Bite Me

How Lyme Disease Stole My Childhood, Made Me Crazy, and Almost Killed Me

By: Ally Hilfiger, Tommy Hilfiger - foreword

Narrated by: Ally Hilfiger

Ally was at a breaking point when she woke up in a psych ward at the age of 18. She couldn't put a sentence together, let alone take a shower, eat a meal, or pick up a phone. What had gone wrong? In recent years, she had produced a feature film, a popular reality show for a major network, and had acted in an off-Broadway play. But now Ally was pushed to a psychotic break after struggling since she was seven years old with physical symptoms that no doctor could explain - everything from joint pain to night sweats, memory loss, nausea, and brain fog. A doctor in the psych ward was finally able to give her the answers she and her family had desperately been searching for and the diagnosis that all the previous doctors had missed. She learned that she had Lyme disease - and finally had a breakthrough.

What she didn't know was that this diagnosis would lead her down some of the most excruciating years of her life before beginning her journey to recovery from 11 years of misdiagnosis and physical pain. She would need to find her courage to heal physically, mentally, and emotionally and become the survivor she is today.

Set against the backdrop of the fast-paced fashion and entertainment industries, Bite Me shares the heartbreaking and hilarious stories that moved Ally forward on her journey from sickness to health. Its themes will be familiar to more than 300,000 Americans diagnosed with Lyme disease each year, many of whom, like Ally, wondered for years what was wrong with them. Bite Me offers listeners hope and ideas for how one can transition from victim to survivor and shares the spiritual principles and actions that have contributed to her wholeness as a human, a mother, and an international spokesperson against Lyme disease.

©2016 Ally Hilfiger (P)2016 Hachette Audio

Critic reviews

" Bite Me is captivating. Ally recounts her experience battling misdiagnosis and a debilitating tormentor with a humor and power that can inspire us all. She gives a voice to others who are struggling." (Georgia May Jagger)

" Bite Me is a must-read. It is riveting, personal, and well written. Its spiritual message is powerful and inspirational. With love all things are possible." (Russell Simmons)

"Reading Ally's struggle of dealing with the debilitating effects of Lyme disease is a total inspiration. Her cheerful strength of will and determination to rise above the exhausting days of not knowing the way out proves once again that the human spirit can prevail in the most strenuous of circumstances." (Bryan Adams)

Profoundly amazing. Every MD needs to read this book.

There are not enough words to describe how amazing this book is. The author bared her soul to share what unfortunately, many experience in an almost shameful silence and ignorance by MD's who misdiagnose them.
Almost everyone fighting this awful disabling disease is not believed, told they are crazy and often watch their lives slip away in almost unbearable pain and suffering.
Please read this book. Give it to your friends, family and to your doctors.
Please believe that when someone lives in constant pain, even though it may not be immediately identifiable, often it is not only real but worse than imagined.
Many who display symptoms similar to those Allie suffered from are treated as psychiatric cases. They are not crazy. . They are quite physically ill. Just wait. Soon enough it will happen to you or to someone close to you.
Thank you for your courage, strength and resilience in writing this book.

love! love! love!

loved it! such a wonderful inspiring book! i have hope that I will get better. highly recommend!

Ally Update

What did you like best about Bite Me? What did you like least?

Update from Ally herself in her own words.

How would you have changed the story to make it more enjoyable?

Wanted to have current information first and then hear her life story.

If this book were a movie would you go see it?

Nope

Inspirational

Well read by Ally.
Thought provoking.
Motivating.
Engaging.
I am a primary care physician and am glad to have heard this story.

Interesting but difficult to relate

This was an interesting listen. As always, much better to have the author reading because the listener really gets her tone. Her story is astounding and having had a friend with chronic Lyme, it gave me much better insight into what it must have been like for my friend to struggle for so long. Ally Hilfiger comes from such and extraordinary background, that is is a little difficult to relate to her. Nonetheless, an interesting read and quite a story.

I've listened to this over & over...Worth Buying!!

I too am a Lyme Disease Warrior and the way Ali Hilfiger tells her story it lets you know your not alone. Also proves that there needs to be further testing, teaching & learning in the medical community. They need to make more sensitive tests, more doctors that can treat Lyme, more qualified doctors to do research & Insurance needs to cover the treatment of Lyme Disease.
I recommend Everyone to get this book and listen to it.
Pro: Very easy to understand with great descriptions.
Cons: None

excellent book, describes her symptoms well as to

excellent book, she describes her symptoms well in order to educate the public about lyme disease. I am battling lyme myself and could relate to almost everything she mentioned. Also, she did good research which helps substantiate her story with medical facts.

A must read for people affected by Lyme!

I my self have been affected by Lyme for almost 10 pluse years! This book is full of so much useful information. It also is nice knowing that you are not alone in the fight!

She deserves more

I am so thankful that Ally shared her experience. Chronic Lyme is no joke and I wish more doctors knew more about it.
She really gave me justice for my feelings. She was diagnosed at age 19 and wasn’t able to find peace for a long time. She didn’t leave anything out!
Thank you so much ally

Great inspiration for anyone struggling with Lyme!

I liked the candid stories that showcased the horror that one experiences while going through chronic Lyme. I also found the stories of different treatments interesting and helpful. thank you Ally for bringing awareness to Lyme disease!