Condensing A Year “I hear rumors that I am well. Someone mentioned it to ‘this’ person, ‘this’ person then told ‘that’ person, and finally, ‘that’ person told me that I am doing great. I am flattered people think I am doing so well, but the reality is much less glamorous.” More Than 43,000 Pills Later, October 23rd, 2015. Where do I begin? I’m lying in bed typing, trying to push through the fatigue. I’m exhausted. No. I’m depleted. But that’s often the case with chronic Lyme disease. What can I say that you don’t already know? Somedays are terrible. Somedays are okay. I feel like a broken record sometimes–repeating the same verbiage day in and day out. Three years into treatment and yes, I’m still sick. Although you probably can’t tell …show more content…
That’s how long it took for my liver and kidneys to return to normal functioning. Following this setback, I became angry. I was angry that I was undertaking such an aggressive treatment protocol without the support of knowledgeable, local physicians. I was angry that no matter where I went for healthcare, I was thrust into the role of patient, advocate, and educator in every situation, countlessly having to point out the inaccuracies of testing and the outdated, erroneous treatment guidelines. Lyme disease is serious; in some cases, it’s deadly. I explained to literally every physician I encountered that, while I respected Infectious Disease Specialists, they simply weren’t the experts on tick borne infections. And, I explained to them, if it weren’t for a select group of doctors willing to put their license and careers on the line for patients like me, I would be dead. …show more content…
April 2016-July 2016 For awhile, I was improving with the change up in my medications and the UV treatments. In May, my husband and I took our first plane ride in eight years. We went to Nashville to visit some friends, and while I was nervous about the large quantities of medication I had bring with me, things went pretty smoothly. Well, as smooth as it can go when insomnia strikes and fatigue rages on. However, I came back from the trip feeling like things were finally heading upward–this time for good. I couldn’t believe I had conquered such a huge healing milestone! In June, we adopted a new puppy. For a short time, I was the owner of THREE dogs! The puppy brought new energy into our apartment, and I enjoyed many walks with her through our neighborhood. Sadly, my upswing was short-lived, and I ended up in the emergency room after battling a colitis-type episode for a few days. While that episode resolved, I quickly began heading downhill again. By July, I was no longer seeing benefits from the UVLrx treatments or my medications. The fatigue came back with a vengeance, and I found myself in bed most days...Sound familiar? I’ve been here before, haven’t I. Way too many times before. Sliding backwards is heartbreaking,
On December 1, 2012, a patient by the name of John Dough walks into the medical assistant’s office. The patient is five foot 11 inches tall, currently he is 70 years old and weighs approximately 211 pounds. The patient has no known allergies does not smoke and has a relatively clean health record. After filling out the patient medical history forms, the patient is seen by the doctor. The patient explains to the doctor that lately he has had trouble lifting object he would not normally have trouble with, as well as walking short distances, and being very fatigued. After further examination the patient explains how he recently found a tick on his back and removed it, but now there is a red bullseye on his back. The physician suggests a blood sample be taken and sent to the laboratory. To help with weakness and fatigue he recommends the patient to get a good nights sleep and drink plenty of fluids to avoid dehydration. He also wants the patient to limit medication intake that could contribute to fatigue such as cold and allergy medicines and make sure to finish all daily exercising three to four hours before bed. The patient schedules a check up two weeks later.
... of the treatment methods that I previously mentioned. She also put a great deal of effort into resisting treatment, which in my research I found is actually fairly common. Several studies reported that, although symptom remission could be obtained for 27% of patients within 4 weeks and 45% within 5 years following treatment initiation, 20– 30% of patients reached a treatment-resistant status on the other side. (Kanahara, et al., p. 1)”
Being diagnosed with a chronic illness is a life-altering event. During this time, life is not only difficult for the patient, but also for their loved ones. Families must learn to cope together and to work out the best options for the patient and the rest of the family. Although it may not be fair at times, things may need to be centered on or around the patient no matter what the circumstance. (Abbott, 2003) Sacrifices may have to be made during difficult times. Many factors are involved when dealing with chronic illnesses. Coping with chronic illnesses alter many different emotions for the patients and the loved ones. Many changes occur that are very different and difficult to get used to. (Abbott, 2003) It is not easy for someone to sympathize with you when they haven’t been in the situation themselves. No matter how many books they read or people they talk to, they cannot come close to understanding.
After almost year of watching me struggle he insisted that I talk to my doctor. I went to her and spent an hour crying, telling her everything that had happened in the last year, she hugged me and assured me that there was nothing wrong with me, just something a little unbalanced inside me and that we were going to work together to fix it.
Lyme borreliosis is caused from the bacterial spirochete B. burgdorferi (“A History of Lyme”). It is a zoonotic disease carried by vectors and transmitted biologically (Tortora, Funke, and Case, 410). Lyme borreliosis has diverse symptoms, from a rash to neurological problems (Tortora, Funke, and Case, 651). The recommended treatment is antibiotics, but even with treatment some people still experience post treatment lyme disease syndrome (CDC). It is an Emerging Infectious Disease and is endemic in areas of the United States (CDC).
