Hello to all you strong Lymies out there. I am a recovering sickie that is almost back to normal, but I still struggle a lot with anxiety.
I feel ridiculous, since I have so many phobias and obsessive compulsive tendencies. I wake up every morning to fight the daily battle, but I'm tired of it. What has helped all of you cope? It's frustrating - I know the truth, but I wish the feeling of peace would come.
The way I look at it, once my digestion settles down (the herbals I'm taking are curing me), my hormone levels come back up, and vitamin deficiencies improve, my anxiety should cure itself as well.
Have some of the rest of you struggled with this? It seems like no matter how many happy thoughts I try to think, I still have a body-produced anxiety that doesn't want to go away. Could someone give me hope that someday it will? It's not in my head, I just need to believe it.
Posted by Vermont_Lymie (Member # 9780) on :
There IS hope that it will go away, with sufficient treatment.
Anxiety was one of my earliest lyme symptoms, along with a few other physical symptoms like muscle pain. And it has been one of the last to go away; but it is going away!
I have been on antibiotics for over two years, and through babesia treatment. Find a good llmd and keep treating, because it feels so good to regain peace of mind.
Based on my experience, anxiety is caused by several of the tick borne diseases; lyme, bartonella and babesia.
Meantime, what always helped me was a good therapist and herbal stuff like chamomile.
Posted by Ocean (Member # 3496) on :
Oh yes, I've had this for years at a time for the past 12 years, then my body can fight the Lyme for awhile, it goes away, and then it comes back. I've been having panic attacks/anxiety for awhile now. It's hard to me to go shopping. Right now I'm not driving anywhere by myself.
This is the hardest thing for me. One thing that helps for me is freshly juiced carrots and barley grass (the taste is really gross though, I have to plug my nose, I caught my 2 year old drinking water and plugging her nose the other day, immatating mommy!).
I've considered trying Lexapro, I know a few people who have had good results with it. I just am not wanting to take any drugs, haven't started my antibiotic yet!
Rescue Remedy has helped a lot, but if you take it when you are already at a level 10 panic, it takes ALOT of it to calm me down. Otherwise, it can help in the early stages to keep from becoming full blown.
If you find anything that helps, let us know!!
Take care, Ocean
Posted by Peacesoul (Member # 13709) on :
I hear you. Anxiety has taken control of me for many years.
I do not contribute the anxiety to lyme itself, but of what the illness has done. My panic and anxiety came years before I got sick with lyme.
But when I was on the bulk of abx and had to leave my job, that's when the anxiety really hit
I never took meds for the anxiety though. I went all natural, changed my diet, started to exercise again and I'm also in Coganative therapy which seems to have helped the most.
Changing my thoughts have really helped.
I know your hell and I really hope you feel better :-)
Posted by Wimenin (Member # 15294) on :
Ever since this lyme crap started, Ive had two symptoms that just persist.... One of them was anxiety.
During the past few yrs Ive developed the following routines to help with anxiety. If it can help any here, by all means, use it:
-Deep Breath (20-40 deep breaths, muscle relaxation, mantra, etc.), in through nose, out through mouth (purse lips like blowing out candles)
-body posture: look up at the ceiling, relax the neck/shoulders, smooth the forehead, ... SMILE!
-Stay in the present moment. Move attention from inside your body to legs, arms, outside surroundings.
-Great quote I use "...Get out of your head, and into your life...";
-do a mindfulness scan: from toes to neck...whats going on? Listen to what your body is saying.
-Mindfulness/submission: Let it happen-submit (allow adrenaline to flow in your bloodstream..it will dissipate in your body) Remember: ..."the more you fight the adrenaline rush, the stronger anxiety gets"...
-focus on an object: describe in detail..concentrate; as if describing to an invisible person...size, color, texture, etc..
-slow your thinking, Laugh and Smile, ..you're not going crazy, you're not going to die... Remember: ...crazy people don't know they're crazy, they just are...
-Keep it positive...avoid negative thought patterns...replace any negative thoughts with positive ones.. Freeze the attack...concentrate on heart while slow breathing, replace with past negative though with a postive thought
-Visualize (mentally put yourself someplace happy... a fond memory...or feeling)
-get mad at it (Take Control... mentally feel and mean it...or say it..let it out, dont hold back your anger, fear or energy.)
