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Tick Boot Camp

Tick Boot Camp

De : Matt Sabatello and Rich Johannesen
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 Tick Boot Camp is a Lyme disease and tick-borne illness podcast featuring interviews with leading doctors, researchers, scientists, patients, advocates, and experts. Explore Lyme disease symptoms, testing, diagnosis, treatment, recovery, chronic Lyme disease, coinfections, PANS/PANDAS, MCAS, neurological symptoms, emerging research, and the latest advances in tick-borne disease care. Through expert education and powerful patient stories, Tick Boot Camp provides hope, validation, practical information, and a community for people navigating Lyme disease and complex chronic illness.Copyright 2026 Alternative & Komplementäre Medizin Hygiene & gesundes Leben
épisodes
  • Episode 627: Why Lyme Patients Feel Dismissed: How to Get Doctors to Listen – Dr. Kirsten FitzGerald | LIVE from ILADS

    Episode 627: Why Lyme Patients Feel Dismissed: How to Get Doctors to Listen – Dr. Kirsten FitzGerald | LIVE from ILADS
    12 Nov 2026
    What do you do when you're sick, your Lyme disease test comes back negative, and your doctor tells you everything is fine—even though you know something is wrong? For many people living with Lyme disease, tick-borne infections, and complex chronic illness, the search for answers can involve years of unexplained symptoms, multiple specialists, frustrating medical appointments, and feeling dismissed by the healthcare system. But what if improving the patient-doctor relationship could become one of the most important steps toward finding answers? In this LIVE from ILADS episode of the Tick Boot Camp Podcast, co-host Rich Johannesen sits down with Dr. Kirsten P. FitzGerald, DNP, FNP-BC, a board-certified family nurse practitioner and functional medicine provider based in Ridgefield, Connecticut, to discuss Lyme disease awareness, missed diagnoses, patient advocacy, and the importance of building collaborative relationships between patients and healthcare professionals. Recorded at the 2025 International Lyme and Associated Diseases Society (ILADS) Conference in San Antonio, Texas, this conversation explores how Dr. FitzGerald transitioned from conventional primary care into functional and integrative medicine after recognizing that some patients with persistent symptoms were not finding the answers or support they needed. Dr. FitzGerald shares her experiences working with patients affected by Lyme disease, long COVID, mast cell-related concerns, and pediatric neuroinflammatory conditions, including PANS and PANDAS. Together, Rich and Dr. FitzGerald develop a practical framework for helping patients prepare for medical appointments, communicate more effectively, participate in treatment decisions, and work with their providers toward better health outcomes. Their central message: Patients deserve to be heard, and meaningful progress often begins when patients and clinicians work together as partners. Meet Dr. Kirsten P. FitzGerald, DNP, FNP-BC Dr. Kirsten P. FitzGerald is a Doctor of Nursing Practice and board-certified Family Nurse Practitioner with more than 25 years of healthcare experience. She is the founder of FitzGerald Health and Wellness, an integrative and functional medicine practice in Ridgefield, Connecticut. She also collaborates with the team at New Frontiers Functional Medicine & Nutrition, led by Dr. Kara Fitzgerald in Sandy Hook, Connecticut, and works alongside pediatric naturopathic physician Dr. Lindsey Wells, ND, in Trumbull, Connecticut. Her clinical interests include: Lyme disease and tick-borne infectionsPersistent and complex chronic symptomsLong COVID and post-infectious illnessFunctional and integrative medicineMast cell activation syndrome (MCAS)PANS and PANDASMetabolic health and lifestyle medicinePatient education and collaborative care Dr. FitzGerald grew up on a trout farm in Connecticut and has spent much of her life around animals, including horses, chickens, cats, and dogs. Despite living in a region historically associated with Lyme disease, she explains that her understanding of the complexity of tick-borne illness changed significantly after attending a professional presentation. That experience ultimately helped redirect her medical career. Learn more about Dr. Kirsten FitzGerald and her clinical background. From Conventional Primary Care to Functional Medicine Dr. FitzGerald describes a pivotal moment at an advanced practice registered nurse (APRN) conference in Connecticut. A presentation by fellow clinician Pam Cipriano challenged her understanding of Lyme disease and prompted her to reconsider patients she had previously encountered. She began thinking about people whose Lyme disease test results had been negative despite symptoms and exposure histories that continued to raise clinical questions. Dr. FitzGerald explains that conventional primary care often relies on established diagnostic pathways, laboratory testing, and specialist referrals. These tools are essential, but she became increasingly concerned about patients whose symptoms remained unexplained after multiple evaluations. During the COVID-19 pandemic, she encountered additional patients struggling with persistent symptoms, including long COVID. One experience was particularly influential. A patient who was also a nurse became emotional during an appointment and asked Dr. FitzGerald to stop sending her to additional specialists. The patient wanted someone to take responsibility for understanding her overall health picture rather than continuing a cycle of referrals without satisfactory answers. For Dr. FitzGerald, that conversation reinforced the need to expand her knowledge and explore different approaches to complex chronic illness. She eventually transitioned toward functional and integrative medicine, including working with Dr. Kara Fitzgerald's New Frontiers team. The conversation illustrates why continuity of care, clinical curiosity, and thoughtful follow-up matter when patients experience ...
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    31 min
  • Episode 626: Why Treating Lyme Disease Requires More Than Antibiotics – Dr. Sigrid Blehle | LIVE from ILADS

