DayCations From Sachem: Fishing for a Cure

Over 160 local fishermen took to their boats last weekend in the first annual Peconic Fishing Tournament to benefit the Lyme Disease Association.  This was their first event on Long Island. 

"New York has been No. 1 in reported cases for many years," said Patricia V. Smith, the president of the Lyme Disease Association, Inc., an all-volunteer national 501C3 organization.  She was here to receive a $20,000 check from tournament organizers Mike and Mary Ellen Cirrito.

Two years ago Mary Ellen was bitten by a tick and this changed her life.  "If you catch it early…and get the appropriate treatment, often times the antibiotics can get rid of it," Pat said.  Mary Ellen did not.  Contrary to popular myth, almost 50% of tick bites do not result in the "bull's eye" rash.  Once a tick attaches, within hours some very nasty diseases enter your bloodstream.

"It's a reality that it is going to be with me for the rest of my life," Mary said.  "It sets in and it lives in your body and attacks you in different ways…I have a lot of neuropathy, numbness in my face and legs.  But the cognitive effects are terrible…I've been tested and I've lost tremendous faculty powers." 

"There was a study at Columbia University we financed," said Pat. "What it showed was there is a drop of 22 points in a student's IQ that was rectified after treatment.  That goes to show that antibiotic work."  But the real problem is that most cases of Lyme Disease go undiagnosed or the symptoms are misdiagnosed.  "There are so many kids in the schools that have cognitive problems and the schools do not know how to deal with them.  We don't know how many people that have Multiple Sclerosis are really Lyme patients…You get the same white matter lesions on the brain…most neurologists feel that you can't tell the difference yet the treatments are totally different…With MS you get steroids and that is a disaster if you really have Lyme Disease.  It messes up the treatment because your immune system shuts down."

The key is prevention. 

"OFF is definitely effective for the skin," said Pat.  "There is something called Permethrin that comes in many products.  It is great for clothing.  You spray it on your clothing, let it dry and it can go through many washes…people use it on their sneakers and their hats."  There are even clothes which can protect you from ticks.

"The EPA has a great website on all of the different products for ticks and mosquitoes," Pat added.

If you find a tick on you, your children or your pets, its removal must be prompt and complete.  Do not burn it off or use any substance to "smother it."  Do not squeeze or twist its body.  Use tweezers to grasp it close to the skin and pull it straight out.  Immediately use disinfectant.  Save the tick in a plastic bag or container.  Send it for testing.  The Cornell Cooperative Extension of Suffolk County is a wonderful resource for that and other information.  Their fact sheet provides much needed resources.  And get to a doctor for testing.

"We do have a bill down in Washington.  HR 1179 and S1352 and that would provide 100 million dollars over 5 years for research.  Unfortunately it is being held up by a few people down in Washington that is very sad because this is all for research," Pat mentioned to crowd during the closing ceremonies.  "Senator Chuck Schumer has got Lymes and I've done several press conferences with him.  He's tried to raise the awareness.  Chris Dodd in Connecticut is sponsoring this bill.  Congressman Smith in New Jersey is sponsoring it in the House but we need to get this bill passed."

Give your local representative a call or email in support of this bill and make this summer a safe one.  Check yourself, your children and even your pets for ticks often.

This is a series of articles detailing day trips residents of Sachem can take on Long Island, as well as stories like this regarding things that can affect anyone, anywhere. Check out our other stories on Nautical Adventures, Mitchell Park and Marina, Davis Park Ferry and local hotspots for strawberry picking.