David – Finally Seeing the Light

I’ve always been an outdoorsman and was always in the woods or on the water. Eleven years ago when I was 16, a friend of mine noticed the “bullseye rash” on the back of my neck. I went to a dermatologist and they instantly knew it was Lyme. I was referred to infectious disease specialist and given three weeks doxycycline.

Months later, my mom kept bringing me back to urgent care for new symptoms popping up: tingling in fingers, face, legs, etc. The doctors didn’t have an answer. Eventually I got tired, gave up, and just dealt with new symptoms.

About a year later and thinking the Lyme was taken care of by the doxycycline, I started having irritation in my bladder and frequent urge to urinate. I went and saw an urologist and didn’t get anywhere.

Then, my mom passed away in 2015 and any determination I might have had in ever figuring out my health issues went out the window. I just gave up. I continued to suffer with severe bladder and urinary issues for years and it destroyed my quality of life.

In 2019, I started to get severe joint pain in legs and hips, so bad that no matter how I laid in bed I couldn’t get it to ease up. I thought back to Lyme disease I suffered with years earlier and thought, what if I still have it?

A family friend was treated by a Lyme Literate Medical Doctor up in Virginia about 4 hours from me a few years back. I called and scheduled my first appointment the next week. I had hope, like I could see the light at the end of the tunnel.

I drove 4 hours one way up to Northern Virginia from Northeast North Carolina to see the LLMD. She did the blood tests and coinfections urine test, I followed up a month after and began antibiotics, supplements and strict gluten free/dairy free diet.

Unfortunately, after ordering my first round of supplements and first two Lyme doc appointments, I realized I wasn’t going to be able to afford treatment.

I started looking on the internet for grants and that’s when I found LymeLight Foundation and applied. I remember getting the email telling me I was getting a grant. I cried and my sister cried.

Because of the grant, I was able to continue treatment. My joint pain is now gone entirely. I have more energy. I still have some bladder issues but still continuing some herbal supplements and trying to stick to the diet as much as I can. I am so very thankful of LymeLight for the impact on my life after suffering Lyme so many years.