A MIRACULOUS RECOVERY

After 20 years of debilitating Lyme Symptoms Nicole Lavin Makes a Miraculous Recovery

By Nicola Lavin

What an interesting pattern…

1. The government endangers the public

2. The government investigates itself

3. The government finds no wrongdoing

It’s referred to as: Problem Reaction Solution

*Opinions expressed by contributors are their own. Nicola Lavin is a travel blogger from Ireland who is trying to navigate the world after a 20-year battle with Lyme disease.

After 20 years of miscellaneous, debilitating symptoms and countless ignorant doctors, Nicole Lavin decided to take an active role in her healing journey and saved her life. 

How It All Started…

My name is Nicola Lavin and my story starts 22 years ago in the Summer of 2000. I was almost finished my degree as a medical scientist before settling into a long term career. I wanted one more summer of fun so I left Ireland to join the hundreds of other J1 students in Montauk New York. Let me just say… Montauk is heaven! Sandy beaches and long summer days and hundreds of students working together and living the dream.

I got a job at the infamous Guerney’s Inn. I could walk to work every morning through the grass and watch chipmunks play right beside me. I didn’t even think about ticks just waiting to find their prey. In this case, it was the white freckled legs of an Irish girl walking happily through the long grass. I also didn’t even realize that I had been bitten. I had an area in my armpit that became red and swollen but I never developed the diagnostic bulls-eye rash. 

I flew home really sick. Like having the worst flu and hangover of your life all at once. I immediately went to my doctor at home who told me to give it a few weeks and come back if I still wasn’t better. I didn’t get better and the daily nausea became so bad that it prompted my doctor to do a pregnancy test and you guessed it … .I was pregnant! All of my symptoms were put down to that and never having been pregnant before I didn’t know that it really wasn’t supposed to be that bad. By the end of the pregnancy, I was rushed to hospital in complete heart failure. My heart stopped and I died and had to be revived. 

I was never the same after that. Even though the doctors were happy that they had reversed my heart failure through medication, they still couldn’t account for the extreme fatigue and large myriad of symptoms that I was now experiencing.

My Many Symptoms

Over the years, I developed many autoimmune conditions, my heart rate was consistently low (about 35bpm), POTS, severe pins and needles, joint pain, muscle fatigue, brain fog and   memory loss.  I also developed painful oesophageal spasms, difficulty swallowing and then began having strange neurological symptoms like paralysis episodes where I could hear my son and husband crying with worry but I couldn’t move a muscle to let them know I was ok. When I eventually would come around, my speech would be slurred like someone who had just suffered a stroke.

 The Countless Doctors

And still the doctors passed me off from one to the other. Instead of them looking at my symptoms as a whole, I was referred to a rheumatologist for my joint pain, a dermatologist for my burning skin, a gastroenterologist for my oesophageal spasms, a cardiologist for POTS, an immunologist who told me that he didn’t do fatigue and several neurologists for my nerve pain and memory issues.

And still the doctors passed me off from one to the other. Instead of them looking at my symptoms as a whole, I was referred to a rheumatologist for my joint pain, a dermatologist for my burning skin, a gastroenterologist for my esophageal spasms, a cardiologist for POTS, an immunologist who told me that he didn’t do fatigue and several neurologists for my nerve pain and memory issues. 

Despite me telling them initially about the bite I thought I had gotten, I was never tested for Lyme disease. And I was 17 years sick like this, going from doctor to doctor for answers and still trying desperately to live a normal life. My blood tests at this stage always showed inflammation in my body and that I was now producing autoantibodies.

Finally, Finding Answers

Taking care of me became my husband’s full-time career: having to wash, spoon feed me and even brush my teeth. I decided that was enough and began researching myself. The medical scientist in me had also thought of Lyme so I paid myself to have my bloods tested in a private lab in Germany. My Lyme PCR came back positive for Borrelia burgdorferi DNA and an American strain of the bacteria. Finally I had answers but as anyone with a Lyme diagnosis knows that is just when the uphill battle begins as so many doctors still refuse to accept that chronic Lyme disease actually exists.

I did find a good neurologist who took me under his wing, and after a year and a half off a strong cocktail of antibiotics the scientist in me felt that the Lyme had to be well and truly dead. But I still felt awful! The more I thought about it the more I realized that it was my immune system causing the issues. 

Think of it this way. 

