Lyme's Disease. Ever heard of it? Yeah, neither did I until one of my sorority sisters was diagnosed with it. This illness is growing in numbers and it is devastating and needs to be stopped. With help from my sister, Taylor Link-of whom I will be quoting and who that lovely lady in the picture up there is- and from many websites and Facebook pages, I am here to spread awareness about this illness.

First of all, what is it?

Well, this is actually the only simple part to answer. Lyme Disease is a tick - borne disease. This means that you get it from a tick bite. It is commonly referred to as the “Invisible Illness”….yikes. Taylor also told me that “in our blood stream there are these little bubbles called biofilm and inside of the biofilm is were any bugs or infection (Lyme) can hide.”

How do you get it?

You have to be bitten by an infectious tick.

What are some of the symptoms?

This one was not as easy to get an answer to. According to my research only a small amount of people with a tick bite even get a rash, and if they do it is not itchy or painful AT ALL. So, I asked Taylor my go-to Lyme expert, “Symptoms vary…but mostly flu-like, along with extreme fatigue, joint pain, muscle weakness, brain fog, and memory loss. Those have been my most serious but the list is way longer.”

What does it do to you?

Taylor: “I had Lyme in the cerebellum of my brain that showed up on a PET scan and it was effecting my balance and coordination…this Lyme spirochete gets into ANY part of the body that it can.”

http://www.cdc.gov/lyme/signs_symptoms/lymecarditi...

How is it treated?

Unfortunately, there is no known cure for Lyme's Disease, just different clinics and different doctors. Luckily, Taylor has had the opportunity to be treated at one of the top medical clinics for her illness. She told me, “Oral Antibiotics for months is usually what is given to someone who tests positive, but then being on antibiotics that long does other harm (to your body). The clinic I am at is the top in the country- this doctor is brilliant. My treatment has consisted of receiving IV infusions (of) different things. IV antibiotics are used to "kill", along with vitamin C, which initiates the “killer” cells in your immune system. Along with IV infusions of vitamins, amino acids, and B-vitamins to help boost your immune system. Also (there are) certain IV infusions that are meant to pull toxins out of the brain, another to pull from organs and tissues. The goal of this treatment is to "break through" this biofilm and release the Lyme and bugs and kill it. Treatment also consists of lots of supplements. Every patient is different so the protocol and what people receive is different.”

http://sponauglewellness.com/wellness-programs/lym...

What are some problems with finding a treatment for Lyme?

There are some stigmas and myths that this disease is made up, just because people do not have the information about it. This disease is also VERY commonly misdiagnosed, so if you ever feel these symptoms and you get a negative Lyme test, get tested again.

What has been the hardest part for you with having Lyme's disease?

Taylor: “The hardest part I’d say for me is having to basically put my life on pause to drive 45 min to this clinic and receive IV infusions five days a week. Going through treatment makes it harder and makes you sicker because of the "killing"” As you can see in the picture below, and from Taylor's explanation of treatment, you have to get worse before you get better.

Using a repellent with 20-30% DEET, wearing long pants and long sleeves when in high grass, wet grass, or leaf litter. When coming inside from a trip outside in the long grass make sure to throw your clothes in the drier for an hour to kill the excess bugs that could be lingering on your clothes. Always, ALWAYS inspect your skin and DO NOT squish the tick.

How can I help?

EDUCATE EDUCATE EDUCATE! Share this article, tell your friends and family, do your own research, start a Lyme's disease fundraiser, anything you can to spread the word so we can prevent this!

http://lymediseaseawareness.org/index.html