This is me, Anna Roper. I used to be a flute performance major before dropping out of college three years ago due to my health. I used to have an amazing job teaching music classes for young kiddos. I used to do many things, oh so many things, before becoming this sick. But it’s okay. I will continue to push through these horrible, and honestly traumatic, weeks, months, and years. Because I KNOW that one day I will be better. And I WILL finish my bachelor’s degree, experience the things I’ve dreamed of, go to places I’ve always wanted to go, and enjoy life to its absolute fullest. Because I am determined to never take it for granted again. That being said, here is why I still have to wait on those things. These are all my diagnoses and the ways they affect me personally.
Severe Asthma In 2016 my lungs were only functioning at 60% capacity. After being on medications and lyme treatment, they had improved by 13% the next year. In two weeks I will have another set of Pulmonary Function Tests (PFTs) to see where my lungs are currently. My main asthma symptoms include shortness of breath upon exertion and chronic, horrible coughing that has caused me to pulled three intercostal muscles and cough up blood. Coughing fits leave me gagging and gasping for breath. This summer has been especially hard on my lungs. The heat and humidity have weakened them, leaving me with tired, achy lungs that don't like breathing. I currently nebulize medications, use my inhaler when needed, and receive monthly IV treatments. Chronic Neurological Lyme Disease Aside from the lyme bacteria, I have at least four co-infections, which are frequently no less impactful on the body than the lyme itself. So often I get asked how I got Lyme Disease, but I don't really know. I grew up camping around Michigan, down south, and the east coast with my family, so it is highly likely I was bitten on one of those trips. During middle school I started having health problems; problems that would eventually lead to me being bedridden for years. To learn more about my Lyme Disease symptoms during middle and high school, click here. After a knee surgery in fall of 2011, my symptoms came on much stronger and only snowballed from there. I pushed my body until it could take no more and had to drop out of college during my junior year. It has now been over three years since I was diagnosed, three years of treatments, three years of waiting, and three years of perseverance. Because I will not give up. The symptoms I get from Lyme Disease are seemingly endless, but here is a summary. Aside from other the diagnoses I have, such as asthma and gastroparesis, my main symptoms are brutal, endless fatigue, muscle weakness that requires a cane and wheelchair, chronic pain in both my muscles and joints, headaches, and neurological craziness (Neuropathy, seizures, twitching, and more). I currently see a Lyme Disease specialist in Washington, DC and am treated via IV and oral antibiotics, along with supportive meds and supplements to stabilize my body. Gastroparesis I was diagnosed with gastroparesis - meaning paralysis of the stomach - in June of 2017, and had a feeding tube surgically placed the following month. My J-tube bypasses the stomach and goes directly into the jejunum (The first part of the small intestines). But we discovered soon after that my intestines couldn't handle the rate of feeds needed to give me enough calories to gain weight and start lyme treatment again. In winter of 2018, I began seeing a gastroparesis and gut motility specialist at the Cleveland Clinic. We discovered via a specialized test that my entire GI tract moves slowly. After listening to my medical history, he explained that I have likely had gastroparesis since 2016 when my appetite was nonexistent and we had to remove my gallbladder (for several reasons). My gastroparesis causes a lack of appetite, feeling of fullness after eating a small amount of food, acid reflux, and regurgitation. I cannot eat fats or proteins, and must keep a close eye on my fiber intake. I also have a lot of bloating and extremely painful gas episodes along with constipation seemingly throughout both of my intestines. I have been using my feeding tube for a year now at the very slow rate; it has kept my weight stable and brought some fats and proteins into my diet. I have recently started a medication from the Cleveland Clinic that works to increase movement throughout the GI tract. Ehler’s Danlos Syndrome Type 3 (Hypermobile) Ehler’s Danlos Syndrome, EDS, is an inherited connective tissue disorder that is caused by defects in a protein called collagen. Because collagen is the main structural protein found in skin and other connective tissues, EDS Type 3 presents itself through excessively flexible joints, joints that dislocate or partially dislocate, chronic muscle and bone pain, GI symptoms, and more. Because this is a genetic illness, I’ve had it my whole life, but was only diagnosed this past spring by my gastroparesis specialist at the Cleveland Clinic. In and of itself EDS can cause slow gut motility, and we are beginning to realize it is likely playing a big role in my gastroparesis world. Including the symptoms listed above, I also experience frequent, easy bruising and upper ribs that dislocate and cause awful pain. There aren’t many treatments for EDS aside from physical therapy and pain management, and I haven’t started either of them yet. Right now I’m taking it one day at a time. I have a collection of other health issues, but these four are what dictate where my body takes me right now. So yep, this is me. Anna Roper. I have severe asthma, Chronic Lyme Disease, gastroparesis, and EDS. But I'm also a normal person who LOVES laughter, spending time with my siblings and family, catching up with my friends when I'm able, talking... and more talking. I have a long road ahead of me health-wise, but I'll do whatever it takes to get my life back.
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Anna RoperStay connected as I go through this journey with Chronic Lyme Disease. New here? This is a great place to start.
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