I’ve never been one to like surprises and I’m not naive (anymore). I have traveled the world and lived big and large (more than I should have). I recognize there is much in this life I don’t know and I can learn something every day. I also have come to realize, through overcoming chronic Lyme disease for myself and both my kids, that I also believe/d a lot of lies and misinformation.
In a effort to educate and help you unravel your misconceptions about Lyme, here is my basic list of wrongs that I now have set right.
1. Lyme can happen to anyone, anywhere at any age, anywhere in the world. It does not only happen to hikers in New England.
2. Lyme disease is sexually transmitted, can be passed in utero, comes from mosquitos, mites, fleas, and ticks.
3. You do not have to have a bulls eye rash when bitten to know you have Lyme. Over 50% of people with Lyme did not get one. A recent survey said only 17% get a bulls eye rash!
4. You can get a negative on a blood test and still have Lyme. The number on this are also around 50%, its scary to imagine, right?
5. Everybody’s symptoms are different. Lyme can hit each individual differently and the symptoms can vary from thyroid to joint pain to flulike to numbness to pain to nausea – the list goes on and on. There are often many symptoms that build over time or all of them can hit like a wave.
6. Lyme usually comes with other co-infections. Carriers of Lyme are usually also infected with a cacophany of bacteria and viruses that make it like the “perfect storm” in your body.
7. You cannot get rid of Lyme disease with 3 weeks of antibiotics. There has never been a study to prove this works. The treatment of Lyme must be intentional and holistic and all encompassing and outside the box.
8. Insurance will not cover even the most basic forms of traditional medical Lyme treatment. There are still arguments and discussions about what is “standard” for treatment of Lyme, and since there is not one standard because each individual is different, then insurance companies are refusing to pay. All other non-traditional forms of treatment that work in fighting Lyme are completely cash pay.
9. Most doctors don’t know a hill of beans about Lyme disease. Do NOT listen to your family doctor. Please find a specialist in Lyme. Educate yourself. You are your own advocate and the best thing going for your success. All of the Lyme patients I have met know vastly more about Lyme than probably 99% of the medical doctors in my state.
10. Lyme disease is not just a physical disease. Lyme greatly affects cognitive and emotional functions. Add to this the uber lack of awareness and social ramifications of having an unknown and uncovered by insurance disease and you now have a quadfecta disaster: financial stress, emotional stress, spiritual stress and physical stress.
11. Lyme disease can be healed. Life is possible. Recovery is possible. Don’t get me wrong, it is hard, it is difficult, it is gut wrenching, it is spiritual, emotional and physical – but it can be done.
Don’t give up. If you or a loved one has Lyme disease please visit my resource page for recommended books. Please read my book to understand the journey and that it is possible (My God, My Lyme). I am biased, but this place saved our families life – there are others, just do your homework. (Hansa Center for Optimum Health)
To health and healing,
Janice Fairbairn – The Lyme Evangelist
softcover book – http://www.amazon.com/author/janicefairbairn
eBook – http://www.lulu.com/spotlight/JustLivingLikeThisWithLyme
Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/justlivinglikethiswithLYME
Blog – https://justlivinglikethiswithlyme.com/my-blog/
Twitter – https://twitter.com/janicewithlyme
Pintrest – http://www.pinterest.com/jpfairbairn/just-living-like-this-with-lyme/
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