Important notice, if using IRC software: The #lyme IRC channel is on the StarLink-IRC network. Please note that StarLink-IRC is not the same as StarLink. The IRC server you use to connect to the channel should end in .starlink-irc.org, not .starlink.org.
There are many different strains and substrains of the Borrelia burgdorferi bacteria. This is one factor which makes currently available tests unreliable for detecting many cases. Also, different symptoms are more prominent in infections with different strains (for example, in some strains, arthritis is the most prominent symptom; in others, neurologic symptoms; in still others, a major symptom is a serious skin condition called acrodermatitis chronica atrophicans). Due to the various symptom presentations, the unavailability of tests to detect all strains, and the inadequate knowledge of Lyme disease among many physicians, early and accurate diagnosis is often elusive. This can result in delayed (sometimes by many years) diagnosis and treatment, so an infection that might have been successfully treated very early on with an adequate course of antibiotics can become chronic and possibly incurable.
The #lyme Internet Relay Chat channel is here for the support of individuals with Lyme disease, particularly those of us who have become disabled by longstanding Lyme infection.
Those with Lyme disease, and others who are interested in learning about the illness, are welcome to join us in the #lyme channel on StarLink-IRC. StarLink-IRC is a safe and friendly Internet Relay Chat network.
The quickest and easiest way to get to the #lyme channel if you are unfamiliar with Internet Relay Chat is to use one of the java links:
Click on one of these links. Then type in your Nickname and click on the Connect button. This should connect you directly to the #lyme channel. If you get a message that the nickname is already in use by someone else, try to choose a nickname that is a little more unique.
Note: It is not necessary to enter your e-mail address in order to connect.
While java chat is an easy way to connect to #lyme, you might wish to download and install a shareware IRC program to improve your chat experience, especially if you will be chatting regularly. Here are links to some options:
When you run the program (whichever one you download and install), you will need to choose a nickname. (If someone else already is using the "nick," the program will ask you to choose a different nick.) Then you will need to connect to a StarLink-IRC server. Here are some StarLink-IRC servers from which to choose, some of which already may be in your program's server list. (Important: If choosing a server from your IRC program's server list, be sure to choose a StarLink-IRC server ending in starlink-irc.org, not a StarLink server ending in starlink.org. They are two separate networks, and a StarLink server will not get you to the #lyme channel on StarLink-IRC.)
Canadian server:
European server:
If you have trouble connecting to a server, try another one. Sometimes a server is down, or there might be changes to the server list not yet updated to this page. If you would like to see a server list that is definitely up-to-date, please visit the StarLink-IRC server page.
When you have connected to a StarLink-IRC server, type /join #lyme or use your software (in mIRC, the channels folder) to join the channel called #lyme (all IRC channels have a pound sign "#" in front of the name, and IRC commands start with a "/").
If you do visit our chat channel, one of the nicks that you will see there is "CStar". For those unfamiliar with it, CStar is not a participant, but a program (called a "bot") which keeps the basic information about #lyme and a number of other registered channels. CStar will not respond if you attempt to converse with it.
We have scheduled meeting times for Tuesday nights and Friday nights at 10:00 p.m. Eastern time / 7:00 p.m. Pacific time. The channel is open all the time, and you are welcome to use the channel at times other than scheduled meeting times for Lyme-related chats, if you wish.
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