petriep

In 1993, my 23-year old daughter came back from her backpacking trip in Germany with a large, red circle on her thigh. She went to the doctor and was diagnosed with Lyme disease, treated with antibiotics for 30 days and was told that was all that needed to be done. The aches and joint pains persisted and it took her almost a year to feel "normal" again. At that time neither of us knew anything about Lyme disease and we believed the doctors that no further treatment was necessary.

We are not sure if this disease was "dormant" for years or not, but when Tania became pregnant in 2005, the aches, pains and lack of energy returned. She passed it off as pregnancy-enduced and let it go. After giving birth, she felt the tiredness and other symptoms were just the result of caring for a baby. Then, when she became pregnant again in 2007, her health took a downward spiral. However, once again she attributed it to being pregnant and having a toddler to care for as well as a full time job.

After her son was born in 2008, the doctors finally tested her for the Lyme Disease and it was positive. Since the standard treatments available from primary care physicians were unsuccessful, she went to a specialist and has been receiving aggresive antibiotic and supplement treatment. Her health has improved, but she still has set backs and has never been at 100 %. Also, since many refuse to acknowledge the long-term health problems caused by Lyme Disease, she has had to pay for the treatments out-of-pocket.

It appears that the medical profession and insurance companies do not take Lyme Disease seriously enough. I pray that changes soon.