Lyme disease, also known as Borrelia Burgdorfei, is a tick-borne illness. It is a bacterial infection that can affect any system of organs within an individual’s body, including the brain and nervous system. It progresses quickly and if left untreated can cause irreversible damage to each body it invades. According to LymeDisease.org “The Companion Animal Parasite Council (CAPC) forecasts that Lyme disease will be highly problematic in 2017. Nationwide, Lyme disease continues to spread into new areas every year and is now established in 50% of all US counties”.
Most people believe that the only way you can contract Lyme disease is if an individual gets bitten by a deer tick and develops a rash called erythema migrans. This is a misconception. Not only can other organisms pass on the disease, but less than 50% of people actually see a rash, leaving the majority of those infected by Lyme without any visual indication of possible infection (remember, not all ticks have Lyme and not all bites result in Lyme disease). There are other signs, such as flu like symptoms that can immediately follow as a result of infection. It is important to note that ticks can carry other infections that have similar and/or more severe symptoms when compared to Lyme disease. If an individual has a tick borne illness that goes untreated, their infection can spread and develop into a more chronic disorder. For example, Chronic Lyme Disease.
Chronic Lyme disease occurs when the spirochetes of the Lyme bacteria travel and go into hiding within other areas of the body. As they spread they often cause complications within some or all of the following areas: the brain, the nervous system, muscles, joints, the heart, the digestive system, the reproductive system, skin and the list goes on and on. Lyme Disease is also known as the “great imitator” because its symptoms often mimic those of other diseases/disorders (lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue syndrome etc), which is one of the major reasons it is so hard to diagnose.
The longer Lyme disease goes misdiagnosed/undiagnosed the harder it is to treat. With that being said treatment can consists of several different things including antibiotics (IV or Oral), supplements, or natural remedies/therapies that cost a substantial amount of money and are never guaranteed.
I never saw a rash. I thought my flu like symptoms after spending time in a wooded area were just related to allergy season. I was told my symptoms were in my head. I was misdiagnosed. I have been a victim of Lyme disease for five and a half years. I continue to watch my body change and deteriorate as each month passes.
This is MY Lyme Life…….
Live. LYME. Love. 