Viewers are drawn to reality TV because they can relate to the real lives of other people. Recently, Lyme patients around the country saw themselves represented on The Bachelor when contestant Daisy Kent opened up about her journey with Lyme disease. While the average person might not be able to relate to the fairy tale romance and lavish dates of The Bachelor, the more than 476,000 people diagnosed annually with Lyme disease can certainly understand the years of mounting symptoms and the struggle for diagnosis and effective treatment that Daisy faced.
Daisy Kent was diagnosed with Lyme disease at age 21, but like many patients, she had already been sick for a long time. Doctors believe Daisy got Lyme disease as a young child. She started having idiopathic stroke-like seizures and cognitive issues at age 11. Once accurately diagnosed, her journey was far from over. Despite trying various treatments, her condition only worsened, affecting her hearing, causing body pain, and leading to difficulties in daily functioning. Daisy suffered headaches, ringing in her ears and eventual hearing loss, and vertigo. At some points, Daisy was bed-bound.
Daisy’s struggle highlights the difficulties that many people face in getting an accurate diagnosis of and effective treatment for Lyme and other tick-borne diseases. Called “the great imitator” because of its similarities to conditions like Chronic Fatigue Syndrome/Myalgic Encephalomyelitis (ME/CFS), rheumatoid arthritis, and lupus, Lyme disease is notoriously misdiagnosed. Early diagnosis and treatment are key to successful recovery from Lyme disease. If the infection isn’t treated immediately, it can spread to various parts of the body including the heart and joints, and can cross the blood-brain barrier into the central nervous system. The disease can become chronic.
Luckily for Daisy, she was able to find care at Klink St. Georg in Germany, where she underwent various therapies including whole-body hypothermia, plasmapheresis, light therapy, ozone therapy, and detox baths. She also had healthy bacteria planted in her gut, through endoscopy and colonoscopy, to reset her microbiome following antibiotic therapy.
Now, Daisy is doing very well. The combination of traditional and alternative treatments contributed to her recovery. Daisy’s journey serves as a reminder of the complexities of Lyme disease and the need for improved understanding and effective treatment options.
Before Daisy was on The Bachelor, she was already a firm advocate for Lyme and chronic conditions. A TikTok influencer, she has almost 40,000 followers and her videos have been viewed millions of times. She spreads awareness about her illness journey, her hearing loss, and the cochlear implants that have helped her hear again.
Daisy is not alone in suffering hearing loss from Lyme disease. The infection can impact every part of the body, including the brain and the sensorium. Many patients with neurological Lyme disease experience sensitivity to sound and light.
Though actual hearing loss with Lyme is uncommon, it has been documented in scientific research. Earlier this year, a study was published of a 23-year-old woman who had headache, instability, and tinnitus for two months, leading to sudden loss of hearing in both ears. She tested positive for Lyme disease, though antibiotic treatment did not cure her hearing loss.
In 2022, a woman in her forties experiencing deafness and facial palsy tested positive for the Lyme disease bacteria. She was diagnosed with Lyme meningitis. In her case, intravenous antibiotics led to a complete recovery of her hearing and her facial palsy was cured.
Hearing loss can be a serious manifestation of Lyme disease. Any changes in hearing should always be mentioned to your Lyme Literate Medical Doctor (LLMD).
Daisy Kent’s advocacy is helping Lyme patients feel seen. She is making a big impact on the Lyme disease community, raising awareness about the importance of early diagnosis and effective treatment, and about serious manifestations of the illness including hearing loss. She is an inspiration!
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