Never saw the tick

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I didn't see the tick that got me, and did not get the EM (bullseye) rash. I got very sick, quite suddenly - high fever, chills, headache, digestive issues... and then the pain set in.  Lyme has completely disabled me.  It took 3.5 years to get diagnosed, and I saw over 30 doctors at world-class hospitals in Boston, Massachusetts.  Several wrong diagnoses, and treatment for that 'alphabet soup' of guesses did more harm than good.  Ultimately found a Lyme Literate doctor, had the IGenix tests, and was CDC positive for Lyme and Babesia.  I say CDC positive because sometimes the tests are 'borderline' and CDC won't count them as positive.  The tests are so terribly inaccurate that many people test false-negative and require a 'clinical' diagnosis by a doctor truly specialized in treating Lyme Disease.  Having gone so long with no diagnosis, I was in full-blown late stage when I started treatment.  So far, I've been through several rounds, with different treatments plans over the course of nearly 5 years, with no success.  There has been improvement with each treatment plan, but after a few months or a year the progress stopped and I slid backward - losing ground and ending up worse-off than when I started.  I am currently going drastic, and planning a trip to a clinic in Germany that does hyperthermic (raised body temperature - induced fever) treatment for Lyme and co-infections.  It's quite a program - 2 weeks in-patient, highly monitored, extensive protocol.  Praying that this will at least kill enough 'bugs' and strengthen my immune system to a point where my body can fight.  I'd take any sustainable improvement at this point!

Moral of the story - NEVER GIVE UP.  Every case of Lyme and co-infections is different.  Yes, we have similar lists of symptoms, etc., but this is a disease that, in late-stage, must be treated on an individual basis.  Our immune systems, organ function, ability to shed toxins, the combination of co-infections --- all make our illness extremely complex for even the best trained doctors.  But if you keep looking and trying whatever makes sense to YOU, you just might find the answer that works for YOU.  We CAN beat this nasty beast.  Just remember that fixing Lyme and the residual damage, is a marathon - not a sprint.  So set your expectations accordingly and commit for the long-haul because each treatment plan must be given a chance to work, and must be adjusted for YOUR situation.  Hope is key!  Unrealistic expectation just leads to frustration and loss of hope.  Stay positive and do not give up no matter what!