Why do I talk about Lyme so much?  Am I obsessed with it?  Do I think everyone I meet could have it?  What is the deal with Sharon and Lyme? 

I talk about Lyme because it took me decades to get properly diagnosed and it could have been diagnosed with one test (the Western Blot). 

I don’t want others to go through what I went through. 

I don’t think everyone has it, but I bet 30% of the people I know have at least one DNA band that would test positive for Lyme or a co-infection of Lyme. 

More importantly . . .
I know how easy it is to MISS Lyme Disease. 

In 2002, in the midst of my symptoms intensifying, my aunt DIED of Lyme Disease.  In the midst of her intensifying symptoms, in the midst of her fight to even be tested, I had no idea that my symptoms were similar to hers.

Aunt Betty died at the age of 57.  Two years before, she was a completely healthy, radiant, psychology professor teaching at Auburn University. 

A family member, someone I was close to, died of Lyme Disease. . . and I didn’t make the connection. 

Everything I had kept being explained as something else.  So, I never connected it. 

So, if I missed it when a family member died of the disease, I worry about everyone else out there who has some of the same symptoms but doesn’t have someone staring them in the face saying, “Get Tested for Lyme Disease.” 

Imagine my face in front of you. 

Get tested for Lyme Disease.   

And when you get tested, demand the Western Blot.  Do not settle for just an Elisa test.  Do not settle. 

Symptom History – these are symptoms that have been connected one way or another to Lyme Disease. 

1981
Viral Meningitis- Internist
Possible Epstein-Barr (sleeping 20 hours a day) - Internist
Sun sensitivity develops – Optometrist
Dry eye - Optometrist 

1982
Back pain starts Chiropractor 

1986
Elevated gastrin level and digestive troubles – Gastroenterologist 

1988
Elevated gastrin – Gastroenterologist

1990
Novacaine stops working for dental work - Dentist 

1993
Chronic back pain treated from 1993 through 2009 - Chiropractor
Depression – treated off and on from 1993-2009 Psychiatrist/Psychologist 

1995
Migraines – Psychiatrist

2001
Recurrent sinus infections start – ENT
Night sweats – Internist
Hot flashes – Internist
Dry skin - Dermatologist 

2002
Tooth pain starts – Dentist

My aunt dies in 2002 from untreated Lyme Disease . . . . . 

2003
Clumsiness, falling easily – don’t see anyone for it
Muscle weakness - Internist
Swollen joints - Internist
Tooth died - Oral surgeon

2004
Gallbladder removed - Surgeon
H.Pylori / digestive problems - Gastroenterologist
Fatigue – Internist
Hair loss – Endocrinologist 

2005
Gastrin level elevated - Gastroenterologist
Hypo-thyroid Endocrinologist
Vitamin D deficiency – Internist
Forgetfulness, trouble focusing 

2006
Gastrin level still elevated Gastroenterologist
Antrum Atrophy Gastroenterologist
Headaches Neurologist
Daytime sleepiness and Insomnia - Neurologist
Elevated heart rate - Cardiologist
Ideopathic intermittent right temporal waves - Neurologist
Ideopathic hypersomnia – Neurologist
Word and name search - Neurologist 

2007
Gastrin level elevated Gastroenterologist
Incontinence – didn’t tell anyone, too embarrassed 

2008
Cough - Pulmonologist
Peripheral neuropathy - Neurologist
Chest pains - Cardiologist
Muscle twitching - Neurologist 

2009
Blurry Vision - Ophthalmologist
Rash - Dermatologist
Incontinence - Urologist
Back pain - Chiropractor
Cyst (lipoma) on spinal cord - Neurosurgeon recommends surgery
"Lupus" diagnosis - Endocrinologist
Bursitis in hip diagnosis - Rheumatologist
Vitamin D deficiency - Endocrinologist
Lyme diagnosis - Lyme Literate Medical Doctor