Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever Part 2

I live in Antlers, Oklahoma.  Our claim to fame is we are The Deer Capital of The World which should be a clue to most that we also have an abundance of TICKS.  As a kid growing up, ticks were just a part of being outside in the summertime.  It was just a given that you would get a tick, or two, or…. well you get the picture, ticks weren’t something we worried about.  There was always a nightly ritual of making sure you checked yourself for the little critters while you were bathing.

I guess when you grow up with this mentality it also carries over into adulthood.  I had heard of different “tick fevers” but didn’t really understand the affect they could have on someone’s life  It can actually change the life of entire families because of one person’s diagnosis.  I actually thought it was kinda like the flu or a virus… it was something you could have a week or so and then you got well.  BOY WAS I WRONG !!!  While my story is shorter and easier than most stories…. it hasn’t been an easy recovery.

I started having body aches sometime around the end of January or the first of February.  It seemed to be mainly my larger joints that hurt the most.  I had gone back to work in October 2015 and just chalked it up to not going to the gym anymore.  I had been going to the gym at least 3 days a week and quit when I started back to work for a local school district.  The aches continued to get worse. I was still able to “do life” but just hurt while doing it.   I remember painting one of our bathrooms one weekend in March and then having problems with severe pain for about 4 days.  I couldn’t sleep because my entire body hurt, the pain seemed worse in my hips and legs.  When I would stand up I would have to walk hunkered over for about 10-20 seconds.  I was still thinking it was arthritis, getting older and not exercising.

My legs were crushed from my knees up by a truck in 2002 and I have lasting damage from that accident.  I had decided some of my pain was due to the damage from that accident and convinced myself it was something I was just going to have to live with… and  it was going to continue to get worse as I got older.

I was also having trouble sleeping.  Normally I could fall asleep the minute my head hit the pillow… not anymore!  I started noticing it would be 1-2 a.m. before I would finally go to sleep.  Once I went to sleep I would find myself waking up about every hour either in pain or hot flashes.  It had gotten to the point that I never had a full nights rest.

We went on a vacation to Mexico with a group of our AFLAC friends and I was going to the room about noon and sleep for 3-4 hours each day.  This should have been a clue that something was wrong… no one goes to a beach with friends and wants to spend all day sleeping!!!

As the pain continued and I was becoming worn down from lack of sleep, I finally went to the Choctaw Clinic in Atoka, Oklahoma at the end of April 2016.  I was tested and officially diagnosed with Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever the first week of May 2016.  I do not remember a tick bite, a fever or a rash. In fact when she said she was testing me I almost chuckled because I didn’t remember having a tick bite and had only “heard” of a few people that had Lyme Disease. I’m not sure I had heard of anyone with RMSF.

My symptoms were mainly fatigue, muscle and joint ache/pain, insomnia, hot flashes and a few minor headaches.  My white blood count was also low.  I started treatment for RMSF on May 2, 2016. Before starting the antibiotics I felt pretty bad but it wasn’t something I couldn’t deal with each day.  I was very sore, tired, not sleeping and looking back just all around irritable.   I am thankful I have a doctor that is knowledgeable about Tick Borne Illnesses and will run the necessary tests to find the correct diagnosis and treatment.

I had been taking the antibiotics and a probiotic for about 3 weeks when on May 22, 2016 it was like I hit a brick wall.  I was wiped out.  I didn’t want to get out of bed and didn’t for 6 days.  I had no idea what was happening or why I was feeling so very bad.  My heart rate is usually in the 60’s  but was now in the 90’s and I never had problems with my blood pressure but it was elevated. I finally got online and did what any person does anymore… I GOOGLED but didn’t find much about what was wrong because I really didn’t have a clue what to research.  Then I found a “support group” on Facebook for those with RMSF and Lyme Disease and started asking questions.  Immediately, they started telling me I was going through what was called the “Herxing Effect” or sometimes called “Die-Off Effect”.  It’s one of those good and bad things.  Herxing occurs when dead or dying bacteria release large amounts of toxins into the blood and tissues faster than what the body can eliminate them.  This basically means you feel 100% worse than you did before you started your antibiotics.  You start thinking you are going crazy.  You don’t want to lift your head, you don’t want to eat, you don’t want to do anything.  Until I was able to talk with others that had gone through this I had no idea what was happening and was worried that I was getting worse instead of better.  I learned from the Facebook group I needed to start detoxing.  I immediately started drinking lots of water with lemon, taking Epsom Salt baths, and eating clean.  Now….. I said I wasn’t hungry during this time…. But, I was actually craving sweets.  All I was eating were cookies.  I really didn’t want anything else.  The sugar I was consuming was not helping but hurting and actually making me feel even worse.  I haven’t done much research on this but was told by someone in “our group” that the toxins love, love the sugar.  Within two days of detoxing I started feeling “some”  better.

I finished my antibiotics on Friday, June 4, 2016 and will return to the doctor on June 10^th.  I have felt pretty good most of this week but am continuing to take it easy.  This weekend was a good weekend and I actually am starting to feel “normal” again.  I am hoping that I have turned to corner and will continue to do well. I realize there are many with RMSF that don’t for various reasons.  One of the biggest reasons for complications and a more difficult recovery from RMSF is a delayed diagnosis.

Pay attention to your symptoms.  Demand to be tested.  Awareness is key!!!!!!  I was not aware… in fact I had no idea. I grew up with ticks but didn’t have a clue what they could do to our body other than a small bite.

If I had not gone to a doctor that recognized some of my symptoms I would probably be taking medication for arthritis and getting worse instead of better.

** If you want information about the FB group let me know.   They are a great support system.   I can also hook you up with a good AFLAC agent if you need supplemental insurance.  🙂 haha

These pictures were taken just this week from our front porch.  (Our house is inside the city limits btw.)  ANTLERS really is THE DEER CAPITAL OF THE WORLD !

Taken from our front porch.

Taken from front porch just this week.