New York 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 New York State.

New York has more cases of Lyme disease than any other state - over 68,000 confirmed cases since 1986. NY ticks may also carry germs that cause babesiosis, ehrlichiosis, and Rocky Mountain spotted fever. These are most frequently found on Long Island and in the lower Hudson Valley region. Reported cases reflect the "tip of the iceberg," or only a fraction of the true cases. Doctors recognize and report only one case per 1000.

The tick infection rate in New York 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. 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. Most cases are not reported, leading to artificially low numbers, less recognition of the true costs of the disease and less funding for research.

NY Lyme patients are some of the most politically active in the country, working with legislators to solve problems.

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.