Help Katelynn Huff Fight Lyme disease

Help Katelynn Huff Fight Lyme disease

Lyme disease is the fastest growing vector-borne disease in America with over 38 new cases each hour as of 2014. The Average nymph tick is smaller than a pin head. Lyme disease is often called “The Great Imitator”, as the disease can cause over 300 different symptoms, and can mimic neurologic disease such as Alzheimer’s, Lou Gehrig’s, and multiple sclerosis. The average time for diagnosis for a patient is 2 years and 5 doctor visits. Common tests used to detect Lyme are approximately only 45 percent accurate. The well-known bullseye rash is

remembered in only a minority of patients. Even when Lyme disease is caught early and treated appropriately, 20-30 percent of patients will fail treatment and go onto develop Chronic

Lyme Disease. Treatment for Lyme Disease costs the U.S 1.3 billion dollars per year. There is no current vaccine, and many treatment options are not covered by insurance. Lastly, the illness is almost never just Lyme Disease. Ticks carry multiple diseases not just Lyme. Many patients

have multiple coinfections alongside Lyme disease including Babesiosis and Bartonella.

These unknown facts about Lyme Disease proved true to our family when Katelynn got

diagnosed in August 12, 2024. Katelynn never found a tick on her body. Katelynn did

experience terrible wide spread body rashes; however, the rashes were thought to be eczema and contact dermatitis. Fevers and body aches and chronic infections we a commonality and

were at the time a theorized potential of her work environment. Katelynn is a first responder water tech and comes in contact with numerous viruses, parasites, bacterium and fungi. As

most patients, we do not know the exact time Katelynn contracted Lyme Disease. The first sign looking back was a high fever June 2023. This would be her first short round of antibiotics for what was thought to be a bacterial infection from standing water at work. The rashes were

soon to follow. From June 2023 until her diagnosis, Katelynn had at least 5 primary care doctor

visits, a few dermatologist visits, several minute clinic visits for fevers and infections, and 1 ER visit for meningitis symptoms. Katelynn was unable to work, as her symptoms were increasing.

She has been plagued with severe muscle and joint pain, headaches, cardiovascular effects, numerous neurological symptoms leaving her at times unable to even shower herself. After

Aug 2024 diagnosis Katelynn started 6 weeks of antibiotic treatment. Improvement was noted.

Following treatment within 4 weeks she was flooded with the same symptoms. A devastating set back that increased our fear for Katelynn’s future. We knew we needed to find a specialist

at this time. God places just the right people in our lives at just the right times. We were led to health care provider that is a part of the International Lyme and Associated Diseases Society.

This is where Katelynn would find out she has Babesiosis and Bartonella. Katelynn started the first phase of treatment in Jan. 2024. There are 3 phases. After 3 months of treatment, Katelynn reported approximately 60 percent improvement. Currently she is in phase 2, and the expenses keep climbing. Some of Katelynn’s medications are not covered by health insurance. The treatment is working, and will need to continue for at least another 1+ years. Katelynn’s

current phase 2 protocol includes 2 antibiotics, an anti-parasitic, an oral antifungal along with numerous vitamin supplements combating the side effects of the medications. Part of the

protocol includes natural and herbal supplements that have been studied and proven much success in the treatment of Lyme Disease along with the coinfections. Currently in phase 2 of

treatment average monthly expenses are at approximately 800 dollars. This is expected to increase, as more medication and supplements will be added and specialized lab test will be needed during treatment to monitor the parasite that is attached to her red blood cells. These lab tests are approximately 2,000 dollars. The goal after phase 3 is to decrease medication use

as close to zero as possible.

Lyme disease attacked an extremely mentally and physically strong healthy 24-year-old who has her whole life ahead of her. Before Lyme disease, Katelynn was able to serve her community, at times 80 plus hours a week during busy season, to bed ridden with severe neurological,

cardiovascular, and musculoskeletal symptoms. Katelynn is showing immense improvement and is able to work and enjoy some extra activities that are meaningful to her. This is a grueling

treatment. Katelynn experiences Jarisch-Herxheimer reactions (similar to sepsis) from treatment and still misses work. She is nowhere near where she was prior to June 2023. Please

help relieve the financial burden from Katelynn and her family, as she progresses through treatment and continues to make progress. Any monies donated will be used for Katelynn’s

treatment. Additional monies over the amount will be used for Lyme Disease and coinfection awareness and to bless other patients in need of Lyme Disease and coinfection treatment.

Thank you for reading Katelynn’s story. Thank you to all who donate and the many many prayer warriors who are out there that have stood beside the Huff family through these last

few years. God bless each and every one of you.

https://projectlyme.org/