Hello! Dr. Alyssa here. It is my great pleasure to introduce our next writer. I have been fortunate enough to treat this wonderful woman and her family for over two years now. I have learned a lot from her over the years, both about Lyme and other Tick Borne Diseases, as well as about how to persevere through a complicated illness. Her positive attitude and appreciation always inspire me. I know you will learn from her story as you have mine. Please read on for the first chapter of…
This is My Lyme Life: Megan (Chapter 1)
Hi! My name is Megan. I am 45 years old. I suffered from undiagnosed Tick Borne Diseases (TBD) for 15 years. In June of 2012, after finding a Lyme Literate Nurse Practitioner, I was properly tested and diagnosed with Lyme, Bartonella, and Protomyxzoa Rheumatic (FL 1953). After further testing, I was also diagnosed with Babesia.
I have been in treatment since 2012, and I am getting my life back. It’s a journey for sure. I have more good days than bad days, and I am determined to find a path to good health. I have a family that needs me. I want to be healthy and strong.
During those 15 years I went to many top doctors in New York City trying to find answers to my mysterious health problems. Over that time period, I was tested for Lyme numerous times and was told that I was negative. If I had only known that the tests that my doctors were using to diagnose Lyme were unreliable, and that I could have gone to a Lyme Literate Medical Doctor (LLMD) for proper testing, I would not have suffered for as long as I did. This is why my message is so important for me to share.
Now that I am receiving proper treatment, I am getting my life back!!! My life is very rich and filled with lots of blessings. My greatest gift is that I am the mother of three wonderful children ages 14, 12 and 9. I am married for 18 years to a man whom I love, and I am grateful to him and others (my sister and countless family and friends) for being by my side through some difficult times, while suffering from these diseases.
As a result of my successful TBD treatment, I am able to work part time as a Certified Public Accountant for some really cool people, and love every minute learning about the business or a tax law. I now have energy to volunteer at two church programs and help with children and the elderly. Volunteering brings me so much joy.
I am also strong enough again to enjoy one of my favorite hobbies, which is to challenge myself through exercise. I am doing my first sprint triathlon in September! I am so excited! This will be such an emotional moment for me. In 2010, I was registered for a triathlon and I could not participate in it. My undiagnosed Lyme and TBD flared and I could barely walk from the arthritis I suffered from.
Although I have been diagnosed with TBD, I made a decision to live my life……no matter what. I believe that everyday is a gift. With the grace of God, I am not letting my diseases stop me from doing anything!
“When something bad happens you have three choices. You can either let it define you, let it destroy you, or you can let it strengthen you.” ~Dr. Seuss
With God’s help (as you can see I am very spiritual) I will not let any of my health issues, especially TBD, define me or destroy me. I will let this journey strengthen me and I hope I can help others by sharing my story.
My story is a message of good news and hope.
The good news is:
- Tick Borne Diseases are infections that can be properly diagnosed and treated by Lyme Literate Medical Doctors/Nurse Practitioners.
- Although the Center For Disease Control (CDC) tests (ELISA & Western Blot) and guidelines that are used by most doctors to diagnose and treat Lyme and TBD are UNRELIABLE, there are current guidelines in place to properly diagnose and treat Lyme and TBD. They are guidelines published by the The International Lyme and Associated Diseases Society (ILADS.org).
I am very hopeful that:
- We can get our lives back with proper treatment from a Lyme Literate Medical Doctor or Nurse Practitioner.
- We can educate and bring awareness that ILADS guidelines are available to help and guide both the people suffering from these infections, and also the primary doctors people are going to for help.
- We can help bring about the change that is so desperately needed to help doctors properly test and diagnose TBD. It’s time for the CDC to support the ILADS guidelines and stop all the unnecessary suffering resulting from the use of CDC guidelines that are unreliable.
Please be sure to check in next week as I continue to write about my journey with Lyme & TBD!!!
Have a wonderful week,
Megan