I was sick for 8 years before being diagnosed with Lyme and other tick borne infections. During that time, I suffered a multitude of symptoms of constantly changing severity.

Despite my belief that it was a rare and easily curable disease, I had several close friends who had Lyme – and who were adamant that I did too. I don’t really know why I didn’t believe them. I guess I just trusted doctors and the CDC more than I trusted people who were actually living with the disease.

I didn’t take it seriously until I was fully bed ridden and desperate for help. The more doctors let me down, the more I searched for answers on my own.

Internet research consistently pointed to the possibility of Lyme. I had been directed to ILADS by one of my Lyme friends and the information I found there aligned with the mounting symptoms I had been experienced all those years.

I found an ILADS doctor who acknowledge on my first visit that I had Lyme. I got my official diagnosis 5 years ago this month. I have done both antibiotics as well as natural medicine and while I have improved greatly, my body is very damaged by the neglect of treating the disease early.

I hear stories frequently of people who have unexplained sickness. They’ve been to numerous doctors and continue to search for some rare condition. They almost always shut down when I mention Lyme. And oftentimes, they do the same as I did exhausting every other possibility before finally finding the right doctor to diagnose Lyme.

Why do I care? It’s not about being right. Its not because I want someone to consort with. It’s not about me at all.

I care because if people would be willing to consider Lyme sooner, they very well may be able to get timely treatment that could save them years of suffering and long term damage.

The only way to get to that point is to talk about it more. And keep talking until every person on the planet understands the symptoms and has access to timely treatment protocols – be it through traditional medicine or natural.

Please – if you or a loved one is ill and having a difficult time finding a diagnosis, don’t wait, reach out and talk with me or others who have fought this battle. I won’t judge how you choose to get treatment – I just want to connect you with resources and offer options so your body doesn’t have to suffer the damage years of infection can do.

#knowthesymptoms

#talkaboutlyme