Your house is on fire but you manage to put the fire out after a lot of damage is done. You wouldn’t go back to living in this house until that damage was repaired. So I knew that was what I had to do, repair my damaged immune system. I needed to clean out all of the junk in my damaged cells and get them communicating again.

I needed to fix my nerve cells so that my brain could make my organs function properly again. So I decided to go back to Germany where they seemed to know a lot more about treating Lyme to have stem cell therapy. After 18 long years, I was finally given a second chance at life.

On October 4th 2018 my stem cells were removed from my fat cells on my hips in a procedure that is very similar to liposuction. I was dreading this part, but it didn’t hurt in the slightest. A short time later my husband was given the privilege of injecting my stem cells through my IV. To say that we were emotional is an understatement. After 18 long years, I was finally given a second chance at life.

The Healing Process

I’m not going to lie, the healing process was tough. There were days when I never thought I would come out the other side. Neurological healing takes up to two years, but I was extremely lucky in that this treatment worked for me. My quality of life began to improve dramatically to the point where I could work and travel (my biggest passion in life). Being bed-bound was like solitary confinement–so as soon as I was well enough, I began traveling and documenting my journeys.

I enjoyed it so much that I started a travel blog and now get to travel the world with my husband. Any symptoms I have now are mild and the most important thing is that I now have a good quality of life. I am back doing what I love most…..exploring the world! Traveling the world with chronic illness isn’t easy but it is possible and my advice to anyone dealing with Lyme disease at the moment is that even though it might not feel like you will ever get your life back, never give up! It took me over 18 years and it’s an experience that has changed my life forever but it has made me so appreciative of the little everyday moments in life. 

For more blogs and patient stories, click here. 

Best Lyme Disease Documentaries – Search Videos

If you’re looking for powerful and informative documentaries about Lyme disease, these selections offer a range of perspectives—from scientific deep dives to emotional personal stories. 

Here’s a curated list of standout titles:

 Best Lyme Disease Documentaries for Beginners

1.  Lyme disease – causes, symptoms, diagnosis, treatment, pathology This is a concise and straightforward introduction to Lyme disease. It covers the basics—what it is, how it’s transmitted, symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment—making it ideal for viewers with no prior knowledge. 
2. Watch The Quiet Epidemic (2022) – Free Movies | Tubi is a documentary that follows the search for answers of a young girl from Brooklyn and a Duke University scientist who are diagnosed with Chronic Lyme disease, a disease said to not exist. The documentary takes a deep dive into the history of the disease, from its discovery in 1975 to its slow, methodical, and quiet spread across the globe. It reveals a paper trail of suppressed scientific research and buried documents that explains why ticks and the diseases they carry have been allowed to quietly spread around the globe.
3. Under Our Skin | Exposing the Hidden Epidemic of Lyme Disease | Award Winning Documentary An award-winning film that follows patients and doctors as they battle the medical establishment’s denial of chronic Lyme disease. It’s gripping and emotionally resonant. A riveting thriller reminiscent of The Hot Zone, this true story dives into the mystery surrounding one of the most controversial and misdiagnosed conditions of our time—Lyme disease—and of Willy Burgdorfer, the man who discovered the microbe behind it, revealing his secret role in developing bug-borne biological weapons, and raising terrifying questions about the genesis of the epidemic of tick-borne diseases affecting millions of Americans today.
