Mystery bug bite

[slomichael]

On the last day of my third trip to Cabarete I got, what I thought was a leg cramp. Within a few hours it became extremely painful and debilitating. Neither the Doctor or massage therapist that I saw in Cabarete could determine what was the actual cause.

After returning home we realized that I had some type of insect or other bite on my left leg that was the source of this long-term leg paralysis.

After six months and numerous trips to Doctors, physical therapists, and chiropractors and a liberal amount of Vicidian, and even a short stint in a wheelchair, my rehabilitation was complete.

Anyway. All is now good and I am fully recovered. However I have never found out what actually "bit" me, and have never found any similar circumstances mentioned on any Dominican Republic web site or message board.

I am soon returning to Cabarete, believing my above mentioned difficulty is probably a once in a lifetime condition, and just thought possibly someone else might have some idea of what might have bitten me? Maybe there is an antidote….

Anyone have any ideas, suggestions or similar experiences?

Thanks, Michael from California

[Hlywud]

Michael, if a doctor could not tell you, I am sure that no forum members can offer you any real information other than speculation of what might have bit you.

[Rocky]

Originally Posted by Hlywud

Michael, if a doctor could not tell you, I am sure that no forum members can offer you any real information other than speculation of what might have bit you.

But we can tell you that we agree with you when you say,

probably a once in a lifetime condition

[Mirador]

If your condition happened somwhere else, say a South American country, I would say it was definitely caused by a poisonous ophidian. However, there are no poisonous ophidians in the DR.

[cobraboy]

Originally Posted by Mirador

If your condition happened somwhere else, say a South American country, I would say it was definitely caused by a poisonous ophidian. However, there are no poisonous ophidians in the DR.

I dunno. I think I've seen a few on "the strip" in Sosua and Boca Chica.

Doesn't Rocky's have a sign by the door, "Ningún Ophidians Venenoso Permitido"?

[Chip00]

Originally Posted by slomichael

On the last day of my third trip to Cabarete I got, what I thought was a leg cramp. Within a few hours it became extremely painful and debilitating. Neither the Doctor or massage therapist that I saw in Cabarete could determine what was the actual cause.

After returning home we realized that I had some type of insect or other bite on my left leg that was the source of this long-term leg paralysis.

After six months and numerous trips to Doctors, physical therapists, and chiropractors and a liberal amount of Vicidian, and even a short stint in a wheelchair, my rehabilitation was complete.

Anyway. All is now good and I am fully recovered. However I have never found out what actually "bit" me, and have never found any similar circumstances mentioned on any Dominican Republic web site or message board.

I am soon returning to Cabarete, believing my above mentioned difficulty is probably a once in a lifetime condition, and just thought possibly someone else might have some idea of what might have bitten me? Maybe there is an antidote….

Anyone have any ideas, suggestions or similar experiences?

Thanks, Michael from California

Send Dr James a "Private Message" throught this forum if not sure just ask.

He is very familiar with venemous spiders that are found on the island such as the black and brown widows and the brown recluse.

A bite from one of these can have varied results and if you already had some type of condition this is when they can casue serious complications.

BTW, a bite from one of these will typically start out white in the middle(dead flesh) with blue on the outside turning to red.

Good luck.

[cobraboy]

Originally Posted by Chip00

He is very familiar with venemous spiders that are found on the island such as the black and brown widows and the brown recluse.

A bite from one of these can have varied results and if you already had some type of condition this is when they can casue serious complications.

BTW, a bite from one of these will typically start out white in the middle(dead flesh) with blue on the outside turning to red.

Good luck.

A doctor would have easily identified a brown recluse. There would be obvious dead flesh.

[Chip00]

Originally Posted by cobraboy

A doctor would have easily identified a brown recluse. There would be obvious dead flesh.

Good point lol. Could it be a scorpion or millipede bite then?

[Capt. Rob57]

There is a flying bug here with red wings i forget what it is called but it is very venomous might be it.

[Hillbilly]

The guy would have felt a scorpion or centipede bite, I suppose. Unless he was dead drunk and asleep.

I am leaning towards a horsefly bite. Those sons of b!tches seem to anesthetize the area they bite. I am hyper sensitive to them, one reason I do not wear rings!!...

Since they itch, a scratch could lead to infection and further complications.

However, paralysis? This sounds more like a spider bite.

Never have seen or heard of such serious consequences, however, although I guess Mirador might have..

HB