Missouri 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 Missouri.

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.

The CDC has determined that the South does not have Lyme but a Lyme-like illness they call “Masters’ Disease” (after Ed Masters, MD of Missouri) or STARI (Southern Tick-borne Associated Rash Illness). To date, no one has been able to culture the organism or prove any difference between Lyme and Master’s disease. Dr. Masters says, “Lyme-like illness deserves Lyme-like treatment."

Lyme disease treated early is usually easy to cure, but half the patients are not diagnosed promptly or treated adequately. They may become chronically ill, lose their jobs and end up on disability.

If the tick that bites you is infected, it can inject Lyme bacteria into your bloodstream within hours of attachment. If you don't notice the tick, infection will occur in almost 100%. The bacteria invade your brain in less than 24 hours and can hide for decades.

Anyone who suspects s/he might have a tick-borne illness should use the search tool on the LDA website (see link below) to find a Lyme specialist.

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 course of treatment.