About the Lyme Disease Research Database
My name is Suzanne Arthur. I'm a native Californian, a classically-trained musician, and professional writer. I have a master's degree in English from California State University, Northridge. I've written feature articles and columns on health, design, and lifestyle for national publications, including the Townsend Letter, Natural Home, Planning magazine, BackHome magazine and LifetimeTV.com. I started the LDRD in 2005 with my partner, programmer Ev Miles.
During the calamitous summer that Hurricane Katrina decimated the Gulf Coast, I had been suffering with an increasing load of Lyme disease symptoms for at least two years without knowing the cause. I was mystified. Like millions of others, I had been misdiagnosed time and again. Several different MDs told me that my miserable skin rash was nothing but a bad case of eczema.
In June of 2005, a doctor prescribed the steroid Prednisone to restrain the "eczema.” But the steroids caused the underlying Lyme bacteria to quickly replicate, driving it into my brain and severely affecting my speech centers, nervous system, and heart. I landed in the ER with a deadly staph infection, which was a secondary infection to the still-undetected Lyme bacteria. More than one doctor told me to prepare myself for life in a wheelchair, and I was advised to apply for Disability Insurance. They suspected that I had Multiple Sclerosis.
After a Lyme-literate doctor friend urged me to get my blood tested through IGeneX Inc. in Palo Alto, CA, I finally received the correct diagnosis. At that point, I embarked on the long journey to heal, and educate myself about Lyme. With the help of my naturopath and other health practitioners, I undertook an integral approach toward treatment and started on the road to health. Now back at work, I’ve got a new perspective on healing, and a burning desire to help educate people about Lyme Disease. Through our work at the LDRD, we hope to reduce the suffering caused by Lyme and related tick-borne diseases.
The LDRD is facilitated by a devoted group of Lyme patients, wellness advocates and medical practitioners.