GUEST VIEWPOINT Lyme Disease has reputation as the 'Great Imitator'
By Debbie Mackiw Several weeks ago I read a letter in Viewpoints titled, "Lyme disease limits your life." I have to applaud Ms. Antenucci for making her community aware of a growing epidemic. Knowledge is power and people suffering with an unknown condition need to educate themselves about the possibility of Lyme Disease.
Sadly, I also read the letter by Ms. Joseph, "Be smart about ticks." I am happy for her and her family that they have had ticks on them before and have not contracted Lyme. Although, she can not be sure that they haven't. Lyme disease can be dormant in your body for several months/years before you start having symptoms. You don't have to have had a rash or seen a tick.
I was 21 years old when I first became ill. I was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis after many doctor visits. Years of steroids did nothing but harm my body. I finally decided to educate myself and did my own research.
I had Lyme testing through a lab recommended to me by ILADS. I had to pay $700 for this testing but it was money well spent. I didn't have MS after all. I began Lyme treatment two years ago and I have seen significant improvement. I woke up yesterday morning and I was able to see in color. I haven't been able to see red or blue in the last two years. I started a new antibiotic last week so I now know it is doing it's job.
Lyme can be treated fairly easily if it is caught early and antibiotics are started. There is only a small time frame there and once you go beyond that there is usually no turning back.
I urge your paper to do an accurate Lyme article. Contacting ILADS would be an appropriate choice.
Readers like Ms. Joseph shouldn't be scared to go outside and enjoy the fresh air. They also shouldn't ignore the fact that there are thousands of people suffering from this illness that is better known as "The Great Imitator."
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Mackiw is a resident of Tunkhannock, Pa.
Posted by lisabeth (Member # 11725) on :
I am dx. with ms and now I have POTS which is unlikely with ms so i started reseaching other misdx. of ms and found lyme.. I seem to fit in here. I am going to vandy in 2 weeks and then i have an appt. to dr.c at the end of month. I'm so glad for you and that they found what you really had.. best of luck to you. lisa
Posted by kitkat32 (Member # 9682) on :
Hi there,
Boy, I was surprised to see my name as a title.
Anyway, I tryed to be short with it but to the point.
Hi lisabeth,
Going through the MS dx is just awful. I truly know how you feel. I did oral steroids for years and several rounds of IV Solumedrol at home. I am lucky it didn't destroy me.
The strange thing is that while I took them I felt good. I had a high happy feeling. When I stopped them my immune system was so messed up and the lyme was out of control.