A dastardly tick has laid me low. After several days of fever, headache, chills, joint pain and fatigue I finally realized I was sick (I just kept working along, thinking I must be a little dehydrated...duh, did I mention confusion was another symptom :p ) A trip to the doctor with tick log in hand seemed in order. Since I almost never run a fever I was pretty sure I had managed to get some tick-borne illness. I immediately suspected the tick that had managed to escape my regular checks by hiding at the base of my ponytail. (All that hair is gone now -- a tick will be hard pressed to hide in what I have left!)
Most likely diagnosis: Ehrlichiosis. I should get the results of the blood tests back early this week. Meanwhile I am taking doxycycline - the first antibiotic that has entered my body in the past 18 or 20 years. The good news is that I feel much better, not 100%, but better. The bad news is that I have to stay inside for the full course of the antibiotic -- 20 DAYS!!! The antibiotic makes me more sensitive to the sun and since I'm a redhead (strawberry blonde variety), I'm already prone to burn :(
Anyway, I just wanted to touch base and let you know why I haven't been answering your comments or posting anything new. Hope to be back soon. Meanwhile, y'all have fun out there and don't forget to check for ticks!
12 comments:
Ah, no! Sorry you've been ill.
I work in a hospital laboratory and we're seeing more cases of Ehrlichiosis every year.
Feel better.
Swampy- I'm sorry to hear that you're sick from that nasty tick! Also know how you must feel being confined indoors at this time of the year! Perhaps, Treebeard needs to load you into the car and drive you north to Maine for some recovery. We can at least offer you shade to walk in and fewer ticks. I'm studying a dead dragonfly I found in the yard to identify it and could certainly use your help! Maineiac
PS Feel better!
Wishing you a speedy recovery!!!
Rotten luck. I hope you're feeling 100% soon.
Interesting! My tick bite from May 21 did the huge bull's eye rash presentation. I am on the same antibiotic for 3 weeks. I have the headache, the joint ache and fatigue but no fever. I had a blood test last Friday but from what I read, the test may not be terribly reliable. Take care!
Here are some frogs to make you feel better during your confinement. http://life-birding-etc.blogspot.com/2009/06/hear-frogs-in-yonder-pond.html
I hope you're better soon, Swampy. i had Lyme disease twice, with symptoms of flu like yours, and my doctor says i will always test positive now. But I won't have immunity. No fair!! I haven't heard of Erlichiosis up here in north NY. Is that another gift global warming will bring us northerners?
Can you get out on rainy days, or do you still get sunburned through clouds as I (a blond) do. I miss your entries. But don't rush it. Get well!
You could always do some posts about the wildlife in your house -- your cats!
Dadgum ticks! Hope you're better soon. Wow though, unreal that you haven't had antibiotics for 18-20 years.
Thanks, everyone! I am feeling much better but being stuck inside is driving me crazy.
Oh goodness, I hope you are already feeling better... biting insects take a bit of a shine to me, and I've had a few too many tick bites lately. Been sick from them myself before now too. It's no fun having to keep all your body covered up and slather on the insecticide, but in tick country that is what I do. Sigh.
Anyway, I do hope you are better and there are no lasting effects from the illness. Staying inside all that time can't have been fun!
Bird,
I'm feeling much better now, thanks. Still have 10 days worth of pills so 10 more days inside. But, I can't complain -- it could have been a whole lot worse!
I am so sorry to hear this. I wish I could bring you some books to read.
Hopefully your county has a public library.
You take care...
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