Darn Lyme, again...

[JL]

Just got the call from the docs office, positive hit for lyme for the second time! The ticks are real bad this year so make sure you prepare yourself before you hit the woods! If you have youngins in tow, make sure that you pay attention to their preperation and check them real good when you get home. Lyme can create all kinds of health problems and you dont want to mess up the little ones early on as it will really hit them hard. Be careful out there...

[northener]

Appreciate the reminder, hope all goes well with you.

[Doc Nock]

Dude...

shorts in the woods is not necessarily a good thing...

HOpe you can beat it big time with the antibiotic regimen...get it done.

Get peanut tested too? Where were you?  

Geeze... warm weather and wet weather surely makes for tick time!

I feel for you Jer... heal well!

[Tickbait]

Would you mind sharing details, such as any symptons you had?  I know the classic symptons don't always show up, which worries me sometimes when I have to dig one of those little buggers out of my hide.

[maineac]

Don't forget to spread this message to your non-outdoorsy friends an family.  Lyme does not discriminate!

[T Sunstone]

Been fighting it for 20 years and still on antibiotics.

[buckracks7]

Daughter had it, and I think she still does. Tests say no, so the doc is done with her.

[Missouri Bowman]

I tested positive last year for Lymes. The only symptom I had was a high fever at night for about 5 days before I went to the doctor.  Antibiotics was all I took.

[adeeden]

I'm a tick magnet. I'm betting I have found at least 50 on me this year alone, so lymes is always a concern. My doctor has told me several times that unless the tick is attached to you for more then 48 hours that the likely hood of you getting lymes is very small.

[nineworlds9]

Dang!!  Good luck man!  I hate those sons of bdjhsjdndn!!!  I check myself religiously when I get back from the woods.  Fellas, DEET is your friend!  Don't worry about smell.  I was covered in DEET last hunt of last season and still got close to the game, just worry about the wind.  Florida isn't usually the place people worry about Lyme, but recently we have had cases pop up here in North FL so really nowhere where there's woods is safe.  They can be tiny too!! Like a pepper grain so be thorough!  Good time to use your lady's eyes and get up close and personal!  Don't be bashful!  LOL

[Hatrick]

JL, I've contracted it twice myself. After pulling two of those nasty pests off of me 3 weeks ago, and some constant headaches, I'm thinking about getting tested a third time.

Besides the taxes, deer ticks and Lyme are another reason to tread lightly in Maryland.

[Doc Nock]

There have been several threads on the Permyteran treating of clothing.

I've done it for past 15 yrs.  I'm trying the Happy Jack Kennel Dip solution mixed up to give me the commercial .5% concentrate.

The water-based types are totally odorless once they dry!

I've used all the commercial pump and pressurized can sprays on the market for 15 yrs.  I can say that while I walk side by side with other guys, they get covered with ticks (don't use permytheran)and I don't.

I spray all my gear...face masks include. Then let line dry overnight and put away... treat every 2 weeks.

It even keeps skeeters away which can also give you a bad dose of several nasty ailments!

Lyme is nothing to mess with.

prayers for those with Lyme, and admonishment to those who don't treat clothes to be preventative!

[LookMomNoSights]

Man,  I HATE tics!  Ive heard people say "everything serves a purpose"....and that's very Zen and happy and all,  but seriously....tics?!   Maybe to feed certain birds or something?  Anyway...........
What is truely amazing to me, are the stats.....and Im not sure if I believe them:  not sure of the exact number or percentage,  but "they" say that the number of tics that carry lyme is very small.....and the chances of getting lyme if bit, are also....very small.   But then you hear about people every year,  all the time....getting bit,  and as a result getting lyme!   For as often as you hear about it,  seems like the odds are more like 60 - 40....or 50 - 50!!!!   Something is wrong there!  I think "they"  need some more extensive study and testing!  
Sir,  I hope you antibiotics kick that thing for you in a hurry!

[JL]

Symtoms run the gauntlet, flash fevers, headeachs, joint pain, fatigue,  breathing issues, heart problems, trouble staying mentally focused, searching for words, etc. First time I had it, I mistakenly wrote off the symtoms as just getting older, I am 49. Then I had a bout of bells palsey, that triggered the testing and thats how I found out. This time, I had the classic bullseye rash on my theigh. If you live in a region that is a known hotbed for lyme, start or have been having these type of problems, get tested. The western blot test is the most accurate, from what I understand.  The damage it does to your body, if left untreated, is irreversable. It is nothing to play with. Its real bad for kids because they just developing and lyme will create all kinds of problems for them. I keep a close eye on my daughter when we are outside. As someone else eluded too, this is not limited to any one outdoor activity so always stay vigilant. I read that there a lot of people whom have contracted lyme but dont know it because the symtoms come and go. Information is powerful but when it comes to lyme, it can also be confusing. Treatment is typicly antibiotics for 3-6 weeks. The advanced cases require IV form of  antibodiotics, not oral. Do your homework on lyme, google is your friend. Once you start digging into it, you will see how scary it really is....

Treatment is key, the sooner the better. For advanced cases, there is storm of debate on how to treat it. I wont go into it here but do some research and you will see what Im talking about.

[gringol]

They used to make a vaccine for lyme, but it was taken off the market because not enough people were getting it.  Profits and medicine are an unhealthy alliance.

[Slickhead]

I hate those things
Im a magnet also
Think I may have one feeding on me now.

Like a cockroach, they will out live us all.

[JL]

Originally posted by gringol:
They used to make a vaccine for lyme, but it was taken off the market because not enough people were getting it.  Profits and medicine are an unhealthy alliance.

Ya know, I have heard the same. But, the area's that are being affected are primarily along the east coast which is probably the most densely populated area of the country. I also believe that this is more widespread then anyone knows because a LOT of people don't know they are infected with it. With that being said, I can't reason why they would allow it to be held off the market when there is a glaring need for it? I also heard the bad side effect's may have been the reason it was pulled. I would surely love to have some clearity on this particular subject, if someone cares to share.

[gringol]

Google it, there's some interesting info.  The vaccine was about 80% effective.  There were side effects, but no different than any other vaccine, irritation at injection site, etc.  more serious side effects were shown to be statistically meaningless.

I agree, it is probably far more widespread than anyone is aware of.

[JL]

In advanced cases of Lyme, it can lead to heart and lung problems, swelling of the heart, even leading to congestive heart failure and/or menengitis. This is very serious stuff. If you think you may have it, don't wait, get tested now. The earlier you start treatment, you better your chances of curing the infection all together. If it has a chance to take root, your in for a hell of a fight...

[Cwilder]

That sucks man I hope the treatment goes well. When I start scouting I wear hip boots also I do the strip search once I get home in front of the mirror