Ms Hoffman Has Returned To Her Artistic Roots To Promote Lyme Disease Awareness
Jennifer Hoffmann is a 36-year-old multi-talented artist from New Rochelle, New York. She is a touring opera singer, board member of Generation Lyme and a project manager at Project Lyme. Ms. Hoffmann recalls having suffered multiple tick bites during her childhood, and she was recently reinfected after a tick bite in 2020 from visiting New York Citys Central Park. Since the age of 7, she has suffered classic but undiagnosed Lyme disease symptoms that interfered with her artistic, educational, and social activities. Prior to receiving a Lyme diagnosis from an enlightened allergist, she received double digit diagnosis and treatments that never yielded positive results. Since testing positive for Lyme, she has utilized a diverse set of treatment tools including antibiotics, antivirals, antifungals, herbs, ozone and IVIG. If you would like to learn more about how an artist is using her creative spirit to heal herself and others from the suffering caused by Lyme disease, the tune in now!
Am I Losing My Mind Or Is It Lyme Disease
Do you feel like youve got brain fog? Are you having trouble with problem-solving and decision-making? Is it getting harder for you to concentrate or pay attention? Are you struggling with memory problems? If so, you could be feeling like youre losing your mind.
If youre like most people, you might head to your primary care physician to complain about these issues. In some cases, you might be told its just part of the normal aging process, you might leave with a prescription for ADD/ADHD medication, you might get a recommendation to visit a psychiatrist, or you might be told you have Alzheimers disease. Its highly unlikely, however, that you will be tested for Lyme disease.
Thats what happened to actor and singer-songwriter Kris Kristofferson. For years, he was told he was suffering from Alzheimers disease or some other form of dementia. His memory continued to deteriorate, and he was taking numerous medications. Eventually, the Hall of Fame singer went to Dr. Mark Filidei, an integrative medicine doctor who diagnosed Kristofferson with Lyme disease and treated him with antibiotics and hyperbaric oxygen therapy. After a few treatments, the singer reportedly told his wife, I feel like Im back, and has done much better.
Potential Barriers To Accepting A Lyme Disease Vaccine
Welcome to another Inside Lyme Podcast with your host Dr. Daniel Cameron. In this episode, Dr. Cameron discusses the potential barriers to the public’s acceptance and utilization of a Lyme disease vaccine. By Dr. Daniel Cameron The study, Understanding consumer and clinician perceptions of a potential Lyme disease vaccine, was published by Devchand and colleagues in the journal Health Education Research.¹ It has been two decades since the LYMErix vaccine
You May Like: Deer Ticks Carry Lyme Disease
Traci’s Lyme Journey Inspired Her To Open A Lyme
Traci Weintraub is a 40-year-old entrepreneur and sitcom television entertainment professional from West Hollywood, California. Originally from the Long Island, New York region of the east coast Lyme belt, Ms. Weintraub moved to California after she graduated from college. She enjoyed an active professional, social and athletic west coast lifestyle until she began to suffer leg heaviness and pain, migraines and POTS symptoms shortly after she ran a half marathon in memory of a deceased friend. Her diverse symptoms caused her to treat with 19 doctors on both coasts before she was prescribed an IGeneX Lyme disease test by an Integrative Gastroenterologist. Today, her Lyme disease is remitted after utilizing a diverse set of treatment tools, including, antibiotics, herbs, ozone, and dietary changes. Her Lyme mandated dietary changes inspired her to develop Lyme and chronic illness friendly soup recipes that later became the foundation of a new career. If you would like to know more about how Gracefully Fed, a Lyme and chronic illness friendly soup and food business was inspired by the healing journey of a Hollywood TV sitcom professional, then tune in now!
