Hunting Tics and Lyme Disease

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bush1

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Eastern Ontario
I’m in the Kingston, Napanee and a little north of that and the prevalence of tics during the hunting season has increased each year and now is at a very high level. Most of us in out hunt camp have pulled more than a few off our bodies over the years.

Never seen any in the spring so was quite surprised to find one dug in during our maple syrup project in the bush this past spring. Later in June and July, I found myself getting tired much more quickly while doing yard work but just chalked it up to getting older. No big deal.

About 4 weeks ago got a really stiff neck and the 2 main neck muscles were really sore. I was doing some hedge clipping on a high hedge so chalked it up to that but after 4 weeks of taking Robax the stiffness and pain wouldn’t go away. A few days ago I started getting muscle pain in my forearms and fingers so added all this up and got onto Google for confirmation of what I finally thought I had and sure enough, everything pointed to Lyme disease. The Doctor confirmed it yesterday and an now on a 21 day cycle of antibiotics.

According to everything I’ve read and my Doctors opinion, the medication usually takes care of it completely but in some cases, muscle problems can remain or reappear. Got to keep my fingers crossed and hope for the best. You can bet I’ll have a good dose of Permathin on my hunting clothes this fall for sure.
 
Kingston area is terrible for ticks. 8 ish years in that area living in Yarker I couldn't even begin to count the number we found between us, kids, and pets. Sorry to hear that you lost the odds and got nailed by Lyme.

I use at least a full can of deet based insect repellent per season these days especially around cuffs (pant and shirt) and waist/neck lines. They have to be able to get to the skin to get into it and 90% of the time they are starting the trip upwards from leg level. Horrible little critters but they definitely don't like deet.
 
A friend of mine, (CGN member), lives in your area and contracted Lyme's disease last year... he caught it earlier than you did, but the 21 day cycle of anti-biotics, seemed to work and he has recovered... his fingers are crossed too, hoping to not experience any residual, lingering issues.

Good luck... thanks for putting out the warning for folks to be cautious.
 
I hope you have a full recovery, ticks are bad this year in my area. I pulled a couple off this spring mushrooming and have heard the same from friends and family, I hate the parasitic little ####ers...
 
darbdarb said:
do they do a decent test in Ontario for this now, or do you still have to go to the states?
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They do have a decent test now in Ontario but looks like if you tell the Doctor you had a tic embedded for more than 48 hours and you have a few of the Lyme symptoms, they just put you on the antibiotic and not waste the time on a test. In my case if the symptoms don't disappear with the treatment, they will look at some different options but I don't know what they could be though.
 
Living with someone who has Lyme's (not diagnosed for 8 years).... I'd recommend just going straight on to antibiotics for a week if you pull a tick off your body and take precautions to avoid that situation. The longer you wait the harder it is to kill off.
 
Usually when I'm in the bush I wear 8" boots and jeans, spraying my ankles with Deet. Is this good practice?
 
A good friend of mine went through the wringer a few years ago. At that time, doctors were reluctant, or unable, to diagnose Lyme. After more than a year of increasing debilitation, he finally found a doctor that was able to make the diagnosis. Unfortunately, he has been left with rather severe disabilities, both mental and physical. Such a shame, good to hear that the medical community is waking up to this issue.
 
jza said:
Usually when I'm in the bush I wear 8" boots and jeans, spraying my ankles with Deet. Is this good practice?
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Yes, sure does, every precaution you take reduces the risk.
I use REPEL, works good,
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bush1 said:
They do have a decent test now in Ontario but looks like if you tell the Doctor you had a tic embedded for more than 48 hours and you have a few of the Lyme symptoms, they just put you on the antibiotic and not waste the time on a test. In my case if the symptoms don't disappear with the treatment, they will look at some different options but I don't know what they could be though.
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I would suggest you be pro active and use your Google fu to do a little research. Lyme literate doctors in Canada and canlyme might be good places to start. There are a few naturopathic regimes that you could follow after your done the anitbiotics. As stated above, Lyme carrying bacteria can be a beeotch to get rid of, especially if it has had some time to embed itself into your system.

Kudos to your Doc for getting on it so quick. It sounds like the medical community is finally waking up. Best of luck on your recovery.
 
I spray permethrin on boots, pants, and outer shirt. Let it dry before wearing. Don't wash at all, or at least very seldom. I've done this, as well as my son, for two years now, and the ticks get on the clothes, but drop off right away. I've even tried placing ticks on my self on purpose, and they just don't hang around.

The only time I don't wear the treated clothes is after the first frost. Ny then, at least where I live, the tick cycle is over.
 
cosmic said:
A good friend of mine went through the wringer a few years ago. At that time, doctors were reluctant, or unable, to diagnose Lyme. After more than a year of increasing debilitation, he finally found a doctor that was able to make the diagnosis. Unfortunately, he has been left with rather severe disabilities, both mental and physical. Such a shame, good to hear that the medical community is waking up to this issue.
Click to expand...

A friend of mine is in about the same situation, went for years not knowing he had lyme disease, was treated for all kinds of different things. In the end he's had the most benefits from CBD oils instead of all of the painkillers and such he was taking. Might be something for your friend to look into.
 
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