get well soon,Rgds Steve
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PWNER - gerryvz
- Thread starter gerryvz
- Start date
It was a brown recluse spider.
Further testing this past week showed I had a secondary bacterial infection, which my body was fighting off / keeping at bay, but not getting significantly better. I had limited strength and endurance, a full SEVEN consecutive days of significant headaches (which I could barely keep under control), the need to sleep during the day caused by fatigue, and only about 50% appetite.
My overall white blood cell count was OK. However the count on a couple of the sub-types of white cells was elevated, pointing to a low-level bacterial infection, which was causing some flu-like symptoms (including the nasty headaches). An EKG (to measure my heart's electrical patterns) was fine, as was my electrolytes and overall blood enzyme levels. Blood pressure was 120 over 78, which was pretty close to my normal blood pressure, so that also checked out OK.
On Thursday after my blood test results came back, I was put on a 10-day cycle of antibiotics (Doxycycline). Just finishing the second day, and I can say I'm feeling better and on the mend. My appetite was already better yesterday, and headaches reduced about 80%. I actually went 12 hours without having to take any pain-killers (Advil/Motrin/etc.). I slept through the night with minimal night-sweating. This, is progress.
I'll be going back into the doctor today for a follow-up visit, and probably another blood draw to check white cell levels.
I believe I will be feeling "up" to resuming work this weekend on my Top-End Refresh. I have some photos saved up for the refresh, but hope to make enough progress today that I can really provide a substantive update (mostly around the timing chain loosening and upper rail removal).
Thanks to everyone for the good wishes. Today is the 14th day I've been ill, and 8th day of headaches (although mild now). It's been an ordeal.
Further testing this past week showed I had a secondary bacterial infection, which my body was fighting off / keeping at bay, but not getting significantly better. I had limited strength and endurance, a full SEVEN consecutive days of significant headaches (which I could barely keep under control), the need to sleep during the day caused by fatigue, and only about 50% appetite.
My overall white blood cell count was OK. However the count on a couple of the sub-types of white cells was elevated, pointing to a low-level bacterial infection, which was causing some flu-like symptoms (including the nasty headaches). An EKG (to measure my heart's electrical patterns) was fine, as was my electrolytes and overall blood enzyme levels. Blood pressure was 120 over 78, which was pretty close to my normal blood pressure, so that also checked out OK.
On Thursday after my blood test results came back, I was put on a 10-day cycle of antibiotics (Doxycycline). Just finishing the second day, and I can say I'm feeling better and on the mend. My appetite was already better yesterday, and headaches reduced about 80%. I actually went 12 hours without having to take any pain-killers (Advil/Motrin/etc.). I slept through the night with minimal night-sweating. This, is progress.
I'll be going back into the doctor today for a follow-up visit, and probably another blood draw to check white cell levels.
I believe I will be feeling "up" to resuming work this weekend on my Top-End Refresh. I have some photos saved up for the refresh, but hope to make enough progress today that I can really provide a substantive update (mostly around the timing chain loosening and upper rail removal).
Thanks to everyone for the good wishes. Today is the 14th day I've been ill, and 8th day of headaches (although mild now). It's been an ordeal.
Already spent an hour this morning in the shop removing the passenger side headlight and inner plastic air scoop. This allowed me to get to the plug for the air pump, which I also removed from the car. I'll have more details about why in the HOW-TO. Felt GREAT to be back out in the shop getting some real work done.
Of course, this can of worms means that I will now have to remove the driver's side headlight, clean the air scoop and neaten things up. This will lead to the replacement of the resistor ("while I'm in there") and also the two coils (which I've never replaced).
The list goes on and on........will it ever stop? I have new-found respect for Triple Trouble for limiting his work.
AND ...... I sort of got a taste of that "@Lowmania" feeling as I was doing this work this morning. Just a taste. I could sort of barely feel it.
Just like this scene from the movie "Ratatouille" .... (Ratatouille = @lowman; Emile = @gerryvz):
Of course, this can of worms means that I will now have to remove the driver's side headlight, clean the air scoop and neaten things up. This will lead to the replacement of the resistor ("while I'm in there") and also the two coils (which I've never replaced).
The list goes on and on........will it ever stop? I have new-found respect for Triple Trouble for limiting his work.
AND ...... I sort of got a taste of that "@Lowmania" feeling as I was doing this work this morning. Just a taste. I could sort of barely feel it.
