Testimonials

The short version:

"Dr. B. saved my life and gave my wife/kids their husband/Dad back. I made a 100% recovery. At first, I thought it was too good to be true, so I waited months to write this testimonial to make sure it would "stick". I finished treatment 6 months ago and I still feel amazing. I can't thank Dr. B. enough! I hope this testimonial encourages others to make the same decision I did. It is the best decision I've ever made for my health.

The long version:

I found a mystery bullseye mark on my ankle while camping in New Hampshire. It started small at first, (maybe the size of a quarter) but I didn't pull a tick off, so I figured it was just a spider bite and it would go away in a few days. Over the next week or so it grew to about 6 inches in diameter, so I decided to see my primary care doctor about it. He prescribed amoxicillin, which didn't work, then doxycycline for 4 weeks. Unfortunately, there was a two-week delay between when I was bit and when I took my first dose of doxycycline, and that was enough for the Lyme infection to take hold.

Symptoms set in over the course of a few months - slow enough that I didn't realize it myself - but one day my wife said "there's something wrong - you need to see a doctor." Like a typical guy, I ignored her and did nothing for months while my condition worsened. Lyme affected all aspects of my life. At my worst, my thinking was so foggy that I couldn't organize a sentence. I had difficulty prioritizing tasks, so I would waste days stressing about what I should do first, without doing anything. Everything seemed stressful because I just did not have the energy to do anything. Even the thought of doing a few dishes stressed me out. My wrist, hand, and hip joints hurt all day and night. I couldn't sleep through the night. I lost my ability to enjoy anything - even my favorite music just didn't sound good. The final straw was when my hips and spine hurt so bad I couldn't sit on the floor to play with my kids for more than three minutes.

Finally, I took my wife's advice and decided to see a naturopath, because my primary care doctor seemed to think Lyme was not a big deal(he said I was on doxycycline, so that would have knocked it out). The naturopath ordered every blood test known to man, but suspected Lyme based on my symptoms. Everything came back normal, except for a Lyme panel, which was elevated on two out of five bands. I showed the results to my primary care doctor and he said this was not considered a positive result - I needed at least five bands for a positive result. The naturopath, on the other hand, was thrilled that the mystery was solved and started me on a regiment of natural supplements, the the tune of $300+/month, and said I would be lucky if I was Lyme-free within 5 years. I spent 5 months on the naturopath's protocol and all of my symptoms got worse - A LOT worse, which I learned was called a Herxheimer reaction, or "Herx" for short. I was so tired I could hardly make it through the workday. My brain fog, joint pain, and depression combined made life not worth living. It was the darkest time in my life by a very large margin. I could not live with the idea this would last for 5 years, so my wife and I did some research and found Dr. B. The testimonials on Antero's website described my experience to the T, and everyone said they recovered, so I made an appointment.

Early in my first meeting with Dr. B. I knew I found the right doctor because he confidently told me I would make a full recovery within a year, and probably much sooner than that. Despite my Lyme panel results he insisted that I complete his Lyme-specific panel of bloodwork before my first appointment, which in hindsight, was the right move. When we sat down to look at the results, he was able to identify the specific Lyme bands that I had - confirming for a second time that I did indeed have an active Lyme infection. This testing was much more precise and reliable than the Lyme panel I took prior. He confirmed that my primary care doctor did not understand how Lyme works, and conventional medicine denies the existence of Persistent Lyme Disease, so the standard treatment they prescribe will only treat symptoms while on antibiotics-then it will come right back. I could go on and on about how knowledgeable and reassuring he was. My jaw was on the floor because he listed what symptoms come along with the type of Lyme that I had like he had read my personal journal. He said he had seen this many times before and he knew exactly which natural supplements and antibiotics were necessary to clear the infection for good. He warned me about the severity of Herx reactions and told me what to expect when undergoing treatment. I probably would have quit treatment if he wasn't there to encourage me during the severe Herxing that ensued.

This disease is so brutal, and the road is so long, even the toughest person needs a guide through it, and Dr. B. was that person for me. I am not exaggerating when I say he saved my life and gave my kids their Dad back. The cost seemed steep at first, and it was difficult to justify going to a specialist that was not covered by insurance, but I could not find any alternatives, and I was desperate. In hindsight, investing in my own health was the best investment I could have made, and it has already paid back in dividends. You can't put a price on thinking clearly, not being in pain, sleeping through the night, enjoying music, and having the energy to play with your kids!

Thank you Dr. B.!!"

-Tom, Male, 32 years old.

