Thursday, February 7, 2013

It's Official

It's official. I have Lyme disease. I've thought I had it for a while now even though no one else believed me. Well, not everyone didn't believe me. The people who truly counted did. Anyway, I got the "official" test results back from Igenex and my normal, family practitioner couldn't even understand how to interpret the results.

He figured it was negative since 4 out of the 5 tests came back negative. I was stunned. I'd been so sure. His diagnosis of the results did not feel right to me, so I called the lab and asked if there was a doctor there who could explain my results to me.

There was a doctor in and he was very smart, very professional, and was able to set me straight. I definitely have Lyme and I contracted it over a year ago. They can't pinpoint exactly when, of course, but they know it was over a year ago.

I've been bit by ticks twice. Once when I was around 8 and once when I was in Jr. High. I've struggled with brain fog and fatigue my whole life. I don't know if those symptoms come natural to me or if they are a product of Lyme, but either way, I'm vindicated now.

It feels so GOOD to say, "I told you so!" It feels so good to have a reason for my suffering, and it feels  REALLY good to finally have an answer and a directions to head in.

I've always been proactive when it comes to my health, so I spoke to others with Lyme, found a great doctor who specializes in treating it, and made that appointment. He lives two hours away, which is a huge pain in the rear, but I don't want to waste time with someone who doesn't know a dang thing about it. The doctor I found has a 100% approval rating online.

I'm terrified, overwhelmed, and depressed about it all. I have good, long cries often, where I lie in bed and beg God to make it all go away. But then I get back up, dust myself off, dry my tears, and climb back in the saddle. There are times when Lyme seems to flatten me. It has won many battles so far, but it won't win the war. I will not let it defeat me. No matter how long it takes. (hopefully it won't take a long time.)

7 comments:

Unknown said...

Very sorry to hear this, Melissa.

Take care. Big hug.

Anne Gallagher said...

Wow, I'm so sorry. I'm thinking my father should get tested again. He thought he had Lyme for years, but his doctor said no. Now, if what you say is 4 of your 5 tests came back negative, but you still have Lyme, maybe that's what happened to my father as well.

Thanks for being so open on your blog about this. I hope everything goes better for you.

Aurora Smith said...

Justice can be sweet. Get better, tho!

Charlotte said...

So sorry you have Lyme, SO GLAD you finally have a diagnosis!

Jeri said...

let me know when you are coming down this way, if the timing works out maybe we can meet up for lunch or something. Glad you are taking charge of this... you WILL overcome!

Carol Riggs said...

So sorry to hear this. Nasty, nasty ticks! Ugh. Best wishes as you seek treatment, and I'm glad you got a diagnosis at long last. :)

Kelley Lynn said...

It's gotta feel really good to know what's wrong (or to have it confirmed since you did know :))

now everyone can get behind you in fighting it.