LymeNet Flash: symptom inconsistencies?

This is topic symptom inconsistencies? in forum Medical Questions at LymeNet Flash.

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Posted by smiles (Member # 5635) on :

My symptoms have been mostly neurological - but inconsistent.

I have been out of work - starting my third week for rest. Last week sick from meds and finally started taking abx again on friday (after a week off)

Wierd how my symptoms fluctuate. My attention span at one point couldn't focus for 5 minutes. Now in the course of five days have read two fiction novels - my memory seems improved. Friday, after an airplane flight, I felt like I was walking in a dream world - couldn't focus - very wierd.

Since then, every day I feel a little better. Yesterday, in a spurt of energy, I did some light house work, and load of wash. By last night I was sensitive and irritable and tired - got in a fight with my boyfriend.

Took a bendryl last night and now today, after sleeping 13 hours, I am sleepy and lethargic, but still improved attention span.

Does anyone else have the fluctuating symptoms? Really good days (almost perfect) to off days, to not-so- good days.
since I've been on antibiotics, one would think I'd be getting better.... Ideas?

Posted by LJamesJohnson (Member # 2682) on :

All over the map, anything and everything.

Try to make sense of it and it drives you nuts because there often is not a direct correlation between your symptoms and any particular thing going on in your life.

This means you can't equate cause = symptom. Without a direct correlation, we feel helpless to a force that we can't understand or control. It is the ultimate sense of deficiency for us mere mortals.

That is, at least partially, why conservative medicine can't help us...no direct test, no consistent symptoms, and no consistent resolution of symptoms or infection.

That is also why Lyme patients have to build a life for themselves that takes into account the finicky nature of the illness, which is something that family members, let along employers, have difficulty understanding.

Posted by troutscout (Member # 3121) on :

I have found excercise to be the best benefit in these times....

Trout

Posted by TheCrimeOfLyme (Member # 4019) on :

unfortunately, thats one of the keymarks of lyme disease- fluctuating symptoms that seem to wax and wane.

Its very frustrating, I do understand that. One step forward two steps back. one of these days, we will all run again perhaps.

Give it time! I go through the same thing. Im at the point of having fly by symptoms.. I see them for an hour then they are gone.

Hang in there

Posted by shazdancer (Member # 1436) on :

Absolutely, smiles!

I've had good days and bad days. Good brain days when I can concentrate but achy body days when it is hard to move. Good body days when I can practice handstands and cartwheels with my students, but lousy brain days when I can't even remember what time I'm supposed to be at the class I've been teaching for over 6 months.

I am almost always sensitive and crashingly tired at the end of the day. And I noticed that, since I restarted abx, I feel lousy all the way through my period, instead of just a couple of days before and the first day of my period.

I try to note it all in my journal of symptoms, so I don't have to worry about trying to figure it out, and I can just give it to my LLMD.

Regards,
Shaz

Posted by riversinger (Member # 4851) on :

I often describe my symptoms as being caused by a mouse that chews in one part of my body, then runs somewhere else, chews there for a while, then runs to yet another place.

It can be crazy making! It is, however, very common, in spite of what any doctor may tell you.

And yes, I can be in bed one day unable to move, and the next day I feel completely normal. Just make sure you enjoy the good days!

Posted by liz28 on :

It is SO hard to let go of the idea that an abx, to be working, should work right away. Unfortunately, as others have said so well, Lyme doesn't let go easily. My Lyme (not that I feel any possessive affection for it) runs on a two-month cycle. Your symptoms sound exactly like Lyme, so at least you can feel sure that it is what you are dealing with.

Posted by minoucat (Member # 5175) on :

Ditto all the above. Because I never tested positive until just recently (one band), these symptom inconsistencies made me feel like a hypochondriac and a fraud. I think the self esteem issues really add to the stress, and impede healing.

Agree with Trout, exercise, even gentle stretching if that was all I could manage, helped.

Posted by smiles (Member # 5635) on :

Thank you all for your validation! This is so frustrating!!! I read that getting rest is very important - so that's what I've been doing.

Thank you for the exercise suggestion. I haven't had the energy to go to the gym in months - i.e. weights and cardio, but I was taking ballet (first time ever).

I finally quit ballet - too late at night and was getting extremely frustrated with my body. Now I've been taking short walks around the neighborhood and doing some yoga and stretching.

I guess I need to adjust to a new normal for myself. Thank you all again for your support.