A young woman who suffered years of illness after a mysterious insect bite 11 years ago has been forced to abandon treatment in America as her visa expired.

Kirsty Keep was bitten in her back garden when she was 12.

Now 23, she has been in and out of hospital in recent months as her condition – including chronic pain, fatigue, vomiting and fitting – continues to deteriorate.

She recently travelled to Florida with her mum Theresa, in the hope of finally finding a cure.

At the Sponaugle Wellness Institute doctors ran many tests.

Mrs Keep has insisted for years her daughter has Lyme disease, a tick-borne bacterial infection that causes fatigue and muscle pain.

Doctors disagreed, saying that Kirsty had lupus, an immune disorder.

The tests in America were conclusive, however, and showed parasites in Kirsty’s body which are attacking her from the inside.

These results have made UK doctors agree she should see an infectious diseases specialist.

Unfortunately for the family, the waiting time for these appointments can be up to 18 weeks.

“Kirsty can’t be left that long,” her mother said. “Nothing is easy and I feel like we are constantly hitting brick walls. All of these amazing people have donated money and it feels like we’re getting nowhere.”

The family, who live in Camp Way, Mangravet, hope to raise enough money to get back to America for further treatment.

Although they have already raised more than £60,000 from public donations and fundraisers organised by friends and family, the vast majority of that has been spent on travel, accommodation, and treatment up to this point.

Mrs Keep estimates they need another £40,000 to be able to get back to Florida.

“She was doing better when we were in America and just after we got back, but she’s been getting worse again since last Thursday.

“She’s starting to lose faith, she just wants this to come to an end, but it doesn’t seem like it’s ever going to.”