She is grateful that she received an accurate diagnosis and that appropriate treatment could begin.
The illness knocked her down and left her struggling, yet she did not give up. Her family is fully behind Renáta Pataki, who has always placed great importance on a healthy lifestyle; she has been actively involved in sport for 18 years and is now the mother of three daughters. Her problems began last summer, and she even ended up in a wheelchair. Her condition deteriorated so badly that she was unable to work for eight months, yet she received no care. To better understand health-related issues, she began educating herself. Her condition is improving nicely; she is grateful that she received an accurate diagnosis and that appropriate treatment could begin.
Why did you think it was important to get tested for Lyme disease?
Early last summer, after a day out, I developed a rosette-shaped rash, but I didn’t take it very seriously. Soon I developed symptoms similar to summer flu: my lymph nodes swelled up, I had a high fever, I was tormented by a headache that wouldn’t go away, and I became so weak that by early August I was confined to a wheelchair. My lab results were fine, and I went from doctor to doctor until one day my gynaecologist suggested we look into a bacterial cause. I was no longer able to visit the endocrinologist because I had become so weak, and it was she who recommended the Lyme test. Until then, it hadn’t even crossed my mind that I might have a tick-borne infection…
How did you find out about the DualDur test?
I started searching online, where I came across news about the DualDur test. I’d read a lot of positive things about Dr Bózsik, particularly in patients’ Facebook groups, and based on the information I found there, I contacted Dr Esztó, who recommended that I have the test done. I wanted to get better; I wanted to be able to go and collect my youngest daughter from nursery again, as I wasn’t always able to do so – there were times when my legs would give way on the way there.
How did the sample collection go? Did you receive any assistance?
A sample was taken from me at a laboratory in Budapest in November; I had to follow a fat-free diet for 24 hours before the blood test. The contact person was very patient and kind; they answered all my questions, and I have nothing but good things to say about the lab staff as well.
What did the results show?
It was confirmed that I have Lyme disease, and Bartonella was also detected as a co-infection. The Western blot test, carried out at the same time, also confirmed the presence of antibodies; I received the results for this first, a few days later, and the rest two weeks later. All the results were sent by email, and photographs were attached. My GP interpreted the findings. By all accounts, the Bartonella infection has been present for some time; in fact, it is possible that I had already been bitten by an infected tick previously.
How did you react to the news that you were infected?
I was surprised; I didn’t even want to believe that I had Lyme disease or that I also had Bartonella. I was almost in shock. Then I managed to calm down a bit, as it had finally been established what was wrong with me. You think of all sorts of things whilst you don’t have a diagnosis. The rapid deterioration in my physical condition was terribly frustrating – that I, a lively, fit mum of three, was forced into a wheelchair, and collapsed at my child’s school term-start ceremony… The test result gave a name and a face to it all.
How reliable do you consider the DualDur test to be?
I consider the test to be completely reliable. Dr Bózsik’s name inspires confidence and trust, as does Dr Esztó’s; for me, they are the hallmarks of DualDur, which finally led to my diagnosis.
What treatment are you receiving now that you have the results?
As soon as my results came back, my treatment began straight away, back in November, and I started to feel noticeably better not long after it began. I’m much better now, though I still have my difficult days. My brain fog has improved so much that I’m now able to study, take my little girl to nursery, and I’ve even started doing Pilates again.
(C) Lyme Borreliosis Foundation
