MDOsprey:

FYI ... an update from Laurie Larson ...

Phil


>From: Laurie Larson <>
>Subject: Re: MDOSPREY Lyme Disease thread
>Date: Thu, 13 Jul 2006 10:04:09 -0400
>To: Phil Davis <>
>
>Phil,
>Yikes, that story is really out of date, but I guess it's OK as far as it 
>goes. It was written almost five years ago; the story is not  complete. I 
>have continued to relapse, and I'm on antibiotics again right now after a 
>positive blood test in June. I have learned to "manage" the disease to 
>some extent but it has definitely reduced my mental and physical stamina 
>and my ability to spend time in the field.
>
>Lyme borreliosis isn't the only disease ticks carry. Recently, we've noted 
>on the Jerseybirds list the tragic death of an active NJ birder, Dave 
>Evans, due to ehrlichiosis, a tick-borne disease which can co-infect with 
>Lyme. And a friend of mine in MD recently was treated for ehrlichiosis 
>acquired there. Other possible (co) infections are Rocky Mountain Spotted 
>Fever, bartonella and babesia.
>
>Nobody with an attached tick should ignore it; the consequences can be 
>very serious indeed. Taking $20 worth of generic Doxycycline 
>prophylactically, to prevent $200,000 of medical care to deal with late 
>stage Lyme, or to prevent death in the worst case, seems to me far more 
>important than worrying about resistant bacteria.
>
>Most physicians are tragically ignorant about tick-borne diseases. It is 
>usually unproductive trying to argue with them (you're not a doctor) and 
>taking them a printout of an "anectodal" account isn't likely to convince 
>them. More helpful, perhaps, to give them the most recent treatment 
>guidelines at 
>www.guideline.gov/summary/summary.aspx?ss=15&doc_id=4836&string=lyme
>or suggest the web site of the International Lyme and Associated Diseases 
>Society at www.ilads.org. But, if someone is bitten and worried, better to 
>get in touch with a Lyme support organization (www.lymenet.org) has 
>resources and get a referral to a doctor who knows something. Quick action 
>can save much agony and money later on.
>
>This is a serious concern for birders. I'm not a doctor but I would be 
>happy to answer anyone's questions within the limits of my abilities and 
>experiences. Feel free to share this.
>best,
>Laurie
>
>
>On Jul 13, 2006, at 2:16 AM, Phil Davis wrote:
>
>>Hi Laurie:
>>
>>I hope all is well ...
>>
>>I don't know if you been aware of this thread on MDOsprey or if you have 
>>been following it at all. Just wanted to let you know that
>>it is doing some good!!!
>>
>>Thanks!
>>
>>Phil
>
>==================================
>Phil Davis      Davidsonville, Maryland     USA
>                 mailto:[log in to unmask]
>==================================