LymeNet Flash: Stress and Lyme-Gone backwards,anyone else???

This is topic Stress and Lyme-Gone backwards,anyone else??? in forum Medical Questions at LymeNet Flash.

To visit this topic, use this URL:
https://flash.lymenet.org/ubb/ultimatebb.php/topic/1/35635

Posted by shassler64 (Member # 3479) on :

Hi!
I have been feeling much better lately and thought I had turned the corner and was on my way out of lyme.Wrong!!!!

One really stressful incident and I am flattened.My Dad having the stoke.
I have lost so much ground.
I hope I pick up again soon.I had that awful fatigue today where you can't think anymore.Headaches day and night again.My wrists are getting worse and some kind of tendonitis in my hands and arms.Sort of like nerve pain running down the hands from the forearm and shoulder area.Hip clicking and soreness worse as well.

I am so exhausted,I can't believe it.It is like a bad memory coming back.

It makes me realise how vulnerable we are even when we do start to heal.

I have to go to the specialist in Sydney on thursday and shall be interested in what he has to say.

Very disappointing.Starting to think I shall be on IV's for the rest of my life just to control the lyme.

Anyone else had this experience?Big backward step with extreme stress.I have been trying to rest and it is not making any difference.

Any ideas appreciated.

Thanks Sue.

Posted by shazdancer (Member # 1436) on :

Yes, I first had symptoms during a stressful time in my life. I was pretty healthy for a couple of years, was slowly declining, then really crashed again when we moved out of state. Stress got me again.

I am under big stress again (relationship going down the tubes), and my only suggestion is to take it slow. I am treating myself almost as if I were sick again -- naps or lying down when needed, careful attention to diet, exercise but not strenuous, watch the carbs and caffeine, vitamins and supplements that work for me.

And... make sure I laugh. Big time. Every day.

Regards,
Shaz

Posted by mbroderick (Member # 5220) on :

My son had, apparently, had Lyme for about 4-5 years before becoming really sick. This happened RIGHT after taking his black belt test! Within weeks he was unable to do anything. I think that stress can absolutely bring out symptoms that were somewhat manageable before. Jordan wasn't really 'well' before his test - we had taken him to lots of doctors for memory problems, anxiety, joint pain, etc. After the test, everything multiplied 20 fold, and other symptoms appeared! Now, a bit under 2 years later, he is ready to go to college and is holding down a full-time summer job!

Posted by lymie tony z (Member # 5130) on :

There is an article out there somewhere that links PTSD to chronic ailments...

This seems to be a vicious cycle of events each feeding off each other...chicken and egg sort of thing....

stress definitely lowers our immune system and so enables any pathogens to do us harm...

zman

------------------

Posted by Melanie Reber (Member # 3707) on :

Hi Sue,

Yes, I was a bit concerned about you when your father had the stroke. Uncontrolled Stress can put you right back to where you were really quickly.

Keep an eye on it, and be sure to take the time needed for you.

Worrying about the possibility of relapse will only add to the stress, so try to keep in mind that you are undergoing treatment, and you can control at least part of this with de-stressing activities.

Moderate exercise, expressing your feelings, healthy nutrition, boosting your immune system, and yes, anything that will make you laugh will all help to keep it at bay.

My best,
Melanie

------------------
C O L O R A D O * S U P P O R T * S Y S T E M
[email protected]

Posted by Monica (Member # 224) on :

I was in a very stressful job situation for 15 months and it ruined my health. Of course, I didn't know it was going to be so horrible or I wouldn't have taken the position!

I am now working in a wonderful environment. My colleagues are so supportive.

It's going to take a while for me to regain what I lost, but I'm going to hang in there.

You do the same and good luck.

Posted by trueblue (Member # 7348) on :

Hi Sue.
Sorry about your dad, I hope he's continuing to improve.

I've had the same thing happen from stress. I had had lyme symptoms for many years and didn't know what it was. Then I went through a very bad time in a relationship (and work all at once). I crashed and burned and was eventually diagnosed. (Sometime after the post traumatic stress thing settled.)

The same thing a few years later while on IV rocephin, my dad passed away after a long illness. It set me back quite a bit, but I think the rocephin saved me from a much worse set-back.

Take care of yourself as best you can. I hope you bounce back soon.

Posted by sweet pea (Member # 6495) on :

Sue,

I'm sorry to hear about your dad. I've been sick for a year and I always feel worse during stress. I basically live my life trying to avoid stress. Watch out for your adrenal glands, the stress that Lyme puts on the body's systems, both physically and mentally, has made my adrenal glands "severely compromised," and I can't seem to do anything about it no matter what I take.