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By the end of my junior year,

"I had seen about six different doctors at some of Boston’s best hospitals for my extreme fatigue, headaches, and joint pain. I was checked for brain tumors and lupus, but one false negative on a Lyme test and everyone seemed to dismiss the idea that this could be a serious case of Lyme disease. I attended prom in a wheelchair, stopped playing volleyball, and became incredibly depressed as more time passed and no doctor seemed to want to help me. I remember one particularly crushing comment: “You’re just stressed. High school is hard, all this is just in your head.” After months of searching, I heard about Antero Healthcare through a family friend, who told me that he was one of the few doctors left who could treat chronic or severe Lyme disease. Sure enough, Dr. Bizilj was the only one who took my pain seriously, and gave me real hope for a future without the horrible pain I was experiencing at the time. Every antibiotic, every natural supplement, he had taken the greatest care in researching and selecting for me. Dr. Bizilj never gives up on his patients, even ones who have been suffering for years without hope, and he is always reading the latest scientific research and attending the top Lyme disease conferences in the country. It was this kind of care and dedication that made me believe that, after so long, I could eventually be a happy and healthy high schooler again. Before I began treatment, I thought I would not be able to graduate or go to college; now I’m considered cured, and am a pre-med student at Colgate University! I truly cannot thank Dr. Bizilj and the Antero team for going above and beyond to work with me, believe in me, and give me my life back."

-KJ from Cape Cod/South Carolina

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I owe my life to Anne and Dr. B at Antero Healthcare!

"I'm a farmer and spend lots of time in tick environments. Two years ago I developed the achiness I'd experienced in the past when infected with Lyme disease. I visited my GP and he suspected another bout of Lyme. He did a blood test, and prescribed Doxycycline. He called a few days later to say I was negative. I continued taking the Doxy anyway. Usually I'd feel fine in a few days, but this time my achiness got worse until I was experiencing debilitating pain, starting in my shoulders and then spreading to my hands, hips and legs. My GP sent me to a Rheumatologist who diagnosed Polymyalgia Rhumatica and prescribed Prednisone; and a Neurologist who concurred and told me there was "no such thing as chronic Lyme". That's the same time Dr. B came into the picture. A friend had told me about him. I had called Anne and scheduled a consultation. He ordered blood tests and ultimately diagnosed Chronic Myamotoi; a more rare and severe form of Lyme. Without the specialized testing it would not have shown. He started a treatment protocol and Dr. B told me it would take time (12-18 months) to fully recover. The Rheumatologist told me that a "few days on Prednisone", and I would feel better. By this time I was unable to work, and was close to actually needing a wheelchair! The quick fix was tempting but didn't "feel" right. Dr. B was awesome! Very supportive, optimistic, and confident I would see full recovery if I followed his treatment protocol. That's what I did, and I am so glad for it! It took patience but I recovered fully, and today at 62, I am in awesome health, feeling better than I have in years, working hard every day on my farm , and loving life. I truly believe that without Dr. B I very well may have landed in a wheelchair for the rest of my life! THANK YOU TO ANNE AND DR. BIZILJ!"

- Rick Hermonot, Sterling, CT

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The Pollansky Family would like to express their gratitude

"to Antero HealthCare and most importantly Dr. Bizilj. Not only were all of us cured of our current symptoms after being accurately and thoroughly diagnosed, but the knowledge we acquired from Dr. Bizilj will benefit us far beyond the office. We have, and will, continue to encourage people we know and meet to visit Antero HealthCare when we suspect that they may be suffering from Lyme as we can truly speak with experience that Dr. Bizilj can help them. We have created a relationship with all staff that is truly a blessing. Again, thank you Antero HealthCare and Dr. Bizilj."

-The Pollansky Family

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A coupe of years ago I began

"having severe pain in my rib cage, back, hips , knees , numb feet and sheer exhaustion. I considered lyme but my primary doctor thought different and sent me to a neurologist who sent me to a rheumatologist . After a year of 'finding nothing' and feeling worse, I went to Antero Healthcare to pursue the possibility of lyme. They were so thorough and found lyme and more in my blood work. Everything was explained and substantiated with medical studies. After a regimen of botanicals and antibiotics the symptoms are gone and Praise God my energy is back!

-RP

I owe my life to Dr. Bizilj -

" when I came to him I had Lyme disease for 12 years. I couldn't work, I couldn't really parent. I had a year of Lyme treatment previously with mediocre results. After 3 weeks of treatment with Dr B I was much more functional. And after 2 months of treatment I'm back to work and am able to do exercise and activities I haven't been able to do in over a decade. Follow the protocol, listen to Dr B's recommendations and you WILL get better.

