Chronic Lyme disease, perhaps the biggest endemic disease to hit our country is being ignored and dismissed by the Infectious Disease Society of America. The disease mimics Chronic Fatigue, Fibromyalgia, MS and many other illnesses out there.

I have been an RN x 16 years and was struck by this horrible disease 2 1/2 years ago. It took 2 years to get a diagnosis. The disease has cost me my job, my marriage, my home, and any kind of quality of life. My kids suffer from not having a Mother who can nurture them the way they deserve.

The testing is both horrible and inaccurate. The treatment has not yet been established and 100's of thousands, if not more, of other Americans and others from countries abroad are suffering from this terrible, debilitating disease.

Many of us are homebound, bedridden, and deathly ill from this disease and nothing is being done by the American Medical Association to better the situation.

We are forced to seek alternative medicine and many Dr.'s known as LLMD's (Lyme Literate) Dr.'s, have stepped up to the plate to try and help us. They are limited as to what they can do as there is no "Golden Standard" of treatment established.

Science needs to get working on this NOW !!! Our lives and our children's lives are at stake. The implications of this disease being recognized by America is enormous. Because tick borne diseases mimic so many other illnesses, insurance companies will have to step up to the plate and bite the bullet.

Isn't this why we pay for health insurance ? What I am and so many other Americans are going through on a daily basis is 100% criminal on behalf of the medical community. We suffer with Headaches, Fatigue, Stiff Neck, Anxiety, Depression, Tacycardia, Shortness of breath, Weakness, dizziness, and so much more. All of these symptoms are exacerbated by simple things such as noise, light, standing up out of a chair, etc.

Please someone out there, do something to help myself and the others that suffer from this horrible disease.

Melissa
Cupertino, CA