What I Wish I Had Known

Being diagnosed with any chronic illness really does make you rethink life A LOT. I know I play over and over again how I would do things differently if I knew then even PART of what I know now about life after a Lyme diagnosis. 

Maybe this will help you or someone you love take a deep breath and move forward choosing HEALING over fear, illness, or discouragement??

3 Tips I Wish I Had Known When I Was First Diagnosed with Lyme

1. Don’t Panic! 

I know I know. Easier said than done! But truly - do. not. panic! You will need your head screwed on straight and your mind focused to move forward into healing. Panic creates chaos, and THAT, my friend, is the last situation you need right now. Take some deep breaths (I mean it! Oxygen is one of the BEST healing treatments you can give to your body right now!). You get to come up with a plan and you get to own your health and wellness RIGHT NOW. You have every reason to embrace and believe in healing for yourself. Instead of panic, practice healing affirmations. Words are powerful. Do not waste them on negativity and disease - rather use them to speak healing over yourself, now and always.

2. Get You a LLMD!

A very smart first move is to get to a Lyme Literate MD (LLMD) or Lyme specialist. This will NOT necessarily be just any doc out there, nor necessarily and Infectious Disease specialist, rheumatologist, etc. Unless a doctor has TRAINING in Lyme and tick-borne illnesses, they are NOT a specialist in that area. I say this lovingly. I am a nurse. I love doctors. I work side-by-side with them to the benefit of many many patients. BUT, we are not all knowing of all things. In other words, this is a case I firmly believe time is health, and wasting time NOT going to a specialist is what cost me years of my life, more money (LOTS more), and longer-term health issues to overcome. Learn from me, all. Seek the specialist ASAP. (Visit ILADS.org or ask around to find one in your area.)

3. Maximize my body’s natural immune system!

As I mentioned, I am indeed a nurse. A critical care nurse, in fact. I have seen miracles in the world of traditional medicine. But I have also acutely seen the need for preventative “medicine,” which in my mind, is best demonstrated in natural, holistic wellness endeavors. Natural and nontoxic wellness breeds HEALTH and a robust immune system. I’m talking working on gut health (skip the sugars, my friends, and read up on different, more primal ways of eating), stress-reduction (lower that cortisol and balance those hormones!), key supplements, sleeping properly, detoxing regularly (I don’t just mean good ole colon cleanses here, folks!), and so much more! I even use essential oils and regular myofascial release/lymphatic drainage to help my immune system naturally thrive. 

This topic, immune boosting, is so huge, in fact, that I’ve created a Guide all about 5 Ways to Maximize Your Immune System. Grab it HERE free, and know that you can start working on the steps TODAY! 

(Pssst - there’s also a bonus SIXTH suggestion for immune boosting in there that I SWEAR by and has changed my health more drastically than almost anything else I’ve tried!)

Until next time, beautiful friends!