    Episode 626: Why Treating Lyme Disease Requires More Than Antibiotics – Dr. Sigrid Blehle | LIVE from ILADS
    11 Nov 2026
    What happens when Lyme disease treatment focuses on infections, but patients continue struggling with debilitating symptoms? Could mold exposure, gut health, immune dysfunction, or other underlying health challenges be complicating recovery? In this LIVE from ILADS interview, Tick Boot Camp co-host Rich Johannesen welcomes Dr. Sigrid Blehle, MD, MBA, PhD, Medical Director of Alviasana in Augsburg, Germany, to explore her integrative approach to Lyme disease, chronic infections, and complex chronic illness. Recorded at the 2025 International Lyme and Associated Diseases Society (ILADS) Conference in San Antonio, Texas, this conversation examines why Dr. Blehle believes that identifying and treating infections is only one part of helping patients with complicated medical histories. Dr. Blehle discusses her approach to evaluating environmental exposures, mold, heavy metals, gut microbiome health, immune function, nutritional status, and possible tick-borne infections before developing individualized treatment plans. She also shares her experience with antibiotic therapy, herbal medicine, intravenous treatments, and other integrative interventions, while explaining how her multidisciplinary clinic works with patients from Europe, the United States, Africa, and Asia. One of her most striking examples involves a patient who had already consulted 48 physicians before arriving at her clinic. The central message of this interview is that patients with complex symptoms deserve careful listening, comprehensive medical histories, and individualized evaluation rather than assumptions about what is causing their illness. Meet Dr. Sigrid Blehle: Lyme Disease Physician in Germany Dr. Sigrid Blehle, MD, MBA, PhD, is a German physician and Medical Director of Alviasana, an integrative medical clinic based in Augsburg, Germany. Her clinical interests include: Lyme disease and other tick-borne infectionsComplex and persistent symptoms following infectious illnessesPost-COVID conditionsEnvironmental exposures, including moldHeavy metal exposureMast cell activation syndrome (MCAS)Gut microbiome healthNutritional and metabolic concernsGenetic and immune-related factors Dr. Blehle describes her clinic's approach as comprehensive, emphasizing that patients frequently arrive with overlapping health concerns rather than a single clearly identified diagnosis. She explains that many of her patients have already visited numerous physicians, undergone extensive testing, and tried multiple treatments before seeking care at Alviasana. For these patients, her goal is to investigate potentially relevant contributors to their symptoms and develop a personalized treatment strategy. When You're the 49th Doctor: The Challenges of Complex Chronic Illness Early in the conversation, Dr. Blehle shares the story of a patient who had already seen 48 doctors before visiting her clinic. Dr. Blehle became the patient's 49th physician. The example illustrates a familiar experience for many people living with persistent, unexplained symptoms: years of medical appointments, conflicting explanations, unsuccessful treatments, and uncertainty about what to do next. Dr. Blehle believes that patients with complex chronic illness often require a broader assessment of their health history. Rather than assuming that every symptom has the same cause, she considers possible infections alongside environmental, nutritional, immune, and other medical factors. Rich and Dr. Blehle discuss why listening carefully to the patient's experiences is an essential first step. For people who have struggled to find answers, a comprehensive evaluation can provide an opportunity to revisit overlooked questions and identify areas that may warrant additional investigation. Why Dr. Blehle Believes Lyme Disease Treatment Requires a Broader Approach One of the interview's central themes is Dr. Blehle's belief that treating suspected infections alone may not address every factor contributing to a patient's illness. She explains that her clinical approach considers the broader health picture, including possible environmental exposures and underlying medical conditions. For example, a patient may have a history of tick exposure while also experiencing gastrointestinal problems, nutritional deficiencies, or symptoms associated with another illness. Dr. Blehle believes these issues should be considered together when developing a treatment plan. Her approach reflects her clinical experience and treatment philosophy. The interview does not establish that all the factors discussed cause persistent Lyme disease symptoms or that treating them improves outcomes for every patient. Step One: A Comprehensive Patient History Before ordering laboratory tests, Dr. Blehle begins with an extensive medical history. She wants to understand not only the patient's symptoms, but also their environment, travel history, previous illnesses, and treatment experiences. Questions may include: Where does the ...
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    20 min
  • Episode 625: 25 Doctors, 10 Misdiagnoses: From Lyme Patient to Advocate – Melinda Elliott Sander | LIVE from ILADS

