- Lyme is a roller coaster. Your friend or family member may make plans, then cancel at the
Credit: Courtney Fox
last minute because they’re suddenly overcome by illness, fatigue, pain—or an array of other symptoms. They are not blowing you off; in fact, they are probably intensely disappointed. Let them know you’re happy to reschedule.
- Lyme is debilitating. Imagine how frustrating it would be to find yourself unable to walk to the mailbox in front of your house, fix meals and empty your dishwasher, or drive yourself places. You can make a huge difference by offering help with a task or two.
- Lyme symptoms can be invisible. If you find yourself thinking, “My friend looks terrific,” catch yourself. Here’s the key: Ask, “On a scale of 1-10, with 1 being terrific and 10 the absolute worst, how are you doing today?” The answer may surprise you.
- Lyme hurts the bank account as well as the body. The sad fact is that insurance often doesn’t fully cover treatment for this disease. And Lyme patients lose income if they are too sick to work. Be sensitive to that; your friend may be spending every penny on getting well, with none left over for a movie or meal out. Suggest free things, or make clear your plan to treat.
Lyme makes eating a challenge. Some patients suffer stomach trouble from tick-borne infections and/or medications used to treat them. Plus, certain foods actually increase the inflammation at the root of their pain. Nutrition is key to healing. Your friend or relative will be so grateful if you get them a gift certificate for carry out or offer to make a meal—and ask which restaurants/foods are the best choice.
For more insight, you might want to read some of these posts – or just browse around yourself using the categories search on the right.
5 Gift Ideas for Someone with Lyme
5 Ways to Help Others “See” Lyme
Believing in Lyme When Looks Are Deceiving
and here’s an essay from Spirochick addressing an interesting disparity: Empathy: Cancer versus Lyme
For the latest news and research, visit www.facebook.com/LifeLoveLyme.
LifeLoveLyme 
This is an awesome and concise, usable list for our families, friends, supporters and advocates!!
You’re sharing your experience, I’m sharing mine — in the hope that we do improve someone’s day as they fight Lyme. Thanks for taking time to comment!
I too have had lyme for about 35 yrs and all its vicious symptoms of chronic lyme came to a boiling point about 2006 I was in my early 20s when the perfect bulls eye rash appeared on my lower left leg. And everything went downhill from that moment. Divorce financial loss job loss friend loss ect. Brain fog joint pain unable to walk with proper balance so many symptoms. I could go on and on but back to my story of healing. In 2006 I was so bad that by spring April 2007 my brother told me he was diagnosed with lyme by a ND and I immediately said to make an appointment for both of us next time he went. I was clinically diagnosed and he really did not have to tell me what it was because I knew and had read enough about lyme to know thats what I had. Friends had always told me I did not have lyme but it was in my head I knew …….. the ND treatment helped but still 1 yr later 2008 not feeling well still then my mom said her chiropractor told me to try Wild Oil of Oregano from North American Herb and Spice called Oreganol I took 6 capsules a day for 5 yrs then about a yr ago cut back to 4 a day and took living clay as a detoxer April will be 6 yrs of this protocol and I Just started a small book store business to expose the lies. and tell my story I have been through every symptom there is for lyme. and I am 90 to 95% back to full recovery and I believe my 7th yr April 2014 i will be close to 100% the rest i will blame on age Ha Ha. I hope Carolyn reads this post We have the same birthdate not quite same yr. God Bless All Lymies and may you all receive the same……………John
keep your head up high Carolyn you are a true source of inspiration friends and family mean everything…you find real meaning when going through a crisis like this …
Wow…. This is perfect. Too bad family and/or friends to NOT do this for me. Thank you for making 5 important suggestions.
Well, isn’t asking worth a try? I learned that people who want to help don’t know how, so began asking and had some positive responses. How about printing this for them for starters?
one of the hardest things about lyme is also the fact that some of us have so many on going symptoms and some don’t ?
Great point. That’s one of the most frustrating and challenging things about these diseases we get from ticks. A person could have one symptom or twenty. Symptoms come and go. Something like nerve tingling goes away, you get all excited, and then crushing headaches pop up for the first time ever. And no one seems to respond the same to any one treatment protocol, which is why Lyme experts keep adjusting an individual’s treatment as they see how that person responds. Thank you for this addition!