Carley's Fight Against Lyme Disease

My name is Carley, I am a 25 year old RN living in Chicago. For as long as I can remember, I've always had symptoms that no child, teen, or young adult should have had. I had to sit down as a little girl in the store while grandma shopped cause my back hurt too bad to stand or walk any longer. I've always been fatigued to the point of not functioning.

I've sought out many many doctors over the years to find a cause and/or cure to my migraines, back pain, muscle pain, and chronic fatigue, to no avail. For years I've had antidepressants thrown at me in an attempt to alleviate fatigue, telling me they cannot find anything wrong. I suffer from migraines, muscle pain, neck pain, night sweats, short term memory loss, constant nausea, constant ringing in my ears, chest pain, very easily short of breath, lack of endurance, and I have no motivation to engage in normal daily activities or activities I used to love.  Joint pain, in my hips, shoulders, and especially my back. Jaw pain/TMJ. I am hypersensitive to noise and too much going on at once, I can become very irritable. Numbness and tingling in my fingers. Shooting pains that hit me out of no where. Over the last couple years I have lost 30lbs and list goes on.

I finally came across a doctor March of this year who said "I think you have Lyme Disease, this is my theory and I will prove it." I felt hope. We began treatment, having to stop, change, re-start, repeat cycle due to me being unable to tolerate treatments or getting infections from too many antibiotics on board.

This cycle went on and symptoms worsened over the months to the point that the doctor felt medical leave from work would be best option until we begin to see improvements. I have been off of work since June 24, 2016. It has been a battle with short term disability and medical leave. So as of now, I have not had any income since September 26th. Bills don't cease, in addition to medical bills and the cost of the never ending medications. Still not feeling much improvement.

We were able to begin IV treatment, but from the get go, something wasn't right. My PICC line caused pain from the moment the numbing wore off and I knew that shouldn't have been the case. After an ultrasound, we discovered that, not even 2 weeks of IV treatment, I had a blood clot and the PICC line would have to come out. This ended up in a 3 day hospitalization where I was also diagnosed with C-Diff.

I'm fighting to get better, but this is harder than I ever imagined.

Without an income, I'm asking for help via donations so I can continue in my fight while supporting myself and the ones I love. So I can begin to feel like myself. So I can have good quality of life once again and return to work and function as a normal 25 year old should. This disease has taken so much from me, I want to take it back!!

Please feel free to ask any questions! Thank you in advance. We will beat this. I am a #LymeWarrior

Please contact me if you are interested in purchasing a Lyme Disease Awareness, #FightTheBite, wristband! $3 each, or 2 for $5! I have youth and adult sizes!! Thank you for your time.

Carley