The summary of ‘Ally Hilfiger on Lyme Disease’

00:00:00

In this part of the video, the speaker, who is now 31, discusses their long struggle with Lyme disease. Diagnosed at age 19 after initial symptoms at seven, they went through 11 years of treatment involving eight or nine doctors. Today, the disease is manageable, although they still experience symptoms such as joint pain, headaches, nausea, fatigue, memory loss, and difficulty speaking when overly tired.

The speaker describes their current treatment approach, which includes a variety of homeopathic and natural remedies rather than antibiotics. Their “toolbox” includes doctors, healers, vitamins, essential oils, specific diets, meditation, and relaxation techniques. They emphasize the importance of having such a toolbox for overall support, whether or not one has Lyme disease.

Additionally, the speaker addresses misconceptions about Lyme disease, attributing skepticism to a lack of education on the issue. Reflecting on their journey, they express disbelief at how they endured such a challenging experience and acknowledge that many others continue to suffer similarly or worse.

00:03:00

In this part of the video, the speaker discusses the severe impact of Lyme disease on their life, explaining that it can cause both physical and emotional suffering that can be life-threatening. They mention that Lyme disease can lead to heart failure and even drive some individuals to suicide due to the immense pain and isolation. The conversation highlights the challenge of the disease’s “invisible” nature, as sufferers may appear fine on some days but are incapacitated on others, leading to misunderstandings and assumptions by others.

The speaker then recounts their personal story, beginning from when they were bitten by a tick at the age of seven. Despite their mother’s proactive steps, including sending the tick for testing and seeking specialist advice, the test results were inconclusive, resulting in uncertainty and lack of proper diagnosis at an early stage. They describe the onset of Lyme disease symptoms, starting with joint and muscle pain, and emphasize the critical importance of early detection and treatment to prevent severe complications.

00:06:00

In this part of the video, the speaker discusses her childhood and teenage experiences with undiagnosed Lyme disease. Despite having persistent symptoms such as joint pain, fatigue, repeated strep throat infections, and headaches, her complaints were dismissed as growing pains by her doctors. She felt invalidated and weak as a child by not being taken seriously. As her condition persisted into her teenage years, she continued to experience joint pain, which worsened after a snowboarding accident. This led to increasingly severe and widespread pain, nausea, and diminished cognitive abilities, including difficulties with reading and memory retention.

00:09:00

In this part of the video, the speaker shares their struggle with what was initially perceived as a learning disability. Despite being bright and intelligent, they had trouble retaining and repeating information, leading to frustration. The speaker recounts their experience of ending up in a psychiatric hospital, which might seem perplexing to some, given that it all stemmed from a tick bite leading to Lyme disease. They explain how Lyme disease can invade the brain and cause severe psychiatric symptoms, including a nervous breakdown. Adding to the stress were personal issues like their parents’ divorce and the pressures of sudden fame. The speaker credits their father’s decision to hospitalize them with ultimately saving their life, as it led to a critical diagnosis of Lyme disease by a knowledgeable psychiatrist. This diagnosis came after over 11 years of misdiagnosis, highlighting a long struggle to connect the dots.

00:12:00

In this part of the video, the speaker discusses their long struggle with various undiagnosed symptoms over 11 years, which multiple doctors speculated could be conditions like multiple sclerosis, fibromyalgia, or rheumatoid arthritis. They describe the validation they felt when given any diagnosis, as it confirmed that their symptoms were real. Despite this, no clear explanation or treatment was provided. Their condition worsened with the stress of producing and starring in the reality TV show “Rich Girls,” which involved intense, exhausting filming schedules. This stress amplified their Lyme disease symptoms, particularly those affecting the brain, leading to confusion, exhaustion, and a range of debilitating effects.

00:15:00

In this part of the video, the speaker describes the severe cognitive and functional impairments they experienced due to Lyme disease affecting their brain. They mention having trouble with memory, orientation, and basic decision-making. The speaker gives examples such as forgetting familiar names, getting lost while driving, and being unable to decide on simple tasks like choosing lettuce. These symptoms were part of a larger breakdown where the speaker felt as though their brain was not communicating properly, making it difficult to carry out everyday activities like eating, showering, or making a phone call. The confusion and inability to function were paralyzing and terrifying. They also touch on the emotional impact this had on their parents and express gratitude for their support.

00:18:00

In this segment of the video, the speaker discusses the importance of being honest and vulnerable, highlighting that self-acceptance can alleviate the fear of judgment. The conversation shifts to their role as a national spokesperson for Lyme disease, where the speaker explains how their own struggle with the disease motivated them to help others. They emphasize the social responsibility to use their experience for the greater good. Despite their privileged background, they acknowledge that diseases do not discriminate and stress the universal human experience of facing challenges, regardless of one’s socioeconomic status.

00:21:00

In this segment of the video, the speaker discusses the widespread impact of Lyme disease, emphasizing that it affects people across all 50 states and 80 countries. They highlight the difficulties in diagnosing and treating the disease, even when resources and access to top doctors are available. The speaker shares their personal struggle with Lyme disease, taking 11 years and multiple doctors to reach a manageable point. They advocate for prevention, mentioning Heather Hurst’s Project Lyme as a valuable resource. The speaker stresses the importance of being one’s own advocate and persevering when navigating the medical system, as each person’s experience with Lyme disease is unique. The segment closes with a call to not give up, reinforcing the need for continuous self-advocacy and support.

00:24:00

In this segment of the video, the discussion centers around the multifaceted healing process for Lyme disease, as outlined by Dr. Shander. This process includes physical, emotional, and spiritual components. The speaker reflects on their own experience with the disease, noting how it severely impacted their childhood and young adulthood, causing them to spend numerous summers bedridden. Despite this, they emphasize the importance of maintaining a positive mindset and using affirmations. They encourage others suffering from Lyme disease to remain hopeful and persistently affirm their strength and ability to heal, highlighting these mental tools as critical in their own recovery journey.