• Fairfax, Virginia
  • Infected: 1990
  • Diagnosed: Summer 1990
  • Current health: Excellent, but suffered with Chronic Lyme for 30 years

“Seek the best care. Be open to alternative medicine. Never give up hope. You are not alone nor are you crazy. Fine someone that will listen..” – Pamela H.



Additional Links & Resources



My Story

I contracted a serious case of Lyme disease in 1990 that put me in bed for over three years and ended my hard earned, successful career. Fortunately, the Lyme test that was only 50% accurate showed positive for me. Many aren't so lucky while they search for answers as to what is plaguing them.

I never had a bullseye rash, but other symptoms came on strong. I was disoriented, confused, experiencing memory loss, tremendous fatigue, and flu-like symptoms. I was one of the first patients diagnosed with Lyme in my county. Doctors and specialist back then, had no clue how to treat me. Desperate, I fought for my life traveling out of the country for treatment and open to any possible cure.
Alternative medicine helped a lot with the symptoms. Three years of antibiotics did very little but destroy my digestive track. I suffered for 30 years with CFS and Fibromyalgia. Gradually my immune system and health improved, but not 100%. Some days I was so stiff that I could barely stand up. The fatigue at times left me comatose.

Overtime, I accepted that I had to live with this illness but declared that I would not give it any more of my life than was absolutely necessary. Lyme Disease is unpredictable. Some days I felt good, hopeful. Then out of nowhere I'd get hit with a down day. I learned to honor those days, and my bodies need for rest and recovery. Sometimes the sleep off took twenty-four hours, sometimes it took days.

Never give up hope! The weight gain with Lyme was relentless. Five pounds per year piled on for no apparent reason, increasing my weight from 140lbs to 235lbs. At 68, I decided to have a Gastric Sleeve to fend off additional health complications. I had a terrific bariatric doctor. The surgery was successful. The miracle was weight loss, but also, the eradication of all of Lyme symptoms that had remained for years.

My advice: Seek the best care. Be open to alternative medicine. Never give up hope. You are not alone nor are you crazy. Fine someone that will listen.