Dying For an Accurate Diagnosis – Lyme Disease

Lyme disease is often misdiagnosed as Fibromyalgia, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, Arthritis and even Alzheimer’s Disease. That’s why you need to insist on being tested for it and the 10 other tick-borne viruses common to the United States–and why your independent RN Patient Advocate is so focused on an accurate diagnosis. Thirty to forty percent (the government’s own numbers) of medical diagnosis in America are wrong–it is a mistake that could cost your, or your loved one’s, lives.

Kris Kristofferson was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease after years of worsening memory problems.  But, earlier this year, a doctor decided to test Kristofferson for Lyme disease, which can cause neurological problems, including memory issues and what some describe as “brain fog,” as well as a broad range of other symptoms. The test came back positive.

“He was taking all these medications for things he doesn’t have, and they all have side effects,” his wife said. After the Lyme diagnosis, he dropped those medications and went through three weeks of treatment for Lyme. Now, his friends say, he is back to his old self. Lyme disease has effective treatments, Alzheimer’s often does not.

The correct diagnosis likely saved his live, or at least his quality of life.