Kathy Carroll Lyme Disease Fund


Fundraiser by Niamh O‘Sullivan

On behalf of Kathy Carroll

Medical

Ireland


Kathy’s story

Kathy’s life slowly began to change about 6 years ago when chronic illness came knocking on the door. She was initially diagnosed with chronic fatigue syndrome followed by Hashimoto’s autoimmune disease. As autoimmunity generally occurs in clusters she has both pernicious and iron deficiency anemia. She attends multiple consultants for these conditions and has given herself every chance by changing her diet and trying holistic therapies like accupuncture along with her prescribed medication. Kathy stayed positive battled on and pushed through the symptoms trying to keep to the mindset of ‘one day at a time’

In March ’18 she had flu like symptoms and discovered a bullseye rash on her foot. She went to her GP who suspected lyme disease and was put on a two week course of antibiotics. Symptoms suddenly changed in June’18 when her energy and joint pain became a lot more pronounced. She was referred to rheumatology and diagnosed with fibromyalgia. She was prescribed nerve pain medication which unfortunately didn’t work.

At the end of September her body crashed leaving her unable to perform everyday tasks and she’s been out of work since. After doing some research into Lyme disease she sent her bloods off to a German lab to be tested for Lyme and co-infections. Test results were positive for lyme and multiple co-infections along with a chronically suppressed immune system. Daily symptoms include; debilitating fatigue, chronic widespread muscle and nerve pain particularly in her legs and hips, flu like symptoms, brain fog, heart palpitations, air gulping, sleep disturbance, unrefreshed rest, migraine, declined cognitive ability.

Every day tasks are a struggle and walking is becoming more difficult. She’s been forced to spend long periods resting and sleeping.

This fundraising page is to try and raise funds for Kathy to receive treatment abroad in Germany as it’s her best chance of getting better. Kathy is 39 and wants so desperately to get her life back and go back to teaching which she adores.

I’d be so grateful for any donations to help Kathy’s recovery and get her back to the life she deserves. If anyone would like to organise a fundraising event please feel free to contact me.

Thank you

Niamh