posted
I have so many ? I don't know where to begin. First of all, will I ever feel normal again? I do not know when I contacted this but I started feeling flu like symptoms about a month and 1/2 ago, then a stiff neck. My sister was diagnosed before and she told me to get to the Dr. which I did about two weeks ago. I have been on antibiotics going on three weeks now and some of my symptoms have subsided a little. My neck is better but I have severe pain in my shoulders, wrists and hands. I still sometimes have the gland pain and sore throat but not as severe. My fatigue is not as bad but I still feel draggy if thats a word. It seems like I take one step forward and two steps back. My most severe pain is first thing in the AM when I just get out of bed. I literally just lay there and cry for the first part of the morning because i am in such excrutiating pain? Is this normal? I am such a wreck over this I do not know what to do. I have always suffered from bouts of depression and anxiety and have been on meds for that for years but now I am so depressed over this I do not know what to do. If I knew what to expect I think I could handle it better because I am hearing so many conflicting horror stories about this disease. I have other symptoms too but the ones I mentioned have been the worst. I would love to be able to talk with someone so if someone would please write back I would appreciate it so much. Thanks
Posts: 1 | From Rhode Island | Registered: Feb 2006
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Ann-OH
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 2020
posted
I am breaking this post up because I have a hard time reading solid blocks of print as do others.
I will put my response at the end.
posted 26 February, 2006 06:28 PM -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- I have so many ? I don't know where to begin. First of all, will I ever feel normal again?
I do not know when I contacted this but I started feeling flu like symptoms about a month and 1/2 ago, then a stiff neck. My sister was diagnosed before and she told me to get to the Dr. which I did about two weeks ago.
I have been on antibiotics going on three weeks now and some of my symptoms have subsided a little. My neck is better but I have severe pain in my shoulders, wrists and hands.
I still sometimes have the gland pain and sore throat but not as severe. My fatigue is not as bad but I still feel draggy if thats a word.
It seems like I take one step forward and two steps back.
My most severe pain is first thing in the AM when I just get out of bed.
I literally just lay there and cry for the first part of the morning because i am in such excrutiating pain? Is this normal?
I am such a wreck over this I do not know what to do.
I have always suffered from bouts of depression and anxiety and have been on meds for that for years but now I am so depressed over this I do not know what to do.
If I knew what to expect I think I could handle it better because I am hearing so many conflicting horror stories about this disease.
I have other symptoms too but the ones I mentioned have been the worst. I would love to be able to talk with someone so if someone would please write back I would appreciate it so much. Thanks ------------------------------------------------ Well, Luv's Country, I think you are taking a pretty regular path for Lyme patients. It can take a while to start feeling better and it looks like you are on the way.
You didn't say what antibiotics you are taking or the dose or length of treatment the doctor is prescribing.
I hope you have a knowledgeable, experienced doctor in treating Lyme disease. You should write out your questions and keep a symptom diary so you can discuss your progress carefully with the doctor.
There is a menu on your left on this page where you can go to find a support group in your area. Talking to someone nearby would be very helpful.
I am sure others here will have a lot of good comments and some advice for you. My website, below, has lots of good links for more info.
posted
Make sure you do not stop taking antibiotics until long after you begin to be free of symptoms. From what you posted, I suspect you may have had this before and have been reinfected.
[anxiety and depression are VERY common with Lyme]
I am NOT a doctor, so take what I say with a grain of salt. I've only been on this Lyme board for 5 yrs, so that's my experience.
At any rate, get to a good LLMD ASAP!!
and welcome!!
-------------------- --Lymetutu-- Opinions, not medical advice! Posts: 96227 | From Texas | Registered: Feb 2001
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Michelle M
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 7200
posted
Welcome, Luvs Country. Glad you found us!
It's lucky your sis recognized your symptoms.
Does she see an LLMD or a regular doctor?
Do you have an LLMD? (Or "lyme literate medical doctor" as we call them?)
Have a read of the "Newbie Links" at the top. You can spend a LOT of time reading about Lyme disease, believe me!
Have you been tested for co-infections? Frequently those travel along for the ride.
