Woman fights for Lyme Disease awareness
http://www.wpsdlocal6.com/home/ticker/Woman-fights-for-Lyme-Disease-awareness-165341536.html
Reporter - Robert Bradfield
Photojournalist - Randall Barnes
UNION CITY, Tenn. — Every day is a struggle to survive for Colette Greer.
"The doctor said it would get worse before it got better," she said.
Greer's physician diagnosed her with Lyme Disease in 2009 but she said her doctor never reported it to the Obion County, Tennessee Health Department because she feels doctors aren't trained in looking for the symptoms.
"I want doctors to wise up," Greer said.
Doctors say Lyme Disease is rare in this part of the county and cases like Greer's are often misdiagnosed because physicians don't routinely test for the disease.
"We typically see it more so in the U.S. up toward the northern, northeastern sections of the U.S. like in New York, Connecticut, Pennsylvania," said Lourdes Dr. Kimberly Collins.
Greer spends $8,000 every 90 days on supplements. She feels that wouldn't be necessary if doctors realize ticks live here, too.
"How can someone sit behind a desk and decide whether I live or die?" Greer asked.
She said tests often result in a false positive so she's urging people like her to seek multiple opinions or find a specialist. Greer hopes to one day power through but for now, she's relying on the strength of her horses to get through the day.
"The doctor said it would get worse before it got better," she said.
Greer's physician diagnosed her with Lyme Disease in 2009 but she said her doctor never reported it to the Obion County, Tennessee Health Department because she feels doctors aren't trained in looking for the symptoms.
"I want doctors to wise up," Greer said.
Doctors say Lyme Disease is rare in this part of the county and cases like Greer's are often misdiagnosed because physicians don't routinely test for the disease.
"We typically see it more so in the U.S. up toward the northern, northeastern sections of the U.S. like in New York, Connecticut, Pennsylvania," said Lourdes Dr. Kimberly Collins.
Greer spends $8,000 every 90 days on supplements. She feels that wouldn't be necessary if doctors realize ticks live here, too.
"How can someone sit behind a desk and decide whether I live or die?" Greer asked.
She said tests often result in a false positive so she's urging people like her to seek multiple opinions or find a specialist. Greer hopes to one day power through but for now, she's relying on the strength of her horses to get through the day.
