As children, they simply picked the ticks off themselves; bites were not uncommon in that area.
For many years, neurologists treated Adrienne, now 35, for epilepsy, even though they themselves acknowledged that her symptoms were not typical of epilepsy. She herself felt that something was wrong, and as she grew older, she became convinced that she was being misdiagnosed, or at least that they couldn’t find the cause of her health problems.
How did you contract the disease?
I have no idea, there were no bite marks or red spots on me. As a child, I was bitten by ticks like everyone else, but when we found them, we removed them and didn’t think anything of it.
What were your symptoms and when did you see a doctor?
No doctor suspected Lyme disease because after I felt unwell, which was not a typical epileptic seizure, they started treating me for epilepsy as a young girl. I was treated for 17 years and saw a neurologist. They did not look any further for the cause of my illness. Also 17 years ago, I developed a benign pituitary adenoma, which is treated with medication by an endocrinologist and monitored with annual MRIs. Another symptom I have is pollen allergy, for which I was also given allergy medication, and that was the end of it. Another symptom was that my face was always acne-prone, not only during my teenage years, but also as an adult, and for the past 4 years I have had liver spots, which did not improve at all, only when I started the first course of treatment did my face begin to clear up.
How was the diagnosis made? Who diagnosed Lyme disease?
Three years ago, my neck lymph nodes swelled up, and then the ENT specialist requested a serological test for me. This revealed that I was infected with Lyme disease. I was given antibiotics, which reduced the swelling. I was sent to the Lyme clinic at a hospital, but it was pointless because they told me that “there was nothing wrong with me”. That’s when I started looking into what could be wrong with me, searching the internet and looking for others in the same situation. That’s how I joined a group set up by people who had been infected by ticks. This group recommended the doctor in the capital city who I am now seeing.
How did the therapy work? Did you ever feel completely cured?
The doctor (Dr Klára Esztó) asked me very thorough and detailed questions about my medical history and carefully reviewed my medical records. She did not hide her surprise at how I had so many problems at such a young age and that no one had really taken care of me. Before I came to her, I had a pulmonary embolism four years ago, I was very ill and was treated in hospital. The doctor said that it was very likely that Lyme disease had caused it. I have been seeing the doctor since March 2020. At the age of 34, after 17 years of suffering, I finally found a reliable specialist. The first course of treatment was the most effective, I felt almost completely healthy, but unfortunately after the second course I felt weak, I had nausea in the mornings, I was overcome by panic, and I felt unwell. I will be going back to her soon, and I am confident that the third course of treatment will be better.
Has anything changed in your work and private life compared to before you became ill?
I don’t feel that my illness affects my private life or my work, although it is true that all the signs indicate that I have been living with this condition for a very long time.
What advice would you give to others in the same situation?
Anyone who feels constantly unwell and whose doctor is unable to help should request a serological laboratory test. And above all, persevere in finding a doctor who can help you and learn how to live with your illness and enjoy a better quality of life.
Source: weborvos.hu
