INTRODUCTION

Hello All,

I would like to introduce myself and share a bit about myself and my daughter's situation...but first let me say that after a short perusal of this lyme disease forum I consider myself VERY blessed to have found it. I have gathered sooooo much good info...I thank you...cajungirl, traveler, and whoever else is responsible...thank you wholeheartedly. 

Briefly, around the first or second week of May my daughter (21) and I were bitten by "something"... Few days later, I started feeling sickish...crazy symptoms started coming on fast...didn't tell my daughter because she was already worried and grossed out. Went to urgent care...no help...then SHE started telling me of her symptoms...everyday it was something new but the same as mine. Oh nooooooo!...then I got a thing on my arm that looked just like a bullseye...went to emergency...crazzzzzy long story but no help...I got repeated rashes which I thought were more bites (still not certain about it...EM rash perhaps?) Went to derm clinic and another emergency room...finally they sort of listened and gave us doxy...100 mg for 10 days...referred us to a gp who gave us more doxy...100 mg for 10 days...taking those now. 

All the while this was going on I was on the internet and "somehow" I kept clicking my way to lyme disease information...meantime my OTHER daughter was on the internet too and we both came to the same conclusion...LYME DISEASE!...I have literally INHALED lyme disease information...from lymenet to under our skin to healingwell... and I am convinced that if this is NOT lyme disease then the low down rotten scoundrel most assuredly has a wicked, no good, devil-possessed twin!

This has been the looniest, kookiest, awfulest, horrifyingest, most ridiculous, unbelieveable-est, stupidest experience I have EVER had! SHAME ON THESE IGNORANT CONDESCENDING DOCTORS...SHAME! SHAME! SHAME! SHAME! Shame on all who has contributed to this debacle that is the state of medical care for folks with lyme disease!...and the politics and controversy and guideline ridiculousness... I am livid...   BUT I know that God works in mysterious ways and I am open to learn the reason for this in my life...I REFUSE TO LET IT STEAL MY JOY!!!

Great news! ...We have an appt with an LLMD for Tuesday!

Has there been a march on washington????? or any type of collective effort to bring attention to this???? We need to do something HUGE!!!! really really really HUGE... 

oH MY...Did I say "briefly"?... ...trust me, this is the short version of what has happened over the last month and a half...

Sorry...good to be here...thanks for listenin'

PreferLemons!

Post Edited (PreferLemons) : 6/23/2011 6:27:03 PM (GMT-6)

First of all...Awwww, thank you Preferlemons and Tribriguy for the acknowledgement!! We volunteer our time and we are still ill as well - although I am getting much healthier now, I have a long way to go to be rid of these infections.

PreferLemons,
I have to agree with you on your description of these infections, and your description of most of the docs that we deal with!
Congratulations on having an appt tomorrow!! Please e sure to let us know how it goes!! Is your daughter going to be able to be there as well?

Unfortunately, Lymester is right with their description of why we haven't had much of a voice -we just can't be as loud as others as we are so ill, and because of the controversy involved with the testing, diagnosis, and treatments for these infections, no one wants to stick their neck out for fear of getting it chopped off! There are, however, several groups (ILADS & CALDA for two) that are in the business of getting our collective voices heard. If you have the time and energy, we could sure use your help!! You can help out locally or nationally to help raise awareness.

If you haven't already, it would be beneficial for you to start with reading through the thread at the top of the forum titled,"New to Lyme?...Start here!!", as it is packed full of relevant information and informative links that have been put together by our members here! We also have a pretty good search function on this forum to help you narrow down your search for information from past posts.

Please do let us know how your appt goes and of course, if you have any questions, we will do our best to help you find the right answers!!

Awwwwww thanks you guys for the well wishes and enlightenment...I certainly didn't mean to offend by saying "march on washington" if nobody can march...that should have really been taken figuratively (and literally if it could be done)...this has become a catch phrase of sorts I guess...that is the "energy" I felt...wanting to do something big...get attention... Hopefully, I will find a way to use this energy with an existing organization.

Yay, the appointment is tomorrow...had to rent a car to drive an hour away...but hey, a girl's gotta do what a girl's gotta do. Today is the end of the second 10 day batch of doxy...and yes, daughter is going too!!!!

And may I tell you all a bit about my daughter??? of course mothers think that their child is the "purtiest" and smartest and funniest but this young lady is REALLY the next great funny lady...she keeps everybody in stitches...(I'm trying keep a hold onto my own sense of humor too...the fruit doesn't fall far from the tree **winkin'** at Cat111)she is such a joy and so precious to me and I was watching this "thing" take away her "funny", just eating away at her spirit...I wasn't havin' it so I  "preached a sermon" to her to let her know that she CANNOT let this steal her joy.  We are very close and get a long well and laugh and talk and have a great time but we both noticed how we were aggravated and irritable and not getting along and I broke down and begged God to save us and help us...I reminded her that she is the next great funny lady! and she has to fight for her talent and her joy. Well, she must have thought about it because we were laughing away the next day...you know that crazy laughter that ends in tears cuz you just been so STRESSED OUT!...

Hope our appointment goes well...will keep you all posted...THANKS AGAIN and KEEP HOPE ALIVE!   

Preferlemons, your description hit the nail on the head for my past chaotic, ridiculously stupid, exhausting and upsetting month. I have had lyme for 5+ years and done a tremendous amount of reseach on it. After being denied proper treatment and diagnosis I am unfortunately chronic and have brain lesions. However, I have been feeling well lately thank goodness after 2+ years on antibiotics and supplements. To get on with the past month, my husband had not been himself for about a year now and I suspected lyme long ago. So when he presented with sudden severe depression and anxiety to the point where he was crying and unable to function, of course I knew it was lyme. I had no choice but to seek medical help at the ER. HA - WHAT A LAUGH. To make a long story short, after two admissions a week apart, they put him in the psych unit with drug addicts and alcoholics. Here is a quiet, reserved, wonderful father and husband, who was now reduced to this to get treatment. Needless to say, all they did was give him meds and send him on his merry way. Despite numerous and I mean numerous doctors telling me there was nothing wrong with him, I sent his blood work to Igenex. I had many breakdowns myself with screaming threatening yelling fits with arrogant doctors who obviously have an ego bigger than any caring person could possibly have. Luckily we got a positive test with Igenex and although he is still out of work and frustrated, I am able to stay calm with him and stay focused to move on in the right direction. We have an apt. with LLMD in the new few weeks. In the meantime, the day I picked my husband up at the hospital, my 12 year old showed me a bulls eye rash on his leg. He has been positively diagnosed and on doxy also and is scheduled to see LLMD also.

Stay here with friends and we will be able to help each other. This site has literally been my lifesaver. Idon't know what I would have done without it and the wonderful people here (and my family). Best to you and your family.

Springsjean,
Have you taken any pictures of the lovely tell-tale rash?

"I had many breakdowns myself with screaming threatening yelling fits with arrogant doctors who obviously have an ego bigger than any caring person could possibly have."

LOL! You would think you had been following me around several years back when I was being doing things like that! I had several docs in my area tell me that they "would rather not take on a complicated case like that right now" - even after I begged that I couldn't find anyone who would!! Me -begging- that's serious!!!