4. Documentary: Under Our Skin 2 ‘Emergence’  In this dramatic follow-up to the widely acclaimed UNDER OUR SKIN, EMERGENCE takes the viewer on a journey from horror to hope. We witness the emerging epidemic of Lyme disease as infection and education spread globally. We watch as the truth emerges about the disease’s persistence and reach, about promising new research, and about medical collusion and conflicts of interest that continue to impede progress. We revisit the characters from UNDER OUR SKIN as they emerge into better health, reclaiming their lives and dignity, and offering hope to the legions now suffering. As Lyme disease surges, EMERGENCE shines a probing light on the issue and becomes a beacon in the dark.
5. The Lyme Disease: A Silent Epidemic | FULL DOCUMENTARY  A comprehensive overview that’s still beginner-friendly. It explains the global spread of Lyme disease and emphasizes the importance of awareness and early detection.
6. Lyme Disease: The Hidden Epidemic | SLICE SCIENCE | FULL DOC While slightly more investigative, this documentary is still accessible and offers fascinating historical context and scientific insights into the disease’s origins and spread.
7. The Shocking Truth About Lyme Approximately 476,000 annual diagnoses, significant underreporting, and concentrated high-incidence regions across 15 states. Explore the economic burden exceeding $345 million yearly, demographic insights, and the seasonal patterns that impact infection rates. Gain clarity on Lyme disease symptoms, stages, and challenges in diagnosis and treatment, including recent research breakthroughs. Understand the expanding geographic reach and prevention strategies critical to combating this pervasive vector-borne illness.
8. The Mysterious Origins of Lyme Disease This week’s American Alchemist is Ross Douthat: Ross is an American political analyst, blogger, author and New York Times columnist. He was a senior editor of The Atlantic. He has written on a variety of conservative topics, including the state of elite education and Christianity in America and “sustainable decadence” in contemporary society. In this episode, we talk about his battle with Lyme disease and its mysterious origins.
9. Ticks: The Real Vampires | Free Full Length Documentary (Insects, Disease, Death) Beginning with the first occurrences in the village of Lyme, Connecticut in the 70s, to the identification of the virus in the mid 80s, to the unmasking of borreliosis as a true epidemic and the reason behind widespread ailments such as rheumatism, nerve paralysis and heart diseases in the 90s.Next to the Malaria-carrying mosquito, the tick is the most dangerous animal carrier of diseases worldwide. But unlike the mosquito, the dangers carried by ticks are extremely complex. Doctors have only recently discovered the extent of the real threat posed by these bloodsuckers, these tiny vampires. They carry viruses, bacteria, and one-celled animals or nematodes. At least ten diseases have their main or even sole origin brought on by ticks. Some of the bacteria (Borrelia, Rickets, Ehrlichien) have adapted to the life cycle of the tick during the course of evolution.
10. TOXIC TICKS Do Australian ticks pose a greater health risk than we thought? For people suffering from Lyme-like disease, it’s a controversial mystery that science has so far been unable to resolve. For the first time, microbes inside native Aussie ticks are being probed, leading to new discoveries which may reveal the causes of unexplained illnesses in the future.
11. How sick can you get from a tick bite? Chanel Moloney and her mother Cate have gone to extreme lengths in their search for answers and treatments for a suspected tick-borne illness. Experts insist it cannot be Lyme Disease, but a lack of alternative possibilities has left them frustrated.

