted June 12, 2005 (edited) I know this topic has been beat to death but it doesn't hurt to remind everyone to keep up with the DEET. I found 2 attached deer ticks last Sunday and now this weekend I feel like I've been hit by a bus. Intense headache, body ache, chills and fever but no rash yet. Fortunately my Dr. hooked me up with Amoxicillin before the blood test came back. I remember reading that the tests aren't that accurate. To those of you who have had this before, how long after you started the antibiotics did the symptoms subside? Edited June 12, 2005 by The BeeGees Quote Link to comment
+avroair Posted June 12, 2005 Share Posted June 12, 2005 Found it tick on me last night after coming back from the Geo Jamboree. I hate ticks! Quote Link to comment
+Quoddy Posted June 12, 2005 Share Posted June 12, 2005 As some of you know, I've just completed my first of six weeks on anti-biotics to try to knock down the effect that this latest flair up has caused. Lymes is NO FUN. Quote Link to comment
+The BeeGees Posted June 12, 2005 Author Share Posted June 12, 2005 Quoddy They only gave me a 3 week supply. Why 6 weeks? Is this a new case of Lyme or an ongoing one? Quote Link to comment
+nikcap Posted June 12, 2005 Share Posted June 12, 2005 (edited) It would be very easy to Markwell this, but since this is a "occupational hazzard" to all geocachers, it probably worth letting this float on the top of the forums. A good source for information about Lyme disease can be found at the CDC Lyme Disease Home Page. Symptoms: Usually 7-14 days but it can be as early as 3 days to 4 weeks following a tick bite, 80% of patients will have a red, slowly expanding "bull's-eye" rash, accompanied by general tiredness, fever, headache, stiff neck, muscle aches, and joint pain. The good news is the "bull's-eye" always indicates infection. So your doctor can treat it right away. The symptoms can last 1-4 days, and the bulls eye can last much longer. Treatement: Antibiotic treatment for 3-4 weeks with doxycycline or amoxicillin. Having had Lyme disease doesn't protect against reinfection. And regardless what some people think, being nice to ticks do not prevent you from Lyme's Deisease. What are your odds? 50% of all deer ticks carry Lyme disease. The transmission of the bacteria that causes Lyme disease from an infected tick is unlikely to occur before 36 hours of tick attachment. Embedded ticks should be removed using fine-tipped tweezers. DO NOT use petroleum jelly, a hot match, nail polish, or other products. Grasp the tick firmly and as closely to the skin as possible. With a steady motion, pull the tick's body away from the skin. Prevention: DEET to clothes and exposed skin. Permethrin on clothes will kill ticks on contact. But this insecticide may be dangerous to dogs and cats and should not be applies to your skin. A personal note on Permethrin, I apply it to my hiking boots and cuffs of my pants. I often find dead ticks stuck in my shoe laces and socks, but I also frequently remove ticks from my legs around my knees. So either I'm not using the Permethrin correctly, or what some people suspect is true and some ticks are not affected by Permethrin as quickly as others. Also, I'm sure our kids will have 3 eyes from using this stuff, so be sure to pick your poison. Edited June 12, 2005 by ekitt10 Quote Link to comment
+Quoddy Posted June 12, 2005 Share Posted June 12, 2005 I had never been tested before, even though I had complained of weakness and other symtoms since last summer. The recent tests revealed that I have had Lymes for at least a year and that this latest hit was the worst of multiple infections (extreme weakness, flu-like symtoms, and large bulls-eyes all over my body). The prescription was changed from 3 weeks to 6 weeks when this was found to see if it can be controlled, if not it's the month long IV. Quote Link to comment
+The BeeGees Posted June 12, 2005 Author Share Posted June 12, 2005 if not it's the month long IV. Ugh ! Good luck with the antibiotics Quote Link to comment
