May is Lyme Disease Awareness Month in Canada. A fairly underreported chronic condition, Lyme Disease has been gaining media attention and awareness over the last few years. Along with awareness, the disease also has it's share of controversy.
Although there are about 40 species of tick in Canada, the one that causes the greatest concern is the deer tick. Infected deer ticks can transmit Lyme disease when they bite animals and humans. If caught early enough, a treatment of antibiotics will typically ensure no complications or lifelong symptoms. An undetected bite from an infected tick can lead to chronic Lyme disease, with a host of symptoms.
Cecile GoughGuelph local Cecile Gough is a Lyme disease advocate, practitioner, and educator. She believes she was bitten by a tick in Britain 25 years ago, but the disease went undetected until finally receiving her diagnosis in October 2014.
Gough had been actively searching for answers to her undiagnosed condition for a decade. When she eventually learned she had Lyme disease, she was shocked. “It was a steep learning curve for me,” said Gough, a former oncology nurse. “It didn't take long for me to realize the politics, controversy and lack of resources in this country. It blows my mind really.”
After discovering there was little support in Guelph for people with Lyme disease, she decided to start her own support group, the Guelph Lyme Group. Members of the group meet once monthly at the East Branch of the Guelph Public Library.
“People come from Stratford, Kitchener-Waterloo, and Orangeville,” said Gough, who confirmed that new members are welcomed every month, with about 20 to 25 participants at each meeting.
Every month a different educator is brought in to lead the session, to hopefully bring insight, encouragement and education to those with the chronic condition.
“Lyme is here in this area and people need help and support,” said Gough, who says that she continues to deal with the skepticism of medical professionals in Canada who refuse to treat her Lyme disease.
Gough is organizing a special Lyme Symposium that will be held in the Fall of 2016. She says this will be the first conference of its kind in Canada.
“I’m creating the conference I would want to go to as a patient,” said Gough, who has used her experience to help educate and empower others to fight for the best treatment possible. “I am looking for gaps and filling them.”
Despite Gough’s painful personal experience with Lyme disease, she remains hopeful that her efforts will provide something positive in of a difficult experience.
“It’s tough on a daily basis. I lost my house, career, marriage and life-savings,” said Gough.
Despite her personal challenges with the disease, she hopes that her message is not one of difficulty and suffering, but rather one of hope. There are many new developments in Canada that may bring positive changes to the treatment of Lyme disease in the country.
This month Ottawa is hosting a federal conference to help develop a national framework for diagnosing and treating Lyme disease. Last year Bill C-442 was introduced by the Green Party’s Elizabeth May. The bill was one that advocates for a structured federal framework for treating Lyme Disease in Canada, said Gough. For her, this bill shows that positive changes are coming and the government recognizes a lack of support and proper diagnosis and treatment of Lyme in the country.
Gough also hopes that awareness and prevention will become a national message, and encourages others to contact their MPs and MPPs to advocate for positive changes. “If you have Lyme, come out to support groups,” said Gough, who noted that although chronic Lyme disease cannot be cured, there are treatments and growing support.
There are also many things people can do to help prevent ever being effected by this disease. Gough suggests being extra cautious in the fall and spring, when ticks are more prevalent. “Wear lighter clothes, even in parks,” she said, adding that people should tuck pants into socks and avoid areas of tall grass. Having a shower once inside and putting clothes in a warm dryer are also good preventative measures.
Places to check for ticks include: hair line, belly button, thighs, and armpits. She notes that if you were to find a tick, it’s important to pull it out with sharp tweezers and send it in for testing. “If you do get bit by a tick, get on antibiotics right away,” said Gough. She encourages anyone with Lyme disease, or who suspects they have it, to never settle for anything less than excellent medical care.
“Hold on to hope,” she concluded.
For more information visit the Canadian Lyme Disease Foundation online.
You may also e-mail Cecile Gough at [email protected]