Most docs don't think to look for those.
Another reason it's important to see an LLMD. But you've probably heard all of this from your sis so pardon if so.
Hope you are feeling better soon. Sounds like you are having a nasty herxheimer reaction -- did she tell you about THOSE?? NOT fun, but a necessary part of the process for most.
Come often with questions or for support.
Michelle
Posts: 3193 | From Northern California | Registered: Apr 2005
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bettyg
Unregistered
posted
welcome Luvs to the board; glad you & your sister can give each other support, education, & a good hug/cry.
Some of this was mentioned above, but I'll cut/paste certain things I provide newbies.
Best wishes; my pain is where yours is in addition to left groin very severe, & lower back pain.
Welcome to this 24/7 LYME support group board!
Here's TREEPATROL's and tincup's combination newbie links.
Print off the links then check them off as you read as you could spend several months reading all of this.
print & read Dr. Barrascono's 2005 info first; you will come back to this often.
Extensive info in Treepatrol's newbie links about the meaning of WESTERN BLOT IGM/IGG test results from Igenex! Be sure to read or print this info IF Igenex tested you ok!
Also, see Cheryl's extensive web sites on: LD DIAGNOSIS, SYMPTOMS, & TREATMENT ... wonderful! Read the area on CO-INFECTIONS! You could have from 1-12 other illnesses that tick is carrying...lyme, malaria, etc.
If you are showing symptoms of co-infections, I would like to suggest being tested for co-infections when you have LYME western blots done. It isn't cheap!! But if you are positive, you can treat the co-infections first, and then work on LYME symptoms.
from LOU to Betty on LONG web links and Thank You Lou!: "If you hit the return key in the middle of a link, I don't think it will be clickable anymore. An alternative that maybe Betty should be telling people about is the tiny url website. I have it on my tool bar at the top of the page and use it for those incredablylongwebsiteaddresses.
All you have to do is ask tiny url to produce a short version, which it will do with a unique address, which you then use instead in your post. Works just the same when clicked! Here is the website, spread the word!
HEATHERKISS
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 6789
posted
Hi Luvs,
Sounds like you may be very lucky to have caught Lyme early.
Lyme should be much easier to get rid of than what most of us here have been suffering with.
I have been sick 8 years / 1 of those years on antibiotics.
They pain will go away slowly but surely. And staw away for longer and longer periods of time.
Lyme is described as a roller coaster ride because symptoms come and go. Also some days are great while other days are just to awful.
Anxiety and depression seem to be a common occurance w/ Lyme. Been there done that. Have xanax.
I hope you experience a speedy recovery (4 months or so)
Don't stop the treatment until you are 100% perfect for at least 2 months.
I'm not a Dr. just sick with Lyme.
Love and healing,
-------------------- HEATHER
Posts: 1974 | From ABERDEEN, NJ 07747 | Registered: Jan 2005
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Aniek
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 5374
posted
Luv's Country,
Welcome to the board. It's good that you found your way here.
Some people have suggested you may have had lyme longer because of your depression and anxiety. An alternate theory is that your depression and anxiety may be making your pain worse.
Recent medical discoveries have found that there is a connection between depression and pain. There have actually been some studies showing a connection between neurotransmitter levels and pain disorders, in some situations.
This isn't always true. But, it's possible if you already have depression that the lyme triggered a greater pain response from you.
I think it's very, very important that you get good pain treatment. Talk to your doctor about real pain control. If your doctor doesn't want to give you a prescription for pain, then consider finding a doctor who will.
Pain can stress your immune system and make it harder for your body to heal. I have had the type of pain you describe, and you don't have to feel that bad.
I wish you the best of luck with your treatment. I hope you find relief soon.
-A
-------------------- "When there is pain, there are no words." - Toni Morrison Posts: 4711 | From Washington, DC | Registered: Mar 2004
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BostonLyme2005
Unregistered
posted
Hey Luv's,
I hear ya....Been there, done that! Anxiety and depression stinks, but you cant help it when you are feeling ill.
Find a good LLMD, stay on the meds, dont stop for anything!
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