Ms Levy Is The Visionary Creator Of Adaptive Fashion
Emily Levy is the 27-year-old visionary female entrepreneur and co-founder of Mighty Well. Mighty Well is a medical wearables company that grew from a vascular access equipment company to a community that has defined the Adaptive Fashion industry. Ms. Levys journey to CEO of a venture capital backed category king began when she was bitten by a tick at the age of 6. For the following 6 years, untreated Lyme disease presented as chronic illness without a diagnosis until the end of Ms. Levys first year of college. The many trials faced by Ms. Levy and her 2 best friends and caregivers during their collective college experiences became the inspiration for the three to start a movement to change the perception of patients from victims to fighters. If you would like to learn more about how functional and stylish apparel, accessories and medical wearables were manifested by Lyme disease and the love that developed between 3 college classmates, then tune in now!
You May Like: Does Lyme Disease Cause Headaches
If The Deeds Been Done
Check yourself, your children and your pets daily for ticks, especially behind ears and in armpits, scalp and groin. If you see one and remove it within a day, youll greatly reduce the chances of getting Lyme disease, as the bacterium needs about 36 hours to be transmitted from tick to host. Using fine-tipped tweezers, grab the tick close to your skin and pull up steadily.
Then, keep an eye out for symptoms of Lyme disease. A classic bulls-eye rash appears in about 70%-80% of infected people. The rash, called erythema migrans, usually occurs within three to 30 days of a tick bite, says Emily Blodget, MD, an infectious disease specialist at Keck Medicine of USC and a clinical associate professor of medicine at the Keck School of Medicine of USC. Its not painful, but it expands over the next few days. Other symptoms to watch for include headache, fatigue and muscle and joint pain.
Your doctor can confirm whether youve contracted the infection and, if so, begin treating it. While early Lyme disease can be diagnosed if the typical rash is present, blood and bodily fluid tests are the mainstay of diagnosis, Blodget says.
She adds that if the disease has been caught early, its typically treated with oral antibiotics, such as doxycycline or amoxicillin, for up to three weeks. If its more severe, with heart and nervous system involvement, intravenous antibiotics may be necessary, she says.
Barbara Barsocchini Mba Board Secretary
Malibu, California
Barbara Barsocchini serves on Californias Lyme Disease Advisory Committee, is a trustee of the Los Angeles County West Vector Control District and is the official Lyme disease spokesperson for the city of Malibu. Over the past 15 years, she has organized educational conferences for Lyme patients throughout California, and provided support and information to Lyme patients through a variety of channels.
Also Check: Lyme Disease In Dogs Prognosis
Be Prepared For Your Doctor Visit
You can improve your chances of having an accurate diagnosis and effective treatment by providing your doctor with as much information as you can from the very start. The following checklist can be a good reminder of what to bring and discuss with your physician at your first visit:
- Have the tick tested and/or identified:If you were able to remove or find the tick that bit you, seal it in a glass or plastic container and consider sending it to IGeneX for testing. Additionally, photograph the tick and/or have the species identified ahead of time if possible. Knowing what kind of tick bit you and, in particular, whether it has tested positive for a tick-borne disease can be extremely helpful for your doctors diagnostic process. If the tick is still being tested when you see your doctor, you still may be able to start treatment based on the severity of your symptoms.
- Note possible exposure: Write down the places and dates that you believe you were exposed to ticksand the possible date and time of day when the engorged tick attached and fell off or was removed.
- Track your symptoms: Keep a running log of all symptoms youve noticed since the tick bite, even if youre no longer experiencing them. Be sure to include the days/times when symptoms appeared . For additional help, you can use IGeneXs Symptom Checker.
- Take pictures: Take pictures of any rashes or blisters that you may have noticed at the site of the tick bite or elsewhere on your body.
Hope For Lyme Disease
Just as singer Kristofferson saw an improvement in his symptoms when properly diagnosed and treated for Lyme disease, there is hope for other sufferers. With an accurate diagnosis and a personalized treatment plan, people can experience a reduction in symptoms and a greater quality of life.
At Amen Clinics, we have seen hundreds of patients with resistant complex psychiatric symptoms or cognitive problems who tested positive for Lyme disease and got significantly better when it was treated. Dr. Mark Filidei, who diagnosed Kris Kristofferson with Lyme disease, is the director of integrative medicine at Amen Clinics, where we commonly use specialty labs to help diagnose Lyme disease.
