The lyme rate in NC is the same as in CA, although the smaller population means fewer cases.
There will be fewer cases because the medical climate for lyme treatment is too scarey for md's to do much, so diagnoses may drop. One could speculate it is higher than CA, since there are fewer knowledgeable dr's to diagnose, and since Dr. J's diagnoses are now limited.
Dr. J has been placed on severe restrictions for lyme dx and rx (they required him to get second opinion if not CDC epidemiology results), and also he has to follow the 6 week (or is it 60 days?) IDSA guidelines for treatment.
Referrals are being sent out state. Patients are going out of state, or switching to alternatives. Not a nice place to be for the lyme patients.
This attitude filters down to other medical specialists, including many GP's. Not all, but good ones have to be searched for. The problem is receiving appropriate/extended treatment.
If you are concerned maybe you could call Dr. J's clinic.
The 1990 (?) military studies in the southeastern coastal NC area categorize lyme as a mild risk.
Northstar
Posted by Lymetoo (Member # 743) on :
According to the number of Lymenet posters from NC, I'd say it's pretty high.....just isn't recognized as a problem by most drs there.
Posted by char (Member # 8315) on :
Hi,
Statistics from Army bases in NC show a "moderate" number of cases. I think I read that here...sorry I can't give reference; but is a documented fact that there is a real problem with those on bases in NC getting infected with lyme.
We moved out of NC last year. One problem is that University of North Carolina and Duke University do not believe in chronic lyme. Most medical practices are under their influence and follow their lead.
We were seeing Dr. J in Charlotte, but we started having trouble with our family dr. They are afraid to get involved in treating lyme because of the sanctions on Dr. J.
Additionally, the quality of home health care was very poor compared to what we recieved on East Coast.
Just our experience. I can sure relate to the feeling and reality of not being safe from reinfections. Is your place near woods?
People have different opinions on how to best minimize risk. We have decided to move into more urban area, a townhouse. We will have a small completely enclosed courtyard between townhouse and garage in back. I feel my kids and I will be safe. No deer can get in there at least.
There is a lot of lyme in our area, but this is where my husband can work...fortunately we are not the athletic or woodsy type.
Keep us posted, Char
Posted by luvs2ride (Member # 8090) on :
I got my lyme in N.C.
Posted by ConnieMc (Member # 191) on :
quote:Originally posted by luvs2ride: I got my lyme in N.C.
Me too - Vance County NC, about an hour east of Duke University Medical Center and UNC Chapel Hill Medical Center. Both think there is no Lyme in NC.
Posted by Lymied (Member # 6704) on :
I lived in MA then moved to NC. I can tell you that I probably was already sick before we moved...however with in a month of moving my dog had five attached ticks and developed a horrible condition which I suspect was related to Babesia.
I then got very sick one month after her. I had numerous ticks crawling on my clothing. I don't remember one being attached but we all now how that goes.
We had one crawling up our wall when I woke up one morning. I am assuming it crawled off our dog.
My husband then got sick three months after my dog and me.
I think there is definitely a 'Lyme-Like' illness here and I believe it is just a different strain.
There are plenty of heavily populated areas here though where there is more concrete then greenery. You might be safer there.
The worst part about it is our local medical community and Public Health Officials are not that educated or choose not to be.
Believe me, many of us are trying to do our part in educating them. I just think that there is a lot of development going on here and $'s being made and they really would rather look the other way.
Don't move here thinking you will be getting away from ticks because we have the Lone Star's which are actually one of the most aggressive of all ticks.
The ticks here were worse than most places I went in MA and NH. In fact I think they were even worse then Nantucket the first year we were here.
I had Lyme, Ehrlichia, and Babesia. Possibly Bartonella.
The irony is I remember having them crawling on my clothing thinking well at least we don't live in New England anymore - I don't need to worry about 'Lyme'. Unbelieveable.
As far as Dr. J is concerned, his clinic saved my family's health and well being. Yes, he has been restricted but he can still prescribe 60 days contiguous antibiotics and he will make sure that your blood tests are thorough and cross checked against other conditions.
He will work hard with other physicians to make sure you get the treatment you should have.
Take care...
Posted by lyme4 (Member # 10723) on :
Thank you all so much for your replies. It helps so much all your comments.
I am so happy I have found this site.
As the comments were too sad to hear.
Lyme4
Posted by 5dana8 (Member # 7935) on :
I got sick with lyme in CT but have lived in the carolina's now for many years. I have found more ticks here than in CT!!
Don't know if its the area of woods we live in or what or if there just are more ticks.
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