Hear It From Me

Lyme is the fastest growing Vector-Borne Infectious Disease in the United States. Within two weeks, it's everywhere in the body: bones, joints, nervous systems, muscles, and every organ system. Infected through the bite of a tick or the placenta of an infected mother, most Lyme patients present with the chronic manifestation of the disease. It is believed that this is decided by certain DNA sequences of the patient. Even though there is no existing study to back this decision up, the CDC issued a protocol long ago that states Lyme patients should only be treated for 28 days. Because of this, patients are forced to see Private-Practice Medical Lyme doctors or Naturopathic Doctors; a hospital-practicing doctor will receive medical suspension or lose their job if they treat us. PP Doctors who treat us long-term are never covered by insurance; we constantly fight insurance companies on this, but they follow what the CDC says. The process of getting PICC lines or ports for patients is often extremely difficult since you have to find a doctor that is willing to put their job on the line to give you the treatment you need. Lyme is extremely underfunded, under-acknowledged, and misunderstood.