Posted 5/19/2011 9:31 PM (GMT 0)
You can have Lyme disease for a very long time before you ever have severe enough symptoms that lead to a Lyme diagnosis.
My severe symptoms started in May 2008. Summer of 2009 I had a QEEG (brain scan) done that showed Lyme inflammation for "10, possibly 20 years". So, I had LD for at least 10 years without severe symptoms. And not only that, but I tested positive for several different species of ticks. Keep in mind I NEVER had a tick bite or rash that I was aware of.
One of the LLMD's at the Conference that Burrascano went to in Ca. in April mentioned that the thought now is; those who are the most difficult to treat, that take years of treatment, probably have had many multiple bites over a period of time. It's also thought that some type of immune system trauma, or insult, triggers Lyme infection to become uncontrollable. And that's when you symptoms become severe. For many women that immune trauma seems to be child birth, c-sections or some other type of surgery. It was around my first born child's (born 6-8 wks early with no none cause) first birthday that I started noticing "weird" things going on with me. I've also recently met a Lymie that started having symptoms after the birth of her first child too. Both of her children are LD + with active symptoms. So far, by the grace of God, my 5 year old is symptom free.
I believe my husband, who's had a few tick bites without a rash, is probably LD+ without symptoms.
It's frustrating to think that for many years my body was able to deal with the infections all on its own, but then something changed. That "something" is what needs to be researched. What are we doing to our bodies that are enabling it to do its job without interventions?
Hope this help, Lisa