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

NEVADA

Ashlee Eckroth-Hall - I was visiting my Grandma in Boise Idaho when I was 11 & my Mom picked a tick off my back. My first "real" noticeable symptom was constant headaches. My Doctor had tests done which were all "normal" so the diagnosis was stress. Since there is "no Lyme in Idaho" that wasn't an option when my Mom mentioned I had been bitten by a tick. We then moved from Portland OR to Phoenix AZ where the nice doctor there KNEW there was something wrong with me but never found the "real" cause. We moved back to Portland a year later where I started to compete in Figure Skating. I had MANY skating injuries, (so they were labeled) and so many tests I can't remember and saw so many doctors and took so many drugs I lost count a long time ago. During this time, I always felt like I couldn't breath and had panic attacks so I would ask EVERYONE if my lips were turning blue. I think I drove everyone crazy. I wouldn't go to high school dances or go out with friends because I never felt good and I knew I would want to be at home. I always felt like it was stressful for me to go anywhere. Throughout my teen years I continued to compete in Figure Skating. I don't know how I continued in my sport for all those years before I finally couldn't do it any more. I had to stop skating in 2000 at the regional competition. I just didn't have the strength to go on. I started teaching Skating after that. It seems like a lifetime ago. I have since married and have a 4 year old daughter who was born with Lyme. If we would have only known what we know now. I had to stop teaching and struggle to take care of my little girl. It is hard to even get up in the mornings. We have moved a few times to be closer to my LLMD, now we are going to have to move again as I am not responding to treatment and we are going to try the Hyperbaric Chamber treatment. I just pray this will work for me. I can't eat, I drink juice and a nutrition drink and eat young coconuts and drink the milk for my nutrition. My stomach hurts so badly I want to cry, my ribs hurt I can barely take a breath and my body aches all over. I have to take pain killers which hurt my stomach but it is the only way I can sleep. I hate the drugs!! My poor Mom works 13 to 14 hours a day trying to keep up as I am separated from my husband and my Mom takes care of us. She gives me shots 4 days a week since I can't take oral meds any more. I have systemic yeast and inflamed intestines. I just pray that something some time will kick in and help me. My little girl is doing well since my Mom got her right into treatment as soon as she figured out Lyme was what my problem had been all these years. I am now 25 and went misdiagnosed for 14 years. I thank God for my Mom every single day of my life. If it wasn't for her I would still be lost in the medical mess of Lyme.

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