Job in the lyme field

Hi, I lurk on this forum and post once in a while. So, I feel like I really want to join the cause and get a job with an organization that promotes lyme awareness and research. This is something that I've become very passionate about. Lyme has changed my life profoundly, and I want to educate people about it. It feels like my calling. However, I'm not sure how to go about it. Any tips?

Thanks

I googled it and the first suggestion is to spread awareness through brochures and word of mouth. I already do the second. I think I'm going to print out ILADS brochures and give them to my neighbors. Seems like a good start. Maybe I will eventually make some contacts in the field.

Sure!

I was bitten by a deer tick in 2006 in my mom's PA backyard. Stupid me didn't have any knowledge of Lyme at the time, so I took a nap in tick infested woods. I pull the bloated tick off my head while driving a couple days later. I kind of just freaked out and threw it out the window. I wish I had been smarter back then..

about 3 months later the joint pain and fatigue started. My joints, especially my shoulders, felt like they were burning and also really stiff. The fatigue made it really hard to concentrate in school. I developed GI issues, like bloating and severe pain (I later found out I had a candida infection, common in Lyme). This lasted about 5 years...I was miserable and went to all different kinds of doctors to find out what was wrong. I had the 'mainstream' Lyme tests, but they were always negative. I was basically told I was crazy. I also developed hypothyroidism and adrenal insufficiency. I had never had problems like that in my life.

2 years ago the s**t really hit the fan. I thought I couldn't get any more miserable. I had gone to the ER with a stiff neck and the worst headache of my life. Clear signs of meningitis, but they didn't do an LP. They treated me like a hypochondriac and basically kicked me out. I have now had chronic Lyme meningitis for TWO FREAKING YEARS. Imagine having a rigid neck and inflamed brain lining for that long. The pain makes me want to off myself. My quality of life is absolutely zero.

So that's where I am now. I'm really angry that all the doctors let me get to this point. This should not have happened. However, I'm now seeing an amazing LLMD who is giving me the best possible treatment I could ask for. I'm starting IV antibiotics in 6 weeks to deal with this horrible neuro Lyme (welcome herx nightmares). I know it's going to be a long road, but I'm hopeful that I can get better.

After all this, I've decided I really want to be a voice for Lyme and co-infections prevention/treatment/research. It makes me really happy teaching people about tick-borne illness. I 'practice' on my friends, and they seem appreciative of the information.

rnbelle said...
what does neuro lyme feel like? what are the symptoms? floaters included?

Well, I can't speak for everyone because neuro Lyme can cause a variety of symptoms. It can cause tingling and numbness in the limbs, bell's palsy, and floaters, but I don't have any of that.

I can tell you what chronic meningitis feels like though. First off, my neck and shoulder muscles are completely rigid. It's very painful and I have reduced mobility. Second, I have severely inflamed meninges (outer layer of the brain)...this is the part that is completely disabling. I have a severe headache in the back of my head 24/7. Due to the swelling of the meninges, they are being pushed against my skull and all the nerves and blood vessels back there. Before I learned how to manage the pain, I would throw up constantly and sleep all day. It's absolutely the worst hell I've ever experienced.

Post Edited (Simonne86) : 5/23/2014 7:52:48 PM (GMT-6)

Inspiredby3 said...


Maybe you can write an article for the local newspaper or sponsor a lecture at your Recreation department. Make some fliers and have a stand at local town events. A better time for all this might be once you heal more. I think right now you need to focus on your health and taking care of yourself.

I love those ideas! And yea, I'm pretty much a useless puddle of mush at this point, lol. When (not IF) I get my health back, I'm gonna make it my mission to do everything I can for the Lyme cause.