Man's life 'ended' after one tick bite as he's forced to pay £150,000 for private care
A man debilitated by a Lyme disease tick bite has revealed he's had to fork out nearly £150,000 on private medical care just to feel "4 out of 10". Steven Williams, 39, from Bridgend, South Wales, was leading a "normal" active life, regularly exercising, working as a civil servant and playing in a rock band – until one week in March 2021 - he experienced a drastic change.
He began suffering from severe heart palpitations, fatigue, and crippling anxiety and depression, alongside food intolerances and gastrointestinal issues – all symptoms which were new to him. Previously known as the "steady one in the group", Steven suddenly found himself unable to carry out basic tasks.
This included things like taking the bins out, watching television or even washing himself - all due to the overwhelming intensity of his anxiety and depression. After 7 months of visiting the GP and trying various ineffective medications, it was finally revealed that he had Lyme disease, a bacterial infection transmitted by infected ticks.
Since his diagnosis in October 2021, he has spent close to £150,000 on private healthcare across the globe, having to remortgage his home to afford it. Despite the expense, Steven has only seen minor improvements in his condition and is forced to live a restricted life, eating a limited range of plain foods and engaging in very few activities just to function.
He shared with PA Real LIfe: "I just want to regain some of my old quality of life. Since March 2021, although my symptoms have waxed and waned, I've never felt better than a 4 out of 10. It's small things like being able to meet friends for a meal, listen to music and do exercise."
He appreciates the NHS and his GP's support but feels let down as only a two-week course of Doxycycline was offered. "For people who fall between the cracks, the system is too rigid."
Ticks that may carry Lyme disease are widespread across the UK, with grassy and wooded areas in southern England and the Scottish Highlands being high-risk zones, according to the NHS. Steven doesn't recall when he was bitten and didn't develop the "bullseye rash".
This rash is often associated with Lyme disease but actually appears in only a minority of cases, as stated by Johns Hopkins Lyme Disease Research Centre. Residing in South Wales, he frequently walked in the mountains and forests with his dog, Jarvis, and suspects he might have been bitten there - though it could have occurred at any point before his symptoms emerged.
Recalling the events in March 2021 and when life as he knew it came to an abrupt halt, he said he was hit with sudden, severe bouts of depression and anxiety, along with heart palpitations. He also became highly intolerant to many food types, suffered significant gastrointestinal issues, and found himself easily overstimulated, unable to watch TV, socialise or even listen to music.
"It's very hard to explain but, as someone who used to play in a rock band, that's a hard pill to swallow. I knew something was not right and that my symptoms weren't characteristic of me. It was terrifying," he shared.
Upon diagnosis, he thought: "I'd heard of the term Lyme disease but when I found out I had it, I thought, 'Great, now I can treat it and be well'." However, he soon realised, "Lo and behold, it wasn't that simple."
Steven explored a vast array of remedies - pharmaceutical, herbal, and holistic - and has travelled globally to seek them out. In February 2022, he visited a clinic in Bavaria, Germany, for intravenous antibiotics and whole-body hyperthermia treatment, which involves using heat to elevate body temperature and stimulate the immune system.
While the treatment successfully eradicated the Borrelia bacteria responsible for Lyme disease, he reports that it had no effect on the Babesia parasite, which invades red blood cells and causes flu-like symptoms.
Upon returning to Wales after his treatment in March 2022, Steven recounted that he unfortunately caught Covid-19. With a weakened immune system, he experienced severe effects from the virus and was left with long Covid, which caused fatigue, thickened his blood, and further impeded his recovery.
Following this, Steven said he has sought several other remedies – he visited Mexico to receive stem cell therapy and flew to New York on several occasions to work with Lyme disease specialist Dr Richard Horowitz.
He also tried extended fasting and herbal remedies and, in February 2025, he said he flew to India to receive Intravenous Immunoglobulin (IVIg) therapy, a treatment which uses immunoglobulins, a type of protein that contain antibodies, which are taken from human blood.
Although this treatment positively affected his food intolerances, he admits he is still far from fully healthy, battling sleep issues and adhering to a strict, simple lifestyle. "I have to live such a robotic life, just to feel semi-normal," he laments.
Steven estimates that his quest for health solutions has cost him close to £150,000. He disclosed that his treatment in Germany amounted to around £35,000, while the IVIg therapy in India set him back £20,000.
Steven said he was forced to remortgage his house to pay for them but he is determined to continue searching for an effective remedy.
His friend Alecs Donovan has therefore set up a GoFundMe page to help him fund the next round of treatment in Germany, which he said will thin his blood and reduce the effects of long Covid.
"Alecs has been absolutely amazing," Steven expressed. "She's such a wonderful person, always trying to help others. Health really is wealth so I'm so grateful to everyone who has donated. I just hope I can get my normal life back."
A spokesperson for Cwm Taf Morgannwg University Health Board said: "While it is not appropriate for us to comment on the care received by individuals, we encourage Mr Williams to get in touch with our concerns team directly so that we can explore his concerns further."
The NHS says not all ticks in England carry the bacteria that cause Lyme disease but it is still important to be aware of ticks and to safely remove them as soon as possible. To donate or find out more, visit Steven's GoFundMe page here.
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