I am new and keep asking newbie type questions, which I know can be annoying. I will stop.
Can anyone speak to the cyclical nature of lyme. I seem to have cycles within a month as I am a woman it is very obvious. I also seem to have cycles within a day. Is that possible? I feel not great most of the, but in the afternoon the real fatigue and confusion rolls in until around 8pm. Then it rolls out and I am more alert and have trouble sleeping. Is this the lyme disease?
Thanks, Kathy
[ 27. August 2008, 04:47 PM: Message edited by: venus ]
Posted by lymielauren28 (Member # 13742) on :
Hey Venus, don't you dare stop asking questions! That's what this website is here for
Yes, Lyme seems to flare for most people in four week cycles - this is apparently due to the life cycle of the bacteria itself.
That doesn't mean that your symptom free the other weeks out of the month (God, wouldn't that be nice?!) but there is a definate increase in symptoms about once a month.
You're not alone in that you experience that increase right before or during your period - I believe I can speak for most of the gals here, and say we almost ALL experience the same thing.
And it sucks! As if just having a period isn't bad enough, now you have a disease that rears it's ugly head while your on it!
To answer your other question about afternoon fatigue...that is also very common in Lyme. I have the same problem and I think it's mostly due to our worn out adrenals.
The same thing about feeling better after around eight or so and then having trouble sleeping...worn out adrenals.
One thing not to do is run out and drink a gallon of coffee, or a six pack of coke! No matter how appealing the thought don't use caffeine as a pick-me-up! That might help for an hour or so, but in the end it just wears out your adrenals even more, perpetuating the cycle.
Lauren
Posted by venus (Member # 16991) on :
Thanks for support. So it is the adrenals and not the lyme.
Best, KMM
Posted by stella marie (Member # 7216) on :
Hi Venus,
#1 - Don't stop asking questions, it's how we educate ourselves!
#2 - I think it's a combo of lyme, co-infections, hormones, adrenals and other things we aren't even aware of yet.
Posted by lymemommy (Member # 12495) on :
Venus,
From my experience with my child, the afternoon crash is a part of lyme and co, even without the caffeine (no coffee for my little ones, or soda!!)
When my son was at his most symptomatic, everyday like clock work, he would have very distinctive behavior changes (with young kids, when they get over-tired they often become very hyper out of control) in the afternoons, which would pass around dinner time.
As he started getting better, these afternoon behavior changes faded to a once a month thing, then we actually had a couple months where he was almost symptom free.
So yes, this is a lyme thing, and it will get better over time.
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