LymeNet Flash: Anxiety/Fatigue

This is topic Anxiety/Fatigue in forum Medical Questions at LymeNet Flash.

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Posted by Kado (Member # 4731) on :

Hey Guys,

I'm becoming much more aware of my issues with generalized anxiety.

I've been tapering off of Prednisone. (Pred. is the only thing that has managed my joint pain, it's prescribed by my LLMD--)

My anxiety symptoms may be flaring because of the taper, but in general, I would like to be more laid back.

***

I've been asking myself lots of questions about where the anxiety comes from,

I've found that being ill for 9 years, I've become

hyper/stressed/anxious re: tx.s, putting pressure on myself to

get well and be the "perfect pt."

I'm always forcing myself to take all the right rx's, eat the right diet,
sleep and exercise when I'm supposed to, research new treatments, etc.

I often feel stressed just from feeling so tired that I can't keep up with my life-- I feel constantly behind and always in a hurry.

I've found that since I've been ill, I went from having a: " I can do

whatever it takes to get well" attitude to often times feeling defeated,

by depression, anxiety, and pain. Then I become frustrated with myself

for not being an eternally patient and positive patient.

What I'm getting at is: does anyone else feel like they've lost self confidence in the process of being ill?

Has anyone else awakened to find that they too slave away trying all the new tx, protocols,

only to find that you resent devoting your life to tx that make us feel worse than if we had done nothing?

***

I'd like to find some non-rx (or possibly rx) ways of managing depression/anxiety/ that are effective with few side effects.

I've been on many anti-depressants (currently 120 mg Cymbalta)

I also have Clonapin-- but it puts me to sleep.

I'm thinking I'm tired partly b/c I using all my E up being anxious:)

I wondered what treatments others use, and what techniques you
use to feel secure, confident, and loving toward yourself, in a world that

doesn't understand what it means to be chronically ill with an invisible disease?

tri-fibers
minerals (including Lithium)
5-HTP,
Macuna Puirens,
Sam-e
Homeopathy
regulating sugars
exercise
sex
,,,

Thanks,

Kado

Posted by InADaze (Member # 7711) on :

Kind of a side question, but do you feel you are getting enough sleep? I find when my insomnia is worse, I get more anxious. Maybe a case of the chicken and the egg, but possibly more sleep can help you.

Please remember that your frustration is well-founded, even if you may feel it's more than necessary. Lyme disease is a frustrating illness in so many dimensions. So, don't be to worried if you need to blow off some steam about it a bit more than you'd like. I know I do.

After 3 years of being completely unable to work or keep my house (or myself) clean, it sometimes looks pretty hopeless. I spent a week or two feeling sorry for myself after my latest LLMD says I may always be disabled, and then I went to look for another doc. Kinda manic-depressive maybe, but it's the reality, and I've learned to accept it.

Also, perhaps yoga, or some similar type of activity will bring some calm and use up that restless energy. Or, send me some, since I could really use an energy boost! [Wink]

Posted by Lymetoo (Member # 743) on :

I feel for ya, kado. Lyme itself causing a lot of anxiety... that's for sure. And I mean in the way it affects the brain.

Are you taking everything on that list... or that is things you've tried??

Posted by Kado (Member # 4731) on :

No, I'm not taking everything on the list.

I've tried some of them.

Many times I wonder, if being on so many strong Rx's if

homeopathic remedies, or even some supp.s

are less than effective.

I just borrowed the book- Coping with Prednisone, and I'm

realizing that Prednisone alone,

could be the source/ or at least a contributor to many of my prob.s

Getting off of this med. is a particular challenge, after nearly 9 years.

My LLMD prescribed a 3 week taper for me at first, but I told him that

I didn't think my body could handle it, so he told me to take it at my own pace.

Even tapering .5 a week or sometimes every other week-- my body is going through very

noticeable changes.

I'm so glad I'm reading this book and learning that my symptoms

could be caused by my med.s and maybe I'm less of a loony

than I thought:)

I'm hoping that the anxiety/sleep changes will even out eventually.

Kado