Monday, June 15, 2015

I Have Lyme's Disease


G pulled a tick off my hip about three weeks ago.  On a Monday.  By Wednesday I had the fever which lasted three days.  And after the fever I was very tired and listless.

This is when I should have gone to the doctor.

I have had a small red spot with a black dot in the center.  A larger red rash spot. Then smaller.  Then larger.  My knee started aching but hasn't swelled.

I have gone to the doctor today, (been given hell for not coming in sooner), purchased my antibiotics and will be on them for 3 weeks.  I have yogurt with live cultures to eat while taking the pills. I have spray on sunscreen and have to be well covered and wear a hat if I go outside as the antibiotic will make me very sun sensitive.  I work in a greenhouse and out in the sunny perennial yard.

If I wear long sleeves, long pants and a hat at work (which is what the doctor has ordered me to do)---I will certainly pass out from overheating since the greenhouse potting bench is regularly in the 90's and up to 110 on hot summer days. How I will deal with this is up in the air.  I am trying to deal with the news of the Lyme disease.

Sigh.  It's always something.

2 comments:

Paula, the quilter said...

So sorry to hear this, but at least you have been diagnosed and are on a regimen of antibiotics. Get well.

diane said...

Did the doctor do the test for the different bands? I find all the misinformation regarding Lyme disease very disheartening. I have been told by an infectious disease specialist at the u of chgo that a person won't test positive shortly after the initial transmission from the tick. Supposedly it takes at least 3 to 6 months. Doxycycline is the antibiotic usually prescribed after a tick bite, whether or not a person tests positive or not. It is precautionary - a pre-emptive strike if you will. Don't get too bent out of shape until things settle down and you have finished the antibiotics because if you really have it, you will test positive for the rest of your life.