I was bitten by a tick – now I can’t get out of bed
AWEST Lancashire woman hasn’t been able to get out of bed for four years, after being bitten by a tick. Emma Dolan Horlock, was diagnosed with Lyme disease after experiencing widespread pain, heart problems, thyroid issues and neurological problems.
As she considered herself to be a “perfectly healthy young person,” she couldn’t understand her symptoms.
The 43-year-old said: “I had countless visits to doctors, and was slowly gathering quite a list of conditions. Diagnosed with Addisons Disease, MS and then ME, I began to question what the real underlying cause of this decline could be.
“I sent numerous blood samples off to a specialist lab. The results were clear. I had late-stage neurological lyme disease.”
Lyme disease is a bacterial infection that can be spread to humans by infected ticks. According to the NHS, it’s usually easier to treat if it’s diagnosed early.
As a result of the illness, Emma claims she was in hospital for almost a month in 2014 and has has been bed-bound ever since.
The Skelmersdale businesswoman, who formerly owned an events and PR company in Liverpool, YB News, is in bed 23 hours a day but has made it her mission to raise awareness of the disease.
She said: “It is a sad but true fact that advancements in awareness, diagnosis and treatment of lyme disease in the UK have been brought about by lyme patients who have fought for their voice to be heard.
“There are countless individuals and organisations trying to campaign for better testing, treatment, and training for doctors, so I made it my mission to dedicate my time to awareness and prevention.
“Not enough is being done to help people understand the dangers. A walk in the park can literally be life-changing.
“I’m hoping with current media coverage of the disease, people start to ask how they can prevent being bitten because prevention really is easier than a cure.”
In order to prevent being bitten, Emma suggests using a good insect repellent, sticking to pathways, avoiding long grass, wearing a long sleeve top and trousers and, when home, checking your body for ticks.
Emma’s most effective method of communication is via social media, where the former Skelmersdale College student has received many “heartbreaking” messages from sufferers.
Emma also claims: “Current NHS testing is flawed, and there is no test available to indicate when the infection has been eradicated. This has left thousands of patients unable to access treatment.
“Doctors are not trained properly to recognise and treat symptoms in their early stages so prevention really is key.”
Emma gets annual treatment from the USA, where she has to travel by ship as she is too ill to fly.
She said: “We must put pressure on the powers that be to ramp up awareness. Educate and inform of the dangers.”
For more information, or how you can raise awareness, visit www.lymediseaseuk. com