Lyme Disease

[JoanE]

Thought I had the flu last weekend. Chills, fever, headache, nausea, body aches, etc. After a weekend in bed, swallowing Tylenol, I dragged myself to the walk in clinic. Heart rate was 126 with severe abdominal pain, so doctor ordered me to the ER. Went through a CT scan of abdomen to rule out diverticulitis, spinal tap to rule out meningitis but turns out I have two tick borne illnesses - Lyme and Anaplasmosis.

On intravenous antibiotics for four days, switched to oral and finally released on Friday. Still feeling punked but hope to be able to get back on the road next week headed for FL. Will need to stay on antibiotics for 17 days. My daughter is flying up to drive back with me.

What bothers me is I was aware of the Lyme epidemic here in NY and examined my dog every day for ticks and myself. But as the doc pointed out, some of the ticks, especially the dangerous ones, are the size of a poppy seed. Hard to see.

One thing is for sure, being that sick and alone in my RV was very depressing. Gotta stay healthy!

[mizdeb]

OMG! What a lot to go through for the dx. My neighbor contracted Lyme and he said even the flu was not that bad. Amazing what somethjng so small can do to our bodies. So glad you are on the mend and feeling better. Warning to us all that we have to take care of ourselves.

[Sandersmr]

I'm glad that you are on the bend but so sorry you had to go through that and alone as well.

[Echo]

So sorry that you were sick and very, very glad that you are now slowly on the mend. Really grateful that your daughter is on her way to help you out.

And you are so right!!! Being sick while on the road is no fun. Been there and done that while I was an over the road trucker. Count your blessing that you had a toilet and food available to use in the RV. Those items are a god send and not in big trucks!!!

[avalen]

hope you get to feeling better real soon

[Travelinana]

This is such a dreaded thing and so many get it every year. So glad you are now on the mend. Did you ask about any continuing problems from this? I have heard of a form of arthritis after being diagnosed. I lost a friend about 20 years ago to Rocky Mtn Spotted fever and my son also had it a few years ago. I get tick bites every year and I have never ask my dr if this could have anything to do with my pain since arthritis has been ruled out. Fibro is actually a diagnosis from ruling out other things. I guess we're lucky to live this long and not succumb to the many dangers lurking around us. Take care of yourself..

[Rufflesgurl]

Take care of your self Joan. Glad your daughter is on her way to help. Will she stay in your RV with you?

Linda

[Dawn309]

Joan, so glad they found what was wrong and you are on the mend. I, too, am glad your daughter is coming to help you. Keep feeling better.

[Nasoosie]

So sorry you were so sick, Joan, and to be that sick and alone is really scary, I can imagine. Lyme Disease is nothing to fool with, for sure. Very glad you got to the doc and are now on the necessary antibiotics. I am happy to hear your daughter will drive back to FL with you.

I agree that some people diagnosed with fibromyalgia, as you say a term used to give people a name for the undiagnosable stuff, might have Lyme Disease, and should have a blood test to determine it.

I have never heard of Anaplasmosis----what on earth is that, and what are the symptoms? Guess I could look it up which I will do when I get off here.

Have a safe trip back!

[linann]

Joan, Glad you recognized the need to seek medical help and went to the doctor. Very glad your daughter will be with you soon. Best wishes for feeling better and 100% recovery!

[cpatinjones]

I hope you get to feeling better soon. Happy to hear you did not wait long before seeing a doctor.

[BarbaraRose]

The sooner you get diagnosed and treated for Lyme disease, the less serious and long-term problems you will have later, so it was a good thing you got in when you did. Some people don't have many symptoms and don't realize they have that until they end up with chronic problems down the road.
Deer ticks are the ones that spread Lyme disease and they are tiny and very hard to see, unlike their more common cousins that most people are familiar with.

Glad you got to the doctor when you did and that your daughter is coming to help you get down to Florida. Take care and keep getting better!

[snowball]

so glad that you are on the mend take care and rest ok so you will fully mend
sheila

[Irmi]

Joan, I'm so glad you were diagnosed as earky as you were and hope you're feeling much better real soon. Have a safe trip back to Florida and enjoy the visit with your daughter.

[Colliemom]

Oh my gosh Joan. Sorry to hear that. Good thing you hauled off to the doc though. Being alone and sick is no fun. But at least now you are on the mend. Hope you feel better real soon and enjoy the time with you daughter too. You will get that rig to FL yet. Take care you hear.