'After just 60 days, I stopped walking': a resident of Georgia almost died after being bitten by a tick

Dr. Christie Hellenbrand has lived in Peachtree City, Georgia since 2009. She lives on a farm with her husband, three children and many pets. But from one tick bite, she started having terrible health problems. What disease can lurk in your backyard, she told the publication The Citizen.

Photo: Shutterstock

“In less than sixty days I lost the ability to walk. And not because of a terrible accident, or even from multiple sclerosis or another similar neurological disease, she noted. “And from a tick bite in my own yard.”

The illness began like the summer flu. Several days of low-grade fever, turning into terrible fatigue. Soon Hellenbrand's blood pressure dropped, fainting and dizziness began. A month later, the lower part of the legs became numb, and after a week they were numb to the knee.

“When I went to the emergency room at Emory, I could barely walk. I didn’t go to work for almost three weeks. The best neurologists in the city could not understand why my nervous system stopped working. I did not have a brain tumor, multiple sclerosis, or Guillain-Barré syndrome. I was sure that I couldn’t have Lyme disease because I didn’t travel to the northeast,” the doctor says. “But, as it turned out later, I still had Lyme disease.”

On the subject: In the United States, ticks are spreading, the bite of which can cause paralysis, to whom and death: what you need to know

After returning home, the woman went to the local doctor, who ordered testing for diseases carried by ticks.

“I tested positive for Lyme disease and several co-infections,” Christie stated.

In 2017, it was reported that Lyme disease was found in all but five US states, and in 2020 - in all but one.

“The fact is that ticks have migrated and entered our yards. They carry much more than just the bacteria that causes Lyme disease, including tick-borne encephalitis, Bartonella, Babesia, spotted fever and many other pathogens, the victim notes. “Hundreds of citizens are suffering from chronic fatigue, muscle and joint pain, and severe neurological symptoms due to tick bites.”

Use a spray against these parasites for protection. If you'd rather avoid DEET foods, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends Repel Eucalyptus Lemongrass, which is just as effective.

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“A product called Wondercide, which uses cedarwood oil to repel ticks, is a family favorite,” Christy notes. - Spray yourself if the grass is tall or you are near wooded areas. Amazon sells clothing impregnated with tick repellent, among other things.”

At a minimum, tuck your pants into your socks if you're traveling. Check yourself and your kids every night before bed.

If you are bitten by a tick, carefully remove and save. There are laboratories that will test him for Lyme disease. The CDC states that 20-30% of infections do not cause the characteristic rash. If you suspect you have Lyme disease, see your doctor for a test.

Most importantly, if treatment is started early, the prognosis is excellent. Often 60 days of taking a regular antibiotic is sufficient.

“In my case, the diagnosis was made too late and I now suffer from persistent neurological and cognitive side effects. Don't delay treatment,” advises Christie.

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