Critical Lyme treatment abroad treatment fund
Donation protected
update Dec 20th 2023
First of all thank you all for your donations and for sharing , it’s been a year since I had to move back to Ireland for care. Needless to say it’s been by far the worst year of my life, and I’ve had plenty in my 17 year battle.
I am now able to spend Christmas with my girls in Norway thanks to all of your donations.
I have found a clinic in Washington DC The Jemsek Lyme clinic, who have a very high rate of success. I am on maintenance treatment keeping stable until then.
I am hopeful I can reach the goal of 15 k with your help and be in a position to attend in the new year.
Merry Christmas and have a healthy happy new year.
Neil
My name is Neil McNamara, I’m 43 year old Irish father of three beautiful daughters living in Norway.
For the past 15 years, I’ve been battling severe neurological Lyme disease with multiple debilitating chronic infections. I contracted Lyme along with a number of other bacterial and malarial infections in my early 20s. I don't exactly know where or when as I never got the trademark bullseye rash that we are all told is the first symptom. It is not always the case. This makes it very difficult for many to catch it at its early stages which is vital for recovery. After becoming very ill in 2007, I tested positive for borreliosis and was given the standard treatment at the time, which was 2 weeks of antibiotics and I was told that I would be cured. Today it's well known that, if you don't get the treatment straight away further treatment is necessary. Instead of more treatment, they diagnosed me with "Post Lyme Disease Syndrome" and I was left to myself.
At the time I got the positive test back in 2007, there was not much knowledge about lyme disease and how to treat it. In Ireland there was none at the time, so I travelled to USA for treatment under a renowned Lyme doctor. There I got diagnosed with several coinfections and put on a heavy treatment protocol. However, I did not get well, and after a few years, I could no longer afford the costs.
When I moved to Norway in 2012, I was hopeful that the healthcare system here could help me, but I was denied treatment as like most other countries they do not recognize and treat Chronic Lyme and found that Norwegians all travel to Poland and Germany to get treatment for Lyme. I have tried both, but the cost has always been an issue since I have not been able to work. I have a couple of times pushed myself to work, to be able to pay for treatment, only to get severe setbacks and not be able to function as a part of the family. I have therefore over the last years tried to maintain some sort of function, with a treatment protocol I could afford, so I could in some way be a dad and participate in my children's lives. But that is no longer working, as my body has reached a limit, so I need to do it properly now, to save my life.
Many people who have met me would think of me as a healthy person on the outside but inside I have been in constant physical and mental pain which I just had to push through. I have developed cognitive problems, serious issues with long/short term memory, joint pain, insomnia, chronic fatigue, eye issues and vision loss, light sensitivity, emotional numbness, brain fog, depression and anxiety, and total loss of ability to think clearly and concentrate.
I am blessed to be a father to 3 amazing girls and a partner that is the most amazing mother and partner one could ask for. She has carried me through this from the moment we got together in 2006, however, it has taken a catastrophic toll on our relationship and her health.
Goal for the fundraiser
My goal is to return to Dublin and reluctantly leave my partner and daughters for several months, to complete the course of treatments I started before Christmas. If I can raise enough money I will follow the medical drugs and herb support protocol suggested by my German doctor, which also requires regular checkups and blood work (which all have to be done at special clinics). I will be doing weekly biomagnetic pair therapy, bioresonance and several supportive treatments which has been proven successful with many patients in curing long-standing neurological cases such as mine.
Those of you who know me and my situation know how hard this is for me to ask for help. However, I have exhausted all resources and my health is at a critical stage. Sadly I’ve lost my ability to work. My family have done so much for me already but it's not enough to get me over this last long hurdle. Any money will be used for several different treatments and living expenses while being away from my partner and kids.
I am a firm believer in life that things happen for a reason, and we are put through these tests to grow and learn valuable lessons. I will be eternally grateful for any donations no matter how small and promise to pay it
forward to other chronic illness sufferers in need when I am well.
Love and deepest gratitude
Neil
UPDATE June 23
I want to thank every one of you who have so generously donated so far. This has meant so much to me.
My condition I have to say is not improving as I hoped and I need to seek help from specialist Lyme clinic abroad. This is unfortunately costly so I again ask you to please continue to share my page. I plan, with your help, is to travel to US for hyperthermia and immunotherapy treatment.
Deepest appreciation, Neil
update Dec 20th 2023
First of all thank you for your support , it’s been a year since I had to move back to Ireland for care. I have managed to fly home every few weeks thanks to your donations as I do not have an income at this time. I am now able to spend Christmas with my girls in Norway
Since the fundraiser has fallen short I have found a clinic in Washington DC The Jemsek Lyme clinic who are willing to take me on in the new year. I am on maintenance treatment keeping stable until then.
the target is 15k of which I have almost 10.
I am hopefull I can reach it with your help.
many thanks
merry Christmas to you all.
best wishes
Neil
I will also be posting updates on my recovery here and on social media if you would
like to follow me.
Bartonella
Babesia
Documentary trailer: under your skin
Irish Lyme society:
ILADS: International lyme and associated disease society
Organizer
Neil McNamara
Organizer