My background

A little about me:

I became sick after a visit to the East Coast last year. I used to be very active - lots of hiking all the time, and suddenly I couldn't get out of bed from the severe fatigue. All my symptoms appeared suddenly following a week long "flu". Over the past year, I've developed terrible joint pains, muscle pain and severe nerve pain in my arms. I've also had a low grade fever that has lasted for 9 MONTHS that makes me feel like crap all the time! Recently I've had such terrible pain in my back that it's difficult to walk and I have to use a cane. I'm basically bedridden and haven't been able to work since February. I've also developed neuro symptoms which have been a real challenge. My life has just been turned upside down. I've seen a dozen doctors and was finally diagnosed with Lyme in July of this year. I was started on Doxycycline last year for 2 months by my Primary but she said that was the max treatment. Am now with an LLMD and taking Doxy with Flagyl. This whole experience has been so difficult and while I try to stay positive and trust that there is a reason I'm going thru this, I have days where I'm in so much pain and feeling so much frustration that I just break down and cry. I'm usually a really optimistic person too! Am so happy to find Lyme Support Groups and Forums - it's nice to know I'm not alone! I just never thought anything like this would happen to me - I feel as though I'm living someone else's life. ****Update on 12/31/2010 New Years Eve - It is 10 minutes to midnight and I'm reflecting upon the past year. I became sick in January of this year so that means it's been one YEAR of my life that has been taken away from this terrible disease. I SHOULD have been on a certain career track which I've been working towards for over 10 years. Instead - i'm practically bedridden and taking all kinds of meds that make me sick, zombie like and in one case - suicidal. (That would be the Neurontin (aka "Morontin") which I am no longer taking and can already feel my head clearing. That is some POWERFUL stuff. Now I'm trying Lyrica which can have the same symptoms but I have to do something about the terrible nerve pains in my arms and hands.) Anyway - I am fervently hoping that 2011 will be the year that I am CURED! (optimistic, i know) and 2010 will just be a bad foggy memory. Here's to finding my cure for Lyme!