For the non-lyme literate: Common Lyme abbreviations: abx=antibiotics  dx=diagnosed/diagnosis

KANSAS

Paul and Pam Saunders - Three years ago, although, it seems a lifetime. My husband was bit by a tick while out hunting. Soon he had slight flu symptoms but no bull's eye rash. This is a man who in our 18 years of marriage had not been sick ever. We didn't realize at the time that he had contracted Lyme so over the next year he came down with every virus around because his immune system was so compromised from the Lyme. He went to my Doctor and was diagnosed with Lyme. I didn't realize it at the time but she is a leading Lyme specialist. He was given the Bowen test and it came back positive. His symptoms at the time were varied and complex. But the diagnosis was made and he began treatment. I was having symptoms and went to see the Dr. who said she suspected that I had Lyme from my symptoms. Since I had never been bit by a tick I didn't believe her for quite a while, about 9 months to be exact. My symptoms were flashing bright lights in my eyes, inability to walk on the bottom of my feet in the morning, couldn't get up from kneeling from joint pain and the worst case of brain fog ever. I went to see specialists about my eyes and they couldn't find anything. I went to my internist who gave me the Western Blot test. His office said it came back negative. In desperation I went back to my original Dr. and was given the Bowen test which came back positive. I later asked for a copy of my Western Blot results which showed borderline infection so low that my Dr. said I didn't have it. I immediately started on my antibiotic treatment. The was Dec. 2006. In Dec. 2007 I was diagnosed with Bartonella from the Fry test. It stains bacteria so that you can see them. It is for research only but it showed a 80-95% infection in my Red Blood Cells. Yikes. I am now receiving treatments for both bacterial infections. My husband is on his last antibiotics. His CD57 has risen and is coming back into the normal range. He feels great and looks like his old self again. I probably have another year of treatment before they can say I may be cured. The point is, we both truly believe that if we did not have such a great and knowledgeable Dr. we would both be very close to the grave right now instead of looking forward to regaining our health, which we are both doing. We have a happy ending. But how many people aren't getting the help they need and desire because of antiquated testing, insurance companies refusal to pay for testing and treatment and doctors just not knowledgeable about Lyme Disease? We need help to educate all facets of the Health Care System. We need it sooner than later. Lyme is a painful, horrific disease.

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