In May of 2002, my daughter was bitten by a tick.
The tick was an adult-stage female black-legged tick. It was attached to her for less than
12 hours. Although she was examined by her doctor, the bite was dismissed as a health concern. We were told that since the tick was attached for less than 36 hours and wasn’t the “right” kind of tick – it was an adult, not a nymph tick – she was at low risk for Lyme disease. She was advised to go home, and if a rash, fever, or flu-like symptoms occurred,
to return for an antibiotic treatment.
No rash appeared at the site of the tick bite.
She didn’t develop a fever or flu-like symptoms. Months passed, and the tick bite
went untreated. After setting college records for swimming and making All-American
her freshman year in college, my daughter came home for a long weekend.
On her first night home, she had a fever and complained of aches and pains.
By the next morning, her symptoms had escalated.
Over the next several weeks, she suffered with searing headaches, a heart arrhythmia, overwhelming fatigue, and sensations like electricity running up and down her arms
and legs and making her muscles feel like they were on fire (her words).
“The left side of her body went numb.”
Holly Ahern and her daughter Kaleigh in Washington DC asking for Congressional support of the 21st. Century Cures Act, the legislation that included the language that led to the creation of the HHS TBDWG. (Photo and text provided by Holly Ahern.)
Her physician and the specialists we took her to were clueless.
One even suggested that her symptoms were somehow related to her being “a girl.”
We had to request the test for Lyme disease, since not one doctor she saw even
considered that a tick-borne disease could be the root cause of her illness.
Lyme disease is caused by a remarkably insidious microbe named Borrelia.
This bacterium, a spirochete like the one that causes syphilis, has the ability to disrupt the immune response and stealthily travel through blood vessels to infect tissues surrounding the joints, the heart, and the nervous system, resulting in symptoms that occur in stages.
Diagnosis is difficult, because the features of the illness are often non-specific.
The supposed hallmark of the disease, a rash shaped like a bullseye, only occurs in a minority of patients. The only recognized test for Lyme disease is highly inaccurate as a diagnostic tool.
Every year, more than 300,000 people are bitten by ticks and develop Lyme disease.
Pinterest | Search Results for Lyme Disease | Cancer Quick Facts (solitarius.org)
Only a fraction are promptly diagnosed and treated. Despite medical and public health assertions that “most” patients with Lyme disease recover fully, the reality is that many
do not. As my daughter’s case illustrates, the longer the time between diagnosis and first treatment, the more likely that symptoms will become persistent and disabling.
My family’s journey, from tick bite to diagnosis, treatment, and resolution of my daughter’s symptoms, was long and difficult. We were marginalized by a medical system overly invested in a narrow, outdated medical perspective that hasn’t changed in over 30 years, despite newer science showing that the disease is far more complex than previously thought. We had to navigate an insurance system unwilling to reimburse for treatment of
a disease that didn’t fit the outdated definition. We had to find ways to pay for the treatments that ultimately returned my daughter to a functional state. And we had to consider what the future held for all of us should my daughter remain disabled.
All as a result of an infectious disease.
As a microbiologist and educator, I’m now working to help others navigate the difficult terrain of Lyme disease, through public education on the risks of ticks and tick-borne disease, advising on research to develop new and accurate diagnostic tests, and by advocating for policy change on the state and federal levels to improve access to
care for Lyme disease patients. These policy changes have included the formation of the Department of Health & Human Services (HHS) Tick-Borne Disease Working Group (TBDWG) in 2018 to review the science and identify research gaps, as well as the legislation that, in 2016, added funding for tick-borne disease research to the Congressionally Directed Medical Research Programs.
The inclusion of Consumer Reviewers for the TBDRP grant program is a unique opportunity, since grant review for most federal funding agencies (such as the National Institutes of Health) does not invite the perspective of stakeholders. Serving as a Consumer Reviewer has allowed me to advocate for scientific research that will improve patients’ access to care through the development of accurate diagnostic tests, a better understanding of the biological basis for persistent symptoms of Lyme disease, and discovery of novel therapeutic approaches to improve quality of life.
Were you ever told it was all in your head?
Most Lyme patients have experienced this just further delays their diagnosis
and allows the Lyme and co-infections to get deeper into their system.
•
Repost @colourblind_zebra: It isn’t all in my head
In this episode of our Tick Boot Camp Podcast,
Episode 376: My Lyme Doc – an interview with Doctor Diane Muller – Tick Boot Camp
We welcome back Dr. Diane Mueller, a leading voice in Lyme disease treatment, and
co-host Michelle McKeon, a specialist in tick-borne infections and environmental toxins.
Introduction: Dr. Diane Mueller makes a much-anticipated return to our community to discuss updates in her practice. Joining her is Michelle McKeon, who specializes in Lyme disease co-infections and environmental toxins.
