[pct-l] lyme disease on the PCT (was Deet)

[Donna Saufley]

One of the hikers who came through here a few years ago contracted Lyme
Disease.  He wasn't exactly sure about where he contracted it; could have
been on the PCT, AT, or even near his home in Ohio.  But he was sure that he
ran smack into denial about what he had.  Doctors and insurers alike are
either ignorant or deliberate in their lack of acknowledgement of the
disease. Because of incorrect diagnoses, this strapping young man, husband
and father has suffered beyond words, essentially becoming so weak and
paralyzed that he is bedridden.  He told me about the film "Under Our Skin"
that exposes the epidemic and the medical/insurance industry's response (or
lack of response). I was unaware of the issues and ongoing controversy
surrounding Lyme Disease. This film changed that:

www.underourskin.com

L-Rod


-----Original Message-----
From: pct-l-bounces at backcountry.net [mailto:pct-l-bounces at backcountry.net]
On Behalf Of abiegen at cox.net
Sent: Tuesday, April 19, 2011 7:57 AM
To: pct-l at backcountry.net
Cc: goslowgofar
Subject: [pct-l] lyme disease on the PCT (was Deet)

goslowgofar wrote:

from Yosemite's website:
"Tick borne diseases
There are two known diseases carried by ticks in this area: Lyme disease and
relapsing fever. Not all ticks carry these diseases. If you are bitten by a
tick, and later experience flu-like symptoms, contact your doctor and
mention
you had a tick bite. If you are diagnosed as having Lyme disease or
relapsing
Fever, and you believe you got it in Yosemite, have your doctor contact the
park
sanitarian at 209/379-1033."
?
Lyme Disease and Relapsing Fever.?? Both west of Texas!
Katy

Back in the day when Lyme disease was new to the west  coast, a friend of
mine, PineTar contracted it from a tick bite hiking in the back country
behind Ventura and Santa Barbara. His case was verified by a lab test.  A
couple of years later I got a tick bite behind Santa Barbara. I then got the
classic ring and had some flu like symptoms. I went to the doctor who
refused to believe that I had it. I showed him the tick and the ring around
the bite. 

Again he refused to believe that I had it. I told him that a friend of mine
got it and explained the type of trails that we have behind SB. For example,
this weekend we did a little over-nighter where it took us four hours to go
.9 miles on a trail that had been in good condition before the Zaca fire
four years ago. 

The doctor said that the test for Lyme was expensive and the treatment
medication was expensive. I asked him, "How expensive will it be if I really
have it and have my joint deteriorate prematurely?"  I got my medication but
he refused to do the test. I never had any complications.

Keep in mind - ticks cannot fly or jump. They climb to the end of a stick or
leaf and hang by their two rear legs and grab onto anything warm that rubs
up against them. The PCT in most areas of Southern California has a tread
that is wide enough that you don't have to have too many leaves and twigs
rubbing against you. Where they might, I use my hiking poles (yes another
reason to carry them) to swat any twigs or leaves that lean over into the
trail. You will get good at this after a while. That with clothing treated
with Permethrin are a big help but still no guarantee. You will still have
to inspect yourself and/or your hiking buds.

TrailHacker

"When my feet hurt, I can't think straight"
Abraham Lincoln

_______________________________________________
Pct-L mailing list
Pct-L at backcountry.net
To unsubcribe, or change options visit:
http://mailman.backcountry.net/mailman/listinfo/pct-l

List Archives:
http://mailman.backcountry.net/pipermail/pct-l/