I participate in several online support groups for people with Lyme+. I always hope to learn about treatments that are helping people, but more importantly, I hope I can help someone who may be feeling a little lost.

There are 2 issues I see with people in this group:

1. FEAR – people who have some basic knowledge of Lyme disease often have a fear that they are doomed to a life of pain and sickness. Fear drives hopelessness.

I wrote the post Fear Is A Liar 5 years ago for a friend I met at a Lyme center. He was so sick, but his fear of being sick – and of not getting better – owned his spirit.

My greatest hope for this sickness isn’t to get well – it’s to help others. If just one person is prevented from this hell because they learned about tickborne disease from me, I rejoice.

So I join these groups in the hopes of encouraging people and sharing my experience and knowledge.

But the truth is that I often find my own heart suffering from the constant influx of despair and hopelessness. The more posts I read about people who are trapped by this sickness (and by negativity) the more discouraged I become.

Our bodies are affected by our thoughts. The communication pathways from our brains to our cells are negatively impacted by negative thoughts.

I’m not saying I never have a negative thought – in fact, when I do (and I often do), I believe it’s important to work through whatever it is that’s weighing on me. I express my emotions in a big way and I get it out of my system so I can move on to truth and positivity.

My motto: “It’s ok to have a pity party, just don’t unpack and live there.”

2 Corinthians 10:5 tells us too take captive every thought.

For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ..

2 Cor 10:4-5

What does that mean?

For me, it means not letting my mind get caught up in what the world says. When a thousand people are commenting that this sickness is hopeless, I can either let that take control of my mind or I can remind myself that HOPE IS A CHOICE.

Note: Social media can make you feel hopeless, stressed out or agitated – even in support groups. If that’s the case for you, take a break! Leave or silence groups for a while. Your own well being comes first. You can always come back later.

2. IGNORANCE – the second (and more common) thing I see in Lyme support groups is a lack of knowledge about our medical system.

Many people come to these groups in hopes of finding “the cure”. They often have minor symptoms (compared to those with late stage, chronic Lyme) and they are looking for the answer to one question: “When can I get back to my normal life?”

As someone who has been disabled for 11 years, it’s frustrating when someone says they are having a hard time making it through their workout routine or they can’t play softball after work.

Kudos to them for listening to their body enough to know something is wrong. I want them to get better! I truly do.

But it’s usually impossible to get these people to think outside the mainstream medicine box and spend the money & time it’s going to take to get well.

Treating Lyme+ in the early stages is so much less complicated than when the diagnosis comes after years of sickness.

But mainstream doctors:

a) are not trained to treat tickborne disease properly and

b) could risk losing their medical license if they did treat it properly.

I often wonder how my life would be if I would have seen an LLMD when I initially got bit in 2006. I desperately want people to know there IS hope!

But we are so trained to think that we go to the doctor and get a pill or shot and that’s it – quick fix.

That’s not how Lyme works.

The CDC says if you get Lyme disease, you can take 14-28 days of antibiotics. If you still have symptoms, you have Post Treatment Lyme Disease (PTLD) and you just have to suffer.

LLMD’s will treat you until the symptoms are gone. In some states, that’s not legal. And most insurance doesn’t cover LLMD’s, conventional treatment past 28 days or alternative medicine of any kind.

IF YOU THINK YOU HAVE LYME (or any other sickness)

I can’t stress enough how important it is to be willing to change your thinking. If you have unexplained symptoms of any kind, there is a lot that can be done outside the medical world.

If I could have a do-over, things I would do much sooner:

• Clean up my diet
• Eliminate or reduce toxins in my home & lifestyle
• Fix downstream detox pathways
• Learn about the two standards of care and see an LLMD or LLND straight out of the gate
• Be open to alternative therapies
• Include natural and whole food remedies every day

You can learn more at the links below:

Game Changers – diet, detox & longevity

First Response to Tick Bites (Natural)

Lyme+ Links

If you have questions or just want to talk – feel encouraged to reach out! Comment on this post and we can connect.