Monday, July 25, 2005

Ehrlichiosis: I hadn't heard of it.

Over the last 48 hours, I got super-sick. Chills, 104-degree fever, total fatigue. I wound up in the ER. They did bloodwork, and found my liver enzymes were wacked. My platelets and white blood cell counts were low. They said "you have ehrlichiosis."

I said "Whoa."

Just got back from the hospital. 'Night.

7 comments:

TC said...

Weird. I thought ehrlichiosis was found almost exclusively in the south. But, being as it's a tick-borne thingy (and that's the technical term), I suppose it could have spread up north by now.

In any case, feel better soon. Take all your antibiotics, even if you're feeling better. And aren't you glad you didn't do that 7-day fast?

Anonymous said...

Just came across your blog through Blog Explosion. Dig it. If you were single, I'd totally have somebody great to set you up with. But instead, I hope your wife is all better (Lyme disease is a bitch), I hope you recover soon, congrats on your Nike race time, and on conquering your fifth step - I got it. Rock on! \m/

Kiley said...

WOW...I wish you a speedy recovery!!!

Topwomen said...

My husband got it about 10 years ago and blew him away for a good month. His spleen was enlarged for quite some time, keep an eye on it. We also live in Westchester County, so go figure how you guys got it. I guess a tick... Good luck!

Anonymous said...

My Dads 78 and lives on Cape Cod. He got really sick this spring. We all thought he had a stroke or something. It turned out to be ehrlichiosis. The Cape has a lot of deer ticks and Lyme disease is prevelant, but the doctors said ehrlichiosis is showing up more and more. He made a complete recovery with the right meds and is walking 9 holes again every week. Good Luck.

Scott W said...

I don't really like limes, I prefer lemons.

Anonymous said...

I found your blog after doing a search on "Ehrlichiosis, marathon, training."

I'm in training for the NYC Marathon (will be my 4th marathon overall) and had been having very sluggish runs for a few weeks. Then last week I suddenly came down with acute sore throat, fever, chills, dizziness, headache, muscle pains, and fatigue.

I'd found 2 ticks attached to me on separate occasions within the last month, so the doc diagnosed Ehrlichiosis and put me on doxycline. Today's my 8th day and I'm starting to feel semi-human but still very fatigued (can manage a few miles walking my dog each evening and that's about it).

How long did it take you to get back to a normal training routine after you were diagnosed and treated?
(BTW, I enjoyed browsing your blog; you definitely grade out a big PLUS as a member of and contributor to humanity.)

Thanks,

Alan
amfwriter@verizon.net