Post by LymeEnigma on Aug 31, 2007 10:22:42 GMT -8
I've had Lyme disease for a little over two and a half years now. My plight started when I returned home from a day-long hike with a poppy seed-sized hitchhiker on me. When I found the tick I didn't think much of it; there was no Lyme disease in Las Vegas...right?
Wrong. Within a couple of days, I found the bullseye on my stomach. Within a few weeks, I was suffering from a stiff neck, flu-like achiness, a sore throat, headaches, and another strange, blotchy rash that spanned my face and upper chest.
The soonest I could be seen at my GP's office was by her associate, who assured me that there was no Lyme disease in Nevada. He refused my request for a Lyme titer.
Six months later, I was so sick that I could barely function. Not only was I ALWAYS tired and constantly in some type of pain or suffering from nausea, but I found that my mental state was deteriorating as well. I saw my GP. I tested positive for Lyme on a CDC-approved ELISA titer...however, the Western blot came back negative. I was denied a diagnosis, but given two months of doxycycline "anyway."
At the end of the doxycycline treatment, I was deemed "cured," even though I still felt sick, and was told that perhaps I had developed an autoimmune disease...
My health plummeted, and I was forced to quit my job. Suddenly with no money and no health care, I felt like I had no recourse...this illness was threatening to take everything from me.
I began to research the IDSA's guidelines on Lyme disease diagnosis and treatment, and I was appalled. Being the avid critical analyst that I am, I felt I had no choice but to do what I did best...and expose the IDSA's mistakes and lies for what they were. I sought treatment through an ILADS doctor instead...and I began to research their group, as well.
Right now I am at a crossroads, disillusioned by what I've seen on both sides. I feel like the IDSA's ridiculous guidelines are responsible for the chronically ill state that I live in today, but also that most ILADS doctors are more than happy to help me part with my every last penny over the atrocity. My story, and the roller coaster ride that has led to me to where I am now, can be found at: www.lymeanalysis.zoomshare.com.
I know I'm not alone in my plight. The truth is out there.
Wrong. Within a couple of days, I found the bullseye on my stomach. Within a few weeks, I was suffering from a stiff neck, flu-like achiness, a sore throat, headaches, and another strange, blotchy rash that spanned my face and upper chest.
The soonest I could be seen at my GP's office was by her associate, who assured me that there was no Lyme disease in Nevada. He refused my request for a Lyme titer.
Six months later, I was so sick that I could barely function. Not only was I ALWAYS tired and constantly in some type of pain or suffering from nausea, but I found that my mental state was deteriorating as well. I saw my GP. I tested positive for Lyme on a CDC-approved ELISA titer...however, the Western blot came back negative. I was denied a diagnosis, but given two months of doxycycline "anyway."
At the end of the doxycycline treatment, I was deemed "cured," even though I still felt sick, and was told that perhaps I had developed an autoimmune disease...
My health plummeted, and I was forced to quit my job. Suddenly with no money and no health care, I felt like I had no recourse...this illness was threatening to take everything from me.
I began to research the IDSA's guidelines on Lyme disease diagnosis and treatment, and I was appalled. Being the avid critical analyst that I am, I felt I had no choice but to do what I did best...and expose the IDSA's mistakes and lies for what they were. I sought treatment through an ILADS doctor instead...and I began to research their group, as well.
Right now I am at a crossroads, disillusioned by what I've seen on both sides. I feel like the IDSA's ridiculous guidelines are responsible for the chronically ill state that I live in today, but also that most ILADS doctors are more than happy to help me part with my every last penny over the atrocity. My story, and the roller coaster ride that has led to me to where I am now, can be found at: www.lymeanalysis.zoomshare.com.
I know I'm not alone in my plight. The truth is out there.