Shelly Pinter (Williamson)
Saginaw County, Michigan

Total cost: Thousands
Number of family members with LD: 1
Lost work/school: 1.5 years
Number of years sick: 1.5

Let me begin by saying that my Lyme experience has ended with healthy body. It began in September 1990 (soon after graduating college) with a tingling in my hand, that within two weeks had spread down my right side, then from my left foot up my left side. During that two-week period, I experienced spasms in my hand, arthritic symptoms and pain. Soon everything below my neck was numb and eventually grew weak and uncontrollable. For three months I could not dial the phone, button my clothes, or write my own name. Getting in and out of the bathtub was even difficult. My legs felt as if I was walking in a pool of finger jello all the time. At one point, I also had bladder problems.

After I had seen a chiropractor, two medical doctors and an osteopath, I made an appointment with a neurologist. He ran several tests including a Lyme test (which was negative) and, of course, an MRI. My MRI showed abnormalities inside my spinal cord. The interpretation of the results were either a tumor or Multiple Sclerosis. He told me to come back in three months and he would do another MRI--if the lesions grew, it was a tumor; if not, it was MS. I asked him about Lyme and he laughed at me.

I then saw another neurologist who did a spinal tap and concluded that my symptoms were the forerunner of MS. I also asked him about Lyme, and he said that Lyme did not affect people in that way. He recommended psychiatric counseling. He didn't feel I had a good attitude toward MS.

Shortly after the second diagnosis, I had heard of several people in my area with Lyme and started attending support group meetings. I made an appointment with Dr. *****, and he determined that I had Lyme. At this time, most of the numbness had disappeared. All that remained was the numbness in my hands. I was put on Suprax for six weeks and spent a month in bed. I was sleeping 18 - 20 hours a day, extreme nausea, disorientation, and loss of appetite. I was then put on Minocin for two months and felt much better. Then IV Rochephrin followed by nine weeks and I felt the best I ever had. I still suffered from memory loss and had an occasional herxheimer consisting of severe chest pains, blurred vision, difficulty breathing and cold sweats.

Following the Rochephrin was oral Minocin and Amoxicillian. During the end of 1991, I had another MRI done and the lesions had completely disappeared. In August 1992, I was taken off all medication and had no recurring symptoms. I have moved out of the Saginaw area to Rochester and work full-time (plus) as an accountant. It appears the Lyme nightmare was left behind. I am once again normal (whatever that means) and live like everyone else. Fortunately for me (and the rest of us), Dr. ***** possessed the courage to take a stand against this unacknowledged disease and for that I say thank you.