Lyme disease sufferer spent years being misdiagnosed

Hi everybody,


This is a article That was sent to me that was published in a newspaper in Canada called The News it is found at this link -http://www.ngnews.ca/index.cfm?sid=108527&sc=49. I always try to give you the sources of all my information.

I hope everyone is feeling well enough to smile. I know I have had some rough days recently and I really enjoy the good days when they happen. I will be posting some information about some testing I received from my Dr. the other day soon. I found it to be new information for me, so I will pass it on to you.

Be well,
Richard



BY CAIT MCINTYRE
The News

Brenda Sterling-Goodwin believes she contracted Lyme disease about 10 years ago. Back then, she was a cat groomer and a veterinary technician.
Doctors in Nova Scotia doubted her condition. One neurologist told her she had multiple sclerosis. It's common, she says, for people with Lyme disease to be misdiagnosed as having multiple sclerosis, lupus, arthritis, or other illnesses with similar symptoms.
It wasn't until she saw the test results from California that she finally had confirmation she was suffering with the disease.
"(Lyme disease) affects everybody differently," says Sterling-Goodwin, a New Glasgow resident.
In her case, the disease has affected her mobility, especially. While she does prefer to walk, she sometimes uses a wheelchair. She's often in pain over the stiffness in her legs, and her feet are swollen to twice their normal size.
Lyme disease is transmitted by a blacklegged tick, after it has attached itself to the skin for 24 hours. Caused by a form of spirochete bacteria, it can be treated with antibiotics if caught early.
There have been eight confirmed cases of Lyme disease in the province since 2002.
"But the only confirmed cases are the ones that meet Canadian standards, which are not the best," Sterling-Goodwin says.
Every three months, Sterling-Goodwin travels to Maine to see her doctor, but she sends him monthly faxes to update him on her condition while between visits. "There are not a lot of Lyme-literate doctors in Canada, unfortunately."
She says "early diagnosis and education" is key. She hopes the news of a Pictou County tick being discovered carrying the disease will heighten awareness.
She adds those removing ticks should exercise caution. Ticks should never be twisted, burned or squeezed. When removing ticks, always use tweezers and pull upwards, she says.
For more information on Lyme disease, visit http://www.lymeinns.bravehost.com/ or http://www.canlyme.com/.