I'm frustrated and scared about a friend of mine

Hi all,

I saw one of my good friends yesterday and I am so scared for her.. She was never diagnosed with lyme or more precisely babesia.   She fits most every symptom of babesia yet for a lady who is open-minded most of the time, she believes whatever her doctor tells her.

I explained to her about babesia and printed out articles for her..  My friend really didn't read it all or ask me questions, she gets a bit defensive and I wonder if I come on too strong (I am aware that I am like that)...

Now she found out that her kidney's are not functioning properly (she is 65) and saw a kidney specialist who mentioned that she may have to go on dialysis which of course she doesn't want...   Thus I called up IgeneX yesterday and ordered the free test kit for her (she knows about this)..  Now she is concerned about the money it would cost her to get tested for babesia (she is on medicare). 

I don't know what to do?  I guess if I read this post from someone else I may say "well, you gave her the information and now it's up to her"...

It just breaks my heart and I really care about her...  She's a very special lady with a wonderful husband and family... 

Any thoughts?  I feel so helpless..

Denise

Ugh. I so feel for you and your friend. I was in the same boat last year. As you know, I have lyme. My husband was exhibiting symptoms for years and thought I was crazy for wanting him to be tested. How could BOTH of us have lyme?! Unforunately, it took hitting rock bottom for him to find out he also has lyme (and babesia). He is currently feeling pretty good but also having kidney problems. Strangely enough my research has found that babesia in animals causes kidney problems but there is little about babesia related human kidney trouble. His kidney dr. knows nothing about babesia and are attributing the problem to a kidney problem since birth he did not know about, probably made worse by the current infections.

This is the most frustrating part about lyme for me. I know of many many people who I believe have lyme and I cannot get it across to them without sounding like I am obsessed with lyme. People tend to believe doctors. All you can do is keep encouraging your friend and relate stories like my husband's and be there for her.

Thank you all soooooo much for your replies, they help me deal with this situation better...

I'm not going to give up just yet... As I said I ordered the test kit from IgeneX and when it arrives I am going to print out the article below and suggest not only does my friend read it but to bring it to her doctor.

Springsjean, perhaps your husband may benefit from this article, I don't know... but you are correct when you said there are not many articles about babesia and kidney disease in humans.

http://www.aafp.org/afp/2001/0515/p1969.html

I am now thinking that if my friend would start detoxing it would help her, hey, it can't hurt her, right?

Sleepless, I agree, I don't understand the mindset of people who don't want to rule out lyme..  What does one lose by getting tested?  It boggles my mind..

And treehousemom, yep, I do come on strong but my friend comes on strong too so we do understand each other... except when it comes to doctors!!  Duh!

My brother in law was tested through Igenex and Medicare paid 100% for his tests.