Date: 2015-02-08
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: broken clouds

Third post! I assume that my journal will now be available through the Trail Journals website now...?Anyway, I went to see my GP this week and thought I could share some tips I received ¢ maybe some of the information will be useful for some. If anything is ¢TMI¢ for any of you, sorry in advance but this is life yo!Immunization- Tetanus: the tetanus shot is good for 10 years. Shrugs needs a booster but I¢m good for now. Yay!- Hepatitis A: My GP recommended getting the Hep A shot although we are a bit late as you normally get two shots at a month's interval. We might get dose #1 before we leave and dose #2 upon our return.- Others: I have seen a few people get things like the anti-rabies shot but this particular vaccine did not seem necessary to me. Unless you are at risk, the anti-rabies vaccine causes more side effects than it¢s probably worth and it¢s pretty expensive. AntibioticsI know that the prescription of antibiotics as a preventative measure or non-immediate use is somewhat controversial due to patient medication nonadherence. However, considering our situation i.e. being away from medical care services, I am glad to have them in case of emergencies.- Lyme disease: Lyme disease is definitely one of my biggest and more rational fears (also included in my list of fears is being struck by lightning and having a tree fall over me). Apparently, if one is at risk of having of been exposed to the disease within a 72h time frame, a single dose of doxycycline reduces the risk of it developing further. For further information, check out the CDC¢s entry on Lyme disease: http://www.cdc.gov/lyme/Treatment/The site lists all the necessary preventative measures and shows pictures of the ticks to worry about. Under the ¢Signs and Symptoms ¢ Lyme Disease Rashes and Look-alikes¢ tab, there is a section comparing images of erythema migrans rashes (the one associated with Lyme disease) to other types of rashes. It¢s definitely worth a look: the typical ¢bullseye¢ formation is not always so clearly distinguishable so it¢s worth being aware of this in advance!- UTIs (urinary tract infections): This may be of interest to my fellow female-bodied hikers. I have never had any, but UTIs are quite common and highly unpleasant especially in the woods. I definitely don¢t want to be introduced to them while on the Trail where, as we know, hygiene standards will be lowered. My GP gave me a round of cipro just in case.- In the same vein: I will also be bringing a tube of anti-fungal cream in case of any itchiness/soreness/irritation because any problems down there would be gross and uncomfortable, to say the least. UGH!- Speaking of uncomfortable things: menstruations. I know this is somewhat unrelated to the rest of this entry, but I definitely want everyone to know this: I cannot recommend the ¢Diva Cup¢ enough (or whatever type of cup is available to you). I have been using it for a couple of years now and have had no problems. It¢s economical, ecological, light, comfortable and generally worry-free as leakage is minimal if properly inserted. You can wear it for many hours at a time and it is safe for overnight use. After a few hours of wear, you simply retrieve it, clean it out and reinsert it. Seriously, it¢s 10/10. If you do choose to get one, allow yourself a couple of cycles to get used to it. On the Trail, I would recommend being hyper vigilant about hand-washing and maybe using a wet wipe (or, better yet, soap and water) to properly clean the cup prior to insertion. SORRY TO ANY XYs OUT THERE BUT I NEEDED TO SAY THIS, IT¢S IMPORTANT FOR US WOMEN!- Allergies: Shrugs has seasonal allergies and I have an extremely sensitive skin which blows up in a red, inflamed mess when mosquitoes get at it. I once had a completely aghast day-hiker urgently ask me ¢OH GAWD WHAT HAPPENED TO YOU?!¢ To avoid offending the day-hikers, we will have anti-allergy meds (Benadryl-style) and hydrocortisone cream; used in concert, they should reduce unsightly swelling and itchiness. - Other meds: We will have ample amounts of ¢vitamin I¢, that is, Ibuprofen. Also have typical first aid stuff like bandages of all sorts, gauze, anti-bacterial soap and cream, tweezers, anti-nausea pills, anti-diarrhea pills, etc. NUTRITIONI don¢t have much to say about this. I won¢t really be bringing any supplements or anything. A focus on protein intake is probably my main concern. I¢m trying to figure out ways to do this: multiple protein bars per day, adding powdered milk to pasta dishes, adding peanut butter to oatmeal¢¦I will have to see what works. That¢s pretty much it! Sorry again if this was disturbing to anyone¢¦