I'm still reading and still learning so please bear with me.
Most of the cases and stories I am coming across involve victims with much worse and much more consistent symptoms that I have.
My day to day symptoms aren't very disruptive and are manageable. But when I throw antibiotics into the mix and especially when I start increasing to higher doses...things really start getting thrown out of wack which I understand is all part of treatment.
My question might be viewed as a ignorant one but it is very obvious that each case of this disease manifests itself differently in each individual.
Does the the amount/strength of one's symptoms truly represent the level/stage/strength of lyme in one's body?
I was "lucky" enough to be diagnosed early before lyme totally reeked havoc on my body. Unfortunately there is no wiggle room in my career and if I'm going to be doing anything that's going to be affecting me neurologically I've gotta go on Medical Leave.
After experiencing some of these eye opening symptoms for myself while being treated as well as reading all of your very personal accounts of your experiences I really feel like this is a ticking time bomb.
Is it? Does it always get worse? I do not mean this as a slap in the face to all of you suffering...I'm just trying to get a gauge on things.
If I'm going to go through all of this treatment and take time off work and still be right were I am now "that it can reappear at any moment" am I really doing the right thing by attacking this now?
Posted by Lymetoo (Member # 743) on :
"Does the the amount/strength of one's symptoms truly represent the level/stage/strength of lyme in one's body?"
In my opinion, it does. So based on that, it shouldn't take you as long to get well as it would someone who started out being very ill.
Everyone has to make their own decisions about whether or not to treat. It can be a tough one!*
I hope you make a decision that works for you!
* but not treating could be very hazardous to your health
Posted by LLYME (Member # 18687) on :
My case was manageable to a degree until I started treatment. The symptoms where annoying and interfered with my day to day actives but was still able to get through the day and work, I had dizyness and brainfog.
My carer situation is similar to yours and once I got heavily in to treatment I had to go on short term disability. It has been over 6 mouths since I started treatment in and I think am starting to get better extremely slowly.
Your health is not really something to put off, you are going to have to face it at some time and the longer you wait the harder and more expensive it is going to become to fix.
It's not an easy decision, I am fully aware that I may not be able to return to work before disability runs out and would then have to start from scratch. The alternative is the possibility of it spinning out of control, which can happen over the coarse of a few day, when that happens things can get so bad that you will be sick for years.
Posted by jt345 (Member # 19638) on :
If I were You You I would treat NOW. Don't wait if You have someone willing too treat.
Most of us oldtimmers went for years trying too treat. I don't mean too be cinical,but You do not want too end up like Me.
My Nan is going in for some tests this week,and If they turn out bad ,I could be facing trying too do this alone.
We all will face this sometime,believe Me, You do not want too. Treat it when the getting is good.
be as well as you can be today appleseed
Posted by sixgoofykids (Member # 11141) on :
The first three times, I got to remission by eating well, sunshine, lots of exercise, lots of rest.
Dr. B has even said he has seen Lyme go into remission on exercise alone.
I do not encourage you to ignore symptoms until you get really sick, for the reasons stated above. However, you might try a rigorous exercise program and some herbs. I like the Buhner herbs - andrographis, Source Naturals resveratrol, banderol, and samento.
I was under a lot of stress and got bitten again, so this time it took more than lifestyle changes and I got very, very sick.
Posted by Vermont_Lymie (Member # 9780) on :
Yes, it is a ticking time bomb.
I do wish that I had treated when my symptoms were less debilitating. Probably treatment is quicker and easier the better one is.
Why wait until you possibly become disabled?
Posted by adamm (Member # 11910) on :
If you're symptomatic, it means that your immune system is not on top of it and that you need to treat.
Posted by Alv (Member # 15192) on :
Your future is more important that what you have right now.TREAT and BE on top of YOUR HEALTH!
This should be your YOUR PRIORITY from NOW AND ON.Is your life and your health.The rest comes after you have it.You loose it YOU LOOSE everything !
Posted by Keebler (Member # 12673) on :
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You asked if lyme always gets worse. Much depends upon the strain of borrelia. Coinfections also matter greatly.
You don't necessarily have to FIGHT it - it does not have to be a terrible battle. I interpret it as action you take that will be empowering to your body. And you need your body.
It is wise to face it and ADDRESS it head on, being proactive and protecting your future. There are several ways to do this.
Still, if you have lyme it's actually more important to address that than try to manage how to advance your career right now. Because if lyme is not addressed completely, there may be no career.
Still, there may be ways to work and also get treatment. You say "no wiggle room in my career " but you could ask for accommodation due to disability.
You could then ask for someone to take over certain tasks while still keeping your presence there . . . a medical leave may help, too, but that just depends on your own strength, etc.
Put your health first. Without that, little else matters due to the way lyme affects every organ and system of the body. A good LLMD (their being IILADS connected is essential) can help you determine how much you can handle during treatment.
The support supplements also can help tremendously. -
Posted by Keebler (Member # 12673) on :
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Find your local SUPPORT GROUP for help in finding a doctor, etc.
The International Lyme and Associated Diseases Society (ILADS) provides a forum for health science professionals to share their wealth of knowledge regarding the management of Lyme and associated diseases.
The author of this site is an ILADS member and a ND (naturopathic physician), so she has knowledge of the unique nature of the spirochete and what is required but also knows all about supportive techniques.