Lyme's little reminders

[alee_grrl]

As most of you know I've been in treatment for my Lyme for about four years. One problem with being further along with treatment is that you can be less vigilant with certain protocols because you have been doing it for a while.

For example I went out to dinner yesterday with sister, ordered something new from menu, forgot to ask "What does greek-style green beans mean? Is there a sauce on them? What is in that sauce?". Also thought "it is a beautiful day, that side of the building is in shade, we can sit outside."

The green beans had some sort of tomato sauce on them, and eating a few (maybe five or six) made me feel a bit dizzy and sick to my stomach which means that it was probably a commercial tomato sauce/paste or marinara that had sugar or sweetener added. Tomatoes themselves are also on the "probably shouldn't eat" list as they are higher glycemic. I can eat them every once in a while, which is why I tried the green beans.

And when on tetracycline you really, really have to avoid even indirect sunlight. I have a very itchy, red rash across my forehead, cheeks, and nose. Other places itch, but don't have the rash. I can usually do short periods of time outdoors (and in my car), so long as I am almost entirely covered and have my hat on. But apparently several hours in the shade is enough to cause a sun rash, which was likely worsened by eating yeast triggering foods.

Needless to say, my plans for the day involve skipping all doses of antibiotic, taking benadryl and hiding from the evil day star. Naps may also be involved.

Comments

[lilysea]

Yes, as an Australian w Lyme disease... I am *not* looking forward to starting treatment.

(There's a hole in the ozone layer over my city, Perth, which doesn't help... less ozone layer = MUCH less UV protection.)

[alee_grrl]

So many hugs. Lyme treatment can be awful and frustrating, but well worth it. Four years into treatment I've regained a lot. I find the over-shirts, sun gloves, and big floppy sunhats sold by Coolibar a huge help. The material they use for their clothes is SPF 50 and fairly comfortable even when it is really hot and humid out. Their stuff is pricey, but holds up well. I also have a UV reflective parasol that is very helpful. I got the parasol on Amazon a few years back. This sun rash in part came about because I thought that I didn't need the hat since I was sitting in the shade.

[lilysea]

Thanks for the link - it looks like a great range of functional-and-not-ugly plus size stuff (much better than my local Cancer Council shop, which is pretty begrudging about stocking plus sizes, despite the fact that it always sells out of them first.)

I've book marked it for my summer clothing wishlist.

[alee_grrl]

It can definitely be a challenge finding functional-and-not-ugly plus size. I haven't tried any of the bottoms, but the shirts hold up beautifully. The first two that I bought when I started treatment are still in great shape, and that was several years ago. I've since started collecting a few each year in different colors. :)

[calissa]

I hope you don't mind me asking, but do you know if Lyme disease is very prevalent here in Australia?

[lilysea]

Okay, the official line is that there is no Lyme disease in Australia, and that anyone with Lyme must have got it overseas. Most Drs here will tell you there is no Lyme disease in Au.

That said, there are about 300 pple who test positive for Lyme disease in my city, most of whom have never been overseas,

and there is a research project in I think Qld looking into whether pple can contract Lyme in Australia from bushwalking etc.

[lilysea]

http://www.lymedisease.org.au/

[calissa]

Thank you! I appreciate you taking the time to answer :)