Battle Against Lyme's Disease
Donation protected
Hello my name is Alexa Perez,
It all started in late May 2016 when I was diagnosed with the Epstein-Barr virus which turned into a severe case of Mononucleosis. For about a week I was incapable of sleeping, eating, talking, and had tonsils so swollen that they would touch in the back of my throat. This was all a week before prom and two weeks before high school graduation, adding to my already high stress. I had a high fever of 102 for several days and was feeling severely fatigued, as if I would never be myself again. This was the least of my worries.
As these symptoms started to alleviate I was slowly regaining my strength, however, not nearly as close to where my health previously was. Only a month later in late June, after returning from vacation in Las Vegas, NV I was suddenly hit with many similar symptoms again. However, this time with extreme unexplained anxiety. From the moment I woke up to the moment I went to sleep, my head was clouded with racing thoughts. Surely I thought I was losing my mind. As these symptoms progressed I could no longer sleep and my body began to feel very achey.
After visiting many PCPs and after a psychiatric evaluation I was put on antidepressants and sleeping pills which had no positive effects. They simply deteriorated my mental health even more.
After doing a comprehensive blood test in mid July I was found to have a slight case of Hyperthyroidism, likely onset by my recent viral infection. This explained some of my symptoms but even a month later when the levels returned to normal, nothing had improved.
By mid August I had done a complete nose-dive health wise. I had unexplainably lost over 10 lbs, had severe migrating headaches, burning-like sensations in my arms, legs, back, and neck, stinging chest pains, and still relentless insomnia with no relief.
My PCPS, endocrinologists, psychiatrists, and counselors had no idea what was happening to me, the worst part about it all was day by day I was convincing myself that life was no longer worth living if I had to be in such excruciating pain.
Every day I saw life go by normally as I was consumed with pain and agony. As test results kept coming up normal and no answers were being given, I was told to just "stop worrying" and that some of my symptoms were “in my head”. Day in and day out I would non-stop search for a rhyme or reason to my endless pain, always hitting a dead end. With confused family and doctors I was left in a state of isolation, with noone understanding my pain.
Come late August I was hospitalized for 6 days in Newton Hospital. While being waited for admittance I had several tests performed. A CT of my head, ultra sound of my thyroid, and many blood tests. This was the first time I was given a diagnosis of Lyme’s disease. While being hospitalized many more comprehensive blood tests were taken and I met with an array of doctors. Unfortunately to the ignorance of my Infectious Disease Doctor, I was taken off of the Doxycycline which was imperative to my healing from this crippling disease. Many tests for Lyme’s disease are inaccurate and can give false negatives when in fact, you have the infection. I was discharged feeling drained and miserable, still with no answers or hope.
Relentless I seeked out another Primary Doctor whom was referred to me through a family friend who heard of him diagnosing complicated cases of Lyme’s Disease.
On September 21st, after three months of relentless torture, I was finally given a definite diagnosis of Lyme’s Disease. Unfortunately, after many months the disease has taken on an aggressive form and is now attacking my Central Nervous System. With earlier diagnosis this may have been prevented.
Lyme's Disease is almost impossible to diagnose without prior knowledge of a tick-bite or an expanding rash that 80% of people experience. I believe due to my dark skin I simply could not distinguish one. It can immitate many different illnesses and comes with a diverse list of symptoms; over 100. If not caught the early stages the disease travels through the body, becoming more difficult to erradicate.
I find it extremely challenging to carry on with simple day-to-day tasks. I have extreme fatigue, excruciating generalized nerve pains, migranes, insomnia, and an anxiety that never seems to give.To carry on with treatment will be extremely difficult in my condition and is going to take the support of my close family and friends. My father is a single parent who has already taken off work to be my 24/7 support system along with trying to help my sister get through High School.
Lyme’s Disease has taken a huge toll on my life, making me view “healthy” and “normal” as a distant memory. If anything positive has come out of this it has been a strong relationship and connection with God who I know loves me regardless of any pain I suffer.
My wish is to travel to Arizona to be seen by Lyme Disease Specialists, my best shot for defeating this disease. My goal is to one day be a ER nurse and help others so that noone will go undiagnosed or suffer the physical and emotional pain I am going through.
I have many unpaid hospital bills already that seem to keep amounting as I need to start intensive treatment. Please, any donations are beneficial in aiding me win this battle against Lyme’s Disease to reclaim my life. May God bless you, protect you, and keep you always.
