Email ABC Mid West & Wheatbelt By Andrew Collins and John Dobson Posted November 19, 2019 19:36:34 Photo: Camp Kulin founder and former Rural Woman of the Year Tanya Dupagne with students in 2014. (Supplied: Tanya Dupagne) Related Story: Lyme disease does not exist in Australia, report says Related Story: Lyme disease: One young woman's journey for recognition Related Story: Researchers bring science to Lyme disease debate Map: Kulin 6365 "A nightmare" is how former Rural Women of the Year Tanya Dupagne describes her battle with Lyme disease. Key points:Lyme disease is carried by ticks, although medical experts say Australian ticks don't carry the diseaseMedication for Lyme disease can cost patients thousands of dollars a monthBecause Lyme disease is not recognised as existing in Australia, blood tests need to be sent overseas and are not covered by Medicare or private health insurers The debilitating disease, which can manifest as a fever, extreme fatigue, … [Read more...] about Lyme disease expensive and painful ‘nightmare’ for former Rural Woman of the Year Tanya Dupagne