If you are having issues that arent getting better with traditional treatment, its important to get a comprehensive evaluation that includes brain imaging and lab testing for possible infection. Reach out today to speak with a specialist at 888-288-9834 or schedule a visit online.
Recommended Reading: My Dog Tested Positive For Lyme Disease
Lyme Arthritis In Children Can Present Throughout The Year
The studys objective was to evaluate the seasonality of pediatric Lyme disease in three endemic regions in the United States, writes Sundheim. Participants had been treated at 8 different medical centers throughout the Northeast and UpperMidwest. Of the 690 children with Lyme disease, 77 had a single EM lesion, 247 had early disseminated disease, and 366 had arthritis, wrote the authors. Children with early and early-disseminated Lyme disease
A Shaman Helped A Hollywood Actress Complete Her Lyme Disease Transformation
Noel Elie is a 35-year-old actor, model, director, producer and entrepreneur from Los Angeles, California. Her acting resume includes appearances on CBSs Blue Bloods, CWs Dynasty, NBCs Shades of Blue and ABCs Shark Tank. In her business life, she worked with many iconic brands and NY Times bestselling authors until she became chronically ill. Approximately one year ago, Ms. Elie developed debilitating symptoms including, brain fog, tremors, chronic fatigue, anxiety, and depression. When these symptoms kicked into high gear, she visited a carousel of 8 doctors before she was diagnosed with Lyme disease. The diagnosis inspired Ms. Elie to utilize traditional and alternative treatment modalities such as antibiotics, vitamin IV therapy, plant therapy , and Kambo . If you would like to learn more about how an uber talented entertainment and business professional is writing and producing the script to recover her health from Lyme disease, then tune in now!
Read Also: What Symptoms Does Lyme Disease Cause
Psychiatric Symptoms Of Lyme Disease
All of the neuropsychiatric issues mentioned above are considered symptoms of Lyme disease. In fact, 70% of people with Lyme disease say they experience negative changes in memory and mental sharpness. In some people, Lyme disease can also cause paranoia, mania, obsessive compulsive tendencies, anxiety, depression, and hallucinations. But many healthcare professionals are unaware of the debilitating psychiatric effects of the disease. For this reason, many people are treated with medications that dont help, and in many cases, produce harmful side effects that make things worse.
Family And Cultural Support Allowed Tori To Shortcut Her Journey And Move Directly To Physical Healing
Tori Piskin is a 30-year-old comedian, producer, editor and podcaster from Los Angeles, California. Ms. Piskin was raised in a traditional close-knit New York Jewish familial environment. Her family was activated to help as soon as her chronic symptoms presented during her senior year of college. She was diagnosed and in treatment with a well-known Lyme Literate Medical Doctor within months of the onset of her symptoms. After graduating from college, Ms. Piskin returned home to earn a “graduate degree in Lyme disease” by dedicating herself to “full time healing.” During that time, she and her family filmed and posted the highs and the lows of her Lyme journey on YouTube. YouTube served to channel Ms. Piskin’s talents and to validate the Lyme experience for others in the community. Today, Ms. Piskin describes her health as “87 percent” improved and she is “taking care of herself” by “listening to her body.” If you would like to learn more about how an entertainer and media professional is dedicating her vast talents to sharing the humorous love and support she received on her healing journey, then tune in now!
You May Like: Claritin Protocol For Lyme Disease
How To Approach Your Non
For various reasons, you may choose to consult with a doctor who doesnt specialize in Lyme disease or other tick-borne diseases.
If so, be sure to be as proactive as possible in providing information that could help in diagnosing your disease, and always feel free to share resources that you find in your own research to prompt discussions about any aspect of your diagnosis or treatment, including more advanced testing options.
If your doctor does not believe Lyme disease exists, reach out to another doctor for a second opinion.
Want To Find A Blood Draw Site? Use Our Tool Here.