+nikcap Posted June 12, 2005 Share Posted June 12, 2005 QuoddyThey only gave me a 3 week supply. Why 6 weeks? Is this a new case of Lyme or an ongoing one? I've also noticed that treatement of Lyme's is not really a defined science yet. There are a lot of doctors that believe you shouldn't/can't treate Lyme's until after 2 weeks of being infection. I seems that most doctors feel that just throwing a S-load of antibiotics at it will do the trick. (something like 1000mgs for 6 weeks) 3 weeks or 6 weeks, make sure you get nice supply of yogurt, your intestinal tract will hate you for all the antibiotics you'll be taking. BTW, Scott, there is a doctor in Princeton, NJ that is suposidly a expert on treating Lyme's, let me see if I can hunt his name down, if you want to get a second opinion. Quote Link to comment
+Quoddy Posted June 12, 2005 Share Posted June 12, 2005 make sure you get nice supply of yogurt, your intestinal tract will hate you for all the antibiotics you'll be taking. With most of the anti-biotics dairy products drastically reduce their effectiveness. I make sure that the yogurt I eat and the milk I drink are spaced six hours before and after the twice a day treatment. Quote Link to comment
+Resolution Posted June 12, 2005 Share Posted June 12, 2005 Well here's my ongoing Lyme saga, and I just started! Memorial Day weekend Sunday did a new local cache. On Tuesday I found an embedded tick, removed it and kept it to send in for analysis. The following Saturday, on the way back from doing the Chaos cache down in Wharton, my back started aching, but I figured it was the long car ride. That night I woke up with major chills and a stiff neck. Managed to get back to sleep and popped Advil and Tylenol the next day. Following night, the same thing with the chills, neck and back aches. Lived on meds for the next few days, constantly checking the bite site for the ring. Finally decided to take my temp and discovered a low grade fever. Saw the doc the next day and she immediately diagnosed Lyme, giving me Ceftin, since I can't take Doxy due to a previous reaction. The Ceftin pills were huge and I have a history of trouble taking large pills. I managed two days of the pills when Friday morning the pill got stuck in my esophagus. I ended up in the ER with an emergancy endoscopy to remove it. It did significant damage to my esophagus and the breathing tube they had to insert did damage too. My uvula is so swollen that it's been resting on the back of my tongue for 3 days. The back of my throat looks and feels like it's been shot with a bb gun. three days of a clear liquid diet and a switch to liquid Amoxicillin and here I am. Hungry, sore and still sporting a stiff back and low grade fever. I almost feel like giving up on caching during tick season. It's not worth this! Quote Link to comment
+Alan2 Posted June 12, 2005 Share Posted June 12, 2005 Sorry everyone's going through this. I've been on antibiotics myself and my dog has had Lyme and ROcky Mountain Spotted Fever. I just spent $200 on Permethrin impregnated hat, shirt, pants and 2 pair of socks all light colored to make it easeir to check regardles) that's suppose to last for 30 washings. I really hope it works. I hate ticks and their deseases. Can't wait for winter! Quote Link to comment
+briansnat Posted June 13, 2005 Share Posted June 13, 2005 I almost feel like giving up on caching during tick season. It's not worth this! The problem is every season is tick season. I remember seeing them in Feb. on warm days. Take appropriate precautions and you should be fine. DEET based repellent on your skin, peremthrin based repellent on your clothing, light colored clothing so you can spot them and if you don't mind the geek look, tuck your pants into your socks. A post hike tick check is also a good idea. They'll usually wander around for a few hours before digging in. Quote Link to comment
+robert Posted June 13, 2005 Share Posted June 13, 2005 brian is right, I know of a few folks, myself included, who had them back in warmer days of february. didn't notice any in the snow, but here in the mid-atlantic, doesn't snow all that much. just gotta keep on top of it... I check pretty thoroughly when I get home, and do a spot check when exiting tick-likely spots. sorry to hear about your lyme and hope you recover quickly. Quote Link to comment
+JMBella Posted June 13, 2005 Share Posted June 13, 2005 A post hike tick check is also a good idea. They'll usually wander around for a few hours before digging in. Usually...but not always. Friday I found one digging in while I was still on the trail. Five more by the time I got home. 4 of those were deer ticks and I had Permethrin treated cloths on. Sometimes it just doesn't matter. A wide variety of insects develop resistance to permethrin. Fortunately, no bulls eye. Yet. Incidentally, just because you get a bulls eye doesn't mean you have or are going to get Lymes. I had a big ol' bulls eye last year, was put on Amoxicillin but a blood test turned up negative for Lymes. Quote Link to comment
