Source: International Lyme and Associated Diseases Society
KXAN News 36
Austin, TX
2 September 2004
The West Nile Virus has certainly grabbed its fair share
of the headlines. One local health expert says Lyme
Disease should be of greater concern to Texas residents.
A cell phone rings, and you answer it. That simple task
becomes painfully difficult for Lyman Jones who's recovering
from Lyme Disease.
"I would have to get the cell phone that's hard to
flip," Jones said.
Jones was an instructor for the National Outdoor Leadership
School when he first got sick three years ago. He was
initially diagnosed with ALS or Lou Gerhig's Disease.
"For about 18 months, I thought I had ALS, and I
thought I was going to have a slow, crippling decline,
and I would have to say goodbye to everybody, but now
it's like having a new lease on life," Jones said.
Five months ago, Jones met Family Nurse Practitioner Ginger
Savely.
"He was an outdoorsy guy. He led expeditions and
hikes through the wilderness. Certainly had a lot of exposure
potential so certainly someone like that the red flag
goes up on my mind," Lyme Disease expert Ginger Savely
said.
Savely is considered one of the top Lyme Disease experts
in the country. She says while the West Nile Virus gets
most of media exposure, Lyme Disease should get the lion's
share of the attention.
That's because the disease, which is caused by Borellia
bacteria and transmitted through deer ticks and now possibly
even mosquitoes and horseflies, is more likely to affect
a lot more people than West Nile.
"It tricks you. It's called the new great imitator,"
Savely said.
Savely says often Lyme Disease patients are incorrectly
diagnosed with everything from Lupus to MS to Parkinson's
to ALS. All usually sporting a rash and complaining of
a stiff neck, head and body aches.
"The symptoms are so flu-like which is confusing,
but we don't normally see a lot of flu in the summer so
you have to be suspicious if it's the spring or the summer
and you're showing flu like symptoms," Savely said.
Five months ago, Jones could barely walk and talk. Even
though he still faces perhaps two years of treatment,
he's thankful.
"I would never think I would say hooray I have Lyme
disease, but when you go from ALS to Lyme, it's really
wonderful," Jones said.
Savely has been named the Texas Nurse Practitioner of
the Year for her work with hundreds of Lyme Disease patients
from all over the country.