Treatment Approach: Dr. Mueller shares her four-phase method for dealing with complex tick-borne and environmental illness scenarios, focusing on understanding the body’s needs before implementing treatment.
Lifestyle Adjustment:
Dr. Mueller explains the importance of lifestyle changes
such as the incorporation of daily movement and the benefits of managing stress.
Mental Health Aspect: We delve into the realm of mental health, discussing the crucial role of asking the right questions to promote healing.
Exploring Peptides: Dr. Mueller shares her insights into the potential benefits of peptides, specifically KPV and BPC-157, for helping manage Lyme disease symptoms and promoting healing.
Managing Persister Cells: Learn about persister cells, the dormant form of Lyme disease, and the strategies Dr. Mueller uses to combat them, such as pulsation therapy and autologous immune enhancement therapy. Dr. Mueller’s Book: Dr. Mueller has
released a new edition of her book, “It’s Not in Your Mind”.
She shares some of the key differences and additional topics covered in the new edition.
My Libido Doc: Dr. Mueller introduces her new practice, “My Libido Doc”, a platform designed to address relationship and sexual health issues often affected by Lyme disease.
Mold and Mycotoxins: The discussion delves into the dangers of mold and mycotoxins, testing, and potential treatment options.
Supporting Mitochondrial Health: Finally, Dr. Mueller provides tips on how to support mitochondrial health, which is crucial for overall wellness, especially when dealing with chronic illness.
Links:
Dr. Mueller Feature on Tick Boot Camp
Dr. Mueller’s Lyme Disease Practice – My Lyme Doc
Dr. Mueller’s Book – It’s Not In Your Mind: Solutions and Strategies for Lyme Disease, Mold Illness, and Chronic Infections
My Libido Doc
Dr. Mueller’s Website
Michelle McKeon – The Lyme Specialist
Episode 75: From Crime Fighter to Lyme Fighter – an interview with Emma Mellblom – Tick Boot Camp Tick Boot Camp’s guest today is Emma Mellblom.
She is a 31-year-old woman from Sweden. Ms. Mellblom was training to become a police officer when she was adversely affected by the symptoms of a tick disease in 2012. She experienced nausea, flu-like symptoms, and joint aches. She was finally diagnosed with Lyme five years later. If you would like to learn more about how Emma Mellblom is using her tick disease journey to remind others to remain positive and take time to heal, then tune in now! Video | Facebook Tick Boot Camp (@tickbootcamp) • Instagram photos and videos
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Debbie Gibson Gives Update on Coping with Lyme Disease: ‘I’ve Really Overcome a Lot’.
Debbie Gibson Reflects on Her Lyme Disease Journey: ‘I’ve Come So Far’ (msn.com)
Leveling the playing field with Lyme Disease #lymewarrior #lymefighter #littleyellowpill.
Following These 8 Habits May Add Up to 24 Years to Your Life, Study Finds (msn.com)
Study reveals the ideal temperature for getting a good night’s sleep (msn.com)
The Longevity Expert Who Wants You to Stay Young Forever (msn.com)
8 healthy habits linked to living decades longer (msn.com)
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Justin Bieber: The singer reveals he has Lyme disease (medicircle.in)
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Read full article on medicircle.in https://medicircle.in … – Facebook
Web Jun 17, 2022 · Facebook Reels from Medicircle:
Read full article on medicircle.in… Facebook.
https://www.facebook.com/people/Johnny-Lyme Fighter…
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Join Facebook to connect with Johnny Lyme Fighter Clarkson
and others you may know. Facebook Chronic Illness – Pinterest
Web Mar 29, 2018 –
Believe it!!!www.sublyme77.com #lyme #lymedisease #lymefighter
Holly Lyme Fighter McMeekin – Search (bing.com)
Want to improve your overall health?
Look at these 5 areas of your life (msn.com)
Lyme Fighters: Holly McMeekin – YouTube
Virginie Lyme Fighter
Works at Conseillère en Naturopathie et Hygiène de vie Praticienne en biorésonance · Lives in Bourg-la-Reine
(1) Video | Facebook | Join Dr West in beating Lyme Disease (westcliniconline.com)
https://www.facebook.com/LymeFighters | (1) Facebook
People with the longest life span have 2 common traits –
It’s not dieting or exercise (msn.com)
Even pros miss simple putts
Nobody’s perfect around the greens
Professional golfers miss quite a few putts from outside of 8 feetBut what they don’t tell you is that their focused more on speed to avoid 3 putting
Distance control is the secret to putt like the pros
Golfers should spend most of their putting practice mastering putts within 8 feet
Sinking more short high percentage putts will lower your scoresTour Averages 2 foot 99% 4 foot 90% 6 foot 70%
8 foot 50% 10 foot 40% 12 foot 20% 20 foot 10%