Bite Me

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

By: Ally Hilfiger, Tommy Hilfiger - introduction

Narrated by: Ally Hilfiger

Ally was at a breaking point when she woke up in a psych ward at the age of eighteen. 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 her 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 eleven 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 readers 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, mother, and international spokesperson against Lyme disease.

Critic reviews

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

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

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

This book will be very important at a time that Lyme disease meets NIH's eight characteristics of a worldwide pandemic. Thank you, sweet Ally, for daring to share your inspiring journey of strength, hope, and everyday determination to get well.—Yolanda Foster

BITE ME is humorous and suspenseful, and it holds your atten- tion to the very last page. This is a story that will inspire you.—Tommy Mottola

A fascinating look at a disease that is often misdiagnosed and costs many people their sanity and lives. BITE ME is a story of courage. I highly recommend it.—Thalia Mottola

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

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!