posted
I feel compelled to relate my experiences in having LD and not accepting the DX. Since I live in Texas, and we do not have LD here (ugh!) I went through the doubt and denial that is passed on through the medical profession. I went for four years not knowing what was wrong, as most of us have. At the four-year mark, I found out about Lyme disease and was promptly test via WB. I unlike many had all CD bands positive, yet no one around to treat me.
This led to two years, of self-doubt and scrutiny. I read posts on this website and found myself believing one day only to find the next filled with disbelief. Embarrassingly now, I even felt that LD was a conspiracy or even false hope for an unavoidable future of a MS diagnosis.
At the end of my 6th year, I became desperate as my health declined. I finally reached the point of reluctant acceptance and action. I found a support group and received the name of a doctor who was 4 hours away.
Two months later, I found myself at my first LLMD appointment. WOW! This was life changing. I responded well to treatment thus far and am proud to say that I no longer feel so tired, pain filled and wasting away. I now have hope.
Proudly, I just graduated with a Masters Degree in Special Education. My experience with Lyme has opened my eyes to how students with neurological disabilities feel. This in turn has increased my compassion and I think that I am a more understanding teacher.
I would never have asked for this disease, but the person I have become is so much deeper with love, understanding, patience and new awareness. I pray that everyone that has this disease seeks treatment and feels that all of the obstacles that lay ahead long drives, miserable treatments, skeptics, and self-doubt will dissipate. There is hope.
Please, if you doubt your DX or the validity of chronic LD error on the side of taking action. What do you have to loose? Even a 30% percent chance of feeling is better than nothing. My kids have there Mom back!! I can stay up later, play, and even workout a little bit.
Two years ago, I could not have used my brain to put more than a paragraph together. I praise God that I am able to put this post together. Please do not waste time as I have!
posted
LED, Thank you for posting your inspiring story! I hope that when you feel you are there that you'll post in the Success Story thread in General Support.
posted
Fantastic story, LED. I feel it is so important to look at the positives that come out of this, as you have.
Posts: 636 | From Saratoga County, NY | Registered: Apr 2008
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disturbedme
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 12346
posted
Thanks for your story AND congratulations on earning your Masters in Special Education. We always need more teachers/workers in that area.
I adore children/people with those kinds of disabilities. My sister is mentally handicapped and she's just amazing. The huge amount of love and care she has for people... While in high school I helped aid in the special ed. class while my sister was there. It was so much fun while I learned so much from these people.
Once again, congrats!
-------------------- One can never consent to creep when one feels an impulse to soar. ~ Helen Keller
My Lyme Story Posts: 2965 | From Land of Confusion (bitten in KS, moved to PA, now living in MD) | Registered: Jun 2007
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bettyg
Unregistered
posted
LED, OUTSTANDING!! WHOOPIE FOR YOU!!
i remember talking to you these past 2 years; my how YOU have changed YOUR life for the better!!
thanks for sharing your touching story, and yes, PLEASE, add it to SUCCESS STORIES in the SUPPORT forum shown at the top!!
these stories are what inspire others walking in your shoes to overcome their lyme and all the handicaps presented to them!
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dmc
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 5102
posted
Thanks for sharing...we need more positive lyme stories.
Posts: 2675 | From ct, usa | Registered: Jan 2004
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posted
Lyme Denial is a common problem-- as everyone tells us this cant be Lyme.
Tested positive w. 10 bands on wb 9 years ago and never really got better. Could always explain away why I did not feel well, and my wife kept telling me it's your Lyme.
Finally ended up at a LLMD 7 months ago. Tested positive again for 9 bands on WB PLUS Babesia and bartonolla from Quest/Standard Lab.
Now after 6 months of treatment im doing better, but still not well.
Not in Denial any more about Lyme. It does not go away with a couple of weeks of abx- thats for sure.
-------------------- Positive 10 bands WB IGG & IGM + Babesia + Bartonolla and NOW RMSF 3/5/09 all at Quest
posted
Fantastic testimony LED! (BTW...I am also LED I am living in TX also, although I didn't get my diseases from TX, but from TN and Ark. I wonder if we have the same LLMD (or are my neuro problems so bad that I have talked to you through PM and already forgotten? Thank you for sharing... very uplifting. Dawn
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Thanks for the story. Glad you are seeing improvement.
I have to constantly remind hubby that we are doing the right thing in seeking treatment for tickborne diseases -- as he is seronegative for Lyme and has no memeory of a tickbite it is much easier to be in denial.
He doesn't doubt that he is sick. He just worries constantly that there is some unknown neurological disease that has been missed up to this point. That is on his bad days. Thank goodness he is having more good days the last 6 months and is not so negative all the time.
Bea Seibert
Posts: 7306 | From Martinsville,VA,USA | Registered: Oct 2004
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Tincup
Honored Contributor (10K+ posts)
Member # 5829
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