posted
I'm pretty newly diagnosed with LD, and I figure I have had it for about 6 months. My symptoms are mostly neurological, but very minor compared to most people on here.
Actually I was kind of glad to realize it was a bacterial issue instead of something worse, like cancer, until I started to read more about it.
I have a real hard time keeping a positive outlook after reading most of the stories on here. The word "chronic" to me is probably the most depressing.
Why do we call it chronic when several people have been cured? Is it because we still might have some bacteria in our body that could come back?
If that's the case, then why don't we call Chicken Pox chronic? That also has the possibility of coming back as Shingles, but we don't let that possibility rule our lives.
That's horrible way to live for those in "remission". I don't want to be living in fear constantly worrying "Is this LD?" for every little symptom I get.
How do those cured deal with that now? I'd imagine you just forget about it over the years, hopefully, and live your life!
I don't know, I just find it hard to stay positive after reading several of the posts on here. I do love the success stories and the positive talk. That's what keeps me motivated to cram these 20-30 pills into my mouth every day.
Posts: 20 | From TX | Registered: Nov 2010
| IP: Logged |
posted
Chronic just means it lasts a long time. It differs from acute, which is shorter lived. Chronic and acute conditions need to be treated differently, so that's why the differentiation. Chronic conditions can still be healed. I don't care what anyone says, as long as I'm above ground, I believe I can be completely healed.
Posts: 707 | From Colorado | Registered: Jul 2010
| IP: Logged |
posted
Lymetoo - Well, by that token, you could also have Lyme, cure it, and never have a relapse, right??
jlp38 - That's a great way to look at it. I think they should change it from chronic to "long term".
Actually I just looked up the definition of chronic on google and it means: "marked by long duration or frequent recurrence". I always understood chronic to only mean recurrent.
Posts: 20 | From TX | Registered: Nov 2010
| IP: Logged |
posted
I am completely symptom-free. Call it remission or cured, whichever has the same meaning to me, no symptoms.
I actually consider myself cured this time around (not that I can't get bitten again, or not that I can't get sick again like people can with chicken pox as mentioned above). Before, I was in remission (from 1991- about 2003) because I had to get enough sleep, eat right, etc. in order to stay feeling well.
This time around, I don't have any symptoms creep up at all.
I believe it's called "chronic" as in opposite of "acute", not that you can't get better, but that it's long term, rather than an acute illness that you get rid of in a few weeks.
-------------------- sixgoofykids.blogspot.com Posts: 13449 | From Ohio | Registered: Feb 2007
| IP: Logged |
penguingirl
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 28688
posted
I'm glad to hear of your success, SGK!
So there is no "test" to do to see if u are cured- just being symptom-free for awhile is how to tell?
My boyfriend has been frustrated by me not knowing when/if we will ever be able to kiss and be intimate again.
I don't want to jeopardize his health. But I want to strive for normalcy again.
We want kids in the future but am fine if it can't be our own. I am running out of time- as I am 33 yrs old but guess we can just see what happens.
I thought chronic meant that u had to be sick for at least a year according to Dr burrascano but really if u are sick for 6 months it could take a year to fully recover so I would consider that chronic.
-------------------- Posts: 1204 | From USA | Registered: Oct 2010
| IP: Logged |
posted
sixgoofykids - Thanks! I agree with everything you said. I hope you are living a wonderful life right now, and I can't wait to get there as well.
penguingirl - I have been throwing caution to the wind in regards to the intimacy department with my wife. We are careful, mind you, but we are still intimate.
You are only 33 and have a good bit of time left to have a baby or four. You will get better soon, I'm sure of it. If we don't have each other's emotional backs, then who will?
Posts: 20 | From TX | Registered: Nov 2010
| IP: Logged |
posted
My husband and I never stopped being intimate or were "careful." He never got sick. I was sick our entire marriage, though I learned how to control symptoms until I got bitten again and got really sick. We figured he went that long without getting sick, he wasn't going to get sick just because we finally got a diagnosis.
Dr. B does have certain criteria for diagnosing chronic Lyme Disease. I was referring to the fact that you may have chronic Lyme Disease and get better. "Chronic" does not equal "forever". I wasn't referring at all to how long you have to have it to be considered chronic.
I was definitely chronic.
-------------------- sixgoofykids.blogspot.com Posts: 13449 | From Ohio | Registered: Feb 2007
| IP: Logged |
quote:Originally posted by sixgoofykids: [QB] My husband and I never stopped being intimate or were "careful." He never got sick. I was sick our entire marriage, though I learned how to control symptoms until I got bitten again and got really sick. We figured he went that long without getting sick, he wasn't going to get sick just because we finally got a diagnosis.
Ditto for me. Have had this for 52 yrs, been married for 37+ .. Hubby is fine.
(diagnosed 10 yrs ago)
-------------------- --Lymetutu-- Opinions, not medical advice! Posts: 96222 | From Texas | Registered: Feb 2001
| IP: Logged |
so long as I am alive I believe I can have my life back...and it is coming gradually with occasional leaps forward.
but that kind of hope wa almost gone at times.
The first year was the easiest to maintain that attitude because I did not know I had it and was expecting symptoms to be gone completely.
It hit very hard the second year when healthcare practioner said it may never go away and she was satisfied where we were.
and it got worse after that (undiagnosed bartonella)
NO WAY it actually took the second bite to catapult me into a whole other realm of care and now not
only am I recovering from the main symptoms of second bite but it' taking major hits at the "long term" stuff.
Proper care care eliminated my ball and chain fatigue with adrenal and liver support.
Take heart and also grab hold of encouragement whereever you can get it. Here and wherever.
Expect that as we learn that new helps too can be forthcoming.
For long term stuff we need that.
-------------------- Not everything in life that can be counted counts and not every thing that counts can be counted...Albert Einstein Posts: 208 | From Northeast | Registered: Aug 2010
| IP: Logged |
bcb1200
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 25745
posted
Grimm...with proper treatment, upwards of 80% can be cured / in remission according to Pam Weintraub in Cure Unknown.
But...there is debate as to whether or not we have infection still..most likely we do..just like Chicken Pox or other viruses.
Your body will keep lyme at bay once the germ load is down, etc.
I do worry about future symptoms and how I can distinguish lyme from normal sickness...but will cross that bridge when I come to it.
-------------------- Bite date ? 2/10 symptoms began 5/10 dx'd, after 3 months numerous test and doctors
IgM Igenex +/CDC + + 23/25, 30, 31, 34, 41, 83/93
Currently on:
Currently at around 95% +/- most days. Posts: 3134 | From Massachusetts | Registered: May 2010
| IP: Logged |
The Lyme Disease Network is a non-profit organization funded by individual donations. If you would like to support the Network and the LymeNet system of Web services, please send your donations to:
The
Lyme Disease Network of New Jersey 907 Pebble Creek Court,
Pennington,
NJ08534USA http://www.lymenet.org/
UBBFriend: Email this page to someone!
![[Wink]](wink.gif)
You will get better soon, I'm sure of it. If we don't have each other's emotional backs, then who will?
Printer-friendly view of this topic