Fifteen years ago I started having severe body aches, nausea, headaches, insomnia, severe weight loss (30 lbs), and shooting pain through my arms with even the lightest touch. I went to see the most respected doctors within the medical research community. After thorough and aggressive testing I was given the diagnosis of multiple sclerosis, a lupus-like autoimmune inflammatory disease and Raynaud's Phenomenon, a vasospastic disorder causing discoloration of the fingers and toes. I was placed on medication for the pain. Since my labs never matched either of these diseases perfectly, doctors finally diagnosed me with Fibromyalgia, a medical disorder characterized by widespread pain in the muscle and connective tissue. Doctors increased the dosage of medication with the intent to make the pain bearable. Unsuccessful in their goal, I was forced to move away from the ocean as the cold damp air triggered pain reactions that were intolerable.
My symptoms seemed to improve for a while, then in 2007, I gave birth to my second child and my body never fully recovered. A few months later, I was hospitalized after having food poisoning on our 20th annual family reunion camping trip in the June Lake Loop. This infection caused an adrenal failure. In response to the adrenal failure doctors pumped me with IV Hydrocortisone (a steroid). Unfortunately, at the time I was unaware I was suffering from Lyme Disease. We now know that any steroid use is extremely harmful to a Lyme's patient. The use of steroids disables the body from creating antibodies to fight the Lyme's infection.
I was ill for the next two years, seeking help from a variety of doctors and homeopaths. In August of 2009, I was told about the possibility of having Lyme Disease by Eva Pesek, a Microscopist and Certified Nutritionist. She used dark field microscopy, a way of looking at blood plasma through a microscope to assess the health of a patient, and noticed the presents of spirochetes (a bacteria indicative of Lyme Disease). She referred me to a nutritionist who specialized in homeopathic Lyme Disease treatment, I was tested and began the treatments immediately. Over the course of 6 months I became weaker and my neurological symptoms worsened. I sought the counsel of a lyme-literate MD in my area and she ordered a comprehensive blood panel and recommended immediate nutritional supplementation to build my immune system. She also suggested I begin aggressive IV antibiotic therapy. In order to receive funding from my insurance company I needed to test positive on the Western Blot test. The use of steroids when I was previously hospitalized caused problems with the outcome of the test. Due to the use of steroids, it is common for people with Lyme to have false negatives on their western blot tests (a CDC recommended test to assess one's immune response to Lyme Disease). My test came back negative (though all other tests came back positive), therefore my insurance refuses to cover the expenses associated with this disease. At this point, in May 2010, my costs were estimated at $2500 a month but by July had actually turned into about $6000 due to the high cost of supplies and supplements. Treatment is necessary for my survival. The disease has spread to my brain and will continue to debilitate me if I go untreated. With the help of my family and friends I hope to raise the funds necessary to cover the 2-3 year long treatment plan. My goal is to grow old with my husband and watch God work in my children's lives. This is where my story begins.
Follow my journey as the Lord and I battle this life threatening disease. Please visit my blog via the "journey" link and leave encouraging comments as you wish. It really builds me up to know my friends are out there praying for me! Feel free to sign my guest book as well. Remember to leave your email address if you wish for me to get back to you! Thank you!
- Michelle
