Books and Resources for Lyme Disease Awareness

Deer Tick - geograph.org.uk - 105508
Stuart Meek [CC BY-SA 2.0], via Wikimedia Commons

Summer will be here before you know it. You may be looking forward to outdoor movies in the parks, barbecues, and going hiking.Think that since you don’t live in in the woods that you won’t be affected by Lyme disease? Don’t think that a little bite from a tick could change your life in a bad way? Think again.

According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Lyme disease is caused by being bitten by a black-legged tick infected with bacterium Borrelia burgdorferi. Symptoms include a special skin rash called erythema migrans, tiredness, fever and headaches. If it is diagnosed early through laboratory testing, it can be treated with a course of a few weeks of antibiotics. If Lyme disease is left untreated, it effects could spread to the heart, joints and central nervous system.

There are some New Yorkers who have had it. A few have expressed frustration and disbelief on the part of doctors' failure to diagnose Lyme disease until it is in its later stage.There is the case of Robert Sabbatino Sr., a Staten Island retired NYPD officer. Previously fit and healthy, his long battle with the debilitating effects of the disease which, he states, "has taken over 60 percent of [his] body” inspired him to become a “Lyme Advocate.” Sabbatino says, "I don't want anyone to live the way I have to live. I want to make a change for people" You may read more of his story in his blog.

Ally Hilfiger, Tommy Hilfiger’s daughter, was also affected with Lyme disease. She has had it since she was 7 years old. This segment from the Metrofocus television program provides information on her new book, Bite Me, her account of her own battle with Lyme Disease. The page also contains tips on to avoid ticks and pictures of tick bites and also a helpful video on how to properly remove a tick.  

You may also want to check out the Lymedisease.org website. It contains comprehensive information on everything related to Lyme disease including new developments and studies. For more informative yet horrific accounts like this one, visit the “News” page on their website. If you have a story of your own about your experience with Lyme disease, you may share it at MyLymeData, a project of Lymedisease.org. Other places to get information about Lyme disease include the Mayo Clinic and the Centers for Disease Control.

Here is a list of books and e-books about Lyme disease at our library which may also help.

 How Lyme Disease Stole My Childhood, Made Me Crazy, and Almost Killed Me

Bite Me: How Lyme Disease Stole My Childhood, Made Me Crazy, and Almost Killed Me
By Ally Hilfiger

Read Ally’s personal journey of her devastating experience with Lyme disease, something she had since she was seven years old but didn’t know it. It masqueraded behind a plethora of other various physical and mental symptoms that previous doctors misdiagnosed until she ended up in a psychiatric ward when she was eighteen. 

 

 How the Climate Crisis Threatens our Health and What We Can Do About It  By Paul R. Epstein and Dan Ferber ; foreword by Jeffrey Sachs

Changing Planet, Changing Health: How the Climate Crisis Threatens our Health and What We Can Do About It
By Paul R. Epstein 

This book provides information on how climate change is affecting people’s health, near and far. Diseases which are covered include Lyme disease, malaria and cholera. 

 

 Why It's Spreading, How It Makes You Sick, and What to Do about It  By Barbour, Alan G.

Lyme Disease: Why It's Spreading, How It Makes You Sick, and What to Do about It
By Barbour, Alan G.
E-book version

Barbour provides a thorough explanation of what Lyme disease is and how it is contracted and why it is spreading. He describes ways one could avoid getting bitten by ticks and stresses disease prevention. 

 

 Healing from Lyme Disease for Body, Mind, and Spirit  By Katina I. Makris

Out of the Woods : Healing from Lyme Disease for Body, Mind, and Spirit 
By Katina I. Makris

This health-care columnist and homeopath share her personal experience with having Lyme disease. Like Ally Hilfiger, she was also misdiagnosed by doctors and suffered with massive physical symptoms for five years. Since then, she has recovered. She shares her tips. 

 

Over the Edge  By Brandilyn Collins

Over the Edge
By Brandilyn Collins

Here is a suspense novel about a disgruntled person who has taken issue with a prominent physician who has publicly denied the existence of chronic Lyme disease. In order to drive home his point, he decides to secretly infect Janessa, the doctor’s wife, with an aggressive strain of Lyme disease. He is giving her 48 hours to change her husband’s mind about his views.

 

 Chronic Lyme Disease in an Age of Denial  By Allie Cashel

Suffering the Silence : Chronic Lyme Disease in an Age of Denial
By Allie Cashel                                                                                                                                                                                          E-book version

A firsthand account from Allie Cashel, someone who struggled with Chronic Lyme disease and its ongoing effects on the body and minds. Similar stories from others around the world are included. This disparaging of patient accounts of Chronic Lyme disease continues to ensue in spite of the fact that at least 300,000 people are diagnosed with Lyme disease each year in the United States. 

Why Can't I Get Better? : Solving the Mystery of Lyme and Chronic Disease  By Richard Horowitz, M.D

Why Can't I Get Better? : Solving the Mystery of Lyme and Chronic Disease
By Richard Horowitz, M.D

Lyme disease is often known as “The Great Imitator” which often appears like others conditions and diseases such as Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, Multiple Sclerosis, Fibromyalgia and mental health conditions. Horowitz discusses the importance of early detection of the disease in order to stave off more crippling conditions. He describes his treatment plan. 

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"When Your Child Has Lyme Disease"

Parents of children with Lyme disease may also be interested in the following book: When Your Child Has Lyme Disease: A Parent's Survival Guide. If offers practical strategies on finding the right medical care, coping with treatment, meeting the child’s educational needs and managing day-to-day family life.