My coworkers and others told me to straight to Urgent Care.
The doctor took one look and said, "Lyme Disease."
I had a blood test for that and something else (can't quite remember) and was prescribed the antibiotic Doxycycline, which has a long list of things I can and can't eat before and after taking it. (Take on an empty stomach with lots of water, don't lie down for 10 minutes after taking it, don't eat for an hour after taking it, don't eat anything with calcium in it for two to three hours afterward...) I have to take the antibiotic for 3 weeks and was told it would probably be really nasty to my stomach at the end.
The ultrasound is still on for Wednesday, and I have a follow up visit on Friday when I'll learn the results and a plan of action.
If there's an upside it's that I found it within two weeks and got treatment right away.
The downside (aside from having Lyme Disease) is that Julie says "your gardening activities are officially over for the year, except for watering your garden from a very long distance away."
Any future work in the garden or the front or back yards will have to be done by a professional landscaper and not me.
Don't tell me I should have checked myself for ticks. I did that every day I worked in the garden, but apparently I was looking for X and I should have been looking for Y.
Sigh.
So I'll stay home on Tuesday, sacked out on the couch. Millie has already made it clear I am a perfect spot for napping, which is nice.
16 comments:
Sending wishes for a speedy recovery...and hugs for Millie!
Glad you caught it early, even if the meds are icky to take. Purrs for a full recovery.
Plus the garden will be there next year. Gardens are never ending projects.
I've just been reading about Lyme Disease on the internet and it does sound nasty. I'm so pleased that your condition has now been diagnosed and treatment has begun - albeit that it doesn't sound as though the next few weeks are going to be a lot of fun. Take care. I know you must be disappointed about curtailing your gardening for the year, but go easy on yourself. Stay inside this season. (Perhaps plant some catnip seeds to grow on the front porch? Sorry - a little furred critter asked me to suggest that.) Get yourself a stack of good books, some chocolate and a purring companion and relax. I hope it goes well.
Megan
Sydney, Australia
PS. Australia has stacks of poisonous spiders and snakes, sharks at the beaches and various other nasties, but the claim is that you can't contract Lyme Disease here, so that's a point in our favour! That said, there are people living only half a dozen suburbs away from us on the northern beaches of Sydney that claim that a variant of Lyme Disease is prevalent in their area - yikes!
I do know ( from experience) you can't be out in the sun when on the antibiotic, but what stops you from gardening?
Maybe this is something new since when I tested positive ten years ago?
Best of luck with the meds. It does do a number on your stomach and the good bacteria you need.
Can you eat yogurt? If so have some each day.
Feel better.
I hope your system is strong and that you will get through this antibiotic with few side effects. Positive thoughts for you on the other problem too.
welcome to the world of ticks in new England....my puppy Sammy also tested positive for lyme and would you believe he takes Doxy too - 30 day supply. Sammy and I hope you feel better real soon.
You are right that it is good news you caught this early. Not everyone gets that warning rash. I used to use yogurt to counteract the damage the antibiotic does to your stomach but since calcium is kind of on the hit list maybe some of the many probiotic pills that are flooding the market would help in that corner.
Best of luck to you. This is a nasty, nasty thing and those little deer ticks are so tiny I can certainly imagine why you didn't find the culprit.
Wishing you a full and speedy recovery!!
So sorry that this has hit you! Another tiny bright side is that being sick and having little energy provides the opportunity for reading. I recommend the following books for Kindle that have NOT been all over the news: Perfect, by Rachel Joyce; The Highest Tide by Jim Lynch; The Museum of Extraordinary Things by Alice Hoffman. Feel bettah!
My husband was recently diagnosed with Lyme's disease, and it wasn't even tick season yet; the snow had barely melted. In his case, the virus may have been in his system for months before it exhibited symptoms. His leg was swollen and hard with knee joint pain. The antibiotic had him feeling better within 2 days, and though he has a history of sensitive stomach issues, he had no problems with the antibiotic. Hope the same is true for you: quick recovery, no lasting side effects, and no tummy troubles.
My husband takes doxyxycline often and has never been told to take it on an empty stomach. He takes it with food andhas no problems. Taking it on an empty stomach makes him very ill. I hope you don't have any problems and I'm glad you figured it out!
Oh, Lynne! Best wishes for a speedy recovery! I agree, try some probiotics for your stomach. They can't do any harm, and they might help. Petting some pretty fabric might lift your spirits. :)
Oh Lynne, while I know Lyme disease is bad, I was relieved to read that because a lump in your armpit made me think immediately of breast cancer. You'll continue to be in my thoughts and prayers. Nice of Millie to weigh down the quilt for you, she knows just what to do :)
Good for you for taking some time to just sack out with Millie. I bet she's loving having her hoomin home during the day. Glad you caught this early and I hope you get through your antibiotics with little issue. Have you made up a spreadsheet yet to keep track of the what/when/why/why not? Best wishes go out to you.
Thank goodness you found it early. Wishing you a speedy and full recovery.
I'm glad you're on the antibiotics and the yogurt suggestion works for me, too (but you have to take that 2-3 hours away from the antibiotic, too)... I like the Fage Greek yogurt with the 'side car' of fruit mixes. Blueberry and Strawberry are my favorites (and they have good nutrition numbers for protein snacks!).
I am so glad they caught it early on. I hope the antibiotics work their magic and you feel better soon. I work in the garden a lot but don't pay as much attention as I should.
You hang in there, follow what the doctors suggest (which you already are) hoping for your speedy recovery. Dream quilts, think patterns, rest.. rest.. rest! xoxo
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