Just like this scene from the movie "Ratatouille" .... (Ratatouille = @lowman; Emile = @gerryvz):
Get well soon Gerry!
Today's checkup went well at the doctor's. Seems I'm on the mend. My blood test results for Lyme Disease & Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever will be in either tomorrow or Monday. (I had two ticks on me from that excusion into the woods, with one embedded, but only for about 20 minutes). They don't think I have Lyme or RMSF, but are covering the bases.
I have been tested as of last week for Lyme Disease, Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever, and babesiosis. All of these are tick-borne diseases. I should have my results back later today from the tests, but the doctors have said they do not feel that I have contracted any of these illnesses.
I continue to improve over the weekend and today, fortunately. Close to saying that I'm back to 100%.
Went in for third doctor visit today. Final diagnosis from lab bloodwork: Lyme + babesiosis. Both tick-borne illnesses, and often both found together. Lyme is a bacterial infection, and babesiosis is a parasitic bacterial infection. Both caught early and so able to be complete eradicated with antibiotics.
I'm on Day 8 (of 10) with antibiotics, but they extended my antibiotics by an additonal 20 days to a full 30 day course. Doctor is 100% certain I will be cured of both, based on the positive response to the antibiotics I've already had. I have been back to 100% since Monday of this week.
I feel like I dodged a bullet. Lyme Disease can be very serious, and can last for many months and even years if not caught quickly.
en.wikipedia.org
en.wikipedia.org
I'm on Day 8 (of 10) with antibiotics, but they extended my antibiotics by an additonal 20 days to a full 30 day course. Doctor is 100% certain I will be cured of both, based on the positive response to the antibiotics I've already had. I have been back to 100% since Monday of this week.
I feel like I dodged a bullet. Lyme Disease can be very serious, and can last for many months and even years if not caught quickly.
Babesiosis - Wikipedia
Lyme disease - Wikipedia
Maryland can be a dangerous place for a lot of reasons...
Dan
I know
but if I comment further, Gerry will again retouch a thread 🖌
🖼
Gerry,
I haven't been paying attention to your re-build lately but for the first time I am reading about your health crisis. I have always wondered where you found the time and energy to do all that you do between your job, travels, junk yard trips, working on all of your DIY projects running this forum. It seems like you are always working (8 DAYS a WEEK).
You never know when life will throw a monkey wrench into the works but you have to play the cards you are dealt. Anyway, It has to be a shock to your system and way of life to have to slow down for a bit.
I wish you all the best and a full recovery and look forward to seeing you up and at it again.
Take Care
I haven't been paying attention to your re-build lately but for the first time I am reading about your health crisis. I have always wondered where you found the time and energy to do all that you do between your job, travels, junk yard trips, working on all of your DIY projects running this forum. It seems like you are always working (8 DAYS a WEEK).
You never know when life will throw a monkey wrench into the works but you have to play the cards you are dealt. Anyway, It has to be a shock to your system and way of life to have to slow down for a bit.
I wish you all the best and a full recovery and look forward to seeing you up and at it again.
Take Care
It’s amazing how life can change so quickly...
Thank Goodness for the antibiotics.
Get well soon Gerry.
Mario
Thank Goodness for the antibiotics.
Get well soon Gerry.
Mario
Starting my last week of prescribed antibiotics to take care of the Lyme Disease. Yes, I've been on antibiotics (Doxycycline) for the past several weeks.
I am happy to report that all has been well and I've been up to full strength with no issues. I would not wish Lyme Disease on anyone. I hope everyone on the forum is healthy in these COVID times.
I am happy to report that all has been well and I've been up to full strength with no issues. I would not wish Lyme Disease on anyone. I hope everyone on the forum is healthy in these COVID times.
Just noticed the Lyme posts, and I'm glad you caught it early. As you have mentioned the key is early detection and a sufficient regiment of antibiotics.
I found out the hard way years ago, when Lyme was new to our area of NY, and our doctors were not experienced in proper treatment. I didn't have a bullseye or mark to begin with, so I had no clue, just became slowly sicker. After a three visits to the doctor, I was put on Amox, for 10 days If I remember correctly.
That lead to well feeling and back to normal for a couple of weeks, then the dive back down to feeling bad again. This was repeated 3 more times with the same results, moved up to Doxy, but still getting worse. I finally sought out a Lyme specialist, but by this time, I had Lyme for a long time. Headaches, numbness, extreme sensitivity to sounds, generally tired all the time, joint issues..etc..etc. the most distressing to me was I started getting arrhythmia I had never experience before.
