Tucker - 6-4-2005 at 11:24 AM
Perhaps a medical forum might be more appropriate.
Bruce R Leech - 6-4-2005 at 11:31 AM
wow what a thing you have been through. I am glad you are on your road to recovery and hope it is a speedy one. what a guy Even on your almost death
bed you find the time and strength to write to us Nomads, thank you Randy Mac and thanks to your angel also.
Hope you'll excuse me, Randy . . .
bajalera - 6-4-2005 at 12:24 PM
but that was way more about your health than I really cared to know.
Lera
de-lunching
yankeeirishman - 6-4-2005 at 12:44 PM
Let me add to your post here, if you dont mind. Water. Water. Water! How true to this is for many traveling folks, it's JUST NOT FOOD AND BUG! I
added this c/c for the Greenhorn's to read.
Hope you get better Dude. Them pictures were
"de-lunching".
PARASITES
Parasitic infections are acquired by eating or drinking contaminated food or water, through direct contact with soil or water containing parasites or
their larva, or by contact with biting insects.
Symptoms and evidence of infection may include, but are not limited to fever, swollen lymph nodes, rashes or itchy skin, digestive problems such as
abdominal pain or diarrhea, eye problems, and anaemia.
Risk: Travelers to Mexico and Central America are at risk of parasitic infections. There are many types of parasites and infection may occur in
several ways: by eating undercooked meats infected with parasites or their larva; by eating food or drinking water contaminated with parasites or
their eggs; by contact with soil or water infected with parasites; or through insect bites. Several types of parasites can penetrate intact skin and
travelers are advised to wear shoes and avoid swimming, wading, or washing in fresh water.
comitan - 6-4-2005 at 12:54 PM
I would like to suggest that people living in Mexico should take a parsitic medicine at least every six months whether you think you need it or not. A
medicine that we take is called Vermox take 2 tablets a day for 3 days then follow through in 2 -3 weeks another treatment.
Welcome back on planet Earth....
Sharksbaja - 6-4-2005 at 01:16 PM
where you belong. I can finally make heads and tails of your posts now Randy. After listening to your history of foreign bug problems I am convnced
that you probably are allergic or sensitized to enzymes or proteins in the insects saliva. You should probably take heed of this notion as your
problems may not just be coincidental. Since your lymphatic system seems to be compromised, it may only be reacting adversely when certain toxins or
poisons are involved. If you can get a test for insect allergens I would recommend doing so. You may not be able to ward off certain infections or
toxins and you may create more inadvertantly. It is possible that you may just need antihistimines or ? whenever exposed to biting critters and or
foodborne bugs. You are obviously on the right track though and should seek more specific info on your reactions and illnesses which seem to attack
you. This includes the food and water you drink.
Sure is nice to know ya made back to planet Earth.
Corky aka Sharksbaja
Skipjack Joe - 6-4-2005 at 10:34 PM
Randy,
Post as much as you like. Your posts are always welcome. Don't shy away if you enjoy doing it.
skipjack
yur just not getting enough
capt. mike - 6-5-2005 at 06:57 AM
hot sauce in your diet my friend....i mean it, peppers have magical curative powers, ever see a native mexican with a cold? i have not. and peppers
have long been used as bug and insect repellents, orally and topically. and they are loaded with capsasian, a known endorphan repceptor - so while
helping you physically, the hot sauces and peppers serve to give you a feeling of mild euphoria and well being. this is why we crave hot foods.
so, start eating more today and get well sooner.
Vitamin C
Skipjack Joe - 6-5-2005 at 09:57 PM
Here's my 2 cents from experience in my family.
I believe that you now have a battered immune system that is so weak that almost any insect bug that would be a mild annoyance to most of us is
causing severe reaction in your case.
I think that this condition exists because:
(a) you are probably genetically predisposed to severe reactions from antigens.
(b) the massive amounts of antibiotics you have been taking recently in fighting infections has depressed your immune system even further.
You need to build up your immune system. Tackling individual infections is being shortsighted and an endless battle.
I have had a similar situation in my family. Two members always have dreadful reactions to any insect bite or poison oak and spend most of their lives
indoors. The other two get a small bump from a mosquito bite that goes away in a couple of days. I have spent a ton of money on physicians, Chinese
herbalists, acupunturists, and others and have found 2 things that have helped them stay healthy.
