Take "lyme's Disease"serious

imported
#1

I just wanted to let fellow hikers know that they should really take the “Lyme’s” warning seriously. I never really got all worried or worked up about it. I didn’t go out of my way to protect myself, ie: spray, long pants, etc. I did regular tick checks but they can hide where you don’t even see them. They can bite and jump off. I found myself in a New Hampshire hospital very very sick. Seems there was a bite in the crease of the back of my left knee. I started off feeling “off”, then kind of like a flu, then I was screaming in pain as the paramedics loaded me into the ambulance. This is not a fun experience. Per the doctor it was and is very serious. It can cause problems years down the line. So, PLEASE, take the little ticks very seriously and take whatever precautions you can.

HammockHanger

#2

I got off the trail ten days ago, and found the classic bull’s
eye rash around a spot where I removed a tick, just the night
before I left the trail. Going to the doctor tomorrow, if he
can fit me in. Then I expect massive antibiotics for a couple months.
The first symptom, and the reason I left the trail, was weak-
ness. I just couldn’t climb another hill that morning. I
wrote it off as an energy drain caused by hiking in the heat
for the previous few weeks. I removed about 6-8 ticks over
my last 10 days on the trail. The infection appears to be
where the last tick was attached.
I’ll let you know what happens next.
Geez, I never get sick…

Scamp

Scamp

#3

but glad you got the rash and can get on some antibiotics before it hides itself in your system. Then it can come back to haunt you years later. Also thankful you didn’t get the severe reaction I got. I too thought it was just the heat draining my energy… Good Luck, keep us posted. HH

HammockHanger