Lyme Disease Graced Pastor Dan With Empathy And A Second Career As A Photographer
Dan Price is a 42-year-old married father serving as the Executive Pastor of a church located in Bend, Oregon. The Price family began a relationship with Lyme disease in 2012 when Pastor Dan began to suffer a long-term fever and fatigue that progressed to brain fog, short term memory loss, anxiety, and depression. He treated with 5 doctors before he was diagnosed with Lyme disease. After his diagnosis, his symptoms continued to progress and Pastor Dan lost hope that he would heal from Lyme disease until 2 members of the Lyme social media community recommended a doctor practicing outside of Detroit, Michigan. Shortly after Pastor Dans health began to improve, his wife and family rock was diagnosed with acute Lyme disease. Pastor Dan suspects that he unknowingly infected his wife with Lyme through sexual contact. The final chapter of the Pastors healing journey required EMDR therapy with a brain injury focused therapist. Today, Pastor Dan and his wife have attained remission from Lyme disease. If you would like to learn more about how a Pastor and his family have recovered strength from weakness inflicted by Lyme disease, then tune in now!
You May Like: Can Lyme Disease Cause Rheumatoid Arthritis
Call Ahead And Ask Questions
Even if you find a doctor who specializes in treating tick-borne diseases, you will want to ask some questions before making an appointment and committing your time and money. A few basic questions to consider asking upfront include the following:
- What is your experience in treating patients with tick-borne diseases?
- How do you diagnose diseases? Do you use any specific labs or lab tests to confirm diagnosis?
- Do you test for coinfections?
- Do you use traditional antibiotics and/or herbals?
- Do you have any patient success stories you can share?
- Do you strictly adhere to CDC test interpretation criteria or are you open to alternative criteria?
If youd like to find a LLMD and want to know more about how to vet them, read the Tick Talk blog, What Makes a Doctor Lyme Literate?
Raphael Stricker Md Lymediseaseorg Medical Director
San Francisco, California
Dr. Stricker received his medical degree and training in Internal Medicine at Columbia University in New York. He did subspecialty training in Hematology/Oncology at the University of California San Francisco, and supplemental training in Immunology and Immunotherapy at California Pacific Medical Center in San Francisco. He is currently the Medical Director of Union Square Medical Associates, a multispecialty medical practice in San Francisco.
Dr. Stricker is a member of the American Society of Hematology , the Federation of Clinical Immunology Societies , the American Federation for Medical Research , the American Society for Reproductive Immunology , the American Society of Microbiology , the American Academy of HIV Medicine . He was past president of the International Lyme and Associated Diseases Society . He serves on the Lyme Disease Advisory Committee that advises the California Dept. of Public Health. He has received the American Medical Association Award for Physician Excellence, and has authored over 200 medical journal articles and abstracts. Areas of special interest include immunologic infertility, immunodeficiency, coagulation disorders and tick-borne diseases.
Also Check: When Do Lyme Disease Symptoms Appear
Childhood Onset Lyme Disease Forced Cole To Develop Wisdom Beyond His Years
Cole Elbel is a 25-year-old native of rural Pennsylvania residing in Chicago, Illinois. Mr. Elbels rural childhood experience caused him to suffer 3 attached tick bites resulting in constant fatigue during his youth. His immune system managed the undiagnosed Lyme disease symptoms until he was faced with several high stress events during his senior year in college. He then began to suffer debilitating symptoms including headaches, nightmares, severe fatigue and joint stiffness. Because his symptoms continued to spike, he accepted the advice of a family member and returned home to Pennsylvania to visit a Lyme literate doctor who diagnosed him with Lyme disease. Mr. Elbel spent 3 years treating with antibiotics, vitamins, dietary restrictions and the Canadian SOTA protocol. Mr. Elbel has returned to full-time work and enjoys a social life with restrictions. If you would like to learn more about how a financial professional utilized the power of the mind and the power of his relationship with God to heal from Lyme disease, then tune in now!