Saturday, June 4, 2011

Court Hearing

I went to court on June 2nd to plead my case to an administrative law judge in hopes of being awarded disability benefits. It was grueling as every word, action and decision was questioned. I understand this judge is only doing his job, and that the lack of definitive evidence is making this case a difficult one for everyone involved, as they have only my statements of symptoms to go on, as that is how I was diagnosed since testing has proven little. As difficult as it was sitting before that judge, being picked apart, my frustration still lies with the doctors who refused to keep looking for answers, as my body deteriorated. I have accepted that I may not be awarded benefits because of them. I am a fighter, I will find a way to make it! And, regardless of the outcome of the hearing, I can console myself with the knowledge that I have been truthful in my statements, whether or not I am believed. This judge must be given credit for ordering further testing, gotta love him for that! We will see if those tests turn up anything....I am not getting my hopes up, as none to this date have proven anything. It is absolute hell to feel something like this and not be able to prove it. I think I would like to send this judge some information about lyme disease and the difficulty in obtaining a positive test result due to the effects of the disease itself. Perhaps that would help him make a more informed decision, and in turn help the next person he encounters in my situation get the benefits they so desperately need.
In the meantime, I am considering letting my doctor order a western blot through Igenex. The borelia contain a string of proteins to which the body develops antibodies. Most laboratories only test for antibodies to a small number of these proteins, whereas Igenex laboratories tests for all of them. This will not give a definitive diagnosis, but it should help convince my doctor's board that antibiotics are needed should I decide to try them. For now I am starting natural antibiotics such as garlic and silver hydrosol to see what improvements can be made with those first.