SACRAMENTO, Calif. — It’s a scene played out multiple times a day for Melissa Moya. Preparing and taking a myriad of medicine to make sure she can get through her day.

What You Need To Know

  • The state's wetter year has seen an increase in tick numbers and an extended season in some areas

  • The California Department of Health report there are around 100 cases of Lyme disease a year in the state, but University of California researchers believe there is a high level of under-reporting and cases could be as high as 1,000 per year

  • Lyme disease affects people is many ways, adding to misdiagnoses

  • Experts say you have the best chance of not contracting Lyme disease if you remove a tick within 24 hours of being bitten

The reason for the medicine is Lyme disease. The most common way for people to get the debilitating disease is from a tick bite.

Moya and her doctors are not sure when she contracted Lyme disease but believe her body was able to hold it off until she had major surgery.

“I started losing feeling in my arm and left hand after I had a hysterectomy seven years ago,” Moya said. “And then, I lost the feeling of my right foot and it kind of started going up my leg. Then I had a lot of brain fog, confusion, then I started getting heart palpitations. And then I started getting bell’s palsy on my face.”

Moya said it took three years to be diagnosed after many misdiagnoses and was even told she might be making it up.

She’s now an advocate for greater awareness of the disease through her Lyme Fight Foundation.

A timely message given the Sacramento area where she lives has an extended tick season this year.

“I was hoping, providing the education and awareness, that people would know what to do right off the bat,” she said. “And that they would not have to go through this. It’s very hard on your family.”

Researchers look for ticks by dragging material across grass and rubbing it under rocks.

Biologist Mario Novelo with the Sacramento-Yolo Mosquito and Vector Control District said that in Sacramento the tick season usually runs from October to May, but this year it has been extended because of huge amounts of rain received.

“The rain can definitely help in some areas to keep it humid for a longer time,” Novelo said. “Meaning that they have a longer time to be out there looking for their next blood meal.”

Studies done in the Bay this year report a 30% to 40% increase in tick numbers this year.

The California Department of Health reports there are around 100 cases of Lyme disease a year in the state, but University of California researchers believe there is a high level of under-reporting and cases could be as high as 1,000 per year.

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Moya believes this is a reason many Californians are not well aware of the disease.

“I think that the awareness is lacking for sure around here,” Moya said. “I think people don’t understand the severity of what happens to you.”

Experts said people have the best chance of not contracting Lyme disease if you remove a tick within 24 hours of being bitten.

They also suggest saving the tick to send it off to see if it is carrying Lyme disease. 

Moya said she will always deal with her symptoms but hopes to be in remission someday.

She hopes the awareness she raises will mean this year’s greater tick prevalence, won’t mean higher infection rates.