MAXIMUM VICTIM AWARENESS ESSENTIAL
Lyme disease treatment no slam dunk
MAXIMUM VICTIM AWARENESS ESSENTIAL
ANDREW BEAUCAIRE- CAMERON
THERE ’ S AN UNVOICED epidemic sweeping across the country that many are unaware of . Lyme disease is the fastest spreading vector-borne illness in North America , according to Lyme Ontario , a volunteer-run advocacy group . The Ottawa region is now a danger zone , it says . Transmitted through the bite of infected black-legged ticks , the little devils also carry other co-infections that make symptoms much more difficult to recognize and treat . Lyme can affect every part of the body , and often mimics other serious illnesses , so misdiagnoses are common .
It was weeks after finding an adult deer tick embedded in my bicep last fall that I learned first-hand the nightmare Lyme patients live with . Ticks are nothing new to me and I knew the dangers of Lyme . I find lots of ticks on my clothes after hikes in the National Capital area , and usually do a tick check before getting into the car , and house … but not that one particular day . I had severe headaches and joint and muscle aches just a week later .
I opted to have the tick removed at the ER . The nurse told me ticks in this area don ’ t carry Lyme , and was hesitant to prescribe anything for prevention . She even said she would not send the tick for testing because it cost a lot for OHIP . Because I had no indication of the “ bullseye ” rash known as erythema migrans ( fewer than 40 per cent of victims develop it , only nine per cent get the classic bullseye ) I was sent home , even though I pressed for testing to ensure I in fact didn ’ t have the disease .
I learned such a response is very common after speaking with many sufferers who had similar experiences . If the tick had been sent in for testing , I might not be writing this . After many trips to the doctor and worsening symptoms , I reached out to Dr . Marie Matheson who treats Lyme patients in Ottawa . I was diagnosed and underwent aggressive treatment to combat the disease and co-infections .
Seeking immediate medical attention is a must if you have been bitten or have a tick embedded in your body . Guidelines for safe tick removal are available on the Canadian Lyme Disease Foundation webpage : https :// canlyme . com / lyme-basics / tick-removal /. I now carry a tick removal kit on every outing . If you can ’ t get to a doctor , monitor yourself for symptoms . It ’ s a widespread belief that a tick has to be attached more than 24 hours to infect you , but that ’ s a myth . Bacteria from a disease-carrying tick can enter the bloodstream within minutes of a bite . You have to treat a bite quickly or risk recurring severe symptoms and sometimes life-long , debilitating ailments . Symptoms include headaches , sore
ARCHERY HALL OF FAME HONOURS TED NUGENT
SPRINGFIELD , MO — TED NUGENT rocked Springfield , Missouri on Sept . 3 . But it wasn ’ t at an arena on his acclaimed 2016 Sonic Baptizm concert tour . This special stop was at the Archery Hall of Fame induction ceremony , where Nugent was honored with the Dave Staples Golden Award of Merit . Named for archery veteran Dave Staples , who himself was lauded for more than 50 years of involvement in archery and bowhunting , Nugent is the first to receive the award . And it is close to the outdoorsman ’ s heart .
“ I am honored and humbled to the core ,” stated Nugent , upon being introduced by archery icon , Dick Mauch , and founder of Bowhunter
Magazine , M . R . James . “ The mighty , mystical flight of the arrow has guided my spirit straight and TruNorth my entire American Dream life .”
Nugent went on to recognize his personal bow and arrow heroes , like Howard Hill , Ben Pearson , Ishi , and of course , the late , great Fred Bear , whom Nugent immortalized in the classic hit by the same name , thus introducing millions of sporters and non-sporters alike to the bowhunting legend . muscles , joint pain , brain fog , chills and fever , sore throat , impaired hearing and vision , nausea , rash and Bell ’ s palsy ( a weakness in face muscles that makes the face droop ).
As to treatment , there is no silver bullet that works for everyone , and each person requires specific treatments that respond best to them .
Lyme advocacy groups and specialists agree most medical practitioners follow outdated protocol for Lyme , and suggest finding a “ Lyme literate medical doctor ” or Lyme Literate Naturopathic doctor if you think you have the disease .
Canada ’ s standard testing for Lyme has long been criticized by Lyme-literate doctors and Lyme advocacy groups , with many victims receiving false negatives . The Public Health Agency of Canada tests for one type of the bacteria , but more than 300 strains exist worldwide . So it ’ s a good idea to seek tests by laboratories that specialize in Lyme and co-infections , This testing is more accurate , but costly . At the moment , Health Canada has no concrete plan to tackle treating the disease , only plans to help prevent it . Doctors are leery of treating chronically ill with long-term antibiotics .
Ottawa Lyme disease spokeswoman Lesley Fleming has invited the public to a demonstration Saturday , June 3 on Parliament Hill “ to raise awareness about this evergrowing silent epidemic .”
As for me , treatments have been going well with my naturopathic doctor . I ’ m far from out of the woods , but have lots of support from friends and family . My goal is to get well and bring awareness to as many people as possible . Did I mention I hate ticks ?
Editor ’ s note : A special note of thanks to a deeply dedicated member of our team who , despite struggling just to get out of bed during the time he penned this column , managed to pull things together on time , and so eloquently , with his highly personal story . We at FHR wish Andrew the best of luck in his recovery . Please watch for an Andrew Cameron crowd-funding effort in coming days , and we look for your support .
Nugent concluded his segment with a heartfelt performance of Fred Bear for the audience of industry notables .
Among other honours , Ted Nugent has been named Archery Commissioner for the Great Lakes State Games , Favorite Hunting Personality by readers of Outdoors Magazine , Michigan Conservationist of the Year , and Top 25 Most Influential by Outdoor Life Magazine . Nugent has also received the James Fenimore Cooper Award for his accomplishments as a writer , and for his enormous contributions to the promotion of hunting and the outdoor lifestyle .
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