+GPS_David Posted June 13, 2005 Share Posted June 13, 2005 Thanks for sharing your stories. Two weeks ago, I used deet but still had about a dozen or more ticks crawling on me during a 10 mile hike. This weekend, I sprayed Permathin (sp) on my clothes and equipment the night before a hike and before the hike I sprayed deet on me. I ended up having one tick on the cuff of my pants and one on my hand (not attached) but they didn't last too long. I'm very happy with the results. It's suppose to be good for up to two months including washings. I hope it's true. Thanks, Dave Quote Link to comment
+The Frantic Cachers Posted June 13, 2005 Share Posted June 13, 2005 Thanks for sharing your stories. Two weeks ago, I used deet but still had about a dozen or more ticks crawling on me during a 10 mile hike. This weekend, I sprayed Permathin (sp) on my clothes and equipment the night before a hike and before the hike I sprayed deet on me. I ended up having one tick on the cuff of my pants and one on my hand (not attached) but they didn't last too long. I'm very happy with the results. It's suppose to be good for up to two months including washings. I hope it's true. Thanks, Dave permitherin spray is usually good for upto 2 weeks OR 2 washings. I have yet to seen a spray to last longer. I know of the "dip" version which last 4-6 weeks but it is difficult to find. Quote Link to comment
+klizich Posted June 13, 2005 Share Posted June 13, 2005 About 4 years ago (before I discovered geocaching) I still "tromped" through the woods. No problems. Lying on the concrete basement floor, putting a new belt on the clothes drier, I found a new friend - actually, didn't find him until the next morning when I thought I felt a zit......... zits aren't black with a red mark. My local physician is up on Lyme. He advised that I was not at any great risk and started a regimen of antibiotics for about 10 days or so. He assured me that would knock out anything of the Lyme...even if I had been bitten in the past year. After the regimen, I opted for the Lymerix shot sequence. I know of a couple of people who have had a problem with it (aches, arthritis, other), but it worked for me without any problem. It is an option. Ticks are the one "cache guardian" you can find at almost every cache site. Klizich Quote Link to comment
+The Frantic Cachers Posted June 13, 2005 Share Posted June 13, 2005 I thought Lymerix was pulled off the shelves? Quote Link to comment
+Resolution Posted June 13, 2005 Share Posted June 13, 2005 Yes, the Lyme vaccine is no longer available. I just got back from Reskid#1's blood test and have been informed that Reskid#2's tick that was embedded for almost 2 days came back positive, but they won't test or treat her unless she starts showing symptoms. Meanwhile, day 6 of antibiotics and I still don't feel any better. Quote Link to comment
+BMSquared Posted June 13, 2005 Share Posted June 13, 2005 This discussion is just begging for the input of Team Bam Bam. Where is he when we need him? Quote Link to comment
+Jerseytrex Posted June 13, 2005 Share Posted June 13, 2005 I had a couple of ticks attached to me a few weeks ago after a hike through Nike Park. I missed one on the back of my neck and it dug in pretty good. I pulled it with no problem but a week later I developed the bulls eye on my neck plus bumps on my lymph nods. My doc put me on doxycycline for a week and then two weeks after that I went for a blood test that came back negative for lymes. I consider myself pretty lucky but with the amount of time we spend in the woods I wouldn't be suprised if I get it sometime in my lifetime. No matter how hard I try I always end up with a few attached to me. DEET, LONG SLEEVES, PANTS, A BASEBALL CAP don't seem to hinder these little guys. I HATE TICKS they give me the HEEBEEGEEBEES!!!! Quote Link to comment
+trowel32 Posted June 14, 2005 Share Posted June 14, 2005 (edited) I have at least ten tick bites from working on "choreographed chaos" (mixed bag 'o' dog and deer ticks) and I'm not even halfway through the cache yet . Can't wait to see the grand total . I wonder if its possible to be immune to Lyme? They do itch like &*^^$$#$ crazy though Edited June 14, 2005 by trowel32 Quote Link to comment
