Lyme Disease Left Me Bed-Bound for Three Months

Public diary written on 4/23/24

image from author

Content warning: mental illness, suicidal ideation, medical trauma

Last summer, everything changed. I had an unexpected health scare that left me bed-bound for about three months. Its symptoms were plentiful, including ear-splitting headaches, low blood pressure, and insurmountable spine pain. I ended up at the ER three times because I legitimately thought I was going to die. I took blood tests, CT scans, and MRIs. Only one thing came up: Lyme Disease.

My doctor gave me two weeks’ worth of antibiotics, gave me sad eyes, and wished me the best — even though I physically could not walk out of their office.

I don’t know how long I’ve had it. I don’t even remember a tick bite. But, for fifteen years I have had unexplained health issues. Lyme Disease might be the reason for it all. But, it also may not be.

Healthcare is weird like that. Knowing the ends and outs of your health is a privilege. It’s all about time, money, and access — especially in America. And, I have never had much money and access.

I got better slowly and seemingly out of nowhere. I started walking more, trying to rebuild my life and stop obsessing over the time I’d lost.