Topic: have you become paranoid about your health?
randibear
Honored Contributor (10K+ posts)
Member # 11290
posted
i understand lyme can cause psychological problems. i've had the lyme rage and it ain't purty!!
i really worry about my health. so much so that one could say i am obsessed with it. every symptom sends me running to a doctor, dentist, primary care, you name it.
thank god for insurance!!
now i have an eye appt tomorrow and a dental appt thursday.
is paranoia part of the lyme? is it stress causing this, depression or what?
can lyme cause depression or the symptoms of lyme effect your personality so badly you don't know who you are anymore?
what has been your worst psychological symptom of lyme?
-------------------- do not look back when the only course is forward Posts: 12262 | From texas | Registered: Mar 2007
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posted
Probably the worst psychological stress/symptom for me is the constant worry/concern that "this is it." That I will remain this sick until I die or it kills me, whatever comes first.
So, it's the horrible health, feeling so awful, and the unknown - that it will never improve or kill me (which at times sounds like relief) creates major psychological chaos with me.
I try not to be down and remain positive/hopeful. But after horrible neuro symptoms for 6 years now, 3 years of intensive tx and little progress, it's challenging to remain hopeful. I don't really have a plan right now, not really treating as I just don't know what to do next, so this, of course, adds to my stress and hopeless feeling. I feel overwhelmed to even try to figure out what to do, who to see, what to try next. TS
Posts: 566 | From West Coast | Registered: May 2008
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posted
Oh YES. I would say this has far been my worst psychological symptom.
I have a lot of heart symptoms, and even though I had an extensive cardiac work up 6 months ago, it's hard to go even a couple of hours without worrying about every little thing I feel.
Honestly, the constant thinking about this disease is wearing me down. I know it only adds stress, but it's a full time job just keeping up with what to take and when to take it. I miss my old self.
I wish I knew more about this, but wanted to say you aren't alone. I too suffer greatly from this, and before Lyme I was one of the most easy-going-let-it-roll-off-my-back people you'd ever meet.
Posts: 94 | From Tennessee/NY | Registered: Feb 2012
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Keebler
Honored Contributor (25K+ posts)
Member # 12673
posted
- After getting past WHOSE VOICE AM I LISTENING TO about this? [Others' criticism? My own?]
It comes down to WHAT IS TRUE?
If symptoms cause trouble, of course, they must be addressed.
"Lyme Complex" brings with it a tremendous degree of pain and organ dysfunction.
Is the treatment plan the best possible one?
Are self-care habits the best possible?
That's lot to manage.
So, it comes down to
IS THIS BEING PROPERLY MANAGED? Yes or No?
If not, working towards making that happen is not paranoid.
Randi, I have never seen that you are really with a LLMD or LL ND and on a consistent treatment plan.
I also have seen numerous posts about doctors' advice that comes from a place of their ignorance about your body and about lyme & all that goes with it.
Now, of course, not everything is lyme but since they are not LL, their advice often is far out of context and prescriptions are often contraindicated for someone with lyme.
Even for those with no access, "floating around" seldom works. It takes clear vision and a plan - which can change but, a plan, nonetheless.
It requires various professionals and a strict adherence to a "clean" & disciplined life style. But that does not have to be grim once one gets the swing of things.
If all is being managed well and worry still persists, it depends on the nuances of that "worry" but the first place to being is with
HOW I TALK TO MYSELF
- and building in "health topic FREE zones" of time / place where all this is set aside.
If actual mental health symptoms are an issue, see an ILADS-educated LL therapist. But only one with those qualifications and one who is licensed and trained in therapy.
Remember - comparing "Lyme Complex" to HIV/AIDS, some doctors who are very familiar with patients in both categories have said that -
- for the most part - lyme patients experience just as much pain and devastating illness symptoms (if not MORE) than many HIV/AIDS patients who are on a well managed protocol.
For anyone with a chronic illness, it's vital to have the ability to:
FACE THE FACTS with COURAGE, "Lyme Complex" is a tremendous challenge that requires tremendous attention to detail.
Still we also require the ability to:
APPRECIATE & ENJOY the finer aspects of life as often & as much as possible.
===========================================
These two authors explain a great many things but they are neither about JUST diagnosis but a better understanding of how lyme (& cos) affect every cell of a body.
These articles / sites are nearly required reading to come to even a basic understanding of how lyme changes everything. Once I read these, so much of what I'd be going through for years made sense.
And that translation to self-acceptance has been a gift to my spirit.
Deliberations of a psychiatrist who evaluates and possibly diagnoses Lyme and other tick-borne diseases of the mind, sharing case histories . . . . -
Posts: 48021 | From Tree House | Registered: Jul 2007
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Keebler
Honored Contributor (25K+ posts)
Member # 12673
posted
- agmorgan
You say that you "have a lot of heart symptoms, and even though I had an extensive cardiac work up 6 months ago, it's hard to go even a couple of hours without worrying about every little thing I feel." (end quote)
It's common sense to be reasonably concerned - irritated by - or annoyed with some of the symptoms that come with "lyme complex" - these symptoms are life-altering, to be sure.
I think people use the word "worry" far too often when there are really other important thoughts or emotions in play - and they need to be sometimes.
Heart stuff is often just part of that. Unless your LLMD specifically referred you to the cardiologist(s) who did that workup for you, they may not have had all the knowledge necessary.
Many don't do the correct tests or do them in the correct way. But, really, so much just cannot be measured or assessed in the way that the medical system likes.
Still, for the most part there are just no tests that show the kinds of things that can go with lyme.
We have our observations - and our LL doctors' experiences and continual education.
We read from LL authors and we do our homework.
I often say that having chronic lyme automatically propels one into a graduate level course of study, mid-way without even having had the undergraduate courses in this discipline.
But, back to the heart. And what can help.
More detail here: ---------------------------------
posted
Thanks Keebler. Looking over that info now.
My cardiologist admitted he nothing about Lyme, which has of course been weighing on my mind for 6 months...even with perfect tests.
It's amazing what I would give for peace of mind.
Regarding "Lyme Complex"- so how do you determine when you know it is being managed properly? How blurry is the line between being paranoid and necessary worrying? Of course now I'm thinking that my perfect tests don't mean as much as they would coming from a LL cardiologist. Time to find one...
See randibear, you aren't the only one.
Posts: 94 | From Tennessee/NY | Registered: Feb 2012
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Carol in PA
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 5338
posted
quote:Originally posted by randibear: ...is it stress causing this, depression or what?
can lyme cause depression or the symptoms of lyme effect your personality...
Lyme causes depletion of magnesium in the body, which results in many symptoms, including anxiety, depression, insomnia.
You need magnesium for every enzyme process...when you are low, the body pulls calcium from the bones to try to replace it in the cells.
Eating foods high in magnesium and taking supplements will help to ease symptoms. Fish oil will improve the integrity of cell membranes, and your brain will work better.
Kava can help anxiety also, but won't fix it as well as replacing what your cells need.
Posts: 6947 | From Lancaster, PA | Registered: Feb 2004
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See randibear, you aren't the only one.
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