+JMBella Posted June 14, 2005 Share Posted June 14, 2005 This discussion is just begging for the input of Team Bam Bam. Where is he when we need him? I just threw up. Thanks. Quote Link to comment
+Greg2dot0 Posted June 14, 2005 Share Posted June 14, 2005 (edited) permitherin spray is usually good for upto 2 weeks OR 2 washings. I have yet to seen a spray to last longer. I know of the "dip" version which last 4-6 weeks but it is difficult to find. Found this site: http://www.permethrin-repellent.com/ They have the soak for $6.99/package Also here (Less expensive): Jesse's Hunting and Outdoors Edited June 14, 2005 by MrResolution Quote Link to comment
+nikcap Posted June 14, 2005 Share Posted June 14, 2005 (edited) So let's see, I think I've read about four or five different treatment procedures for Lyme. Lyme Disease is a spirochete bacteria. It is much like syphilis in that it can cross the blood-brain barrier and hide out when things get tough when the body and antibiotics are fighting to kill it. This is one of the reasons the treatment is so long. Seven or ten days of antibiotics probably isn't going to do the trick. Most specialist believe that the Lyme test is only conclusive 2-3 weeks after the initial symptoms. (more information on diagnosis) Keep in mind, since this is a bacteria infection, the body does not build up memory cells to fight off re-infection. For this reason an effective vaccine has been proven difficult to create. OK, so this isn't all doom and gloom. Check your self periodiaclly while hiking or caching. Keep a eye out on you caching buddies and Geodogs too. Do a full inspection when you get home. Light or white colored clothes help ticks stand out, and it is assumed that ticks are not attracted to light colors like they are to brown and gray colors. DEET and permethrin are fan favorites, but you might also want to check out something with citrinella and Rose Geranium oil. I found this stuff called Badger Anti-Bug Balm. My wife swears by it cause it natural and not a product of the US goverment (Of course, poison ivy is all natural too, but I don't go around rubbing that on my body). Although, when I remember to apply Badger Balm, I am usually tick and skeeter free all day ... plus you smell pretty ... like flowers! Anyway, just for good measure, I usually get tested for Lyme's in the fall. I go to to my GP who knows my history and my baseline for Lyme's. I've had it twice. As much as I hate the blood draw, I'm outdoors enough and collect enough ticks during the season, that I figure the odds are against me. Edited June 14, 2005 by ekitt10 Quote Link to comment
+Muzikman Posted June 14, 2005 Share Posted June 14, 2005 I have spent much of my life in the woods and I have yet to get Lymes...but man are you guys starting to scare me. Are there no safe activites any more? Quote Link to comment
Colonel Mustard Posted June 14, 2005 Share Posted June 14, 2005 I got it about 2 years ago. Went caching on a Wednesday and had a SEVERE lower back ache by Saturday. Went to the doctor on Monday and got doxycycline. Within a day I was much better. Doc said that it was a classic case with the bullseye. He said it takes about 2 weeks before it would show up on a blood test, but since I already had symptoms, there was no point in waiting for the test results. He went ahead and gave me the prescription. I think I took it for three weeks. He also said that he had seen lots of cases, but had never seen one where the tick was still embedded. It is a mean, nasty, unhappy thing to have. The little blood sucker got me in the middle of the back between the shoulder blades where you can't really see very well. Quote Link to comment
+Waterboy Posted June 14, 2005 Share Posted June 14, 2005 On July 12, 2002 we were returning to Pennsylvania from a funeral in Brooklyn. Half way across New Jersey I pulled over and asked the wife to drive the rest of the way home. I had the chills and was shivering, while the outside temperature was 90ºF. In the next couple of days my temperature jumped up and down from normal to 103ºF, accompanied by sweating or the shills, depending on which way the temperature was going. A rash broke out, but it looked nothing like the typical Lyme disease rash. I was extremely tired weak, and had no appetite. I did not have any headaches or body aches. When visiting the doctor, he had me tested for a half dozen