Went camping last weekend in Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia (beautiful!); slept in tent on ground; next day (Sunday) noticed an insect bite in left elbow area. Figured it was a skeeter bite - no sweat. Monday the site is red and itchy and a large area (about 5" long and 2" wide) near it is reddish and slightly swollen. Hmmm…I ponder, spider bite, maybe? I don’t give it much thought. Tuesday about the same. It’s been itchy in the swollen area, but not necessarily at the bite site. Wednesday morning at work I start to feel oogey, breathing seems a tad labored. As the day goes on, I feel worse – weak, mild headachiness, and just crappy in general. however, the bite site, swelling and redness is much improved. Visit web sites and read up on spider bites – don’t seem to match mine. Went to see a co-worker in Health & Safety Office (not a doc) - he saw two punctures at the bite site (which I hadn’t noticed); didn’t speculate on what critter did it, but said not to worry about it - just keep an eye on it and see doc if gets worse. Around 3 pm call doc - diagnosis: anxiety. If a reaction to insect bite, would’ve happened within hours after the bite. I’m feeling a bit better now, but still some discomfort in my chest (not pain, just not breathing easily) I’m not panicking over this - I tough out physical stuff for the most part, but interested in your experiences, opinions. Thanks.
maybe youve concinced yourself that what you have on your hands(no pun intended) is no doubt a lethal snake bite or some such thing, so you are naturally acting tired: ie-placebo effect
…oorr, your doctor is incompetent and you must suck out the venom before it is too late. pity its on your elbow then!
Could also be a coincidence.
Keep an eye out for any type of rash, especially on the palms and soles.
Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever happens in that area (not in the Rockies…). Also Lyme disease may be present in those areas. Less likely is a tick borne syndrome caused by a still attached tick. If you have long hair, check yourself carefully.
But I’m just a med student, and a removed one at that (I’m doing a PhD now, after time in the clinics).