I've been on antibiotics for a month- have probably had Lyme for at least 5 mos.
I don't see how I could possibly still be standing.
Most nights I don't get more than 5 hrs. of sleep. Last night I got 2 and the anxiety was overwhelming. I thought my heart was going to come through my chest.
No wonder I feel so awful the next day with brain fog so bad I can't remember my own name.
What do you do?
I've been weaning myself off Zoloft- very slowly, so I'm not interested in going on another antidepressant.
I've been taking Sam e and my moods have been fine. I have nothing to be anxious about.
The aches and pains and everything else I can handle, but the aniety scares me to death.
Posted by Leelee (Member # 19112) on :
Hi eshorediva,
Sometimes anti-depressants can be very helpful to those of us with Lyme. Maybe the combination of Lyme and the lack of the anti-depressant is intensifying your anxiety and insomnia.
I take Lexapro and Trazodone. My sleep is not perfect and somedays and nights my anxiety is truly frightening, but overall I personally need the help anti-depressants give me.
Have you had an adrenal test done? My LLMD ran one and I have elevated cortisol levels and low DHEA levels which both he and my psychiatrist say can contribute to insomnia. I take supplements for both.
Posted by eshorediva (Member # 20483) on :
I haven't had an adrenal test, but I do take loads of supplements including DHEA.
My symptoms have been so much worse since I've been on antibiotics.
I didn't have this kind of anxiety before I was diagnosed.
I've read about herxing, but don't know why it should come so frequently with me- if indeed this is part of it.
Posted by Need Lots of Help (Member # 18603) on :
E-
Sometimes when weaning off of meds, especially anti-depressents and narctotics, the withdrawls are severe.
What I think, and I am no doc, but your body is going through too much. The antiboitics are killing off a lot of the lyme bacteria, and your body is trying to get used to not having the zoloft.
Either one alone is hard enough. And if by any chance you are menstrating (not sure if you are male or female) but lyme always hits hardest during menstration. I was told not to start a new antiboitic when I was mensing...
Good luck, Shalome
Posted by Keebler (Member # 12673) on :
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What is your level of MAGNESIUM per day? How much FISH OIL are you taking? Those are the top two helpers with anxiety.
What is your LIVER SUPPORT? Without that, anxiety is sure to happen from increased toxic load with die-off, etc.
Be sure your B-vitamins are not taken too late in the day (except for B-6 or P5P before bed).
SAMe can actually increase anxiety for some as it may be too stimulating for those with chronic, depleting illness and adrenal dysfunction. Everyone who has lyme has adrenal dysfunction. There is no way around that with such a toxic infection.
Adrenal support is vital to relieve anxiety. CORDYCEPS is a good place to start there.
Gentle exercise such as yoga, or a stroll around the block are helpful, too. Soothing music is also powerful to affect our nervous system(s). Calcium before bedtime, a warm (not hot) bath, etc.
I would suggest trying GOTU KOLA instead of SAMe. (That is what worked for me when SAMe blasted me to the moon with just one trial). Gotu Kola is not a cola and not stimulating, however, it can help alertness without being sedated or wired.
Gotu Kola is bitter and astringent in taste and cooling in action. It is a brain and memory tonic, and an anti-poison, and very useful for wound and skin healing.
Get a script for .5 mg clonazepam and take as needed, it has been a lifesaver. That, combined with 400 mg valerian (herb capsules) put me out nicely for 7 or so hours with no grogginess.
Good luck
Posted by Keebler (Member # 12673) on :
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You might also find some help here for a relaxing sleep:
Topic: NATURAL SLEEP - Links to articles & supplements
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Posted by losferwrds (Member # 19741) on :
How slow is your taper for Zoloft, SSRI withdrawal can mimic and exarcerbate alot of lyme symptoms. I am in the process of discontinuing paxil and when I went too fast, it was constant anxiety, stomach issues , headaches, hot and cold flashes and major insomnia, after that I stabilised and started a slow wean 10% reduciton a month from 20 to 10mgs from 10 down I have been doing a 1mg a month drops, so I am at 5mgs right now, I will be done hopefully in October, 2+ years to get off it you don't wanna get withdrawal which it sounds like you may be going thru. Sure ya can go faster but the stuff will bite you in ***, especially if you have a compromised CNS from lyme, which is prolly what got you on Zoloft in first place. Don't know your stance on meds, but a benzo like klonopin can alivate a majority of the anxiety and insomnia but they will cause dependence and they also need to be weaned off of slowly in most cases.
Posted by Amy C (Member # 19297) on :
What antibiotics are you on? My son has the same problem on Biaxin. I have heard others complain of this too.
I have had insomnia for years. Even before being on abx.
My son takes Melatonin. You can buy it at a vitamin store. He takes liquid and I buy a fast acting kind. It works faster then the pills.
He tried Trazodone but just had horrible side effects & still no sleep. If you are sensitive to meds like we are the Melatonin is good.
Posted by eshorediva (Member # 20483) on :
Thank you all for your replies.
I am truly grateful.
I'm weaning myself VERY slowly off Zoloft. But you all are right it may be too much for my system to handle.
I take a wealth of supplements including all that were mentioned.
Just stopped at a health food store and they gave me Gaba. I'm suppose to take that at night when I take my tryptophan.( 50mg)
I'm on doxy and as I said I'm having much worse symtoms since I started it.
I go to my LLMD on Fri. Hope she can help.
In July I'm going to an integrative Doc who's suppose to be amazing. Has taken me 3 mos. to get an appt.
Posted by CherylSue (Member # 13077) on :
Klonopin or clonazapam .25 or .5mg will certainly help. It helped me for a spell. I no longer need it. Anxiety went away.
Good luck.
Posted by minerva (Member # 20410) on :
Just to add to above thoughts.
how much DHEA are you taking? I would consider getting your levels checked and maybe cutting back on that as well.
You could also get your Thyroid checked too.
I seem to notice my heart pounding often before I go to bed. I have had some luck with St Johns Wort for depression and its helped for sleep.
Magnesium is absolutly essential for heart health. I am taking at least 800 mgs a day and it has helped my occasional rapid heart rate. It also helps muscles to relax and sleep too.