Lyme Disease Support Group
Lyme disease is the most common vector-borne disease in the Northern Hemisphere. It is now one of the fastest growing infectious diseases in the U.S. Lyme disease is caused by infection with the Borrelia burgdorferi bacteria, and is primarily transmitted to humans as well as dogs, horses and other domesticated animals by the bite of infected ticks.
I recently read an article about LLMDs. The article stated that many LLMDs will not advertise or make it know publicly that they are able to treat lyme disease sufferers. Do you need a code word or a secret knock? My nurse practitioner here in Arizona (where there is VERY little lyme disease) says that doctors don't want to touch it. But when asked why, she was vague.
Recently, a nurse I met told me that the reason why doctors don't want to touch it or hide the fact that they do is because its very expensive to treat and that insurance companies won't approve treatment for diagnosed lyme disease patients if they can get away with it. So I guess its one of those "follow the money" things.
I have all the symptoms of lyme disease except for the tremors. In June of last year I suffered an odd bite while visiting a rural area of Tennessee. I thought it was a mosquito bite gone ballistic as I am a mosquito magnetic and highly allergic to mosquito bites. It was huge liquid filled with a pink ring around it. The symptoms began within about a week of the bite, mostly the fatigue and nausea at first, then over time came the skin rash, sleep disorder, gastro issues, panic/anxiety, severe all over muscle/joint pain, persisitent dry cough, etc etc etc. I found a picture of the same exact bite on a lyme disease website a few months back.
I don't know for sure that I have lyme disease. It could be lots of things as I am finding out. And lyme disease tests have come up negative which I understand is not uncommon for people who actually have lyme disease. I am sick all the time, some days horribly worse than others. Every so often I have a couple of "good" days in a row that I am extremely grateful for. I have had about 25 vials of blood taken from me in the last few months, to test for everything from heavy metal poisoning to HIV to diabetes and on and on. Moving on to specialists now - neurologist, rheumatologist, endocronologist, and then whoever else wants to take a stab at it. I've looked into "alternative" therapies for lyme disease. None of which take insurance and are very costly. One of them doesn't even properly test for it. That's sketchy.
My next idea is to fly to a region of the country that has a high incidence of lyme disease and see if there is a more supportive, transparent environment. Get tested properly and go from there. Just pay out of pocket and take my chances. Old Lyme, Connecticut seems a good start. It is my understanding that's where the disease originated.
I'd be interested to hear from anyone who might have some good information about lyme disease and how to proceed if you suspect you might have it. Would very much appreciate it. Thank you.
they believe that once you receive the recommended antibiotic treatment you are cured!! There is no way the Disease can survive the course of treatment
Also the current tests used (the Eliza/ west blot) have a 60% false negative rate. Most people are A symptomatic and do not show ant symptoms for years after being bitten by the tick. There will be 329,000 new case of Lyme this year. That is the projected number by the group lymedisease.org .
Have you looked at the NIH website? National Institute of Health
I think you might find some resources there.
I hope I was able to answer some questions,and give you a start to finding that medical help you need!!
I have started a protocol based on my research using herbs and supplements. Some of the symptoms have gotten a little better (gastro issues and nauseau) but I'm still plagued with crashing fatigue,body aches, dizziness,cognition issues,etc. I've also made dietary changes, which is probably a good thing anyway. Checked out a couple of lyme disease "clinics". One costs upwards of $30,000. and relies pretty much solely on the intravenous antibiotic treatment. I really don't want to go the antibiotic route if I can help it.
Thank you for responding to my posting. And thank you for your kindness. It really helps. I don't feel so alone.
One of these days the AMA and CDC are going to have to come clean on this. There's too many of us.
I appreciate your kind words and information. It all helps. Take care.