When Life Gives you Lyme, Make Lymeade :)
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This is not my favorite story to tell, and I have never publicly shared it, but it seems it's time to ask for help. Thank you all for listening.
My name is Karalyn, a single Mom of two now adult children. Aside from my kids, my favorite thing to do is move...whether gardening, cleaning, biking, working on an outdoor project, etc. Unfortunately, moving isn't as easy these days.
For over 14 years I have quietly been suffering with chronic Lyme Disease. For those familiar with it, you may know it can affect, and potentially damage every bodily system. From severe weight loss to nerve and muscle damage, hair loss to organ damage and eye, ear and brain issues. Unfortunately, I have experienced many of these symptoms.
Over 20 years ago, I was diagnosed and treated with antibiotics for Lyme. Unfortunately, a few years later symptoms returned, but tests came back negative - leaving mainstream medical at a loss, and me on my own going to over 20 doctors looking for a reason for my symptoms. MRI's, catscans, nerve tests, spinal tap, endoscopy, colonoscopy all came back negative, so I was "dismissed."
Continuing my search, I turned to integrative remedies, spent a small fortune on a "blood detective" and was again dismissed. About 5 years ago, I learned about'chronic' Lyme, found a "Lyme-literate" doc and trusted I found the answer. Unfortunately, taking a multitude of intravenous and oral antibiotics destroyed my digestive system and brought symptoms to a new, heightened level - with thyroid issues, eye pain, weight and muscle loss and nerve pain...and so it continued. Through the years, I have been on and off antibotics - stopping when pain gets to be too extreme - or when blood tests return abnormal. And back on when my weight crashes and pain gets too extreme. Craziness. I've tried herbs and homeopathic remedies, but my liver rebelled.
Like many people with chronic Lyme, the struggle of managing daily responsibilities and trying to stay employed is overwhelming with the additional mental, physical and financial stress of a chronic illness. Sleep doesn't come easy, and unfortunately Lyme 'specialists' do not take insurance. At this point, I am merely trying to survive day to day.
My last resort is to visit a clinic where docs believe there is help - ofcourse, that comes with a hefty price. I am not comfortable asking for financial assistance, but I have to try - I have to get answers - for me, for my Mom (who sadly is disabled), for those who depend on me, and for the thousands suffering from this horrible disease.
God Bless and stay well!
My name is Karalyn, a single Mom of two now adult children. Aside from my kids, my favorite thing to do is move...whether gardening, cleaning, biking, working on an outdoor project, etc. Unfortunately, moving isn't as easy these days.
For over 14 years I have quietly been suffering with chronic Lyme Disease. For those familiar with it, you may know it can affect, and potentially damage every bodily system. From severe weight loss to nerve and muscle damage, hair loss to organ damage and eye, ear and brain issues. Unfortunately, I have experienced many of these symptoms.
Over 20 years ago, I was diagnosed and treated with antibiotics for Lyme. Unfortunately, a few years later symptoms returned, but tests came back negative - leaving mainstream medical at a loss, and me on my own going to over 20 doctors looking for a reason for my symptoms. MRI's, catscans, nerve tests, spinal tap, endoscopy, colonoscopy all came back negative, so I was "dismissed."
Continuing my search, I turned to integrative remedies, spent a small fortune on a "blood detective" and was again dismissed. About 5 years ago, I learned about'chronic' Lyme, found a "Lyme-literate" doc and trusted I found the answer. Unfortunately, taking a multitude of intravenous and oral antibiotics destroyed my digestive system and brought symptoms to a new, heightened level - with thyroid issues, eye pain, weight and muscle loss and nerve pain...and so it continued. Through the years, I have been on and off antibotics - stopping when pain gets to be too extreme - or when blood tests return abnormal. And back on when my weight crashes and pain gets too extreme. Craziness. I've tried herbs and homeopathic remedies, but my liver rebelled.
Like many people with chronic Lyme, the struggle of managing daily responsibilities and trying to stay employed is overwhelming with the additional mental, physical and financial stress of a chronic illness. Sleep doesn't come easy, and unfortunately Lyme 'specialists' do not take insurance. At this point, I am merely trying to survive day to day.
My last resort is to visit a clinic where docs believe there is help - ofcourse, that comes with a hefty price. I am not comfortable asking for financial assistance, but I have to try - I have to get answers - for me, for my Mom (who sadly is disabled), for those who depend on me, and for the thousands suffering from this horrible disease.
God Bless and stay well!
Co-organizers (4)
Karalyn Renzi-Vredenburgh
Organizer
Peekskill, NY
Jane Imbro
Co-organizer
Sam Vredenburgh
Co-organizer
Stephanie Renzi
Co-organizer