1. Living in a healthy envionrment. Warm, dry climate with clean air. Stress free. Regular exercise.
2. Megadoses of vitamin C. As much as your stomach can handle. 2000 + grams every day. Take a pill every hour throughout the day. Since it's an acid
it takes time for your stomach to build a tolerance to it. Taken too much can probably burn a hole in there. Patiently, over time, you can learn to
take more and more of it. I, personally, could not do it because my stomach is too sensitive, but my wife can and so have others. The transformation
is amazing. I know people that would be on cortisone continually if not for these vitamin C regimens. A better way is to have dissolved vitamin C
passed directly into your bloodstream but that becomes expensive.
Captn Mike mentions hot sauces as being very healthy for you immune system. I have heard that cayenne pepper is really great. My wife never stayed
with that long enough to really see the benefits, but I think it does have some great medicinal properties for maintaining good general health.
The trouble with western doctors is that if you tell them all of this they will say hogwash. Our local medicine is heavy on antibiotics and surgery.
Everything else is considered primitive. Unfortunately, the stuff you have is not curable by either of these remedies so you are left with nothing.
skipjack
bajalera - 6-6-2005 at 10:25 PM
Randy, it's not that I don't really feel for you. It's that in view of some of the rather advancd ages recently admitted to on another thread, there
are probably more than a few Nomads who have health problems. Tucker suggested that another board might be a more fitting place to discuss them, and
I agree.
This is a test: Any Nomad who wants to hear all about lupus raise your hand.
See any hands? I don't. So I'll take Gypsy Jan's thoughtful and helpful advice.
Lera
Mac's nearly gone but won't be forgotten
friendsfamilyofrmac - 6-8-2005 at 04:59 AM
Dear Tucker, Bruce R Leech, bajalera, yankeeirishman, Sharksbaja, Skipjack Joe, capt. mike
Our friend and brother is a giver. It's been his whole life. Devoted to helping, he knows no other focus and it cost, but he'd do it again given the
chance. He lived for chance to be different.
We appreciate all suggestions, especially your understanding of Parasitic infections. It gives hope considering his long battle.
His lymp system crashed hard today. we're told he's not capable of any further communication but stable and he's smiling.
By logging on, we've learned, appreciated and then deleted what we thought unsightly inappropriate, to spare the ugliness of his engagingly open
discussions to spare his girlfriend grief.
Your kind words, brutal honesty, and life directing thoughts are well taken.
A little magic welcomed -- smiles will prevail.
He expected openness and never backed away from critics with a opinion of voice. Impact of meaning his message. He used this site as his personal
journal. That's no secret. His often informative convoluted saying it with feeling style and magical boyhood charm will not be forgotten.
Life is a hard swallow pill and memory to be different to make a difference in other's lives is welcomed by a majesty of spiritual seekers.
Energy is key.
His emotional caring lead his strongest asset -- his infectious ability to connect with people --and then make them think, laugh or cry, all in one
story -- legendary. He'll laugh and smile again.
We promise.
Bless you for being so helpful and understanding.
Me No - 6-8-2005 at 08:26 AM
This is certainly Horrible news. Randy is certainly loved here. There is still hope though, and my prayers go out to Randy and his family. TomS.
bajalera - 6-8-2005 at 09:29 AM
Add my prayers, too.
Skipjack Joe - 6-8-2005 at 10:27 AM
I am really sorry to hear about this turn of events. I hope he's in touch with the best specialists in the country. It sounds very urgent. I will talk
to my friend at UC and perhaps get some references. My prayers are with Randy.
I don't understand half of what Randy writes but I always felt he needed to say it. So I hope he keeps writing and I am looking for more in the
future.
However, I have to admit that he would get better medical advice elsewhere. None of us can really give any serious medical advice on this subject.
skipjack
References
Skipjack Joe - 6-8-2005 at 02:43 PM
My buddy at UC came back with this. Here are the numbers of departments at UCSF School of Medicine that may be of benefit:
Division. of Tropical Med: 415-353-2626
Divison of Infect. disease: 415 502-4223
This is one of the finest medical facilities in the country. They have great doctors. I hope this helps. If not, perhaps you could be more specific
with Randy's problems. I don't know where you live but either (a) they could refer you to the best in your area or (b) you could make the trip if
things are getting real bad.
skipjack