    Episode 625: 25 Doctors, 10 Misdiagnoses: From Lyme Patient to Advocate – Melinda Elliott Sander | LIVE from ILADS
    10 Nov 2026
    After seeing 25 doctors, receiving 10 misdiagnoses, and facing the possibility of ALS, multiple sclerosis, or early-onset Alzheimer's disease, Melinda Elliott Sander finally discovered that tick-borne illness was behind her devastating health journey. Today, she's helping change the future of Lyme disease advocacy across America. In this LIVE from ILADS interview, Tick Boot Camp co-host Rich Johannesen welcomes Melinda Elliott Sander, a Missouri Lyme disease patient advocate and Community Engagement Fellow with Center for Lyme Action, to discuss her journey from seriously ill mother of three to national advocate fighting for improved Lyme disease research, awareness, funding, and patient protections. Recorded at the 2025 International Lyme and Associated Diseases Society (ILADS) Conference in San Antonio, Texas, this conversation explores the challenges of diagnosing tick-borne diseases in the Midwest, the growing impact of alpha-gal syndrome, and how grassroots advocacy is influencing federal legislation. Melinda shares how she began contacting lawmakers while bedridden, eventually becoming involved in a national movement that grew from approximately 30–40 early advocates to more than 10,000 participants at the time of the interview. Rich and Melinda also discuss five federal legislative proposals designed to improve tick-borne disease research, prevention, public health infrastructure, patient protections, and access to information. Their message is empowering: You don't have to be healthy, wealthy, or politically connected to make a difference. Even when chronic illness has taken so much from you, your voice can help create meaningful change. Meet Melinda Elliott Sander: Lyme Disease Patient Advocate Melinda Elliott Sander is a Lyme disease patient advocate from north-central Missouri who has spent approximately a decade raising awareness about Lyme disease and other tick-borne illnesses. She serves as a Community Engagement Fellow with Center for Lyme Action, a national advocacy organization dedicated to increasing federal funding and advancing policy solutions for Lyme disease, alpha-gal syndrome, and other tick-borne conditions. Melinda has participated in Center for Lyme Action's advocacy efforts since the organization's early days in 2020. She now works to strengthen state-level advocacy teams, connect patients with opportunities to participate in public policy, and help expand the organization's national network. At the time of the interview, Melinda was completing a public health degree at Western Governors University. Her mission is deeply personal. After experiencing years of debilitating illness and struggling to obtain an accurate diagnosis, she committed herself to helping other patients avoid the same challenges. 25 Doctors, 10 Misdiagnoses, and Eight Medical Specialties Approximately 10 years before this interview, Melinda became seriously ill while raising three young children. Her symptoms were severe, but physicians struggled to determine what was causing them. During her diagnostic journey, she consulted: 25 physiciansEight medical specialties10 different diagnoses Doctors considered serious neurological conditions, including ALS, multiple sclerosis, and early-onset Alzheimer's disease. Melinda describes how frightening this experience was, especially while caring for her children and trying to maintain hope for her future. Eventually, she learned that tick-borne illness was involved. The diagnosis surprised her. She had already considered and ruled out numerous possibilities, and tick-borne disease was not something she initially believed could explain her symptoms. Her experience illustrates the emotional and physical toll of a prolonged diagnostic journey. It also highlights the importance of comprehensive medical evaluation when patients experience persistent, unexplained symptoms. Why Lyme Disease Awareness Matters in Missouri Melinda lives approximately 30 miles north of Columbia, Missouri. She explains that people in her region are sometimes told Lyme disease does not exist in their state. Yet Missouri has extensive outdoor activity involving farming, hunting, hiking, and recreation. Residents regularly encounter ticks in fields, forests, backyards, and other everyday environments. Melinda believes greater awareness of tick-borne diseases is needed among healthcare professionals and the public. Rich contrasts her experience with living on Long Island, New York, where Lyme disease is widely recognized. He explains that patients in highly endemic areas may face different diagnostic challenges than patients in regions where Lyme disease is considered less common. Importantly, tick-borne disease risks vary by geography and tick species. Missouri is associated with several significant tick-borne health concerns, including ehrlichiosis, spotted fever group rickettsioses, and alpha-gal syndrome. Melinda's message is that tick exposure should not be dismissed simply because ...
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    25 min
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