Lyme Disease Awareness Month-My Experience

Before my diagnosis of Lyme Disease, I would have looked at this graphic and paid no attention. After 18 months of IV Antibiotic Therapy, experiencing unbelievable pain, and cognitive dysfunction. I would be the poster child for the graphic. Lyme Disease kills and it can take you down slowly. I’m blessed to be in remission.

Testing is inaccurate because doctors have The Western Block test, which tests for several strains of Lyme, but only use one or two of the tests available. Interestingly enough all of my tests for Lyme came back negative until years after I’d been in remission.

When you read about Lyme you will hear about the Bulls-eye rash, yes some people do have a round puffy rash emerge but it’s only about 30% of the time. Don’t be bullied into thinking no rash, no Lyme. BS. I did not get the rash and I’m not sure where I picked up a tick.

If you catch Lyme early a 2-4 week treatment of antibiotics will kill the virus. If not caught early, the Spirochetes make their way into your blood-stream looking for an organ to play host. At this point, you’ve entered the Chronic Lyme stage. Your journey will be the fight of your life.

The CDC does not ackowledge Chronic Lyme exisist which means medical insurance companies will not pay for your doctor visits, IV Therapy and many of the other drugs you need. Some of my prescrptions were covered but not any of the suppliments recommened.

When choosing a doctor, look for a Lyme Literate Doctor or an Infectious Disease Doctor. If you run into problems finding the right doctor, visit the ILADS website and request a referral. They are tight with the information because many of the doctors are being targeted for treating Chronic Lyme.

You and your family do not have to go down the rabbit hole. If you firmly believe you or a loved one may have Lyme go directly to one of the most comprehensive lab testing companies, IGenex. It’s worth every penny spent because my treatments cost over $150,000 and caused us to take a second mortgage.

Be Lyme and Tick-Borne Illness aware. Your health depends on it.

Melinda

Looking for the Light

Reference:

www.lymedisease.org