Spoonie Stories: Share Your Lyme Story Today, So Others Won’t Have To Tomorrow

My name is Bryan, I was born and raised in Rodeo, California (Bay Area) and later moved to Vacaville, California where I live now. I have been bitten by many ticks in my life. I was infected with Lyme and co-infections the first time in 1982-1984 in Pinole, CA and then infected again and nearly died in 1998-1999 in Vacaville, Ca. Although doctors say “there is no Lyme disease in California” they are very wrong! I‘ve had chronic late stage Lyme for 33 years now. I was misdiagnosed and ignored for 28 years until my aunt (who has Lyme for 20+ years) recommended I see her Lyme literate medical doctor (LLMD). Within minutes the LLMD said “I can tell you have Lyme and co-infections, and you are very sick”.

Since that day I have been treated with aggressive antibiotics, herbals, protocols, supplements, homeo, Picc line, IV, injections, oral abx… Tried almost everything except for the highly expensive treatments. Since nothing Lyme disease related is covered, I’ve spend many thousands out of pocket on treatment with little to no help from anyone. Visits are out of pocket, all Lyme meds are out of pocket and even blood work, if Lyme related, is out of pocket –which is ridiculous to feel like nobody believes your illness, not even our own country. I haven’t progressed in 5-6 years of treatment but some symptoms are a little better. I have hundreds of symptoms, that’s how I knew I had Lyme, Bartonella, Babesia…etc. I have been bedridden, in a wheelchair and home-bound going on 7 years. The only time I leave the house is for doctor appointments or blood work. Having Lupus too I cannot be in the sun.