Love,
Alexa
It all started in late May 2016 when I was diagnosed with the Epstein-Barr virus which turned into a severe case of Mononucleosis. For about a week I was incapable of sleeping, eating, talking, and had tonsils so swollen that they would touch in the back of my throat. This was all a week before prom and two weeks before high school graduation, adding to my already high stress. I had a high fever of 102 for several days and was feeling severely fatigued, as if I would never be myself again. This was the least of my worries.
As these symptoms started to alleviate I was slowly regaining my strength, however, not nearly as close to where my health previously was. Only a month later in late June, after returning from vacation in Las Vegas, NV I was suddenly hit with many similar symptoms again. However, this time with extreme unexplained anxiety. From the moment I woke up to the moment I went to sleep, my head was clouded with racing thoughts. Surely I thought I was losing my mind. As these symptoms progressed I could no longer sleep and my body began to feel very achey.
After visiting many PCPs and after a psychiatric evaluation I was put on antidepressants and sleeping pills which had no positive effects. They simply deteriorated my mental health even more.
After doing a comprehensive blood test in mid July I was found to have a slight case of Hyperthyroidism, likely onset by my recent viral infection. This explained some of my symptoms but even a month later when the levels returned to normal, nothing had improved.
By mid August I had done a complete nose-dive health wise. I had unexplainably lost over 10 lbs, had severe migrating headaches, burning-like sensations in my arms, legs, back, and neck, stinging chest pains, and still relentless insomnia with no relief.
My PCPS, endocrinologists, psychiatrists, and counselors had no idea what was happening to me, the worst part about it all was day by day I was convincing myself that life was no longer worth living if I had to be in such excruciating pain.
Every day I saw life go by normally as I was consumed with pain and agony. As test results kept coming up normal and no answers were being given, I was told to just "stop worrying" and that some of my symptoms were “in my head”. Day in and day out I would non-stop search for a rhyme or reason to my endless pain, always hitting a dead end. With confused family and doctors I was left in a state of isolation, with noone understanding my pain.
Come late August I was hospitalized for 6 days in Newton Hospital. While being waited for admittance I had several tests performed. A CT of my head, ultra sound of my thyroid, and many blood tests. This was the first time I was given a diagnosis of Lyme’s disease. While being hospitalized many more comprehensive blood tests were taken and I met with an array of doctors. Unfortunately to the ignorance of my Infectious Disease Doctor, I was taken off of the Doxycycline which was imperative to my healing from this crippling disease. Many tests for Lyme’s disease are inaccurate and can give false negatives when in fact, you have the infection. I was discharged feeling drained and miserable, still with no answers or hope.
Relentless I seeked out another Primary Doctor whom was referred to me through a family friend who heard of him diagnosing complicated cases of Lyme’s Disease.
On September 21st, after three months of relentless torture, I was finally given a definite diagnosis of Lyme’s Disease. Unfortunately, after many months the disease has taken on an aggressive form and is now attacking my Central Nervous System. With earlier diagnosis this may have been prevented.
Lyme's Disease is almost impossible to diagnose without prior knowledge of a tick-bite or an expanding rash that 80% of people experience. I believe due to my dark skin I simply could not distinguish one. It can immitate many different illnesses and comes with a diverse list of symptoms; over 100. If not caught the early stages the disease travels through the body, becoming more difficult to erradicate.
I find it extremely challenging to carry on with simple day-to-day tasks. I have extreme fatigue, excruciating generalized nerve pains, migranes, insomnia, and an anxiety that never seems to give.To carry on with treatment will be extremely difficult in my condition and is going to take the support of my close family and friends. My father is a single parent who has already taken off work to be my 24/7 support system along with trying to help my sister get through High School.
Lyme’s Disease has taken a huge toll on my life, making me view “healthy” and “normal” as a distant memory. If anything positive has come out of this it has been a strong relationship and connection with God who I know loves me regardless of any pain I suffer.
My wish is to travel to Arizona to be seen by Lyme Disease Specialists, my best shot for defeating this disease. My goal is to one day be a ER nurse and help others so that noone will go undiagnosed or suffer the physical and emotional pain I am going through.
I have many unpaid hospital bills already that seem to keep amounting as I need to start intensive treatment. Please, any donations are beneficial in aiding me win this battle against Lyme’s Disease to reclaim my life. May God bless you, protect you, and keep you always.
Love,
Alexa
Organizer
Alexa Perez
Organizer
Netcong, NJ