And you thought walking down a dark alley was dangerous?! Well, try your own back yard!
Vanessa Boyd is fighting for her life having been most likely bitten by a little but nasty and dangerous deer tick that infected her with Lyme disease.
I first read about her plight in Lucy Thornton’s article in the online magazine The Mirror. I was horrified to hear how this former civil engineer not only had to resign from her position—but is literally fighting for her life, all because of Lyme disease! For nearly 12 long years, as many as 30 physicians MISDIAGNOSED her with everything from depression to anxiety to being a hypochondriac.
As Boyd’s health declined sharply, doctors in the UK gave up hope and somehow she managed to get to the United States for additional treatment as her condition progressed to late stage Lyme disease, which can be brutal.
In rare cases, with advanced disease that has not been treated, fatalities can occur as a result of complications. I don’t know of Vanessa’s status, but in the spirit of trying to help our readers, below are some early and later general symptoms and signs of Lyme disease.
First 30 Days – Post Tick Bite
- Headache, chills, fever, joint and muscle aches, swollen lymph nodes
- While most people experience a circular red rash, 20-50% do not!
- The rash can appear as a “bull’s-eye” and typically presents at the bite mark after a few days
- Gradually, the rash can expand to a circumference of 12+ inches with swelling
- Typically, the rash isn’t painful though it can be
After 30 Days and Beyond
- Acute headaches, stiffness around the neck
- New rashes may appear in different locations
- Intense muscle and bone aches, arthritis may also occur with acute joint pain – particularly in the knees
- Dizziness
- Neuropathy: tingling and or numbness, vibrating sensations, pain
- Memory problems
To learn more about Lyme disease from the experts, and how to reduce your chances of being infected, please visit the following sites:
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- http://www.ilads.org/
- https://www.lymedisease.org/
