donna
You can figure out how long you have had lyme decease by the symptoms you have. I was diagnosed with lymes decease over 10 years ago. I had many many negative blood tests before a positive test finally showed up. But I had a rash - not the bullseye rash- the other rash that looks like little red circles. I had the fatigue, polyneuropathy, memory loss, vision problems, balance problems, swollen lymph nodes, sore throat, irritable bowel syndrome, etc..... Ten years ago, the doctors would not treat lyme with antibiotics until there was a positive test result. Usually rocephin is used to treat lyme (IV antibiotic). I am deathly allergic to this drug so I was put on clafarin, then primaxin and then doxicyclin. I had IV treatment several times for about 3 years. The IV helped the polyneuropathy and the vision problems somewhat. I still have all the other problems, but I have learned to change my life so I can live life. EXAMPLE: sleep during day if I have to go out at night. Good luck to you and God bless. Learn all you can about the decease so you can handle life and educate your family so they understand you.