Norm Eldien
Portland, OR
Lyme Disease

My arrival at the Reno Clinic was preceded by about four years of rapidly declining health. Through the 70s I had been very active in outdoor activities such as skiing, hiking, biking, running, etc. January 1981 I got sick with flu, and over the next four years my health declined to the point that with the help of the Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Association I consider applying for Social Security disability. Over those four years my doctor of ten years, Dr. Lennox Dick, ran tests continuously, sent me to many different specialists, and tried one drug after another as my health continued to decline to what I describe as being almost non-functional. In 1985 a friend told me about the clinic. She had several friends that had gone there and spoke highly of the treatment they had received.

In the fall of 1985 I had what I recall was a one to two hours appointment with the doctor who reviewed my symptoms in depth. After the initial evaluation, she recommended that I have a circulation test and a complete blood workup. When the laboratory tests were completed, I had an evaluation session with the Physician and the results were reviewed with me. Finally, I realized that I was suffering from Lyme disease for all those years without knowing it. Immediately, I started three weeks treatments as recommended.

The results of three weeks were tremendous improvement in my ability to function, i.e. to work, relate, communicate, and a tremendous improvement in my sense of well-being. From this first very positive experience I have returned several times a year for on going treatments and after each trip I have felt better. In the past couple of years I have returned to doing the physical activities I used to do before I got sick. In 1993 I hiked 15 to 20 miles in the mountains every weekend, and in October I walked the 26-mile Portland Marathon. Also every week I play volleyball for about three hours. In 1994 I have done several hikes in excess of 26 miles with a goal of doing a one-day (38 miles) hike around Mt. Hood. My major goal for the year is to run the 26-mile Portland Marathon. It is such an incredible feeling to feel myself getting stronger month by month and doing things I never thought possible 15 years ago.

Over the years I have referred many people to the clinic because of the fantastic positive experience I have had. I firmly feel and believe, as do many others who have been treated there, they are the most skilled and caring physicians we know. If I had but one wish it would have such a clinic in Portland, Oregon.