-Write down your feelings (express your feelings, let it out, ....and then let it go)... throw the paper away..
-Talk with Someone (express feelings to a supportive, positive person)..vent...but..don't dwell on it... vent for 5 minutes, then you're done. Don't continue to over analyze every feeling, pain, or twinge... Stop the "what if" game...
-Do something else, get up and move (change your environment, activity, etc.)..but..not habit forming avoidance. Dont avoid situations or anxiety triggers.
-Help others. Take your mind off your problems by helping a relative, friend, neighbor.
-Yoga/Tai Chi (controlled breathing and stretching together)
-Exercise (aerobic movement, break a sweat)
-Triggers: If you know your triggers...make a list of them with solutions to them...but.. don't avoid them!!
-Music: listen to either mellow music...or your favorite music...(helps our brain to retrain itself for enjoyment)
-Get involved: Be in the company of those you love, and who love you...cultivate relationships.
-Eat Properly (fruits, veggies, whole grains) and get plenty of sleep...at least 8-10 hours a day...
Thats a lot of information to digest. Ill leave everyone with this last thought:
( Romans 8:38 ) ". . .neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord."
Remember: You are never alone, God is right there with you...so allow God to take control...
Posted by Ocean (Member # 3496) on :
Wimenin, What a great post! Thank you for that. I'm going to print out your suggestions.
Take care, Ocean
Posted by Rianna (Member # 11038) on :
My LLMD says its all associated with Lyme and co-infections and of course the die off from treatment. He says kill the bugs get rid of the toxins and it WILL go although sadly it is one of the last symptoms to go.
I never experienced any anxiety before treating Lyme but in Herx's it goes way of the scale.
I just hear all the time from patients that get better you have to treat agressivly and make sure you treat the Co-infections and then it will go - for some that can be a long while.
Rianna
Posted by WildCondor (Member # 434) on :
Huge symptom!
i had to take Xanax and Zoloft along with my antibiotic protocol for 3 years. Don't be worried to ask for the supportive meds that you need.
Posted by kellyb2411 (Member # 15467) on :
I get this too. I am about 80% better after 5-6 months abx, but can't get rid of the anxiety.
Would love to be able to do this as its the most annoying and terrible feeling.
Mine has got worse lately since I increased my rifampin dose from 300mg to 600mg per day. I hope its because its killing those little bugggers.
Thanks for the tips on helping get through the bad times. I'll take them on board.
I just hope one day that I can be rid of this.
Kelly
Posted by missextreme (Member # 3610) on :
It's great to know that there are other people who share some of the same struggles as I have. As you put it, it is "A most annoying and terrible feeling."
The list is outstanding, and I'll try to put them into practice.
Does diet affect a person's anxiety a lot? What about meds?
Posted by Wimenin (Member # 15294) on :
Common anxiety symptoms: Restlessness Flushing Headaches negative thoughts (doom)-panic racing thoughts Nervous stomache-nausea Chest Pains Neck, eye pain-tension shortness of breath Dizziness Hot and cold flashes or sweating Tingling in the body Surreal, out of control feeling Fear of death, going crazy Trembling or Shaking Want to cry numbness/tingling lips, jaw dry mouth
Some things that can cause anxiety... -stress -diet -exercise -geneology -medications -supplements -compromised immune system -traumatic events -combination w migraine
If all of the physiological problems have been fixed, and anxiety still resides, then other treatment methods include that long list I provided, cognitive therapy, and different anxiety/panic disorder methods, such as the 9 pillars (Linden method)..
Linden Method-9 pillars include: -stop seeing drs for anxiety and odd symptoms. -stop researching odd symptoms on internet or library. -stop talking about anxiety with friends/family or on internet -keep mind and body busy with hobbies you're passionate about. -eat natural fruits, vegatables, meats, whole grains and avoid sugars and processed foods. -get plenty of sleep and maintain sleep pattern 7 days a week. -exercise, yoga, listen to mellow music often. -dont avoid any activities or alter your lifestyle because of anxiety. -stop using meds and drugs meant for anxiety. -don't combine treatment methods...do this one method only
Thats an awful lot to digest about anxiety.
Perhaps the best advice is the simplest.. just breath. When all else fails, simply slow down, and breath. Its hard to remember all the other methods, but everyone, at any age, can remember the simple thought... just breath.
