Concerns about Lyme disease (Hudson, Groton: home, scorpions, living in)

[looking4home]

I'd love to move to New England, and NH is particularly attractive to me, but I know several people who have contracted lyme disease living in Mass. (Nantucket) one of whom was a pediatrician's daughter (you'd think he know better). Her face was so twisted by this disease, it was as if she'd had a stroke. I've read that in recent years it has increased in NH. How prevalent is it, can anyone here tell me about their own experiences? Thanks!

[Earthangel1776]

I've lived in NH for over 25 years and never had any encounter with Lyme's disease. Our dog may have been exposed, but was treated right away and had no lasting effects (he had suddenly gone lame one summer day, and one shot fixed the problem). I know of 2 people suffering from Lyme's disease effects, and one of them contracted it while visiting Cape Cod, MA. I don't know where the other one got it.

I think it is far more prevalent in certain areas further south, although it may be headed up this way. My cousin's family lives in Upper Hudson River valley, NY and she and her whole family got it. It's terrible, but if you know the symptoms and get prompt treatment, you will be OK. It's when it goes undiagnosed and teated that it becomes a real serious and life-altering problem. Also, always thoroughly check yourself and the kids after being outside, especially in long grassy fields. Unfortunately, these little deer ticks which carry the disease are very small, like poppyseeds so you have to look very carefully.

[looking4home]

Thanks for your reply, Earthangel. I've heard so many conflicting reports on this issue. I just heard that some medical experts think that many Multiple Sclerosis cases are really misdiagnosed Lyme Disease cases. I just hope they find a preventive vaccine quickly, or a more effective cure. Although, I think there already is a vaccine for animals, but I could be wrong. It's just too bad because part of the lure of New England is its natural beauty, and going on hikes through the woods, etc. It kind of takes the fun out of it if you have to constantly worry about Lyme Disease and look for ticks. Plus, as you said, they are often so small you can't see them. And I've also heard that even strong deet won't keep them off of you.

[sevdie]

I would like to know more about this too. Are there ways to prevent Lyme disease? I have never really had to worry about it before so, I would like to know how you can live your life in NH without ever contracting it (if that is realistic)

[Dragondog]

I live in Connecticut- and have visited coastal CT-where the disease 'started' near Lyme- I walked in a park at nearby Bluff Point in Groton several times.

I live inland away from Lyme about 40 miles- and have walked in my garden with Teva sandals- and never have had a problem. Use common sense- and you should have no problems- the 'disease' is not all that rampant.

[allie_b]

I live in MA on the NH border and Lyme disease is rampant here as well(not just on the Cape and the Islands).

I myself have neurological lyme disease and I ALWAYS was super-careful(never straying from paths on the Cape, etc.). I don't even garden or walk with Teva sandals through them and I got this devastating illness. So, you can get it EASILY in these parts. When I mention that I have Lyme disease to someone, they inevitably say, oh, I know so and so who has lyme. My PCP who is in Middleton diagnoses 5 or 6 new cases per day, during the summer months. I've read that numbers in NH have been increasing rapidly. It's a terrible disease with few specialists in this area(believe it or not). My recommendation is: if you move to NH, just don't move to a woodsy area. I myself am thinking of moving to New Mexico(ahh--desert!).

Everyone knows someone with Lyme disease. It's a good thing it's not an epidemic!

[mal7014]

You can still enjoy the woods without worrying about lyme disease. Like it was mentioned before, check yourself and your children after playing outside. Best thing is to take a shower since the ticks don't bite immediately. The shower should wash them away. I spent 6 months in the wilderness hiking the appalachian trail and never had a problem. A tick check would be performed each night in the tent.

Every part of the world has their own set of diseases or dangers. Allie b mentioned moving to the desert. Watch out for the poisonous snakes and scorpions...are the killer bees there yet?

[WIMU]

I lived in the Midwest for 34 years and contracted Lyme before they really knew what it was and you do not want it as it stays with you your whole life unless you take medication everyday for it. I am not too bad with it but it does strike you every so often. Initially it felt as though a semi had run me over as every joint in my body felt like someone had hit it with a hammer. I lived in NH for 13 years and am moving back there this year but no one in my family(5 total) ever had a problem there with Lyme. After going into the woods and high grass you just have to check yourself afterward and or spray a repellent on before going into those areas.

[curiouser]

Never had a problem with it, nor have I known someone to contract Lyme. I believe that this disease is only carried by the deer tick sub-species. The normal wood tick is not a carrier. I haven't seen many ticks in my NH travels, much less deer ticks, although they are considerably smaller. One thing I'm concerned about is with the warmer winter and less ground freeze, the tick population might be on the rise.

In my inexpert opinion, you'll be fine if you take common sense precautions: try to avoid tall grass, tuck your pants into your socks while in the woods, check yourself after being outside, and don't let your pets out (if you take them on walks, brush them with a tick comb after returning).

NH seems to be quite lucky in terms of having a distinct lack of hazardous wildlife. You should be fine to enjoy the outdoors.

[allie_b]

I have read that there is a serious lyme disease problem in NH. So please take this into consideration before moving to a heavily wooded area if Lyme disease is a concern for you. The other common sense precautions will help(tucking pants into socks, etc.).

I strongly believe that taking a shower does not rid of ticks especially if they are tangled in your hair(for instance). Also, I believe that ticks can bite you immediately. Not sure all of them just roam around your body for hours waiting for you to get home to take a shower.