Thank you Dr Bizilj!!! From the bottom of my heart. "

- TW from MD

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Dr. Bizilj is a doctor I fully recommend.

"His passion to treat those with Lyme's and the other tick-borne illnesses clearly shows, from staying up on the very latest research, to his compassionate care and taking personal interest in my recovery. His efforts to provide on-site laboratory services, botanicals in-house at below consumer cost and constant pursuing of new treatments and ways to cut costs for his patients are evidence of his altruistic character. His support staff also demonstrate a shared vision and compassion for his patients."

- A very grateful patient from CT

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My journey with the experience of Lyme disease has been anything but easy.

"From multiple medication trials due to inaccurate diagnostic formulations and the complexities of Lyme symptoms, and ultimately the honest desire to not get up in the morning and just give up. Finally, I attained an appropriate diagnosis in 2013, after years of pain, fatigue, persistent anxiety and depressive states, and many more undesired experiences. In 2015, I was admitted to the Emergency Department due to painful and persistent chest palpitations, and this led to my first introduction of a truly honest, kind and hopeful practioner, Dr. Charles Bizilj. Most of my past experiences were blatantly judgmental and harsh, as I was receiving picc line IV treatment at this point. These moments surfaced anger and resentment towards medical practioners in the context of Lyme disease, over time, I have learned that more education is needed in the area. As I sat on the medical table, I explained my story and current symptoms to Dr. Bizilj. He listened empathetically and accurately reflected my concerns, without an ounce of judgment behind his eyes. At this point, I experienced a new found wave of a feeling that I thought was lost, HOPE. He informed me that I was carrying out a good treatment plan for Lyme disease, to hold onto faith and hope, and that at some point in his career, he will be seeking to treat Lyme patients, as this was his passion. I did not think anything of this report at the time, other than the fact that I wish I could find a doctor in the state of Connecticut that provided this degree of hope and empathy. Three years later, I found this healer of Lyme Disease through a moment of true fate.

At first point of contact, you are greeted warmly by a woman named Annie, whom will help, listen and support in any way that she is able. I tell her and Dr. B often that they are too nice; however this is truly Dr. Bizilj and Annie’s manner; and I can personally attest to leaving the office with a new found sense of hope and awareness that I will be Ok. They listen, support, and create a wonderful non-judgmental environment. Transitioning to work with Dr. Bizilj has been one of the best decisions I have ever made and I have no regrets. Each appointment I attend, I learn new up-to-date guidance and research from leading Lyme and tick borne disease professionals all over the country, he supplies his office with naturopathic botanicals at a more than reasonable price and he has a phlebotomist available for each appointment. Also, when I need help, I can simply text and he responds quickly, and someone is available by phone every time I call.

I would strongly recommend Dr. B and his amazing crew (Annie and Leslie) to anyone looking to feel better, feel supported and know that you are being heard."

-SB from Manchester, CT

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Earlier this year I went to Antero with a recurrence of Lyme Disease.

"Dr. Bizilj immediately ordered a barrage of blood work and tests. He took the time to ask me what I was feeling, listened to what I was experiencing and asked even more questions. He also asked my wife questions and was always interested in her point of view. Dr. Bizilj developed a treatment plan and ordered blood work every few weeks to ensure the medication had no adverse effects on my body. Today, with his help and guidance I can say I am feeling 99.9 % back to my old self. My wife and I thank you for your help and will always be grateful!"

-TC from MA

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I’m so grateful my naturopath referred me to Dr Bizilj.

"My journey has been a long one in which I can’t document everything here. The long and short of it is I was sick for 4 years, saw at least 15 docs to try and figure out what was going on with me. Through those years I was diagnosed with Graves’ disease, plantar fasciitis, FHL tendinitis, peripheral neuropathy, anxiety disorders... My symptoms were innumerable including (pain, burning and numbness in both feet-my chief complaint), persistent headaches, tingling in my arms and hands, migratory joint and muscle pain, light and noise sensitivity, insomnia, anxiety, depression, irritability etc etc.

I was beyond relieved when Dr. Bizilj diagnosed me with borrelia miyamotoi (which isn’t detected in conventional medicine’s Lyme testing). I knew it would be a long road to recovery, and still is, but at least I know the cause of how awful I felt for years!! Within this year that he has been treating me, I’ve told countless people “I never knew I could feel this good”. Dr Bizilj truly cares and listens to his patients and will do anything he can to restore health."

- Rhonda from CT

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I've suffered from Lyme disease in some form or another since 2007.