The Lyme specialist had it all done, and had seen this pattern many time, resulting from doctors not knowing about Lyme, and when they did finally prescribe Amox, or Doxy or similar, the dosage was too weak and for too small of a time period to be completely effective. So I was one of the ones you mentioned with the very advance case. It was just over a year before I was declared cured. The only antibiotics that finally worked for me was Zithromax in combination with higher dosages of Doxy. It was quite the ordeal, it took a year out of my life, but I've not had a relapse either.
In our area the tick population now is very large, and the last stats I saw were 50% plus of all ticks in our area are carrying Lyme.
Anyway, glad to hear you caught it early, and your back to normal, but you'll never look at a field or heavy brush the same way you once did.
Taking a Tramp in the woods is more dangerous than ever...
I found out the hard way years ago, when Lyme was new to our area of NY, and our doctors were not experienced in proper treatment. I didn't have a bullseye or mark to begin with, so I had no clue, just became slowly sicker. After a three visits to the doctor, I was put on Amox, for 10 days If I remember correctly.
That lead to well feeling and back to normal for a couple of weeks, then the dive back down to feeling bad again. This was repeated 3 more times with the same results, moved up to Doxy, but still getting worse. I finally sought out a Lyme specialist, but by this time, I had Lyme for a long time. Headaches, numbness, extreme sensitivity to sounds, generally tired all the time, joint issues..etc..etc. the most distressing to me was I started getting arrhythmia I had never experience before.
The Lyme specialist had it all done, and had seen this pattern many time, resulting from doctors not knowing about Lyme, and when they did finally prescribe Amox, or Doxy or similar, the dosage was too weak and for too small of a time period to be completely effective. So I was one of the ones you mentioned with the very advance case. It was just over a year before I was declared cured. The only antibiotics that finally worked for me was Zithromax in combination with higher dosages of Doxy. It was quite the ordeal, it took a year out of my life, but I've not had a relapse either.
In our area the tick population now is very large, and the last stats I saw were 50% plus of all ticks in our area are carrying Lyme.
Anyway, glad to hear you caught it early, and your back to normal, but you'll never look at a field or heavy brush the same way you once did.
Taking a Tramp in the woods is more dangerous than ever...
Wow, quite an ordeal you had. I have to give the doctors a lot of credit for catching my Lyme pretty early. I probably should have gone in a full week earlier than I did. I won't make that mistake again.Just noticed the Lyme posts, and I'm glad you caught it early. As you have mentioned the key is early detection and a sufficient regiment of antibiotics.
I found out the hard way years ago, when Lyme was new to our area of NY, and our doctors were not experienced in proper treatment. I didn't have a bullseye or mark to begin with, so I had no clue, just became slowly sicker. After a three visits to the doctor, I was put on Amox, for 10 days If I remember correctly.
That lead to well feeling and back to normal for a couple of weeks, then the dive back down to feeling bad again. This was repeated 3 more times with the same results, moved up to Doxy, but still getting worse. I finally sought out a Lyme specialist, but by this time, I had Lyme for a long time. Headaches, numbness, extreme sensitivity to sounds, generally tired all the time, joint issues..etc..etc. the most distressing to me was I started getting arrhythmia I had never experience before.
The Lyme specialist had it all done, and had seen this pattern many time, resulting from doctors not knowing about Lyme, and when they did finally prescribe Amox, or Doxy or similar, the dosage was too weak and for too small of a time period to be completely effective. So I was one of the ones you mentioned with the very advance case. It was just over a year before I was declared cured. The only antibiotics that finally worked for me was Zithromax in combination with higher dosages of Doxy. It was quite the ordeal, it took a year out of my life, but I've not had a relapse either.
In our area the tick population now is very large, and the last stats I saw were 50% plus of all ticks in our area are carrying Lyme.
Anyway, glad to hear you caught it early, and your back to normal, but you'll never look at a field or heavy brush the same way you once did.
Taking a Tramp in the woods is more dangerous than ever...
I had the following symptoms: serious fatigue (some days worse than others -- some days I'd take a nap even twice a day); some select joint pain (sharp pain for a couple or three days in one of my hips); a REALLY bad neck muscle strain, like I'd badly wrenched a neck muscle sleeping badly on a pillow ... this lasted about 5-6 days; chronic headache of a middle level of pain, which even Laura's migraine medicine couldn't alleviate; and appetite that was about 1/3 of normal.
