How to respond to people who don't think they need to worry about getting Lyme

Hello, a little while ago I posted about a friend who was sick for a week or so and then after he was well developed facial paralysis. I gave him all the information and told him he needed to get tested by Igenix. Well he decided to just go to his local doc who gave him the Elisa and of course it came back negative. So off he goes and does nothing further.

A friend recently visited me who loves mountain biking in an area well known for ticks that carry Lyme disease. My vet told me about two of the hot spots in our county and surrounding county and one is that mountain bike trail. My friend told me that they get ticks on them all the time and no one has had any reactions. I tried my best to tell her how serious getting Lyme can be and if not caught early can practically ruin your life. I told her that many people don't even know they were bit by a tick and get Lyme Disease. Heck she can see how Lyme and co infections have impacted me.

I realize that people are responsible for their health and can do what they think is best. I just wonder how do you react to someone who was warned about getting Lyme and did not follow through and is now very sick.

I guess I'm just very frustrated that people take their good health for granted and just dismiss any information given to them about Lyme Disease. I tell them that I was just like them living my life doing all the things I loved doing outside. Now I'm practically home bound. I am getting better but it is a very slow process. This disease doesn't discriminate.

I just needed to vent. Thanks for your time.

Laker, I know it makes you sad to see your friends and loved ones dismiss these very real possibilities.

It's the oddest thing, but in the beginning of my self knowledge, and trying to help others it was as if I was trying to change their religion.

I'm with multi on this one. Plant the seeds, and like others on here say, offer to be there for them if they have second thoughts and want help, and then you just leave in their hands.

They really do put the denial blinders on, though. It's hard to give up a lifestyle that is so important to you.

I myself have to subject myself to the possibility of becoming re-infected, because I don't want to give up my home and move to a city apartment where I could become re-infected anyway.

my dad used to say you have to fall down by yourself. while some have the gift of learning from others experiences most folks have to live it to know it.

Actually, we've gone far beyond epidemic levels in any one state, we've reached pandemic levels. This is a world wide epidemic.

My saying that I tell myself (all too often) when others don't want to hear the information I try to share, is you can lead a horse to water, but you will drown them trying to force them to drink. I too just drop little 'seeds' of information and leave it at that. As has been said, they have to be willing to do the things it takes to avoid ending up like us.