I am a long term sufferer of Lyme Disease. I was bit by a tick at the age of 7 in Duncan, British Columbia. My mom took me to emergency, not really knowing what this black mark on neck was, they informed us it was a tick, pulled the tick out and sent us on our way home. What people don't know that not all ticks carry the Lyme bacteria, but you are taking that chance to not be treated right away if you are bit. Many doctors will not even advise you to treat with antibiotics, cause they do not have enough knowledge about Lyme Disease. In saying this, I was symptomatic with different things in my younger years, one mainly having stomach complaints and bad back pain. WELL here is the kicker, I have now found out that I passed it on to my daughter Jade. How devastating for me to be sick for so long and would never wish this illness on my worst enemy, and my baby has it. We have just got a positive diagnoses in the Jan of 2007, have not started treatment cause that is another long road ahead of us, who knows the proper treatment for this Disease, not many doctors know how to treat, not just the Lyme but the Co-infections that go with it. OH YA and good luck being a Canadian and finding help, cause most GPs think you are crazy and it is all psycho somatic, they will most likely test you with the Elissa test and your results like many will come back negative. You will be diagnosed with everything from chronic fatigue, MS, Fibromyalgia and on and on, or be put on pain killers or antidepressants. It is a long frustrating trail of doctors not knowing what you have, so anyone who has multiple symptoms that just don't add up and may know of being bit by a tick, start with an IGENEX TEST, and if you are positive, find yourself a LYME LITERATE DOCTOR. I have spent thousands of dollars on multiple treatments, just trying to feel better, I have been sick for many years, I have missed raising my daughter and enjoying everything a mom should be able to enjoy, I have had my life taken away from me, this effects how you think, it can change your demeanor, the whole being of who you are, it is an unfair illness. I am a fighter, I have gone through other horrific things and have come out the otherside, you can never give up in life, I am fighter, and I will fight for me and my daughter and everyone else out there that is suffering.