Between blotch and blok

I'm not sure about the U.K., but I know there's a lot of Bb infection in northern Europe (where they're a lot less likely to refer to it as Lyme disease).

I also know there appears to be less chronic infection there than here, because they tend to treat more promptly and aggressively. (Partly a result of the insurance paradigm; here, the insurer's goal is to minimize expenses, hoping you'll either get better or have to leave your job, and therefore, your insurer, and won't be on their tab ... so long-term health consequences are Not Their Problem.)

They were testing me for all sorts of scary things, before I finally was diagnosed: Lupus, MS, AIDS ... the Lyme Dx, bad as it's turning out to be, is *still* a relief. There's a lot of rheumatoid-like illness on my mother's side, including one aunt who I'm pretty sure had Lupus, before it was fashionable.

check out this site (I *think* it'll work!):
http://library.lymenet.org/domino/file.nsf/bbf2f15334c1f28585256613000317cc/9c1ac876bb7897f5852568ec0056eb02?OpenDocument

It's an online edition of "ADVANCED TOPICS IN LYME DISEASE:
DIAGNOSTIC HINTS AND TREATMENT GUIDELINES FOR LYME AND OTHER TICK BORNE ILLNESSES," by JOSEPH J. BURRASCANO JR., M.D

There's some information on diagnostic criteria that can be helpful with differential diagnosis, and whatever you have, the symptom checklist may help in getting in diagnosed. There's nothing like having everything in one place, on an official-looking form.

Also ... how to say this? "Routine medicine is bad medicine," as my uncle the retired doctor is fond of declaiming. Do what you can to be the special patient. Send a thank-you note, maybe, or Christmas cards. It can make a huge difference in the quality of care you receive. (But I'll spare you the research citations!)

Luck!