FOR 21 years Briony Hunt has been living with a 'debilitating' condition that has left her undiagnosed and in agony for the majority of her life.

The Bracknell woman has battled agonising pain, severe cognitive disfunction and seriously declining health, for more than two decades.

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Now, the 26-year-old is pleading for support to help raise funds for a pioneering cutting edge treatment, not available on the NHS to give her a chance to lead a full life and get the disease into remission.

It all started after contracting a tick-borne infection when she was two years old. After a day at the park her mother noticed a mark on her leg, which led to her being hospitalised with symptoms such as fever, rash and extreme pain all over the body.

She said that ‘this was the day her life changed forever’.

Although all the acute symptoms of tick-borne diseases and Lyme disease were there, she was not given any treatment or diagnosis. Being told by doctors that ‘they were not sure what was wrong.’

She said: “I’ve been enduring the pain all my life and had to learn to fight through it every day, but it’s not just pain; it progressively attacks my whole body and my mind, stripping me of everything I love to do as it takes over.

“It's heart breaking. I feel like I am falling apart when I should be in the prime of my life. Everyday tasks are hard and It’s a real struggle. It’s like I am constantly trying to keep my head above water.”

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After 20 years of being passed round the NHS, Briony said she took action into her own hands and found a specialist in Poland. She was diagnosed Late- Stage Lyme Disease, Bartonella, Babesia and Anaplasma, which then came with many secondary conditions from be untreated for so long.

Lyme disease and Bartonella, affect the brain, causing a variety of psychological issues. Anaplasma is another tick-born disease that causes fever, muscle ache and fatigue.

She exclaimed: “I was excited by the prospect of a pioneering treatment and with it, the hope of a full life.”

Throughout her pain and agony, Briony has kept a fighting spirit and positive attitude, seeing the beauty in life despite everything.

“Although I have had some very dark days, this life has taught me resilience and to be thankful for what I can do.” 

“I have overcome many challenges and even though the disease has had a 20-year head start....

“I won’t give up hope that one day I will beat this.”

One of Briony’s aims is to raise awareness of how destructive these diseases are – anyone can get bitten by an infected tick.

Briony said: “Please learn about tick prevention, proper tick removal, tick testing and spotting early symptoms of the diseases. As with many things, early treatment is simpler and more likely to be effective.”

The 26 year-old is now fundraising for the treatment in Poland and has set up a Go Fund Me page. So far it has raised £2,840.

To donate go to Briony's 'Go fund me' page here.