I have lived in the desert for some time now and am not afraid to be outside here. Thank GAWD!

But sometimes when I see a commercial of a green place I say "look at the lyme oooosing out of that place!" Sometimes the thought that there could be a tick in the grass or on a log or on an ornamental bush (they do indeed love those ornamental bushes!) actually makes me unable to concentrate on what is going on on the TV or in a photo or something.

Mostly I just laugh at myself about this and my friends and family do too. They have gotten to the point that they tell others about grass exposure and picnics and warn people about the dangers of life outdoors in endemic areas. I think that is good for folks to hear!

But the reality is that you can not see most of these nymph ticks and the odds that you will develop a rash are low. So how can we live without serious paranoia when this bug created a monster that has ruined my life. I mean that. Ruined. I will be okay and I will get healthy again, but 15 years of battling a disease and all my $$$ and energy and my health and happiness is gone because of a bug I couldnt see. And I SAW the tick and HAD the rash. AND have had major treatments since 91.

I read that Alice Walker couldnt go outside in nature for a long time after recovering from Lyme also. Are we two the only ones?

Calling all paranoid lymies!
Trails

Well,I quess we are very aware of what's out there aren't we.Hiding in those innocent fields.

Yeah,I'll be driving down the road and see some folks out in a field and wonder if they have sprayed and what they used and so on and so on.

If I see those commercials with everyone running happily thru the meadows,yeah,I just quiver and hope they applied their handy bug spray!!!

My kids,well,they have gotten use to me looking at them,doing the stare and hoping that little black speck is not a dreaded tick.I can hear it now,"Oh no,Mom has that look on her face!!"

I live in a Lyme endemic area, and I get calls every day from people who just found out they got Lyme, yesterdays, or years ago, in the innocent way you describe.

Until we find a way to reduce the risk of exposure, the outdoors is never going to look as simple and safe as it once did. That is my point of view, living where the ticks are active 12 months out of the year.

Get active on the Lyme Alert Optimistic posted, with the Smith bill. We need funding to go toward research on this disease, on prevention, as well as treatment, so we can reclaim our enjoyment of nature.

Till then, I'm with you. I watch movies, and wonder if the actor or actresses got Lyme while filming out in the grass. Can't help it, because we know the dangers, not because we are paranoid.

quote:

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Originally posted by riversinger:

I watch movies, and wonder if the actor or actresses got Lyme while filming out in the grass. Can't help it, because we know the dangers, not because we are paranoid.

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I do the same thing. I just worry that the actors or the cops running through tall grass later become ill and have no idea why.

Concrete is my friend!

I get like this too. I still venture out in nature once in awhile, but it causes me stress for days after if I get bit by a misquitoe (as we thought west nile at one point), or am in a heavily wooded area.

I was not like this before, as I did not realise the magnitude of the problem, or was just too stunned to think about it until I flicked off an unattached tick off my son last September in FROMT OF MY HOUSE, after he was playing around a tree in the yard.

I dont' think it is paranoia. Everyone has be careful and be aware of this and that you can get bit just about anywhere when people are reporting getting bit, walking outside just to get the mail.

IF I never see another wooded area again in my life it will be too soon, let me tell ya. Too bad after one bit we are not immune, so we could walk around, not having to worry about getting bit again.

I wouldn't let it get to you too much though, as you may feel comfort in being housebound and this is not good for anyone, then lyme wins and you lose, just be extra careful if you know you are at risk.

Lymiecanuck

I worry when my husband cuts the grass. He did apply a yard product that includes a pesticide, but I still worry. I am always asking, "Did you check yourself?" I am always looking at my legs when I am on the grass, and I am seldom on the grass. I don't want my neighbors, friends, in the house because they have kids, long grass, and don't protect themselves despite my "preaching." And I am in no rush to go to picnics.

Because of chemical sensitivity, I don't apply product, like permethrin, to my clothes.

I will go to a fair/carnival if it's in an open field with really trampled grass. I still worry. I definitely avoid tall grass/brush.

When I see deer on our property (not unusual), I chase them and screech like a madwoman!

A concrete yard would be pleasant.

Zaza Gabor on Green Acres( the old TV sitcom) had it right

"I get allergic smelling hay"

"The Stores, Park Square"

Fresh air may be fine--but keep me away from the grass and vectors that transmit germies

i just have to be more aware.i keep the grass cut(2 acre's).and avoid the wooded area's.

i am alway's checking myself and my pup.he love's that part (pup).think's he is getting a massage.

i won't let the tic/lyme prevent me from living a "normal" life..

it's like having bar's on your window's. is that to keep the bad guy's out? or to lock you in,behind those bar's..
, gary

We live in Iowa but my near-lethal tick bite occurred in Minnesota. I hadn't been back to MN since 1983 when I was infected.

My husband decided to drag me off on a week long fishing vacation in MN last week. Eeeeeeek! My greatest fear. I tried putting on the brakes with this vacation. Even had nightmares of ticks covering my body before we left.

I went to MN and was scared spitless the first day, but covered myself many times a day with tick spray. Wal-Mart carries the good one: Repel with Permanone.

Was careful when walking in grass, etc. I did a lot of high-stepping and probably looked like a cat walking through water. Checked myself frequently for ticks.

Guess what? The trip was a BLAST! We caught more bass than we imagined possible. I can't remember the last time I laughed so hard and so much!

It also cured me of my paranoia of the outdoors! I'm super careful and cautious, and I still wouldn't venture through thick brush, etc., but I'm finally enjoying being outdoors again. And I didn't think I'd feel comfortable being outside for the rest of my life.

nuf said,

Heather