"your wedding was over, so you needed a way to get more attention."

Wow, that's a wonderful albeit terrible story but thank you for writing it. This so needs to have a story told. Sending the link on to family and friends and will ask them to do the same.

Please let us know when you have another installment!

You have to wonder if someday those without lyme will be the exception.

The Bible tells us that "the love of money is the root of all evil."

The reason that Lyme is being swept under the rug is the insurance companies fear of profit loss. With current methods (high-dose, long-term antibiotics) it's expensive to treat.

On the other hand, the option of treating herbally or otherwise is out of the questions, because big pharma loves money as well and has gamed the system to only use their products. You see, herbs and wholistic treatment such as IR saunas, Hyperbaric Oxygen, water fasting, etc just don't have the quarterly profit margins that the pharmaceutical companies are looking for. Those country clubs aren't free, you know.

Then there are the doctors. They are mostly idiots. The system is rigged. Good doctors, like good politicians are rare. And those that try to do the right thing are attacked by the establishment.

So the whole, entire healthcare system is rigged. Then add Obamacare on top of that. My premiums have tripled since that kicked in, because I guess I'm supposed to pay for everyone else. And on top of that, my deductible has skyrocketed. For our family, it's possible that I could be out-of-pocket about $20,000/yr. before the insurance company is obligated to start helping with the tab. This is pure evil.

Then, when you do go to a doctor, the incentive is to keep you sick as long as possible. think about it! As soon as you're better, the money stops. there needs to be a way that the doctor only gets paid once you are better. Some sort of escrow account that all the money for the doctors treatment goes into. He doesn't get a penny until you're better or at least on the mend.

By the way, who pays their mechanic to work on their car even if they don't fix it? The mechanic only gets paid if they fix the car. The plumber gets paid only if he clears the clog. The landscaper only gets paid if the grass is cut. But when it comes to one of the most important things, our health, we have to pay no matter what horrible service we get.

I've had doctors (aka quacks) try to ply me with antidepressants, even though I have Hashi's. It's a known fact that thyroid problems, especially autoimmune such as Hashis causes depression. So let's fix it, not cover it up with DANGEROUS SSRI's!

I had an endocrinologist tell me after being diagnosed with Hashi's, basically that I'm a lazy slob because I'm overweight. An endocrinologist should understand that when your thyroid is out of whack your metabolism is as well. And because of whatever, maybe the Lyme, if I exercise even moderately, I get a headache for hours afterwards. In fact, for years I was an exercise nut, running 4-5 miles a day and long mountain bike rides on the weekends. Didn't lose a pound. And suffered headaches almost every time I exercised.

I wish we could inflict some of these ignorant, and arrogant I might add, doctors with our illnesses. that would be a great motivator to help them break out of their bubble.

Wow I am so sorry you have been treated that way Raincity, nobody deserves to be shut down like that. I have checked out your blog, your writing is beautifully done..

Thank you so much for sharing my story on your FB page, Kathie!!!

Sharing your affliction,
You are never alone,

Blessings, meanmom

@traveler I would love to put this as my signature but after poking about for 30 minutes I have no idea how! I know it's probably simple...any advice? Thank you!

raincity, we live in beautiful country don't we? There are a few of us who live in NC.

As far as going to New England for treatment, yeah, not so much. I grew up in CT and my symptoms started before the mom in Lyme called the health department which started up on this rollercoaster ride. It's actually the worst place to get treated. There are few doctors that will treat and many only if you come in with a bullseye rash. Since the majority of people don't get a rash and most rashes are not a bulls eye, you aren't likely to get treatment for an older infection.

As far as NC not having Lyme, it's been around for at minimum 10 years. Vets definitely see it and according to my doc, they have the same concerns about the two tier testing. They basically use the same tests. So I expect that now he recommends to his patients that they skip the screening test. I know now that my dog probably had Lyme before he died (from cancer) because he had pain and other symptoms. Definite tick bite with a rash but tested negative.

The last numbers I saw were that 78 out of 100 counties have reported Lyme cases. Ten counties including Wake and the area around it are endemic. Likely because of higher populations and the people in the piedmont are more likely to go to the doctor than some of the more rural areas. That wasn't meant as a knock. The rural areas are more agricultural and are used to doing for themselves.

Just like you with depression, I have written in my record that my primary complaint is back pain. I have never complained about back pain, but that got my insurance to approve x-rays, MRI and injections to my hips under fluoroscopy.

Moral of that store is to make sure you periodically get copy of your records and if they are inaccurate, write it up and have your doc put it in the record. It's especially important if you are receiving disability benefits (SSA or private) or if you plan to, it's important that you know what is in your records.

Traveler, I understand your comment about needing the ACA incase you get in a car accident. While I agree that we all need coverage for catastrophic events, I'd disagree that a car accident is one of those cases. If you are in a car accident, yes you will get treatment but after the bills start coming in your healthcare insurer will begin hounding you to see if the injuries are the result of an accident. They don't want to pay and will spend all kinds of money to bill someone else.

Some of you know that my daughter was in an accident. I have already gotten the letters from the ambulance and my insurer. Personally, I am going to take great pleasure in writing down the name of my car insurance company as the responsible party, but that is because they threw us under the bus. The other driver was speeding and on the phone, but it also appears that she was either under- or uninsured. So our insurance company sent them a check for $100K and we are waiting to see if they decide to sue for more.

A better example would be the one brought to the attention of Ted Cruz which he ignored like the sake oil salesman he is. It was a man who's BIL died of cancer that was diagnosed after he got coverage through ACA but too late.

Don't get me wrong. I believe in universal healthcare. I also believe that our healthcare system is only about enriching Big Pharma and Insurance companies. I also believe that we pay enough in taxes to deserve good healthcare.

Everyone, I also agree that SSRIs can help but we do need to understand that it is not just SSRIs that contribute to Serotonin Syndrome. Other supplements that we take can also contribute. It's why our doctors ask about supplements.

Raincity, best thing to do is read and ask questions. This group is way more knowledgable than most doctors out there.

Kim