I am 47 years old. I was diagnosed with Lyme in February 2020, and I don't know how long I had it before being diagnosed. I was diagnosed at
Envita Medical Center, and stayed in an out-patient treatment facility for 5 weeks.
The toughest part of my Lyme journey was finding out that I had Lyme and that it could have been the cause of all my other autoimmune diseases which I have been suffering from for many years. Going for treatment, being away from my family and the fear of the unknown.
There are several positives that have come from this experience. First and foremost knowing there is treatment out there that can help you feel so much better. As well as the Lyme literate doctors that understand how you feel and what is needed to get you on the road to feeling better. Secondly, the friendships I have made along the way. It is amazing how many people are suffering with this terrible disease, and to be able to talk to someone that understands exactly what you are saying and how you are feeling, knowing you are not alone is comfort in itself.
I know remission is possible in fact with my situation which is unique the last time I took a pathogens test it came back negative for any Lyme Disease!!
I was diagnosed with Idiopathic Thrombocytopenia (ITP) in 2001 which is an autoimmune disease where your spleen attacks your platelets so your blood does not clot. This disease resulted in me needing a splenectomy in which the outcome was positive and stopped my body from destroying my platelets. Then 14 years later I was diagnosed with autoimmune hepatitis, which is a disease where my body started attacking my liver. Shortly after being diagnosed with autoimmune hepatitis I was diagnosed with my third autoimmune disease, Sjogren's Syndrome where my body attacks its own cells and tissues that mostly affect the cells that produce saliva and tears and lastly I was diagnosed with Lupus.
So to say I have terrible health would be an understatement. Since I was treated for Lyme I have been pain free, I have more energy than I did before and my overall outlook on life despite all that I have is positive. If you didn't know my story and you were to meet me you would have no idea that I have any of these diseases. I believe because of my Lyme treatment which cured any virus or bacteria I had also played an enormous role in putting my other diseases in remission. Since my treatment, I have had no flare ups pertaining to any of my autoimmune diseases. I am staying hopeful and positive that this may have been the cure I needed all along.