If you are struggling with Lyme disease, I know how desperate you may feel — the pain, the depression, the loneliness, the discomfort, the lack of understanding, and the loss of hope. Most people will never truly understand what we go through unless they are fighting this battle themselves.
In October 2016, I experienced my first symptom — a strange pain near my right rib. At first I ignored it, but deep down I knew something had changed. Over the next year, I developed a wide range of symptoms: gastrointestinal issues, inflammation, nerve sensations, brain fog, insomnia, extreme fatigue, joint pain, and even double vision.
I visited over 20 doctors — neurologists, gastroenterologists, psychiatrists — and faced constant dismissal and frustration. It took nearly two years before I finally received a Lyme diagnosis. By that time, the illness had already progressed significantly.
Initial treatments included short courses of antibiotics like ceftriaxone and doxycycline, but the relief was temporary. Once treatment stopped, symptoms returned and often worsened. I tried natural medicine, supplements, and alternative therapies, but nothing provided lasting results.
After years of searching, I finally found a Lyme-literate doctor (LLMD). This was a turning point. We began exploring more advanced treatment approaches based on research from physicians experienced in Lyme and co-infections.
We introduced a protocol that included dapsone and addressed a suspected Bartonella co-infection. After about four months, I entered remission. I stayed in remission for nearly four years.
After four years, I relapsed. This time, symptoms returned differently and more aggressively, eventually leaving me bedridden again.
My doctor adjusted the treatment, focusing more aggressively on Bartonella using combinations such as rifampin/rifabutin, azithromycin, nitrofurantoin, methylene blue, pyrazinamide, and pulsed dapsone. Later, we incorporated elements of the double-dose dapsone protocol described in published research.
As of May 2026, after about 1 year and 5 months of treatment, I have experienced significant improvement. Many symptoms have disappeared, while others remain but are less intense. This recovery feels more stable than my first remission.
I am not fully cured. I cannot guarantee long-term remission. What worked for me may not work for you. This is not a protocol — it is my experience.
If you are going through this, I understand how dark it can feel. There were nights where I felt completely hopeless. But you are not alone. There is still hope. Progress is slow, but it is possible.