Connecticut Online Lyme Support is a virtual meeting place and source for information and emotional support for people with Lyme and other tick-borne diseases living in Connecticut.

Lyme disease takes its name from the town of Lyme, Connecticut, where the illness was first described in 1975. In 2000, the incidence in the state averaged 110.8 per 100,000 population, highest in the nation. Incidence was as high as 1,156/100,000 in one town and worst around Canaan, Kent, Sharon and Cornwall according to Dept. of Health statistics. Reported cases reflect the "tip of the iceberg," or only a fraction of the true cases. Doctors recognize and report only one in 1000 cases. Officials ended the state's direct lab reporting program.

The tick infection rate in Connecticut is high. If the tick that bites you is infected, it can inject Lyme bacteria into your bloodstream within hours of attachment (less than 6 hours has been reported). If you don't notice the tick, infection will occur in almost 100%. The bacteria invade your brain in less than 24 hours.

Lyme disease is under-recognized, under-diagnosed, under-treated, and under-reported. Many people do not remember being bitten by the poppy-seed-sized tick. Doctors often prefer more familiar diagnoses like chronic fatigue, MS, rheumatoid arthritis, or mental illness - all Lyme disease mimics. Too strict interpretation of insensitive tests leaves many people in a diagnostic limbo, getting sicker and without proper treatment. Artificially low numbers lead to less recognition of the true costs of the disease and less funding for research.

Please use this group to inform yourself and help others.

DISCLAIMER: All information posted on this site is the opinion of the author(s)alone and is provided for educational purposes only. It is not to be construed as medical advice regarding the treatment of any symptoms or disease. Medical advice of your personal physician should be obtained before pursuing any treatment mentioned here.