posted
Why are stimulants bad for people with Lyme?
Posts: 723 | From boston,ma | Registered: Jan 2011
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Keebler
Honored Contributor (25K+ posts)
Member # 12673
posted
- The HPA-axis is nearly always adversely affected by lyme, and the entire endocrine system goes kaput. the body is unable to handle stimulation or exertion very well.
Stimulants can turn the basic lyme adrenal dysfunction into adrenal failure - and that can be life-threatening.
The heart can't take it, also can be life threatening to have too much stimulation.
The various nervous systems can't take it. Brain function can't take it.
The nerve fibers can't take it due partly to demyelination that goes with lyme - they can overfire or misfire and seizures can result.
Topic: To everyone with cardiac symptoms please read ! And - What helps support the heart. -
Posts: 48021 | From Tree House | Registered: Jul 2007
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posted
Ok,so are we talking a cup of coffee is bad or being a meth addict? How much is too much?
Posts: 723 | From boston,ma | Registered: Jan 2011
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randibear
Honored Contributor (10K+ posts)
Member # 11290
posted
there are also outside stimulants, like i posted in another thread.
noisey restaurants somebody picking on me being around loud people loud noise crowd odors
i need peace and quiet and my furry friends and i'm happy. no homo sapiens....
-------------------- do not look back when the only course is forward Posts: 12262 | From texas | Registered: Mar 2007
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Keebler
Honored Contributor (25K+ posts)
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posted
- Dr. Burrascano in his guidelines says: NO CAFFEINE.
That's pretty clear. One cup of coffee is too much if it causes even the slightest stimulation. Even the slightest, for that can have a cascade effect.
And, really, it's impossible to have a cup of coffee (counting one cup as 8 oz.) and it not be stimulating. That's what it does.
Some can handle green tea as it also contains an ingredient that calms and balances out the caffeine - usually, and for most.
But, even decaf coffee has too much caffeine for many with lyme. So can green tea.
But you can find naturally decaf green tea. -
Posts: 48021 | From Tree House | Registered: Jul 2007
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Keebler
Honored Contributor (25K+ posts)
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Excitotoxins; MSG; Aspartame; & "Natural" Flavors -
Posts: 48021 | From Tree House | Registered: Jul 2007
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Keebler
Honored Contributor (25K+ posts)
Member # 12673
posted
- Some other insight as to why it's best to avoid all stimulants.
This excerpt has been tremendously helpful in coming to some kind of understanding about my reactions.
For myself, this is not about personality or character but solely about my body's ability to manage all the stimuli coming in - while so ill and managing all that inside my body.
Truly physiological but, then that can also impact emotions, understandably. So be kind to yourself and plan around this for the best outcomes.
. . . Lyme patients can be easily irritated by anyone just walking into the same room even though eye contact is never made or words exchanged. . . . . -
Posts: 48021 | From Tree House | Registered: Jul 2007
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posted
It depends on the person, what your body is used to, how you are effected by the lyme and co's. Many people say they really listen to their body and it has paid off.
I went off caffeine 2 separate times for long periods and felt worse. I eat no sugar, no carbs, no alcohol and stick to an organic diet. I now drink 1 small cup of coffee a day and love every minute of it.
That said, if I started to have anxiety, the shakes, or any other symptoms that I felt were attributed to that, I would go off it again. It would stink (just like no sugar!) but I'd do it.
posted
In the first year of my disease I took methylphenidate to combat brain fog and fatigue. It was a great help.
But then a lyme-relapse occured and since that time I cannot bear even small doses of caffeine. It leads to nervousness, palpitation, anxiety and a worsening of my infections. The cognitive benefit, however, has completely vanished.
It's like a switch was turned off in my brain oder my adrenal system or whereever.
Posts: 2 | From Germany | Registered: May 2012
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Tracy9
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 7521
posted
Several people do take Adderall or Ritalin or Provigil to function. I know of a couple top Lyme docs who prescribe and even advocate this. I've been on Adderall since before Lyme with an ADHD diagnosis but I rarely actually take it because I'm so sick it doesn't even make a difference. But if I get a day I might function a little, it can make a difference between staring at the walls or walking in circles and actually being able to focus and have a little energy and accomplish something. I do know a lot of Lymies who take those type of meds, in moderation, to help them function.
13 years Lyme & Co.; Small Fiber Neuropathy; Myasthenia Gravis, Adrenal Insufficiency. On chemo for 2 1/2 years as experimental treatment for MG. Posts: 4480 | From Northeastern Connecticut | Registered: Jun 2005
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posted
I think everyone is sooo different on how this disease is affecting them. I agree with the above poster my body tells me what I should avoid. In my early stages coffee/caffeine was a no go. I can tolerate a cup of coffee or a glass of tea with lunch currently.
Posts: 805 | From Utopia | Registered: Feb 2006
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