Well, I've been missing from Blogland for a while. My new job has me writing reports every day. I love it, but it doesn't leave me with a lot of desire to do more writing when I'm off work. In fact, I hardly ever even use the computer outside of work these days. But here I am, so let's catch up!
Training for Vermont was going great. My long runs had increased nicely to 35 painless and relaxed miles and I was feeling strong... and then I got very sick starting on June 11th. Right away I sensed it was from ticks or mosquitoes, since it hit me so hard and fast and I hadn't been around anyone with similar symptoms. Plus I had been spending a lot of time running on old overgrown logging roads and had seen a ton of ticks on me. After a full week of feeling absolutely terrible with a relentless cough, body aches, fever, chills, sweats, headache, sleepiness, and no appetite I developed severe pain and swelling in both lower legs.
Labs and symptoms point to Anaplasmosis, a tick borne bacterial infection. I was started on specific antibiotics and within a week I started feeling more like myself. So of course, I tried to run! I tried to run twice last week, but made it less than a half mile each time due to lower leg pain and weakness. Riding the bike didn't hurt, but I was pathetically slow and weak and had to walk a lot of the hills. But, this past weekend I rode the mountain bike like my old self for the first time in a month and tonight I ran three miles. I'm back!
Most tick borne infections will not result in lasting effects if treated correctly, but the key is they have to be treated. Below is a link to tick borne diseases seen in Maine. Don't let it turn you into a hypochondriac, but read it so you'll know what to look for.
Tick Diseases in Maine
I will do my best to keep up with this blog from now on. Heck, I will probably be able to build up to an awe-inspiring 5 mile run by next week, which should make for some fascinating reading.
"Most tick borne infections will not result in lasting effects if treated correctly, but the key is they have to be treated." This is only partially true. You must catch the disease EARLY as you did and get complete treatment(typically at LEAST a month of antibiotics is required)in order to *cure* this. Take it from someone who did NOT get treated right away...I have had Lyme/coinfections for 20 YEARS.
ReplyDeleteFor now, eat really well, drink lots of fluids and rest...you should be ok for VT :)
Yes, I deal with a lot of Lyme syndrome cases in my work with disability insurance. But, 10 years ago, testing wasn't accurate and doctors didn't know what medications to use for Lyme and other tick borne diseases and people went without treatment. Testing is much more reliable today and most tick borne diseases are 100 percent curable. I am on Doxycillin for at least a month and started it within a couple of weeks of having the acute (flu-like) phase. I'm not worried about any long term affects.
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