The Lyme Light

                 Imagine your day starting in pain: pain in your legs, ears, eyes, every part of your body. This is a living reality for people who are suffering from Lyme disease. Most go to the doctor only to be falsely diagnosed. Lyme can present its self as many different diseases, which can leave many suffering in their own bodies. In this essay I will be telling you about the symptoms Lyme Disease patients suffer with day to day.

​

                The first symptom is a rash around what looks to be a bull’s eye: that is the bite mark. It can be difficult to know you have been bitten if you cannot see the bite or in a rare case don’t develop a rash, the bite is neither painful nor itchy, it is bright red and should be easily spotted if you check your body regularly for ticks.

​

                The second symptom most often described by patients are flu-like symptoms. The most commonly present one being nausea. There are plenty of early onset symptoms such as: fever, headaches, jaw pains, light sensitivity to the body, red eyes, muscle aches, body stiffness, sore throat, and congestion. If you are experiencing these symptoms on top of the rash, it is time to go to the doctor.

​

                Lyme disease can also affect your vision, you can experience floating spots, as if you are having a migraine. (never experienced a migraine? Imagine a chain saw slicing your brain from the inside out, yet at the same time there are cymbals thrashing from side to side. It can cause blurry vision, sensitivity to light, and also to noise.) There also may be swelling surrounding the eyes, that causes pain into the eyes. Another symptom that can occur is blurred or double vision, this can be accompanied by flashing lights, peripheral waves and phantom images in the corner of your eyes.

​

                Your ears can be affected too, it usually first presents itself as plugged ears, decreasing the ability to hear in one or both ears. This can be accompanied by buzzing or ringing and pain. Another system that can be affected is the neurologic system. You can develop chronic fatigue syndrome, which will make you feel exhausted. Tremors and unexplained shaking to the body, this can not only be terrifying, but dangerous especially if you are driving.

​

                As mentioned before, Lyme disease affects: the head, neck, face, eyes, and also your hearing. Also the: digestive, musculoskeletal, respiratory, circulatory, and neurologic systems. Also your physiological well being, mental capability, reproductive system, and also your general well-being.

​

                If you start experiencing any of these symptoms go see your Doctor. Also if any major changes occur to those systems go see your doctor. Lyme disease can spread through your bloodstream anytime from 3-30 days and symptoms can start at any point in between there. Do not underestimate Lyme disease, it is a disease that will “take you down” says Andrew MacMinn. Please see your doctor if ANY of these are happening to you.