Posted by MusicMan (Member # 11966) on :
Hi there
Well, I fought it for at least ten years before I went to a Doctor for help. I tried 10 different anti-depressants and they all gave me a really bad stomach ache so that options was gone for me.
Now I take Klonopin for the anxiety, which by the way is every day! I do well on Klonopin and take the smallest dose they make and then cut that in half.
I took Martial Arts for a good 8 years and learned all kinds of relaxation and control things but when a bad anxiety attack hits you out of the blue, for me anyhow nothing works but the Klonopin.
Steve
Posted by Tracy9 (Member # 7521) on :
I have found all of the SSRI antidepressants to be hugely helpful for anxiety. I think Klonipan or Ativan or Xanax are great to have when it gets really bad, because you can literally take one and be in a calm and relaxed state in short order.
However an antidepressant, which most people tolerate fine, can level off the chemistry in your brain and make the anxiety go away, or be minimal.
I find these drugs have helped most people. You'll hear some naysayers here, but I can speak from both personal experience and many people I know when I say it can improve your quality of life tenfold.
Lexapro is a great choice. There are also others.
I don't know why anyone would want to suffer so much when it can be so easily helped, in many cases. We treat everything else we need to, why would we not treat this, which is a very physical, medical symptom?
Posted by MusicMan (Member # 11966) on :
Hi Tracy
I agree and would have liked to go the antidepressant route, which is why I tried so many and there were even more to try but my Doc and me agreed to go the Klonopin route.
The good thing is although I have been taking them every day now for about two years, I have not increased my dosage except for once in a great while when I'm really really bad!
Steve
Posted by B and M (Member # 13544) on :
I knew I was fighting anxiety. I was always getting nervous about work things but nothing big.
I can laugh about it now, but I went to the dentist a couple of weeks ago.
I had the biggest anxiety attack of my life in the middle of a root canal. I couldn't breath, I couldn't swallow.
I ripped that damn rubber dam off my face.
There was no way they were putting it back on.
They they temped up to to get me out of there.
I was so upset my wife had to come in and help me out to the car. On the way to the car, I started crying. I think it lasted for 45 minutes before I calmed down.
But Then...I realized I had to go back to get it finished.
My wife was herxing too bad to drive me, I was on my own.
I was ready, I had 2 valiums in my hand. Wehn I got about 10 minutes away I took them.
By the time the took me to the chair, i was calm....real calm.
Novacaine...hey that hurts
Dam around tooth...I a little concerned here.
The drilling starts....We need to do something
Luckily, I was able to click my heels three times and say, there no place like home.
I went to my happy place
Until I spelled something burning
I opened my eyes ad noticed it comming out of my mouth.
This can't be good.....now we're back to pretty nervous.
There handing things back and forth making sure I cannot see....Houston, we have a problem
I asked "how long"....suprisingly he understood
"five minutes" ..... I said, "six and I'm out of here"
I watched the second hand on a clock for the next 5:17. That was cutting it close.
Bottom Line, I never knew anxiety would ever hit me like that, I was to much in control of my emotions.
It doesn't matter, I need to talk to my doctor about it.
If anyone else is starting to feel it, talk to your doctor.
Before you make a fool of your self in a dentist's office!
Posted by Ocean (Member # 3496) on :
B and M, Thanks for your story! This is why I haven't gone to the dentist in almost 2 years, I will not be able to handle it! I need to go, I wish I could go, but....but....
Hey, at least you went back in and finished the job. Well done!
Today I had severe anxiety in the grocery store. They were having a little Halloween thing for kids. There we are, hubby, 7, 5, and 2 year old and me. Lights seem very bright, too bright. So many packages and things to see. I start getting dizzy, what if something is wrong?! Is it my heart? Now I can't breathe, I breathlessly tell hubby I need his cell phone and the car keys. He hands them over and I race out of the store.
I'm surprised a store employee didn't stop me, thinking I was shop lifting, I was booking it.
I'm still alive. I cried while I sat in the car and watched another mom, a 'normal' mom fixing her kid's costume after getting him out of the car, he was a black spider and the mom was fixing the legs.
I thought of my kids. In the store (at least with Dad), wondering what happened to me.
I talked to my mom on the phone and walked back in the store. They were done, but I went back in.
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