possible problems, with Lyme disease being given a low priority. The one test that came back sort of positive was the Lyme test. I was started on antibiotics and sent to a Lyme specialist, where a skin sample of my rash was taken and analyzed for Lyme, it came back negative. The Lyme blood test checks three components of your blood, only two of mine were reading Lyme, the third was normal. Why was the third normal, perhaps it was because the disease was still in the early stage, or possibly because I had been given the not too effective Lyme vaccine. Now to answer your question, almost immediately (24 to 48 hours) after I started on the antibodies the fever subsided, and the rash started to clear up. However I was weak, very weak. After I had been awake four or five hours I would suddenly get hit with a complete loss of energy. If I was home at my computer, I would not feel strong enough to walk over to my bed. The weakness would stop after a short nap. My strength came back slowly, it probably took about four or five months until I returned to full hiking/caching strength. I have spoken to several other hikers, and outdoors people who have had Lyme, few had the textbook case. All of those I spoke to had it diagnosed and treated early. As far seriousness, I know those who had it milder and those who had it worse. PLEASE, get a lot of rest and get well. I would appreciate it if you keep us informed. Thank you, Waterboy Quote Link to comment
+Airsafety Posted June 15, 2005 Share Posted June 15, 2005 (edited) Hi Gang, I managed to get Lyme's last August, just two months into my new caching career. I am very tick and bug aware, doing full tick checks at the end of each outing. I won't bore you with the symptoms, but it was really quite bad because I wound up flying for 5 days, then having to endure the weekend for my Doc's office to open on Monday morning. No fun at all. There is one precaution that I use daily that hasn't been mentioned yet: I invested in a pair of half-gaiters which have been 100% effective in keeping ticks off of my lower body (meaning my skin.) I always wear my shirt tucked in, which helps as well. The entry points now are my arms, neck and head, and I check vigorously upon returning home. Ticks are climbers, and they like snug places. Inside of waistbands is a favorite spot, but they will take any access to your skin that they can find. There is another method which may help to keep the little buggers at bay once you are in the house: take your caching clothes and throw them in the dryer on high heat for 15 minutes. They die. I know this doesn't sound right, since most folks wash their clothes before drying, but it seems to work. I can't recommend the half gaiters strongly enough for tick control, and they also help with mud and low stream crossings ) Ya, I know, it seems to be my preferred method to always be on the wrong side of the water! Happy Caching! AS Edited June 15, 2005 by Airsafety Quote Link to comment
+Miragee Posted June 17, 2005 Share Posted June 17, 2005 Yes, the Lyme vaccine is no longer available. I just got back from Reskid#1's blood test and have been informed that Reskid#2's tick that was embedded for almost 2 days came back positive, but they won't test or treat her unless she starts showing symptoms. Meanwhile, day 6 of antibiotics and I still don't feel any better. This is very disturbing to me. The Lyme disease bacteria can do major damage in a short period of time if it goes without treatment. It is capable of passing through the "blood/brain" barrier. If a doctor refuses to give antibiotics if Lyme disease is suspected, it is time to find a "Lyme Literate" doctor!!! Please check out Lymenet.org for lots of information about Lyme disease and the huge panoply of symptoms it can create. There are other illnesses besides Lyme disease that can result from a tick bite. If the antibiotics don't help, additional treatment might be necessary. Sometimes doctors prescribe a "cocktail" of different antibiotics. Check out Dr. Burrascano's Treatment guidelines for more information about chronic Lyme disease and its treatment. Quote Link to comment