These selections will give you a solid foundation in understanding Lyme disease—from the biology to the personal stories. Would you like a watchlist or a viewing order to guide your learning journey? 

 Scientific and Investigative Documentaries

1. Lyme Disease: The Hidden Epidemic | SLICE SCIENCE | FULL DOC  This full-length documentary explores the growing prevalence of Lyme disease and the scientific challenges in diagnosing and treating it. It’s ideal for viewers seeking a data-driven, research-focused approach.
2. The Mysterious Origins of Lyme Disease  Ross Douthat is an American political analyst, blogger, author and New York Times columnist. He was a senior editor of The Atlantic. He has written on a variety of conservative topics, including the state of elite education and Christianity in America and “sustainable decadence” in contemporary society. On this episode, we talk about his battle with Lyme disease and its mysterious origins.
3. Lyme disease – causes, symptoms, diagnosis, treatment, pathology A concise and informative breakdown of Lyme disease’s medical aspects—perfect for understanding symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment options.
4.  The Lyme Disease: A Silent Epidemic | FULL DOCUMENTARY Offers a comprehensive overview of the disease’s spread and its impact on public health, emphasizing the need for awareness and early detection.

 Personal Stories and Emotional Impact

4. Preview of ‘The Quiet Epidemic,’ documentary about Lyme disease This preview introduces a documentary that highlights the struggles of those living with chronic Lyme and the systemic challenges they face.
5. Watch The Quiet Epidemic (2022) – Free Movies | Tubi is a documentary that follows the search for answers of a young girl from Brooklyn and a Duke University scientist who are diagnosed with Chronic Lyme disease, a disease said to not exist. The documentary takes a deep dive into the history of the disease, from its discovery in 1975 to its slow, methodical, and quiet spread across the globe. It reveals a paper trail of suppressed scientific research and buried documents that explains why ticks and the diseases they carry have been allowed to quietly spread around the globe.
6. Lyme Disease Documentary Produced by WNY Lyme, this film offers guidance and support for those affected, blending expert interviews with patient stories.
7. The Quiet Epidemic: Lyme Disease Confidential | Lindsay Keys & Winslow Crane-Murdock Did you know that Lyme disease affects hundreds of thousands of people in the United States each year? Even more concerning is that many of those diagnosed with Lyme disease endure long-term, debilitating symptoms, and an unknown number remain undiagnosed and untreated for years.The Beautifully Broken podcast is committed to raising awareness about illnesses like Lyme, and in this episode, we’re joined by Lindsay Keys and Winslow Crane-Murdock, the filmmakers behind the documentary “The Quiet Epidemic.” They share their experiences living with Lyme disease and shed light on the human experience of those who suffer from this often-misunderstood illness. Join us as we discuss the broken diagnostic systems for Lyme, the future of Lyme diagnosis, and guidance for living with a chronic illness. We hope that this episode helps to bring more awareness to the hidden reality of Lyme disease.
8.  Bitten, The Secret History of Lyme Disease and Biological Warfare While on vacation on Martha’s Vineyard, Kris Newby was bitten by an unseen tick. That one bite changed her life forever, pulling her into the abyss of a devastating illness that took ten doctors to diagnose and years to recover: Newby had become one of the 300,000 Americans who are afflicted with Lyme disease each year.As a science writer, she was driven to understand why this disease is so misunderstood, and its patients so mistreated. This quest led her to Willy Burgdorfer, the Lyme microbe’s discoverer, who revealed that he had developed bug-borne bioweapons during the Cold War, and believed that the Lyme epidemic was started by a military experiment gone wrong.In a superb, meticulous work of narrative journalism, Bitten takes readers on a journey to investigate these claims, from biological weapons facilities to interviews with biosecurity experts and microbiologists doing cutting-edge research, all the while uncovering darker truths about Willy. It also leads her to uncomfortable questions about why Lyme can be so difficult to both diagnose and treat, and why the government is so reluctant to classify chronic Lyme as a disease.
9. Bing Videos  Bitten is A riveting thriller reminiscent of The Hot Zone, this true story dives into the mystery surrounding one of the most controversial and misdiagnosed conditions of our time—Lyme disease—and of Willy Burgdorfer, the man who discovered the microbe behind it, revealing his secret role in developing bug-borne biological weapons, and raising terrifying questions about the genesis of the epidemic of tick-borne diseases affecting millions of Americans today.
10. W5: Canadians fight for Lyme disease diagnosis and treatment People with Lyme disease can suffer debilitating pain, robbing them of the life they had before they were bitten by a tick. W5 investigates Canada’s problem with a disease that comes from a tiny parasite.

 Thought-Provoking and Controversial 

The True Origins of Lyme Disease A provocative look into theories about Lyme’s origins, including alleged bioweapons research. While speculative, it adds a layer of intrigue to the conversation.

The Monster Inside Me – Lyme Disease Documentary – YouTube The Monster Inside Me is a new documentary that takes an in depth look at Lyme Disease: The Invisible Disease and how it can ravage the body. The chicks from Chick2Chick “chirp” with the director of the documentary about the film, plus the chicks have details on how you can attend a premiere showing of “The Monster Inside Me” in Harrisburg or Philadelphia.

The Monster Inside Me – Lyme Disease Documentary A raw and personal account of how Lyme disease can devastate the body and mind, offering insight into the emotional toll it takes.

“Me And 3 Nurses Couldn’t Hold Him Down” | Monsters Inside Me  James catches the nasty Triple E (Eastern Equine Encephalitis) virus, many people afflicted with the virus tend to die.

The Teens’ Terrifying Fight With A Tick! | Monsters Inside Me | Animal Planet A teen being treated for Lyme disease is forced to drop out of school when her symptoms become intolerable.

Each of these documentaries brings something unique—whether it’s scientific clarity, emotional depth, or investigative curiosity. Would you like recommendations based on your preferred style or focus (e.g., medical, personal, or investigative)? Search Results for Lyme Disease | Cancer Quick Facts

The above material is provided for information purposes only. The material (a) is not nor should be considered, or used as a substitute for, medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment, nor (b) does it necessarily represent endorsement by or an official position of Global Lyme Alliance, Inc. or any of its directors, officers, advisors or volunteers. Advice on the testing, treatment or care of an individual patient should be obtained through consultation with a physician who has examined that patient or is familiar with that patient’s medical history.