[pct-l] Giardia

[carl myhill]

PS I haven't treated water for more than 1,000 miles, though I choose
carefully what I drink

Also, I think it is Catra's knee more than the giardia which has knocked her
out. She is one extremely tough individual and I struggle to see how a bout
of upset tummy could knock her out. It is a real shame but I know she'll be
back and whoever has the record should watch out. She's tough enough and she
knows how to do it now!!!!

Litsl

On 15/09/2007, carl myhill <carl at litsl.com> wrote:
>
> 32 miles from White Pass I got pretty bad diarrhea. So bad, in fact, that
> I couldn't drink fluids without them making a very rapid exit. I was pretty
> scared being so far from a road, and the wrong side of Knife Edge. While I
> felt OK I made miles. Being sick reduced the mileage I could do to the point
> where I would run out of food if I was too slack. What's more, 32 miles
> without fluid is a LONG WAY.
>
> I made 6 miles and was very pleased to catch OJ and Ricola. The latter had
> immodium which I think saved me, certainly the squits stopped and I could
> drink again, just a little. I hiked on a bit delirious and then slept for an
> hour or so. Luckily I did Knife Edge at the end of the day so the adrenalin
> carried me across that. In the end I made 20 miles.
>
> I arrived in Packwood on Friday. No internet there on Friday or Saturday.
> I watched TV for a couple of days. Ate 15 doughnuts, 2 huge pots of yogurt
> and all kinds of junk. Whatever I ate make me BLOAT hugely. When I went for
> a little walk I felt pretty sick.
>
> I had heard a lot of rumours about Giardia and was quite worried. I
> thought I should hitch to a clinic or go and gets some drugs from Urgent
> Care. I didnt want to be irresponsible and hike out already unfit.
>
> When I finally got onto the internet on Sunday I read up on Giardia. I
> read various things including:
> - avoid simple sugars
> - reduce milk intake (yogurt seemed ok and I fancied the extra GOOD
> bacteria in my gut)
> - giardia is self limiting and usually goes away by itself
> - incubation is about 8 days (I would have been in the UK if that were
> true)
>
> I felt better on Monday and also bumped into TeaTree and NAFTA, which
> cheered me up. I hiked out Tuesday and felt fine.
>
> I don't know if I had Giardia or not but I was pretty unwell.
>
> What I learned:
> 1. CARRY IMMODIUM (My first aid kit has little wipes for when you get
> stung by an insect - cursing works fine for that!!! When I cant hold any
> fluid, I cannot curse my way out of it!!!!)
> 2. These things often sort themselves out
>
> I feel fine now, just a week later (though am somewhat sulphurous smelling
> at times I'm afraid)
>
> Litsl
>