+fosterbass Posted June 19, 2005 Share Posted June 19, 2005 Just to scare people a little more: Last April, my (then three year old) son Teddy picked up two ticks. He wore three layers that morning, including a turtleneck, a long hat, and pants tucked into his socks. We found the ticks on a Friday night. He developed a small rash on Monday, so the Doctor started him on the antibiotics for Lyme Disease. Two weeks later, he was admitted to the hospital to be treated for Kawasaki Syndrome which the doctors are now starting to consider a tick-borne illness. He spent three days in the hopsital for a variety of treatments including a Gamma Globulin IV for 12-hours. Kawaski Syndrome can cause coronary damage in little kids, so he now needs to have an echocardiagram periodically to make sure there was no damage. Quote Link to comment
+Sue Gremlin Posted June 28, 2005 Share Posted June 28, 2005 A couple of Preventic dog collars around your ankles is a great tick deterrent, but be careful to wash your hands after handling them. You can get these at the vet's office. They contain Amitraz, an excellent acaricide. Remember to spray your other regions with a repellent of your choice as well, and reapply often. Joe and I do full-body tick checks after a day of caching, and we still miss some. I have found I think four attached black-legged ticks, one was engorged, and I am now being treated with Ceftin. We have walked through "nests" of tick larvae on several occasions this month, (the larvae have six legs, adults have eight). Last weekend we made the acquaintance of some lonestar ticks, we literally had hundreds of them on us. They are nothing to be reckoned with. Vigilance is key. Be careful out there! Let's keep the cachers, cacher-pups and cacherlings healthy! Quote Link to comment
+Old Bet Posted June 28, 2005 Share Posted June 28, 2005 I'm in the club! A few days ago, I had the syptoms: the aches, the chills, the sore muscle and joints. But I did not put it together until this morning, when a small red rash I spotted last night had flared up into the classic bullseye. So, it's off to the doctor now. When hiking, I'm pretty liberal with the DEET. If we are heading into a wooded area, we wear long hiking pants, not shorts, and tuck the pants into the socks if heading off trail to find a cache. (It's a great look, certain to dispel the notion that cachers are some kind of dweeb!) And then we carefully inspect each other before getting the car. But a week or so ago, I did some serious weed-wacking and brush trimming around my condo: short pants, loose shirt, no DEET, no inspection. I'm guessing that's when I picked up the little fella, although I never did see him so I guess he's hiding out now in the carpet waiting for another meal. It is sort of comforting, somehow, to know that there are others out there sharing the experience. Quote Link to comment
+Airsafety Posted June 29, 2005 Share Posted June 29, 2005 So now I'm having a relapse. It started yesrday with fatigue, then the fever. Tonight I have a 103 reading, with the chills. No fun. 1500 mg of ibuprofen has killed the headache, but nothing seems to touch the fever... The Doc is seeing me tomorrow, and he told me to keep the pm open for possible tests at the hospital. Be careful out there amigos! AS Quote Link to comment
+Skip_ Posted June 29, 2005 Share Posted June 29, 2005 While I never got a firm diagnosis, my case was one where strong suspicion, early detection and antibiotics worked wonders. A couple days after starting the antibiotics, the general malaise I was feeling went away, replaced by the malaise caused by the antibiotics. I was on a two week course, and the rash, which was small and stayed that way, faded within a week or two of stopping the antibiotics, which from what I read on WebMD is normal. Quote Link to comment
+Simulatmore Posted June 30, 2005 Share Posted June 30, 2005 I've gotten it 3 times in the last 6 years, so I feel your pain. For me symptoms start within 3-4 days and typically last a week to 10 days after starting large doses of doxycycline. Quote Link to comment
