Thursday 7 July 2011

Lyme disease is physically, emotionally and financially draining!

"In 1989, a doctor published an article in the Toronto Star saying if we don't deal with Lyme disease now, it is going to become an epidemic."

I am not a doctor, but today 7th July 2011, I am sticking my neck out and saying if South Africa is not careful and does not Face up to and deal with Lyme disease (also known as Lyme Borreliosis / Neuro Borreliosis) and it's co-infections soon,  it is going to become another epidemic, here in SA, much like HIV/Aids!

Most South African doctors don't believe you can get Lyme disease in South Africa.  In 1996 I told my GP I was 100% sure I had Lyme disease based purely on symptoms.  He told me it was IMPOSSIBLE to get Lyme in South Africa.  I recall telling him well if it wasn't called Lyme here, maybe it had another name. He did not listen to me and I just went from specialist to specialist.  I had another bladder opperation, I was hospitalised on traction for a week, four times in 1999.  Underwent a cervical manipulation under anaesthetic due to the sever neck pain in 2000.   I missed a neck fusion as the neurosurgeon felt I was 'too borderline' !! I was treated for 'epilepsy' for 5 or 6 years..., diagnosed as an asthmatic in June 2009...! 

I battled with my health for 16 years until I my final collapse in November 2009.  Thankfully I found a Lyme Literate Medical Doctor (LLMD) who diagnosed me with Rickettsia conorii, Q Fever (coxiella burnetti), Mycoplasma pneumonia and you guessed it !!  Borreliosis (Lyme Disease).  I have lived in South Africa since a baby and was bitten by ticks in my own garden in Johannesburg.

               PLEASE!!  WAKE UP SOUTH AFRICA !! 

LYME DISEASE IS HERE - THE TIME BOMB IS TICKING !!!