The second of the three times I went into the doctor's office, they gave me an EKG. Now I know why, after reading about the arrythmia as you experienced it. Fortunately my EKG came back just fine.
I'm glad you kicked it. It's too bad that your doctors weren't able to diagnose it quickly -- mine did through a blood test (though they suspected it before the test results came back).
Indeed, I've spent a LOT of my life in the outdoors ... camping/hiking/backpacking all over the Pacific Northwest with my parents while growing up; taking day hikes for pleasure; camping in earlier years. Never worried one whit about Lyme or tick-borne diseases ... we only worried about treating water from creeks and streams so as to avoid parasites. I don't think I will ever hike again in the woods wearing shorts, let alone covering my arms and legs with DEET juice.
Even going 15 feet past the back of my grass on my yard yesterday, to dump some plant trimmings in the woods on my property, caused me to check my lower legs and ankles for ticks after I walked back to the house. Sigh.
Nice. It took me a while to put my finger on it but I think the 500E in your first poster is drawn incorrectly. I think the illustrator put a facelift grille on a pre-facelift 500E. The 1986 300E 6.0 AMG w124 directly preceeding the 500E has the correct grille. See below:
Exactly. The illustration is of a facelift car, but the car is supposed to be 1990 model year, which predates the facelift.
MB grill poster inaccuracies aside, I have a bit of news to share on the personal front -- Laura and I are engaged to be married !!
After about 3.5 years together, I asked her to marry me whilst we were in London in late February on a short holiday -- asked her when we were on London Bridge (which is her favorite bridge in the city). Of course she said yes !! We ordered a new engagement and wedding band set after we got back (I wanted her to have input into the ring) from Tacori, in Glendale, California. I just went to the jeweler (Mervis Diamond in Tyson's Corner, VA) and picked it up yesterday, so now it's official !!
We plan to do a courthouse wedding here in Annapolis (it's the state and county capital, so things are a very short drive away) before the end of the year. Next year, hopefully in the late spring or summer, when COVID has receded, we plan to charter a yacht and have a party on the water here in the area to celebrate. Since it'll be a second time around for both of us, the whole "church wedding" thing is out....been there, done that.
So I'm excited, and thankful, and grateful to have found a a beautiful life partner who loves cars, lets me indulge my hobby, and with whom we have so much in common together.
After about 3.5 years together, I asked her to marry me whilst we were in London in late February on a short holiday -- asked her when we were on London Bridge (which is her favorite bridge in the city). Of course she said yes !! We ordered a new engagement and wedding band set after we got back (I wanted her to have input into the ring) from Tacori, in Glendale, California. I just went to the jeweler (Mervis Diamond in Tyson's Corner, VA) and picked it up yesterday, so now it's official !!
We plan to do a courthouse wedding here in Annapolis (it's the state and county capital, so things are a very short drive away) before the end of the year. Next year, hopefully in the late spring or summer, when COVID has receded, we plan to charter a yacht and have a party on the water here in the area to celebrate. Since it'll be a second time around for both of us, the whole "church wedding" thing is out....been there, done that.
So I'm excited, and thankful, and grateful to have found a a beautiful life partner who loves cars, lets me indulge my hobby, and with whom we have so much in common together.
Attachments
Congrats Gerry!
We need to extend deer seasonWent in for third doctor visit today. Final diagnosis from lab bloodwork: Lyme + babesiosis. Both tick-borne illnesses, and often both found together. Lyme is a bacterial infection, and babesiosis is a parasitic bacterial infection. Both caught early and so able to be complete eradicated with antibiotics.
I'm on Day 8 (of 10) with antibiotics, but they extended my antibiotics by an additonal 20 days to a full 30 day course. Doctor is 100% certain I will be cured of both, based on the positive response to the antibiotics I've already had. I have been back to 100% since Monday of this week.
I feel like I dodged a bullet. Lyme Disease can be very serious, and can last for many months and even years if not caught quickly.
Babesiosis - Wikipedia
Lyme disease - Wikipedia
Just reading this. Congrats, Gerry! Wow. Well done.
Awesome -- congrats!
Hey @Hollybrook -- long time no talk! I still remember hanging out at your house before leaving for the airport some years back when we had the Gathering. Glad to see you're still kicking.
Congratulations Sir! Well Wishes for the great occasion. All the Best!