+Harry Dolphin Posted July 18, 2005 Share Posted July 18, 2005 Well, I'd been feeling a bit poorly for a few weeks. Went on my geocaching vacation last week, anyway. (Got an APE cache, and my 500th find!) Some general aches, a bit of a headache. A few other strange symptoms. Wednesday night I discovered a very large, irregularly shaped rash on my back. Probably about two feet by two feet. It was not there the night before. By Friday, I had six or eight irregular shaped rashes on various parts of my body. By the time I got to the doctor today, I had thirty or so rashes, all over the place. I had read about the 'one bull's eye' rash, so I figured it wasn't Lyme. Had no idea what it was. By Friday, I was feeling pretty poorly. Doc took one look at me and said "That looks like Lyme." She's diagnosed fifteen cases like that this year. Definitely not a textbook case, but becoming increasingly common. So, I'm on doxycillin for three weeks, and waiting for the result of the blood test. She'll keep me on the doxycillin for three weeks, regardless of the result of the blood test. And a follow up blood test in six weeks. Oh, well. And, yes, I do check for ticks whenever I go hiking or geocaching. I've had as many as seventeen ticks crawling on me at one time. Blecch. I hate ticks! Quote Link to comment
+Quoddy Posted July 18, 2005 Share Posted July 18, 2005 Good Luck, Harry. On Saturday I completed six week's on Doxycillin and am feeling much better than I have for a very long time. My symtoms at the time of the doctor visit were almost exactly as yours. Right now it looks as if I won't need any further treatment. Time will tell if I'm able to do the long mountain treks that I love so much. Hopefully you'll recover from this quickly. Quote Link to comment
+splicingdan Posted July 19, 2005 Share Posted July 19, 2005 I was feeling left-out, so I just got back from the pharmacy with my own 3 week supply of doxy. I've been experiencing the "general malaise" that seems to occur. No rash, just a low-grade fever and some minor soreness. Undoubtedly, if my tests do come back positive, the source was Wharton SF while visiting the various stages of 'Choreographed Chaos'. I recall during one field challenge, I easily pulled-off more than a hundred of the little bastards. Chances are that I missed one or two. Quote Link to comment
+KBer Posted July 19, 2005 Share Posted July 19, 2005 I've been experiencing the "general malaise" that seems to occur. No rash, just a low-grade fever and some minor soreness. (thoughtless, sexist, reply deleted) Quote Link to comment
+splicingdan Posted July 19, 2005 Share Posted July 19, 2005 I've been experiencing the "general malaise" that seems to occur. No rash, just a low-grade fever and some minor soreness. (thoughtless, sexist, reply deleted) Laugh now because you're next. Quote Link to comment
+Resolution Posted July 19, 2005 Share Posted July 19, 2005 I wouldn't be surprised if you got Lyme during our Chaos hunt. ResKid#1 just tested positive and I'm pretty sure that's where she got it. The little guy was attached for less than 4 hours. She had classic symptoms starting a week after her bite: fever, headache, jaw pain, and finally Bell's Palsy. She did amoxicillin for 3 weeks and now is on zithromax for 30 days. Fun times. Quote Link to comment
+Phonedave Posted July 20, 2005 Share Posted July 20, 2005 (edited) Well, I'd been feeling a bit poorly for a few weeks. Went on my geocaching vacation last week, anyway. (Got an APE cache, and my 500th find!) Some general aches, a bit of a headache. A few other strange symptoms. Wednesday night I discovered a very large, irregularly shaped rash on my back. Probably about two feet by two feet. It was not there the night before. By Friday, I had six or eight irregular shaped rashes on various parts of my body. By the time I got to the doctor today, I had thirty or so rashes, all over the place. I had read about the 'one bull's eye' rash, so I figured it wasn't Lyme. Had no idea what it was. By Friday, I was feeling pretty poorly. Doc took one look at me and said "That looks like Lyme." She's diagnosed fifteen cases like that this year. Definitely not a textbook case, but becoming increasingly common. So, I'm on doxycillin for three weeks, and waiting for the result of the blood test. She'll keep me on the doxycillin for three weeks, regardless of the result of the blood test. And a follow up blood test in six weeks. Oh, well. And, yes, I do check for ticks whenever I go hiking or geocaching. I've had as many as seventeen ticks crawling on me at one time. Blecch. I hate ticks! It can be multiple rashes. My 3 year old is just finishing up a 21 day cycle of Amox for Lyme. She had bullseye rashes on her legs, rear, and trunk - About 6 or 7 spots. She also complained that she was tired and her knees hurt. My wife took her to the doc, and he said "its just an allergic reaction" and prescribed Benedryl. My wife went back 3 days later armed with documentation from the internet and pictures. Another doctor in the practice took one look at her and said "thats Lyme" and started the antibiotics - the rash and other symptoms cleared the next day. A blood test confirmed Lyme. We may have to look for a new doctor. I do a tick check on the kids when I take them out, and use DEET on them. I saw no evidence of any ticks on her. Best guess based on the rough time frame, is she picked it up while we were caching on Garret Mountain. -dave Edited July 20, 2005 by Phonedave Quote Link to comment
