I never imagined it would take me eight long years to finally piece together the puzzle of my health. Eight years of battling invisible ailments, feeling trapped in a body that was constantly betraying me, and desperately searching for answers that always seemed just out of reach. My diagnosis story wasn’t just frustrating it was devastating.
I had been battling severe Dysautonomia and POTS (Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome) for years. I was living in what was supposedly a non-Lyme area, where Lyme disease was never even a consideration. According to everything I’d learned from the medical community, Lyme disease came from tick bites in specific regions like the Northeast, Upper Midwest, and Northern California in the USA, as well as parts of Europe such as Germany, Austria, and Spain. There was no way I could have contracted it—or at least, that’s what I was told.
Never in my wildest dreams could I have imagined that mosquitoes, fleas, spiders, and almost every other biting insect could also be carriers of Borrelia burgdorferi, the bacteria that causes Lyme disease. This misconception kept me in the dark for so long.
The Moment of Realization I remember the exact moment when I first had an inkling of the real culprit behind my suffering. I was on the phone with Joyce, a fellow practitioner I absolutely adore. We were going through my symptoms together, meticulously checking off a list of every possible cause. We were like detectives on a mission, trying to solve the mystery behind my severe Dysautonomia and POTS. At that point, I was willing to investigate even the most unlikely explanations. Our list was exhaustive:
Mercury toxicity? Checked and found. Copper imbalance? Checked and yes, that too. Hormonal imbalances? Checked. Adrenal fatigue? Checked. Epstein-Barr virus? Positive. Candida overgrowth? Confirmed. MTHFR mutation? Yes, another piece of the puzzle. Autoimmune diseases? Checked for Lupus, Multiple Sclerosis, and Sjogren’s syndrome. Heart conditions? Checked for hole in the heart, pericardium deficiency, and even POTS-related cardiac issues. Neurological disorders? Checked for Chiari malformation, Multiple Sclerosis, and epileptic activity. Infections? Screened for Coxsackie virus and mold toxicity. Heavy metal poisoning? Checked for Lead, Arsenic, and Cadmium. Genetic mutations? Considered other metabolic disorders beyond MTHFR. Psychological factors? Evaluated for anxiety, panic disorder, and even PTSD.
I was checking off every possible cause, even the most obscure ones, because my symptoms were so overwhelming. I had severe heart pain that would come out of nowhere, leaving me gasping for air and terrified. My brain felt like it would disconnect from my body, and I would experience moments of complete disorientation. These weren’t just physical symptoms; they were soul-crushing. I was determined to get to the bottom of it, no matter how far-fetched the possibility seemed.
When Lyme Disease Wasn’t Even on My Radar I did everything I could to fix these issues. I dove deep into detox protocols for mercury and copper imbalances. I followed strict anti-candida diets and took supplements to combat Epstein-Barr. I addressed my MTHFR mutation by meticulously managing my methylation pathways. I was relentless, fighting my way through one imbalance after another. But despite all my efforts, I still felt broken, as if a shadow was lurking behind all my symptoms.
Then, almost as an afterthought, I threw out the possibility of Lyme disease. Joyce’s response was quick: “But have you ever checked for Lyme?” It was one of those moments where time just stands still. I could feel my heart skip. We both fell silent for a moment, letting the question linger.
Since we’re both Bioenergetic Practitioners, I decided to do an energetic scan right then and there, still on the phone with her. My hands were shaking as I ran through the frequencies. I checked for Lyme disease, and to my shock, it wasn’t just Lyme it was seven other Lyme co-infections too. Could this really be possible? I remember my voice cracking as I shared the results with Joyce.
I was stunned. I had convinced myself that the root of my issues lay in the things I already knew about: the Epstein-Barr virus, the MTHFR mutation, the Candida, the mercury and copper imbalances. I had been so focused on fixing those that I never even considered the possibility of Chronic Lyme disease—let alone seven co-infections. It felt like someone had pulled the rug out from under me.
The Truth About Lyme Disease Here’s the cruel reality: many Lyme patients struggle with misdiagnosis, and I was no exception. Lyme disease can mimic other chronic illnesses, which is why I was chasing symptoms instead of the root cause for so long. Worse still, not all Lyme cases present with a bullseye rash, so I never had that telltale sign to alert me.
I never saw it coming because I never fit the typical Lyme profile. I wasn’t an avid camper or hiker. I didn’t live in one of the high-risk areas for Lyme disease, and I had never been bitten by a tick—or at least, not that I knew of. But here’s the thing: tick checks are essential after outdoor activities, even if you don’t recall a bite. I was never in the woods or camping, so I didn’t think it applied to me.
What I didn’t realize was that Lyme disease isn’t just spread by tick bites. I never considered that mosquitoes, fleas, or even spiders could transmit Borrelia burgdorferi. It shattered everything I thought I knew about this illness.
Why I Do What I Do This journey taught me that healing is not a straight line. It’s a labyrinth. And sometimes, the answers you’re looking for are hidden behind the things you think you’ve already solved. I thought I was healing my body one piece at a time, but Lyme disease was the glue holding all my symptoms together.
If you’re struggling with unexplained symptoms and feel like you’re missing a piece of the puzzle, don’t wait as long as I did. If you feel lost, if you feel unseen, I see you, and I’m here to help. You’re not crazy. You’re not alone. And most importantly, your invisible battle deserves to be seen.
XX to your INVISIBLE BATTLES & UNSEEN STRENGTH, Carola Le-Wriedt, Founder, Wellhistic and The Holistic Detox
