Lower Lake, CA
Infected: 1994
Diagnosed: 2013
Current health: “very active and free of pain management and psychiatric medication”
I graduated high school in Lower Lake, California. I am an avid cyclist and am currently training for a Triathlon. I was first tested by IGeneX in 2013. I don’t recall the co-infections but I know I tested positive for Lyme disease.
While on a hike in the hills of Clearlake, California a tick latched on to me. When I got home I found the tick on my chest. We tried multiple methods to remove it. My parents advised me on some ways to get it out but showed little concern to possible infection. Initially I didn’t see any signs of infection. But in retrospect I note that I had more emotional problems and a drop in my grades starting that year.
I was able to graduate three years later and enlist in the U.S. Navy. I served 8 years before I was medically retired. While on active duty I had ever increasing knee pain. Naval medicine gave me a constant supply of Motrin. At the time of discharge from the Navy my physical pain was still increasing, and my concentration, sleep, appetite, social wellness all declined. I drank to cope. While transferring duty stations my then wife filed for divorce and I completely fell apart. I started having visual, auditory and tactile hallucinations. I attempted suicide that year and was hospitalized. That began my med board and medical retirement. It would be 8 more years from then that I would be tested for Lyme disease. In that time I gained weight until I was 315 lbs and in constant physical pain.
Countless doctors have helped me through my journey over the years. But my LLMD was the one that started the real path to healing. Today I am 185 lbs, very active and free of pain management and psychiatric medication. Treatment methods have been so varied it would be very laborious to list them all but needless to say it has been a glorious adventure.
Thank you IGeneX for helping me diagnose my issue and getting me on the road to recovery.