+The Sage Elminster Posted July 20, 2005 Share Posted July 20, 2005 Well you all are making me feel much better. I am not the only stupid fool out there. I picked up a tick on June 3 which I found on the 5th crawling in my hair (YUM but I was not of the mindset to save the tick. Started feeling sick on June 19th and started chills that night. Didn't feel real good the following day-- but still managed. But the following morning I could barely move and my husband looked at me and said-- you have Lyme. Went to the Dr. and she agreed immediately (points for my Dr.). Started 2 weeks of Doxy. After two weeks, my glands were still huge so I went back and she questioned if it might be something else so we switched to Cipro for another week. Still waiting on the lyme blood test from Monday to come back. Needless to say, I do have new hiking pants, shirt and a lighter colored, wider brimmed hat! Daisy (Elm's other half) Quote Link to comment
+Greg2dot0 Posted July 21, 2005 Share Posted July 21, 2005 Went to the Dr. and she agreed immediately (points for my Dr.). Started 2 weeks of Doxy. After two weeks, my glands were still huge so I went back and she questioned if it might be something else so we switched to Cipro for another week. Still waiting on the lyme blood test from Monday to come back. Needless to say, I do have new hiking pants, shirt and a lighter colored, wider brimmed hat! Daisy (Elm's other half) There are many co-infections that can come along with Lyme which can complicate matters. Most of the Lyme specialists will test for co-infections, so may be worth questioning your Dr about. From our family research (see Resolutions post above), we've found that most Dr's recommend at least a 4week Anti-biotic perscription (and some much longer) since the lifecycle of the Lyme bacteria is roughly 4 weeks. The most frustrating thing that I've found during our experience, is that even the Lyme "Specialists" don't agree on a protocol for eliminating the disease. Good luck. - Mr. R Quote Link to comment
+Czarniecki314 Posted August 2, 2005 Share Posted August 2, 2005 (edited) I developed a bullseye on Thursday and thought it was an allergic reaction to a bee sting. It was growing and increasingly painful so I went to the ER today and was diagnosed (they did the bloodtest but are 99% sure so started treatment). I have to say, my symptoms have not been all that bad (just kind of tired, headache, sore throat) although my doc said I'll probably feel worse before I feel better. The worst part? My stomach's reaction to the antibiotics! Seems like Lyme Disease treatment is kind of a weird science... they didn't even recognize it as a bullseye when I went to the ER Thursday -- I have a bee allergy and because it looked and felt like a bee sting at first I had to go up to be looked at. It took a few friends looking at it and saying, "Um, that looks like Lyme Disease" for me to go back and say to the ER doc, "I hear this is what Lyme Disease looks like." So, I'm out of commission for a few days I guess... the dr said to lay low, stick to the antibiotics and go back Thursday for a followup. Fun fun fun way to end my summer! edit: apparently Lyme Disease effects my brain as I had the wrong day! Edited August 2, 2005 by Czarniecki314 Quote Link to comment
+jonboy Posted August 2, 2005 Share Posted August 2, 2005 I have contracted a tick borne disease for the ninth time, this time it appears I have a more severe variant , known as Ehrlichiosis. I had this variant 12 years ago, when it was just being identified and was little known, and it darn near killed me. My doctor is a specialist in Lyme, and his office is always full of patients getting their intravenous injections of antibiotics, these injections are required three times a week. This treatment is needed for those who failed to treat their Lyme early enough or didn't respond to oral antibiotics. Quote Link to comment
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