Help Me Defeat Late Stage Lyme Disease
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Your support will help me win the battle.
I was diagnosed in late February 2013 with Late Stage Neurology Lyme Disease after months of seeing specialists and 2 trips to the emergency room, all telling me I was a "medical mystery" and it was in my head. I heard from all of my doctors one way or another I was depressed and I my answer would always be, "I am not sick because I am depressed. I am depressed because I am sick." One trip to the emergency room the doctor looked at me and said, "We can't fit you here. There is nothing we can do for you" and then went on to tell me my issue was psychosomatic. His demeanor was such I felt he was treating me as if I was a mentally ill homeless person who just crawled out from under the bridge. (now I know how that feels and I didn't like and neither do they. Everyone deserved to be treated with dignity) I looked at him square in the face and said, "Look doc I'm not the one whose crazy here, but I am starting to think you are."
My symptoms got worst; to the point I was begging God to take my life. I was confused and emotional. My face, hands and feet would go numb and tingly. My feet burned and ached. Patches of "electric currants" would run through my body. My heart was skipping beats and felt like it was going to give out any second. The buzzing sound in my ears was louder then the voices in my head. My joints hurt. My speech was slurred and I was falling over. I had to use a cane to walk. My cognitive skills were gone. I couldn't say simple words and my arms flung wildly by themselves. When friends came to visit they hardly recognized me, some thinking I was dying.
Looking back on my medical records I can see that I must have gotten bit by a tick in the fall of 2008 when months later my symptoms of being fatigued and having a sore throat brought me to the doctors office. Then the symptoms progressed in the years that fallowed as I went back for pain in my knees, then hands, then hips.
I never had the "bulls eye" rash and I had been tested for Lyme Disease but the tests always came back negative. Then in August of 2012 things started to take a big turn for the worst and by February I was not working. I was out of work for 3 months and during that 3 months I got the call from my principal because of budgets cuts I did not have my job for next school year.
By doing research on the internet I was able to diagnosed myself realizing I had Late Stage Lyme Disease. I was then able to find someone who was a Lyme Literate Medical Practitioner.
Before all of this I was an outgoing, adventurous, independent, loving, giving woman. I enjoy helping others. I was active with hiking, biking, swimming, gardening and had a full social life. I have been told many times over how I had touched many peoples lives throughout the years. I feel blessed and honored to have people say that of me. My brother and I had started MaryRich Gourmet Popcorn in November 2012. I am the market and sales department. This summer we were going to open a small store in Spooner, Wiconsin but I am too sick to do so.
I am is a very strong intelligent woman. I am getting better but the battle is not won, it is just beginning. With Late Stage Lyme Disease it could take a year or more. I still have a long way to go and need financial help to achieve my personal goal of 100% healthy vibrant self. I am already fighting and advocating for others who are misunderstood and being treated poorly by doctors. I feel a personal responsibility to bring awareness about Lyme Disease and what it can cause if untreated. I want to be a voice so those who are too sick to speak will be heard. Help me please to get back so I can give back.
To find out more about Lyme Disease visit www.ilads.org
May is Lyme Disease Awareness Month.
Thank you for your prayers/your thoughts/your support!
Peace, Ann Marie
I was diagnosed in late February 2013 with Late Stage Neurology Lyme Disease after months of seeing specialists and 2 trips to the emergency room, all telling me I was a "medical mystery" and it was in my head. I heard from all of my doctors one way or another I was depressed and I my answer would always be, "I am not sick because I am depressed. I am depressed because I am sick." One trip to the emergency room the doctor looked at me and said, "We can't fit you here. There is nothing we can do for you" and then went on to tell me my issue was psychosomatic. His demeanor was such I felt he was treating me as if I was a mentally ill homeless person who just crawled out from under the bridge. (now I know how that feels and I didn't like and neither do they. Everyone deserved to be treated with dignity) I looked at him square in the face and said, "Look doc I'm not the one whose crazy here, but I am starting to think you are."
My symptoms got worst; to the point I was begging God to take my life. I was confused and emotional. My face, hands and feet would go numb and tingly. My feet burned and ached. Patches of "electric currants" would run through my body. My heart was skipping beats and felt like it was going to give out any second. The buzzing sound in my ears was louder then the voices in my head. My joints hurt. My speech was slurred and I was falling over. I had to use a cane to walk. My cognitive skills were gone. I couldn't say simple words and my arms flung wildly by themselves. When friends came to visit they hardly recognized me, some thinking I was dying.
Looking back on my medical records I can see that I must have gotten bit by a tick in the fall of 2008 when months later my symptoms of being fatigued and having a sore throat brought me to the doctors office. Then the symptoms progressed in the years that fallowed as I went back for pain in my knees, then hands, then hips.
I never had the "bulls eye" rash and I had been tested for Lyme Disease but the tests always came back negative. Then in August of 2012 things started to take a big turn for the worst and by February I was not working. I was out of work for 3 months and during that 3 months I got the call from my principal because of budgets cuts I did not have my job for next school year.
By doing research on the internet I was able to diagnosed myself realizing I had Late Stage Lyme Disease. I was then able to find someone who was a Lyme Literate Medical Practitioner.
Before all of this I was an outgoing, adventurous, independent, loving, giving woman. I enjoy helping others. I was active with hiking, biking, swimming, gardening and had a full social life. I have been told many times over how I had touched many peoples lives throughout the years. I feel blessed and honored to have people say that of me. My brother and I had started MaryRich Gourmet Popcorn in November 2012. I am the market and sales department. This summer we were going to open a small store in Spooner, Wiconsin but I am too sick to do so.
I am is a very strong intelligent woman. I am getting better but the battle is not won, it is just beginning. With Late Stage Lyme Disease it could take a year or more. I still have a long way to go and need financial help to achieve my personal goal of 100% healthy vibrant self. I am already fighting and advocating for others who are misunderstood and being treated poorly by doctors. I feel a personal responsibility to bring awareness about Lyme Disease and what it can cause if untreated. I want to be a voice so those who are too sick to speak will be heard. Help me please to get back so I can give back.
To find out more about Lyme Disease visit www.ilads.org
May is Lyme Disease Awareness Month.
Thank you for your prayers/your thoughts/your support!
Peace, Ann Marie
Organizer
Ann Marie Cosgrove
Organizer
Minneapolis, MN
