How has Lyme Disease affected your life? What inspires you?
My name is April and I own a health and fitness business in San Diego, CA. Until October 2015, I had plenty of energy, an extremely positive attitude, and not many ailments. However, when I was diagnosed with Lyme Disease this all changed.
Prior to being diagnosed with Lyme, my symptoms included extreme fatigue, digestive issues that would leave me curled up in a ball and severe leg pain. I spent months at the doctor having blood tests and ultrasounds with every test finding nothing wrong with me. During this time my normal workouts were incredibly challenging and teaching a class would leave me gasping for air. I was so frustrated that they couldn’t find anything wrong with me (sometimes, not having an answer can be the worst part).
Luckily, I had a wonderful doctor who kept looking for answers. One day in his office he said “I don’t think you have Lyme, but let’s check just incase”. And just like that I became someone suffering from Lyme Disease.
Since then I have found a caring, incredibly intelligent, holistic doctor who is helping me with my symptoms. He doesn’t believe that we will ever “kill the Lyme” because killing the disease would mean harming parts of me as well. He is trying to just make my body work correctly again. I am hopeful that at some point I will be able to live close to a normal life. Currently, my symptoms include leg pain, fatigue, digestive issues, heart palpitations, soreness in my feet, and brain fog.
In addition to my symptoms, Lyme Disease has affected my life greatly! Unfortunately, I think you realize who your true friends are when you are suffering from an illness. Most don’t want to hear about your struggles for an elongated period of time. Also, it is so hard to plan things when you never know how you are going to be feeling on that day. In addition, I find that I am not as passionate about the things that I once was before. This can take a huge toll when you struggle to stay motivated to run your own business.
On a positive note, Lyme has affected my life in good ways as well. The Lyme community is so extremely vast and supportive and I have made some new, wonderful friends. Also, I have been forced to eat the healthiest diet of my lifetime 🙂
Every person who is fighting Lyme or those spreading awareness completely inspire me! I also love these quotes “You are the only you there is and ever will be. Do not deny the world its one and only chance to bask in your brilliance” (-You are a Badass) and “I am so much more than Lyme!”
Live, Love, Lyme – This is a new group that I just started to promote positivity for those affected by Lyme (it’ll include mantras, health, gentle workouts and food for us Lymies :))
Follow me here on Facebook, Insta and Twitter: @livelovelyme