"I knew I was extremely sick when I passed out while driving my car. At that time I went through a battery of tests amounting to a full body and body systems workup. No internal system failures or issues were ever discovered and my GP only lightly touched the subject of “Lyme”. I did the standard regiment of antibiotics for 6 weeks and once my cerebral angiogram was completed I was allowed to return to driving. This process in total lasted about 5 months. Never truly returning to 100% health or feeling really good.

April 2016 I was experiencing “Lyme” type symptoms and returned to my GP for help. He was helpful as he is allowed in the current medical climate in America. He did all the right things, seemed to get all the correct tests, send me to all the required specialists. The problem this time was the fact I wasn’t getting any better as time went by. I fought with unrelenting headaches, nausea, vomiting, aches in joints that kept me in bed on the best days during the summer. I struggled to get to work on a regular basis and disguised my discomfort from my clients and customers. In September a very prestigious Infectious Disease clinic confirmed I had contracted a very bad tick borne illness and admitted they were a bit surprised I was doing as well as I was. The whole time all of this went, essentially, undiagnosed, untreated by all of the doctors I came in contact with from April to November. Somehow in November I was starting to feel a bit better, not crippled by the issues.

March of 2017 the symptoms, that had never been truly resolved, returned. This is when I discovered Antero Healthcare. Yes, Dr. Bizilj is there and he is an absolutely fantastic guy, but this is a team oriented office and a team effort to increase quality of life for everyone that walks through the door; everyone benefits. The care contains true empathy, the assessment is quick and non-judgmental and the action plan is clearly communicated and executed swiftly. Monitoring is expected and welcomed considering “modern” medicine’s approach to this complex issue.

I haven’t felt this good in years. I’ve returned to my beloved outdoor activities. Antero has provided the understanding and tools to be able to continue to enjoy my life as I want.

Flat out it’s the most fantastic care I’ve received ever. I tell everyone about Antero. Anyone suffering flu like symptoms, unexplained headaches and joint aches should go get checked, you just never know, and there isn’t a better place to go than Antero Healthcare.

-RM

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In July of 2018 I went to Antero Healthcare.

"A friend had informed me about this clinic with nothing but positive reviews. The physician in charge is Dr. Charles Bizilj. The specialty was treating Lyme disease.

I retired from thirty-five years of teaching in June of 2007. That fall I started having health problems. I went to the hospital and twice was treated for diverticulitis. Still having symptoms of chest pains I went to a cardiologist. I ended up having an angiogram and no heart problems. Still having stomach issues and acid reflux, I went to a gastro-intestinal group. They prescribed medicine for the acid reflux and to calm my stomach down. An endoscopy was performed and detected Barrett’s esophagus. I then went to a naturopath and through blood tests found I was highly sensitive to gluten. Taking gluten out of my diet helped a lot, though I still did not feel well. After more blood work it was detected that I had Lyme disease.

I went to a Lyme specialist and he prescribed some homeopathic medication. I took this for a period of time with no positive results, so I stopped. During this same time, I started having symptoms of anxiety and depression. My PCP prescribed medication. This helped a little for a while, but not fully. I started having severe temporal headaches that would not go away. Along with this the depression and anxiety returned. My PCP sent me to a psychiatrist. Here I was given a different medication for the anxiety and depression. It eventually became three different types of medications. They did help, however I was fatigued all the time and had difficulty getting out of bed in the morning. I would spend days just sitting on the couch. I was also dealing with a loss of balance and loss of appetite.

This went on for nine years. It really affected the quality of my life. Many times, I was unable to attend events with family. This is when I decided to make an appointment with Dr. Bizilj.

After going through an extensive interview, it was agreed that we would go “full court press”. He put me on antibiotics and several supplements. On each of the following appointments there were little steps of improvement. By the middle of February, I was well again. After all those years of sickness and frustration, of no one being able to find an answer to my illnesses, this felt like a miracle.

Dr. Bizilj and his staff at Antero Healthcare create a caring and casual atmosphere. It is enjoyable to go to my appointments!"

-SO

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I was referred to Dr. Bizilj from my naturopath after 3 months of seeing my primary care physician, a rheumatologist and an infectious disease doctor all of whom tried to diagnose me with some type of arthritis.

"I tested positive for Ehrlicia but no one seemed to think that my symptoms could be from that. I had flu like symptoms for a week followed by severe joint pain for months. I couldn’t walk or move without excruciating pain. After being referred to Dr. Bizilj, we talked for awhile and he narrowed it down to when he thought I was infected which corresponded with a time I was on a friend’s farm in PA. Everything started to make sense. He thoroughly described why he had wanted me to take the medications and vitamins that he prescribed so I would know exactly what I was looking at. He didn’t just tell me what I needed and send me on my way. He made sure that I knew WHY I was taking these things on a physiological level.

