Kayla Stevens is a 27-year-old woman from Atlanta, Georgia. She has a Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology and Health Sciences from the University of Maine, a Master of Health Administration (MHA) from Georgia State University, and she’s currently finishing up her Integrative Health Practitioner (IHP) certification.

Prior to contracting Lyme disease, Ms. Stevens worked for a local hospital, was known as the “party girl,” and traveled frequently.

At the age of 25, Ms. Stevens quickly fell ill from Lyme disease the day after a tick bite with flu-like symptoms and a bullseye rash. Within a week her symptoms rapidly progressed and included severe psychiatric symptoms she’d never before experienced, such as suicidal thoughts, panic attacks, severe depression, a constant feeling as if she were dying, seeing shadows, and feeling schizophrenic.

Ms. Stevens went to the Emergency Room (ER) 3 times, saw an infectious disease specialist, rheumatologist, and Lyme literate doctor before she was diagnosed with Lyme disease through IGeneX and muscle testing a few months after getting sick. Her infectious disease doctor said she “couldn’t possibly have Lyme disease” while all the ER doctors suggested it was a mental health disorder or Lupus.

Ms. Stevens first treated using antibiotics for 16 months in combination with a mix of herbs. She then went on to treat at LymeStop in Idaho for 4 months.

If you would like to learn how Lyme disease inspired a western trained medical professional to study and utilize integrative medicine, then tune in now!

PS Kelsey Watkins special guest co-hosted this interview with Matt from Tick Boot Camp!