Lyme Disease Awareness Month

Maybe I missed someone mentioning it, but May is Lyme Disease Awareness Month. Each year I post on my Facebook page about it to remind people and Lyme Disease and its repercussions. It surprises me how many people either then either post, text me or call about someone they know has Lyme.

If this has already been mentioned, my apologies. Below is my Facebook post to bring more awareness. The picture promoting Lyme Disease Awareness Month on my Facebook page did not come through with it:

May is Lyme Disease awareness month. Lyme is transmitted, mainly, through tick a tick bite.

The ignorance of doctors and lack of decent testing for Lyme Disease and the co-infections it often brings with it can create a chronic Lyme Disease scenario. Also, outdated testing criteria backed by the CDC and Infectious Disease Society of America (IDSA) often leaves you with multiple symptoms without a proper diagnosis for months or years.

Rather than treating problems caused by Lyme, you find yourself dealing with fatigue, dizziness, joint pain, muscle pain, anxiety, depression, migraines, skin issues and much more. The label "hypochondriac" is often used to describe those bitten, even by loved ones and those closest to them. You are "dismissed" by the medical community and many close to you. Even more unbelievable are the doctors who say "you can't get Lyme Disease in the south.

It took 11 years for me to get a diagnosis, and that was, by chance, meeting with a rheumatologist in Marietta who happened to be at Yale University during the first Lyme Disease studies in 1975. For 11 years before the Lyme diagnosis, I was tested for suspected Lukemia (blood tests and bone marrow biopsy), AIDS, polychondritist, sent to psychatrists and tested for much, much more. All came out negative as I expected. Over 11 years, I went to, at least 300 doctor appointments in search of an answer. Have been to about 200 since that then.

Having a diagnosis, however, does not mean a cure. Treating Lyme and co-infections is, at best, an somewhat- educated guessing game. Chronic Lyme Disease is real, could happen to anyone who is bitten by a tick and can negatively change the life of the one bitten and the family around them for years and years. An early diagnosis is the best hope for it not to go chronic, but getting that diagnosis is doubtful.

Lyme Disease is a disgrace to the CDC, IDSA and the medical world. Lyme ruins lives, takes lives and lessens quality of life for those dealing with it. Finances can take a beating, too, fomr loss of work and medical bills.

I WRITE THIS NOT AS A "POOR ME."

It's written to bring to light a growing problem that, for the most part, is ignored or misunderstood by the medical world and impacts the lives of thousands and thousands of people..

If you read to hear, you appreciated and can go to sleep now .😉 No response needed. Just want to put it out there.

This was first year I have put anything personal in the post. Just didn't want to make it seem about me, so I get what you are saying. Just figured it was time to open up more as the more people who hear about it, the more attention can come to the Lyme situation.

That's not meant to tell anyone what they should or shouldn't do. Each person has his or her own feelings on it and approach to all this. And I agree, anything lkike what you read is a step in the right direction. Have a good day.