Rachael – Navigating the Ups and Downs
I became sick with Lyme and co-infections about ten years ago but I did not know it at the time. It started as flu-like symptoms with stomach upset, nausea and extreme dizziness. I spent years trying to figure out why I was so sick. I was diagnosed with what seemed like everything under the sun, except Lyme.
Slowly, I became sicker over the years. I experienced debilitating fatigue, migraines, severe pain, dizziness, paresthesia, skin breakouts and rashes. I suffered hormonal disruption, cardiac dysrhythmia and an almost complete failure of my adrenal glands. It wasn’t until about two and a half years ago that I came across my wonderful Lyme-literate doctor who diagnosed me with Lyme and has been treating me ever since.
In the beginning of my Lyme treatment, I was bedridden and in nearly a constant state of pain and illness. I learned quickly that treating Lyme disease would be a long and expensive process. There was a lot of trial and error to find the treatments that best fit my body and my illnesses.
It has been a rough journey so far with many ups and downs. I have had many intense Herx reactions from the countless treatments I’ve tried. My husband and I unknowingly moved into a contaminated house with high levels of toxic mold. Because of this, I rapidly got dangerously worse. I was waking up in the middle of the night unable to breathe and in intense pain. I experienced a loss of memory, the ability to form sentences or words and hair loss that left me with about 20% of my hair. Thankfully, my doctor recognized the signs of mold toxicity and we were able to move.
A few months ago, I moved to an area with more options available for treatment. I really want to kick this thing! I am working so hard every day to fight to regain a semblance of a normal life. I am hopeful that I will make good progress and my future will be bright and full of adventure!
LymeLight has given me funds to help cover the medications, supplements and doctor care I needed. Also, it has allowed me to get extra treatments that weren’t possible before like IV’s, chiropractic care and EMDR. I can’t thank LymeLight enough for giving me the help that they have. It’s truly been a lifeline for my husband and me and we are so grateful.