Within a few weeks I had noticed incredible progress with my joint pain and was very diligent about taking everything just like he told me to do. Three months later, I am back to my old self and feel 100%. I cannot thank him enough for listening to me and helping me get better. I feel very grateful to have found him as quickly as I did and it wasn’t years later. Thank you!!"
-LN

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I have to say that things have been very good since we finished up on the protocol.

" I have been feeling very good, and been back to nearly normal activities for the most part. I mountain bike nearly every day, and I actually skied out west at Big Sky in Montana in March. I had an Ah Ha moment at the bottom of a particularly challenging run where I realized I was nearly back to where I used to be. I actually thanked you out loud!!!

Although I still have some moments that I feel some symptoms, they are very mild (usually nausea) and I can work through them.

I can't thank you and Anne enough for your support and efforts to get me back on track. I still advise people that ask me who to see that they should contact Antero Healthcare! "

-SG

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Dr. Charles Bizilj is an exceptional physician who built his practice, Antero Healthcare, to help people afflicted with tick-borne diseases. Our family is incredibly grateful for the care he has given our daughter!

In the Spring of 2013 our daughter lost her energy, developed asthma-like symptoms, and had an unexplained earache that progressed into Bell’s palsy. She had Lyme-Disease and was treated with doxycycline. Her symptoms resolved over the course of several months. In the Fall of 2019 she developed back pain, a stiff neck, extreme fatigue, difficulty focusing, and headaches….something was wrong….blood work was done….the Lyme Disease was back after harboring deep in her central nervous system for years!

We heard about Dr. Bizilj’s reputation for helping people with severe and reoccurring Lyme Disease, so we brought our daughter to him. Best decision we made! He did additional bloodwork to discover that she had four tick-borne diseases and markings on her skin consistent with a fifth tick-borne disease. Knowing these co-infections was important for Dr. Bizilj to develop a treatment plan specific for our daughter. He clearly explained how the plan would work and he closely monitored her symptoms and blood work over the next several months.

With so many people in our area affected by tick-borne diseases we are fortunate that Dr. Bizilj has the knowledge and experience to help people overcome the debilitating symptoms of these diseases so they get back to feeling themselves again. We are grateful that our daughter made a complete recovery. It is also a comfort to know that Dr. Bizilj is here should we, or anyone we know, ever need him.

Glen and Renee Holden

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For years my dad struggled with memory problems (especially with word recall, repeating stories, and stuttering to get words out).

He had trouble staying focused to drive, had neck pain, and no longer had stamina to work around the house. His primary care doctor had no answers for him. He took a leap of faith and went to Dr. Bizilj. Turns out his old Lyme that we thought was gone along with a few other co-infections were taking a toll on him physically and emotionally.

Last week Dr. Bizilj released my dad from his care. This is what my dad said to me over text when I asked how he feels: “ I’m back! Working in the yard like a bull! I shot 1 under Par yesterday. Today after I got home from the Doc (Dr. Bizilj) I took four truck loads of old wood that had rotted and dumped them down in back, mowed the lawn, weed whacked, raked, watered all plants, and new seeded lawn. Leaf blew deck and walk. Then went to boys (his grandson’s) game. No I’m not tired!”

Thank you Dr. Bizilj. My dad is BACK!

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In 2019 I went to Antero Healthcare after a family friend had recommended me to Dr. Bizilj.

I previously had Lyme with Bell’s Palsy the summer going into 6th grade. I completed a month of Doxycycline that my primary care doctor had provided me. Then my senior year of high school, my Lyme came back. I went to Antero Healthcare with joint and muscle pains to the point where I couldn't play sports. I also had fatigue, sensitivity to noise and lights, and brain fog, which made it difficult to get through school days. At Antero Healthcare, Dr. Bizilj listened to my story and then I had my blood drawn. At my next appointment I found out I had three other tick-borne diseases in addition to Lyme, Dr. Bizilj started me on a protocol specific to fighting the diseases I had. It was intensive, but well worth it because I was starting to feel better in just a few months. Now I am a freshman in college and playing tennis for my school at 110% all thanks to Dr. Bizilj. Today I have none of my previous symptoms and I am able to live a normal, happy life.

Not only is Dr. Bizilj an incredible and attentive physician, but the whole Antero Healthcare staff create a welcoming atmosphere. I enjoyed going to my appointments, and miss everyone since I have been discharged. Thank you Dr. Bizilj for everything and I highly recommend Antero Healthcare.

Rachel Holden

Testimonials

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