Lyme Disease
Donation protected
At one time, I had a wonderful career in management at a not-for-profit organization. I went to the gym several times a week and was an avid runner (I love to run). I was able to enjoy many activities with my family, like sporting events, dinners, going out with friends, camping and vacations. This picture of my husband and I was taken about a year before I was diagnosed.
I can’t pinpoint the exact moment I started to have symptoms but my illness began with chronic sinusitis and constant fatigue. I thought these symptoms developed from stress, because my father was dying. Then more symptoms occurred like cysts on my ribcage and I would be at work and bend over in severe pain or forget my co-workers names. I experienced severe knee pain and muscle aches which I brushed off, thinking I needed new running shoes. At one point, while driving home from work I had a severe vertigo attack- I couldn’t even tell my husband which exit I was at so he could take me to the hospital. I could not talk or hold my head up during this episode of vertigo and thought I was having a stroke. After the vertigo attack, I started getting flu-like symptoms every three weeks. After several misdiagnosis and negative Lyme tests, I would later find out that not only did I have Lyme disease but also, several co-infections. The co-infections include Bartonella, Babesia, and Mycoplasma. I had a positive test result for Lyme disease from the IGENEX laboratory. I began missing a lot of work and would end up in bed for days because of debilitating Lyme symptoms.
My symptoms can vary day to day at different intensity levels. I have the following symptoms:
· Depression, irritability, anxiety, nausea, severe adrenal fatigue, muscle tension and pain throughout my body, cysts around my ribcage, trouble breathing, lungs and ribcage pain, total hearing loss in left ear, short-term memory loss and confusion, difficulty ambulating (tripping, or can’t walk during the month of December 2013 this became much worse, where I was bed-ridden for weeks due to severe lower back and leg pain and I continue to have difficulty), stiffness in body, chronic fatigue….total exhaustion most of the time, extreme lower back pain around kidneys to tailbone- Shooting pain in legs, especially thighs, difficulty walking, sitting, laying down and bending over, difficulty sleeping, hands ceasing up, napping for 2 to 3 hours daily, and Fibromyalgia. I also have Low-blood sugar attacks, seizures, body tremors and shaking, Kidney issues, itchy irritating skin (not normal itching, feels like bugs are on me), throat swelling, stuttering/slurred speech, muscle twitching, heart flutters/palpitations, tingling in hands and feet. Headaches are so severe that it sounds like doors are slamming in my head.
I have difficulty hearing, so tasks like shopping or even driving make me feel anxious and I startle easily. Additionally, lifting or carrying heavy items is also difficult or impossible. Appointments have to be scheduled one a day because I never know how I am going to feel or even if I can handle the appointment that day. Most of the time, my family and friends have to take me places especially, if it is outside my neighborhood. In fact, I prefer not to drive at all because of my hearing loss and attention issues and short term memory problems. I have difficulty completing household chores so my family has to help me with that too because I cannot handle large household tasks.
This disease has put a strain on my entire life because Lyme disease has taken over my body.
I am on several medications for Lyme disease and the co-infections. I am disabled at this point and can no longer work. I have tried many natural ways to heal as well and I keep trying. Currently, I am getting honey bee sting therapy. (Yes, I go to a bee keeper and get stung).
Many Lyme specialists do not accept insurance; my goal is to raise enough money to visit the Stram Center in Albany NY for further diagnosis, tests and treatments. I would also like to continue with acupuncture and various supplements that are not covered by insurance but help me heal.
Thank you for reading my story and helping me if you are able to. Eventually, I hope that I can help other people suffering from Lyme too. So please share my story.
I can’t pinpoint the exact moment I started to have symptoms but my illness began with chronic sinusitis and constant fatigue. I thought these symptoms developed from stress, because my father was dying. Then more symptoms occurred like cysts on my ribcage and I would be at work and bend over in severe pain or forget my co-workers names. I experienced severe knee pain and muscle aches which I brushed off, thinking I needed new running shoes. At one point, while driving home from work I had a severe vertigo attack- I couldn’t even tell my husband which exit I was at so he could take me to the hospital. I could not talk or hold my head up during this episode of vertigo and thought I was having a stroke. After the vertigo attack, I started getting flu-like symptoms every three weeks. After several misdiagnosis and negative Lyme tests, I would later find out that not only did I have Lyme disease but also, several co-infections. The co-infections include Bartonella, Babesia, and Mycoplasma. I had a positive test result for Lyme disease from the IGENEX laboratory. I began missing a lot of work and would end up in bed for days because of debilitating Lyme symptoms.
My symptoms can vary day to day at different intensity levels. I have the following symptoms:
· Depression, irritability, anxiety, nausea, severe adrenal fatigue, muscle tension and pain throughout my body, cysts around my ribcage, trouble breathing, lungs and ribcage pain, total hearing loss in left ear, short-term memory loss and confusion, difficulty ambulating (tripping, or can’t walk during the month of December 2013 this became much worse, where I was bed-ridden for weeks due to severe lower back and leg pain and I continue to have difficulty), stiffness in body, chronic fatigue….total exhaustion most of the time, extreme lower back pain around kidneys to tailbone- Shooting pain in legs, especially thighs, difficulty walking, sitting, laying down and bending over, difficulty sleeping, hands ceasing up, napping for 2 to 3 hours daily, and Fibromyalgia. I also have Low-blood sugar attacks, seizures, body tremors and shaking, Kidney issues, itchy irritating skin (not normal itching, feels like bugs are on me), throat swelling, stuttering/slurred speech, muscle twitching, heart flutters/palpitations, tingling in hands and feet. Headaches are so severe that it sounds like doors are slamming in my head.
I have difficulty hearing, so tasks like shopping or even driving make me feel anxious and I startle easily. Additionally, lifting or carrying heavy items is also difficult or impossible. Appointments have to be scheduled one a day because I never know how I am going to feel or even if I can handle the appointment that day. Most of the time, my family and friends have to take me places especially, if it is outside my neighborhood. In fact, I prefer not to drive at all because of my hearing loss and attention issues and short term memory problems. I have difficulty completing household chores so my family has to help me with that too because I cannot handle large household tasks.
This disease has put a strain on my entire life because Lyme disease has taken over my body.
I am on several medications for Lyme disease and the co-infections. I am disabled at this point and can no longer work. I have tried many natural ways to heal as well and I keep trying. Currently, I am getting honey bee sting therapy. (Yes, I go to a bee keeper and get stung).
Many Lyme specialists do not accept insurance; my goal is to raise enough money to visit the Stram Center in Albany NY for further diagnosis, tests and treatments. I would also like to continue with acupuncture and various supplements that are not covered by insurance but help me heal.
Thank you for reading my story and helping me if you are able to. Eventually, I hope that I can help other people suffering from Lyme too. So please share my story.
Organizer
Kris Tucker
Organizer
Horseheads, NY