When I think about the moments leading up to my diagnosis I remember feeling weak, confused, shaky and sleepy. I did not notice that I had began sleeping throughout the day. My body was craving soft drinks like soda and juice but not food. Days would go by and I eventually fell into a deep slumber that I found myself only waking up from to use the bathroom. I knew something was wrong and that if I did not get to a hospital it would get worse. Nothing could have prepared me for the life changing diagnosis I would receive.
The morning air was crisp and the sound of early birds at my bedroom window filled the silence in the house. I don’t remember waking up to my alarm, but I do remember the restless night I had experienced. The sharp pain still lingered in my abdomen identical to how the stench of cigarettes asphyxiates wallpaper. Excruciating pain that kept me from a decent night’s sleep, nevertheless I was excited. It was the first day of my first course in the Veterinary Technician Program. Nothing was going to keep me from attending it, nothing. Although, I couldn’t help but think why was I still in so much pain? There were no complications during my son’s birth back in December, so that can’t be it. The implants that were placed to deter pregnancy were removed after being rejected, but that was well over a month ago. Pushing the thought aside I made the 30 minute journey to school.
Lyme disease is one of the seven most common diseases reported in the United States to the CDC annually (www.cdc.gov). The rates have gone from 10,000 cases in 1992 to over 30,000 cases in 2009. 95% of these cases were found in the northeast and Midwest regions of the United States (Committee on Lyme Disease, 2011) . More cases happen in this area of the country due to the close proximity of deer to population. The bite itself isn’t the problem, rather the pathogen being spread in mammals from the bite. Lyme disease occurs when a tick penetrates the skin of mammals and the spirochete Borrelia burgdorferi enters. Borrelia burgdorferi is carried by ticks named the Ixodes dammini, which is the main vector for Lyme disease. These may also be known as I. scapularis, and may be found on deer (Schilling-McCann, 2010). ¬¬¬In addition to Lyme Disease, ticks may also carry Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever or Tularemia (Smeltzer et al, 2010).
Although most people don't realize it, one of the most weakening diseases of the world can often be found crawling around in the shrubs and tall grasses of a person’s backyard .It does not mean that only dirty yards have this disease but it is found in every Americans backyard. The disease is called Lyme disease. Now I will be elaborating on the disease.
Which is why it is so frustrating to see headlines questioning her chronic debilitating illness. I have been by Yolanda's side over the past four years to the best of my ability as she battled with the complexities of her Lyme diagnosis. I am incredibly proud of Yolanda's determination and mission to find a cure, and how brave and open she has been by sharing her story in the hopes of changing the future for others.
Lyme disease is the most common tick-borne disease in the United States. It was first observed in a cluster of children from Lyme, Connecticut who presented with symptoms of arthritis. The sickness is created by Borrelia burgdorferi, sensu stricto, which was initially recognized in 1982. In spite of the fact that the greater part of cases are accounted for from the northeastern, north focal, and Pacific waterfront districts of the nation, a few hundred cases every year are accounted for from the southern United States. People and a few creatures get this illness when they are bitten by ticks tainted with borrelia burgdorferi.
Now you may be asking yourself, "What does Lyme Disease cause"? It varies with each person. If the doctors can find the disease early enough, than they can have almost a 100% chance of curing it. Lyme is mainly treated with short-term antibiotics, often penicillin. If it does go untreated, then the effects can be that the symptoms will progress and it will be devastating. The second stage, which can take place in a one to several month period, neurological abnormalities may arise, such as encephalitis, meningitis, and more! Some people even have cardiac problems.
Lyme Disease is the most commonly reported vector borne illness in the United States. In a fifteen year span the annual count of lyme disease increased by 101%, in which 93% of all reported cases came from 10 states in the northeast and Midwest (Bacon, Kugeler & Mean). Lyme disease is caused by the bacterium Borrelia burgdorferi and is transmitted to humans through bitten by infected ticks (CDC data 2013). In the early 1900’s doctors in Europe discovered a disease pattern that created redness and rashes that were associated with tick bites. In the 1970s children in the United States specifically in the region of Lyme, Connecticut were developing these rashes and other symptoms associated with the bacteria found in Europe. The condition was called Lyme disease and the Borrelia burgdorferi that was associated with the new disease was found in the intestines of the vector, the adult deer tick. After the naming of the condition the number of cases increased tremendously. (Bratton, Whiteside, Hovan, Engle & Edwards 2008).
Based on what the negative position has said, I have a few final thoughts; not everything can be cured, and fatal side effects are very rare. Not everything can be cured with rest and fluids, yes symptoms can be subdued, but not entirely cured.
Once you’ve committed to your recovery journey it’s time to explore treatment options that are available to you. Here are different types of treatments available. Read more about them to see which one would be a good fit for you. The following information was gathered from the Help Guide website: