Lyme Disease

[Mr1470]

If such an article is written, try and get someone to speak to the many people who have suffered up here in the Highlands. You'll hear some sorry tales. I talked to someone last week who had decided not to have children on the basis that her continuing problems meant that she couldn't be sure she wouldn't pass something on to an unborn child (according to the medical opinion she received).

What was very interesting was that she experienced excellent results from a visit to a local herbalist who has a "ready-made" remedy for what is a common ailment up here. I'll report back when I can, I'm planning to get in touch and make an appointment because I wonder if I have got ongoing problems since some of my symptoms match very closely to those who've experienced LTLD.

Of course, one of the big problems is that Lyme Disease is notoriously difficult to diagnose. The "standard" blood test carried out by the NHS does not necessarily pick it up and it can lie dormant and undetectable for some time before erupting. Not for nothing is it known as The Great Imitator, since it can appear in many guises which are similar to other illnesses.

Ticks are a fact of life up here. Dealing with them is a problem, especially if you have a dog. Spot On does seem to work, in that the tick will bite but will immediately die and drop off. However, I'm not sure that's foolproof and also, having taken great strides in eliminating harmful chemicals from our own lives, we are wondering whether we should be looking for a more natural remedy for Sam the Collie. Anyone got any thoughts on that?

[IainR]

I'm not convinced Lymes disease is one disease from one agent tbh..

I think as we get more and more genetic testing we'll realise it's a number of different pathogenic agents which ticks carry, sometimes Lyme's may be present as well but that doesn't necessarily fulfill Kochs postulates as the disease causing agents. Likewise the early treatement with a wide-acting antibiotic may clear up Lyme's and bacteria and other agents, but could also leave viral agents and even prions..


The range of symptoms and its severity is astronomical.

It's scary really but all we can do is just watch out for ticks, remove them quickly and be very aware of the range of potential symptoms.

There's already some findings of it being other things, closely related:
http://healthland.time.com/2013/07/1...-its-not-lyme/

[brummievet]

"Ticks are a fact of life up here. Dealing with them is a problem, especially if you have a dog. Spot On does seem to work, in that the tick will bite but will immediately die and drop off. However, I'm not sure that's foolproof and also, having taken great strides in eliminating harmful chemicals from our own lives, we are wondering whether we should be looking for a more natural remedy for Sam the Collie. Anyone got any thoughts on that?"

Can't seem to sort the quote thing properly...

Anyway, a number of studies have looked at prevention of ticks in dogs. If you have access to PubMed or similar I would advise looking at Otranto and Wall (2008) New strategies for the control of arthropod vectors in dogs and cat. Medical and Veterinary Entomology 22, 291-302.

There is a review of preventatives here including biological and natural treatments. As a general rule they advise a combined approach using medications (such as spot-ons), removal of the ticks and possibly natural repellants. Ultimately, using drugs alone is unlikely to be sufficient.

Biological control has been shown against some tick species using a fungal pathogen, but unless someone corrects me, I am not aware of a commercial practical product available. Some natural plant oils have been shown to have high levels of repellance against Ixodes ricinus (the main tick to worry about in the UK), such as lemon eucalyptus, geranium, chamomile and lavender. The disadvantage of these products over the spot-ons is that they would need to be applied over the whole animal and they are quite short lived as they evaporate away easily. They are also potentially toxic if ingested so they must be used with extreme caution. I guess they may be useful if applied to the legs and your dog wouldn;t lick them, but I'd do more research into it and I certainly wouldn't use them in cats. Remember, without trying to set up a debate about natural vs drug treatment, 'natural' doesn't always mean safe. Drug companies have to jump through hoops to show that their products are safe and effective, whereas you can just buy plant oils and use them as you wish. As a vet I would say use them with caution if your dog is likely to lick them off.

Personally, I have always used DEET for me as I find it most effective although it isn't the nicest of chemicals and I wouldn't use it on my dog in case of ingestion. I'd be interested to know what people think about using DEET??

[IanDarkpeak]

Personally, I have always used DEET for me as I find it most effective although it isn't the nicest of chemicals and I wouldn't use it on my dog in case of ingestion. I'd be interested to know what people think about using DEET?? [/COLOR]

Very effective but banned in many countries as it's a carcogen.

Last year I moved to Smidge on many recommendations. I put it on from Knees down and elbows down on my first trip, the only Tick bites I got were by my shoulders and one on my stomach !
next day a fuller covering and no bites. It doesn't contain Deet so I'm sold.

[IainR]

I'd use DEET for odd days but if I was working or living in an area with ticks I'd not..

[Hanneke]

I would be willing to write an article for Fellrunner Magazine, who do I approach? I haven't been a member for a few years now, too depressing, so not sure who to contact. I think it would be very useful.I have done a LOT of research, largely to get myself well, and know quite a few fellow sufferers. If it would help stopping even one person of getting as ill as I am, it would be worth it!

To answer a question of one of the people above: I can just about walk again. I haven't cycled since August last year and can only do a little bit of therapeutic pedalling, trying to build my wasted leg muscles to support my wasted knee joint. It is dire, but one has to stay positive so the fact that I can now ride the 6 kms to the next village and back is HUGE! Even though it is at a snails pace. I have sold all but two of my bikes, as I can't use them and am not exactly motivated to ride again, as it is such a mega-effort to go a few miles at a snail's pace, but the surgeon has instricted me to pedal, in whatever way, to strengthen my quads and it is the only way. I started off with 5 minutes on the turbo, so the fact that I can now potter for an hour is something I suppose.

The knee is so bad, I am never to run again, not even to the bus... and walking downhill is out of the question too. As I am not strong enough to walk uphill, this isn't really an issue. I have become a couch potatoe I am afraid, with resulting change of shape and weight :'( but I am in less pain than I was a few months ago and can sleep again, which gives me more energy, so onwards and upwards, looking to do 1 hr 15 minutes on the bike soon... I try to get out once a week, but it doesn't always happen, it has to be a good day...

[Hanneke]

I would be willing to write an article for Fellrunner Magazine, who do I approach? I haven't been a member for a few years now, too depressing, so not sure who to contact. I think it would be very useful.I have done a LOT of research, largely to get myself well, and know quite a few fellow sufferers. If it would help stopping even one person of getting as ill as I am, it would be worth it!

To answer a question of one of the people above: I can just about walk again. I haven't cycled since August last year and can only do a little bit of therapeutic pedalling, trying to build my wasted leg muscles to support my wasted knee joint. It is dire, but one has to stay positive so the fact that I can now ride the 6 kms to the next village and back is HUGE! Even though it is at a snails pace. I have sold all but two of my bikes, as I can't use them and am not exactly motivated to ride again, as it is such a mega-effort to go a few miles at a snail's pace, but the surgeon has instricted me to pedal, in whatever way, to strengthen my quads and it is the only way. I started off with 5 minutes on the turbo, so the fact that I can now potter for an hour is something I suppose.

The knee is so bad, I am never to run again, not even to the bus... and walking downhill is out of the question too. As I am not strong enough to walk uphill, this isn't really an issue. I have become a couch potatoe I am afraid, with resulting change of shape and weight :'( but I am in less pain than I was a few months ago and can sleep again, which gives me more energy, so onwards and upwards, looking to do 1 hr 15 minutes on the bike soon... I try to get out once a week, but it doesn't always happen, it has to be a good day...

[Hanneke]

Not sure what happened there...

[Hanneke]

I will have a full knee replacement in a few years. I am really too young for it and would run out of knees so to speak if I had one now...

[Hanneke]

And it is interesting that there is much more knowledge about Lyme disease amongst vets than there is amongst GPs... Thanks for your contributions Brummie Vet!