State Rep. Todd Rock has Lyme disease http://flash.lymenet.org/ubb/ultimatebb.php/topic/3/25753
rks
LymeNet Contributor
Member # 24316
posted 10-15-2010
12:58 AM
http://www.publicopiniononline.com/localnews/ci_16324018
State Rep. Todd Rock works through Lyme disease
By ROSCOE BARNES III Staff writer
MONT ALTO --
State Rep. Todd Rock, R-Mont Alto, is back at work on a limited basis as he recovers from a serious bout with Lyme disease.
Rock said Tuesday he had recently been bedridden for four or five days, and could not walk or do anything during that time.
"I'm feeling OK. Things are looking better at this point," he said. "It will be a few more weeks before I'm back to being completely normal."
Rock said he's a "little white in the face," and has lost eight pounds. He's on antibiotics.
"This is a disease that should be taken seriously," he said.
"It gets misdiagnosed so often. When gone too long, it's hard to treat. I'm in the early part of the second stage. You can still kill it, but it has to be done aggressively."
Lyme disease, an inflammatory disease spread through a tick bite, is considered the most common tick-borne illness in North America and Europe, according to the Mayo Clinic.
According to a Mayo Clinic report, people are more likely to get Lyme disease if they "live or spend time in grassy and heavily wooded areas where ticks carrying the disease thrive."
If a person is treated with the right antibiotics in the early stages of the disease, he or she will probably recover completely, according to Mayo Clinic researchers:
"In later stages, response to treatment may be slower, but the majority of people with Lyme disease recover completely with appropriate treatment."
According to Rock, his symptoms began about 10 days ago.
He began feeling tremendous joint pain, especially pain in his ankles and knees, he said.
"It was to the point where I really couldn't walk," he said. "I went to the emergency room, where they tested me for everything, including arthritis, Lupus, West Nile disease, and Lyme disease."
Rock said that as he was doing research on Lyme disease, he started to think back to June when he had a flare up with his knees and ankles. At the time he thought it was just a sign of aging. "But it got so bad I couldn't walk," he said.
He immediately went on antibiotics. He said the biggest problem at that point was that, based on symptoms, he had had the disease for six months. Because of that period of time, it had to be treated aggressively, he said.
"I asked the doctor if I could take double the amount of antibiotics. He said it was fine and that it wouldn't hurt you physically, but it would make you nauseous."
Rock's temperature fluctuated between 95 degrees and 102 degrees, he said.
"I don't know how many people called to offer support.
On Sunday, no less than 10 churches brought my name up for prayer. Sunday afternoon, I made a turn for the better," he said.
He said he still has 15 days of antibiotics to go. He averages 12 pills a day, he said.
On Tuesday, he spent time at his Waynesboro office. During his interview in the afternoon, he said he was starting to feel a little pain in his joints.
"My doctor said 'It's great that you're feeling better. You still have to limit yourself until this thing is done,'" Rock said.
Posts: 114 | From Maryland | Registered: Feb 2010
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Landisburg, PA
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I guess he is thankful for his government paid healthcare.
Since: May 08
10,312
WalMartBoro, PA
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I am so impressed with Rep. Rock's detailed personal account regarding his battle with Lyme disease.
Instead of short statements released by his office, he's provided a public service through his personal struggle for all of us.
I have a much better understanding of Lyme disease now, particularly the importance of early, correct diagnosis.
Even though longer and more difficult, I wish Rep. Rock a full recovery as soon as possible!
Thank you, Rep. Rock.
And yes
Chambersburg, PA
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The story omits one sorta important question:
The HOW did he get it? And/or the where (place?).
Nice reporting.
Obits
Quarryville, PA
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And yes wrote:
The story omits one sorta important question:
The HOW did he get it? And/or the where (place?).
Nice reporting.
The problem with lyme disease is you don't always know where or when you got it.
IF you have the bullseye rash, and many don't, it can be on your head where you can't see it, or mistaken for some other ailment.
Judging from the statement that he had it for 6 months before he knew it kinda renders your point moot.
FordGuy
Harrisburg, PA
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Is he giving back his pay for the session days he missed?
are you kidding me
msbg
United States
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|Report Abuse |Judge it! |#8 Wednesday
It's nice to know that someone can get treatment and testing done for this kind of painful condition.
I've actually been told by a doctors office in McConnellsburg that they didn't deal with pain issues. Go figure.
Chris
Belmont, MA
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Just a correction to the article.
Lyme disease is not an inflammatory disease.
Lyme is an INFECTIOUS disease.
HIV/AIDS is the most-recognized infectious disease, except Lyme is caused by a bacterium vs. a virus.
Inflammation is just one of the myriad of results/symptoms that this infectious agent can cause.
and like Orbits stated, most ppl don't recall a tick or tick bite, nor geting a rash of any significance. and he could have been bitten in his own backyard.
The Rep remembers the onset of symptoms & rationalized them like so many people--and doctors --- do (aka "aging" or all-too commonly "it's all in your head").
True, the writer could have fleshed this out a bit.
A thought
United States
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Best wishes for a speedy recovery. And most of us are just concerned that you have a full recovery, and not about the unkind questions posted on here just to get people riled up.
BettyG Iowa lyme activist
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