Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever

[Tellicolady]

Has anyone out there had this horrible desease? I was hospitalized for 3 weeks, 2 weeks in ICU. Having a lot of after effects. Need to know what you have been through since. Thanks for any help.

[tampadanny]

I had it, went into a coma and nearly died. I've never been the same.

[jacqueline suzanne]

Has anyone out there had this horrible desease? I was hospitalized for 3 weeks, 2 weeks in ICU. Having a lot of after effects. Need to know what you have been through since. Thanks for any help.

I also had Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever this summer and since then my whole body aches. Even have a hard time going up stairs. Skin still stings also. Do you have these symptoms? Thanks for your response.

[eljefa]

My wife was diagnosed with RMSF about eight years ago. She went undiagnosed for a few months before anyone thought of giving her atest. She was tested for everything under the sun (auto-immune diseases) first. She lost hair, had joint pain, muscle weakness, electrical-like shooting pain down her arms and legs. Once they discovered RMSF, they treated her, but she has never been the same since. She was later diagnosed as having Fibromyalgia. She has recently had a "relapse" with the same, original symptoms and pain. She was tested for RMSF again and the test came back positive. This is like being hit by lightning twice, so I am skeptical that she was ever rid of the RMSF. She also, strangely, has always had a very high platelet count since the original infection. Has anyone gone through this and, if so, any clues or advice on where to go? I am now skeptical of the Fibromyalgia diagnosis.

[Unregistered]

I can relate. I was recently hospitalized, 9 days in July. The doctors were terriable, a true miracle I believe that I am alive. I live in Fauquier County, VA. Where did this happen to you? I live in the country yet it took doctors 10 days and a lot of tests pain, fear...to figure out something even though I had every single symptom. I still do not feel right, very sick to my stomach, lethargic I have searched and searched about long term affects, nothing straight forward...has anyone else had luck? Also, what kind of doctor should I go to? I am literally scared to go back to my regular doctor. I am 34 with small children and I want to be "better" and have my energy back.

[Unregistered]

I had RMSF about 9-10 years ago. I was fortunate that the emergency room doctor had experience in RMSF cases and got a quick diagnosis. I was in the hospital for less than a week and was released. The local health dept kept "tabs" on me for one year.

I hate to report this, but I have never been the same. I have constant and severe joint pain and a very low level of energy. As I get older, the pain and loss of energy seems to get worse.

[jacqueline suzanne]

Thought i was the only one who still feels ill from Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever - so achy, lethargic, nauseous a lot, stomach not right. It's so hard to get info on the long term effects of RMSF!!

[Alabama Girl]

I got RMSF in early August. Was not diagnosed until Aug. 27th. Took 10 days of Doxycycline(sp?) . I am still stuggling with headaches.

[Unregistered2]

Yeah, I had RMSF back in Spring 2003 and luckily at only 17, my body was able to quickly recover with the right meds; EXCEPT even at my young age, afterwards, I noticed my lungs did not seem as strong as I had remembered-- also, whenever I get a cold now, instead of it being a head cold (which is how it always manifested itself in the past), it now sits directly on my chest and lasts twice as long--different, painful, I'm not the same. I agree that it's completely frustrating that there's not more info on long-term effects of people who've seemingly "recovered" from RMSF--- should I be concerned if my lungs are potentially damaged? At least I know I'm not the only one.

[mavis2]

I was recently diagnosed as having a "lingering" infection from RMSF and Fibromyalgia. I noticed that one post talked about this cross diagnosis. Have you been able to find any information on the relationship of RMFS and Fibromyalgia?