I am 18 years old, and was diagnosed with LD about a year ago. Ive been fighting symptoms of LD for about 4 years, but it seems like a lifetime. Being 18 and having LD has created a whole new out look on life for me. It amazes me how some people can be so...so...( LD memory loss) ignorant to things they dont fully understand. How having Lymes is no longer a DISEASE, but through some elses eyes it becomes a convienience. Through someone elses eyes,you are not so weak that you cant get out of bed, you become lazy. Its not that your joints are killing you so bad you have to stop after just 3 stairs...you're out of shape. They dont see the pain when you cant remember what you ate for breakfast, where you were going, or what you were doing...you are probobly on drugs.
"i have Lymes disease" A concerned face. The smile that wants everything to be ok for you, The one i know to well. Followed only by "whats that?"
More people should know about LD, it shocks me that people think its simply JUST being bit by a tick. If they only knew.
Posted by bettyg (Member # 6147) on :
welcome! sorry to read you have lyme without the s on th end!
do you have a LLMD, lyme literate md giving you treatment? if not, post in seeking dr. area and read the top 3 posts first ok.
i'll send you a pm, private message, found below HELLO your nickname when it's flashing.
it's my newbie 60 page package of llinks, advise, symptoms, tests, disaility, much more, and treepatrol's archive of over 1000+ links of good info! Posted by Robin123 (Member # 9197) on :
MRHCA, I couldn't agree with you more about the way a lot of people see us. I think you have described very well some of the frustrating social experiences we go through.
A lot of us are writing to Oprah now in the hopes of her doing a show on Lyme. I encourage you to add your story and comments there. It's at http://boards.oprah.com/WebX/.f161b7a/0. You can sign up at the O site and then post a comment on The Agony of Lyme Disease health group.
Posted by CaliforniaLyme (Member # 7136) on :
WELCOME KIDDO*)!)*!)!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Welcome.
Posted by Lymetoo (Member # 743) on :
Look around Lymenet for Byron S. Bell ... He is a senior in high school.
It would be great to chat with each other.
Posted by kitkat32 (Member # 9682) on :
Welcome to the board.
I am sorry you have to go through this too.
This board is the best place to be for support.
We all understand eachothers pain.
It's very hard to make others understand. You are correct..to others it is just a tick bite. No big deal. To us it is so life changing and frustrating.
Hang around..you will learn alot and make many friends along the way.
kit
Posted by Vermont_Lymie (Member # 9780) on :
Hello MRCHA,
Yes, it is very frustrating with people -- even family and friends -- who you expect to understand that you are sick! And they just don't. Sometimes it seems only those with tick borne diseases understand how truly difficult this disease and treatment can be.
I hope you are getting good treatment and seeing an llmd. Are you taking antibiotics? Are they working for you? I hope so! Welcome to the lymenet board.
Posted by Skyler (Member # 11549) on :
Thats how it is. People do not get it. Most doctors do not get it...
Hang in there babe! Things will get better.
Posted by ByronSBell 2007 (Member # 11496) on :
YEP! here I am as well, 18 year old male. Struck down by lyme disease my junior year in highschool and have not returned since! Use to be a full time athlete, hunter, watersports, work on cars,ect. and now I am down to just trying to get through the day... Welcome to the forum, place where we can all support eachother (sometimes)
Me before my deathtrap for 2 years now. Posted by elle108 (Member # 11730) on :
Welcome to Lymenet. You will find so much support and understanding here. My daughter is just your age and has had Lyme since she was about 7.
She has experienced soooo much of what you describe. People who are not familiar with Lyme and its effects can be so unsupportive, but you will most certainly not find that here...
Everyone here has been throuigh their own personal journey trying to get properly diagnosed and treated. If you have not gotten a Lyme Literate medical doctor (LLMD) that should be your first step. Our family wasted many precious years with doctors who did not know how to treat my daughter, including her pediatrician who is, otherwise an excellent physician.
Welcome and post as often as you want and need!
Elle
Elle
Posted by Lymetoo (Member # 743) on :
quote:Originally posted by elle108: If you have not gotten a Lyme Literate medical doctor (LLMD) that should be your first step.
Absolutely!!!
Byron...GREAT pic!! Posted by sixgoofykids (Member # 11141) on :
We all share your frustration. Those who have Lyme and those who live with someone with Lyme are the only ones who can truly understand.
At your age, I felt the same as you are describing, though I went 25 more years before being diagnosed.
Are you being treated?
Posted by KauaiGoddess (Member # 11782) on :
Aloha MRHCA,
Welcome....I'm a 21 year old female and have been fighting this for 2 years...I just got diagnosed in June...
I was in college in California, and had to drop out and return home to Hawaii...
I UNDERSTAND!I FELL YOU!!!!
There is a lot of frustration...
Friends, family, strangers just don't always understand...if at all....it's hard...it's frustrating....it's lonly...it's painful...
but it's LIFE transforming...it has opened my eyes and heart to so many expierences, feelings, thoughts, ideas, people, situations in life that I would not have even been aware of or necessarily open to...
It's inspired me to help, to make a difference, and to touch peoples lives.....
Please feel free to contact me, I can PM you my phone number if you'd like to talk....
Much Love- Fawne
Posted by LuLuFlorida (Member # 12066) on :
Hey, I can relate with you. I am 22 years old and am in so much pain that I am homebound. I also had to drop out of college even though I only need one class to graduate. I've been sick a long time and jsut got diagnosed. If you ever want to chat, you can IM me at banananutbread00. Lindsay
Posted by tory2457 (Member # 10384) on :
Welcome!
Lots of helpful people here...but continue to read and learn about Lyme Disease.
The more you understand Lyme the easier it will be when uneducated people make stupid remarks about your health!
Not feeling alone in this battle is crucial!
Being only 18 just might work in your favor; you might be able to get your young life back! Thankfully you are in treatment.
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from all of us!