Man's life turned upside down following tick bite

A MAN debilitated by a Lyme disease tick bite says he has had to spend nearly £150,000 on private medical care just to feel "four out of 10

- NICO LETHBRIDGE

Steven Williams, 39, from Bridgend, was living a "normal" active lifestyle, exercising regularly, working as a civil servant and playing in a rock band but one week in March 2021, he felt a sudden change.

He said he began experiencing severe heart palpitations, fatigue and debilitating bouts of anxiety and depression, as well as food intolerances and gastrointestinal issues none of which he had experienced before.

Although previously the "steady one in the group", Steven found he was unable to perform simple tasks, such as taking the bins out, watching television or washing himself because his anxiety and depression were so intense.

Seven months after visiting the GP and being prescribed various ineffective medicines, he says, it was discovered he had Lyme disease, a bacterial infection that can be spread to humans by infected ticks.

He says the NHS' two-week course of the antibiotic Doxycycline would have been ineffective at his advanced stage, so since his diagnosis in October 2021, he has spent in the region of £150,000 on private healthcare around the world, having to remortgage his house to do so.

However, despite the expense, Steven said he has seen only minor improvements in his condition and is forced to live a robotic, limited life, eating a handful of plain foods and doing very few activities just to be able to function.

"I just want to regain some of my old quality of life," he said.

"It's small things like being able to meet friends for a meal, listen to music and do exercise.

"Since March 2021, although my symptoms have waxed and waned, I've never felt better than a four out of 10.

"The NHS is an amazing institution, and my GP has been so supportive, but a two-week course of Doxycycline is all they've been able to offer.

"For people who fall between the cracks, the system is too rigid."