Young Sydney woman stricken by 'unofficial' disease

A tick bite shattered the life of a healthy young Sydney woman and left her battling to raise funds to treat the rare disease she suffers from.

Olivia Bartold, 20, had led a healthy life until the middle of last year, juggling full time work and study and working out daily.

But when she was bitten by a tick during a holiday in Canada her life was turned upside down.

She was left exhausted, unable to walk, had a high fever and suffered excruciating pain.

Simple everyday movements such as reaching for an object, sitting down or walking a few metres can leave her in agony.

Months after Bartold was prescribed a course of steroid, the pain persisted and she was finally found to be suffering from Lyme disease, a bacterial infection caused by tick bites.

"The pain it brings on is nothing like I've ever experienced and I'm not short of physical pain incidents," Bartold said.

"From the moment I wake, it's a physical and mental pain that is so repetitive, day to day," she added.

Her diagnosis has also inflicted severe financial pain.

Lyme disease is not officially recognised in Australia because the bacteria is believed to be so rare, leaving sufferers without access to Medicare or the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme.

Bartold, who due to her ill health can only work two days a week, has faced soaring bills to pay for doctor visits and medicine.

"Only one visit to the doctor costs me $650 and one test from the eight I need to get done over a week are about $300 each. There are also 14 others that aren't as expensive."

Bartold said she is forced to work part time because she is too young to qualify for sickness benefits.

Doctors estimate the cost of her treatment will cost $10,000 before it is completed.

To help pay for her treatment, Bartold has set up a Go Fund Me account to raise money.