Since I started treatment in April, my symptoms have improved somewhat, but my energy is so limited.
I get frustrated that I can't keep up with even normal activities like house cleaning and having any social life.
I tried the search function, it's still down.
I sure would like to hear what you all have to suggest.
Posted by Keebler (Member # 12673) on :
- Please do nothing to "increase energy"
Now, I know that seems odd advice. The reason I say this is that, usually, that entails pushing the body beyond what it is capable of at this point in time and can be detrimental.
Are you resting enough?
Still, as long as you are resting enough for what your body requires right now, there are clear things that can be done to SUPPORT your body - and if a little improvement in balanced energy results, great.
But, if not, just hold on and do what is needed for nutrition and healing. One of the worst mistakes I've made is trying to push my body to do more. Some "even normal activities" may have to be scaled back to minimum for the time being.
My thoughts are explained in the adrenal posts and links here:
GREEN TEA - Links Set -
Posted by Robin123 (Member # 9197) on :
I remember, when I had no clue what was going on, that I took flower pollen to keep my energy up.
Posted by Rivendell (Member # 19922) on :
I am really being helped by taking Rhodiola and Eleuthero in the morning.
Gives me energy, but doesn't stimulate me. Sort of a calming energy.
Then at night I take ashwagandha for sleep.
I'm taking alcohol-free tinctures from Nature's Answer. I'm taking about 20 drops of eleuthero and 8 drops of Rhodiola in AM.
But, everyone is different. Start with just one or two drops and see how you react.
Posted by nefferdun (Member # 20157) on :
There are a lot of supplements that help with energy but if you have an infection making you profoundly fatigued, you need to address that first and for most.
The two biggest culprits are babesia and protomyxzoa. If you have protomyxzoa you need to be on a low fat vegan diet - so that is what you "take" to get more energy.
Other supplements that can help are Jiaogulan (Chinese herb), Acetyl L Carnitine and NADH. None of these things will do a thing if you have protomyxzoa or babesia because they don't attack the pathogens in your blood.
Posted by canefan17 (Member # 22149) on :
Gaia Herbs - Adrenal Health gives me endless energy and strength. Love it.
Posted by Crawgir1 (Member # 40229) on :
I do have Babesia, but how can you tell if you have protomyxzoa?
I'm just sick and tired of being sick and tired!
If I can't earn money, I can't pay for my LD & Babs treatment, Rxs, supplements, etc., and life is getting kind of lonely and boring!
I know what you are saying, Keebler, and I appreciate what you have to say! I always read what you send carefully and take it into account.
I just hate living without my house being cleaned enough, not having energy to have more social activity, and not being able to work enough to pay someone else to help.
Posted by marypart (Member # 27012) on :
I finished treatment and I had another bite this summer and took a month of doxy and feel pretty good. So I might not be the best example, because I consider myself to be pretty much symptom-free. I never really had neuro symptoms, but I did have joint pains, stomach issues (gastroparesis) and fatigue.
But, now that I'm better, I'm drinking a full blender of green smoothies every single day. I make it in the morning, drink a glass right away, and take the rest to work in a thermos. I water it down as the day goes on, and I think all the micronutrients are really keeping me energetic and healthy.
Just an idea.
Posted by Anthropologista (Member # 35483) on :
Hi Crawgirl,
"If I can't earn money, I can't pay for my LD & Babs treatment, Rxs, supplements, etc"
I used to make the same argument as you, Keebler, but now I think there's a counter-argument. Not to your points about rest, nutritional support, and not pushing the body, of course, which are fundamental.
NuVigil has been a crucial part of my husband (R)'s treatment. It's a stimulant, but not an amphetamine. The energy it gives is not a cure. But for some people, it's a step that gives them access to a real cure.
When R wanted to try NuVigil, I was very worried about false energy that would deplete his body and make him sicker. I like medications that actually fight the infections. I like supplements that support the body. I did not like strange energy medications. Surely it must come at a cost? I was wrong.
Rob had steadily declined on two LLMDs' treatment over 2 years and no longer had the energy to keep going. He was so exhausted and disheartened he didn't have the energy to change to a better LLMD, to travel to get to one, or to try a different treatment. He was ready to give up.
Instead, NuVigil gave him the strength to seek better treatment. He's been able to overcome his exhaustion inertia, read Lyme literature, change his LLMD to Dr H, travel for 4 hrs to NY for treatment, and follow a complex supplement and meds schedule.
We discussed NV with two LLMDs and one neuropsychiatric Lyme specialist, all of whom were very positive about it. R's PA warned us, though, that it can stop working in some Lyme patients. We're hoping that effective treatment itself will increase his energy over time, so that NV becomes less necessary.
It doesn't seem to have any side effects. But of course it's relatively new, so it may be a risk. I think that for R, the risk has been well worth taking, given that it's got him into really good treatment. I can't tell you how relieved I am.
If you need energy in your job so you can earn money for your treatment, that sounds like a really good reason too. As long as you take all the other great advice about rests and support for your body and not overdoing it.
Whatever you choose to do, good luck!
Posted by Lymetoo (Member # 743) on :
It's more about what you DON'T do. Don't eat gluten, sugar, dairy.
Eat organic as much as possible, make green smoothies and/or juices.
Posted by nefferdun (Member # 20157) on :
" How do you tell if you have protomyxzoa".
I confused PR with babesia and bart. I had air hunger, hot flashes, sweating and headaches with profound fatigue like babesia but also insomnia, muscle twitching, and bladder irritation like bart. I had stabbing nerve pain, nasal congestion, a cough and a horse voice, which I did not have with any of the other infections.
I got muscle cramps in unusual places. When I began treatment I ached all over. Later on, I got stiff fingers and one knee like I was getting arthritis.
I felt depressed and unmotivated but I wasn't really aware of it. I just felt like giving up. I also would get very anxious and again not relate it to being sick. It seemed senseless. When I relapse I get this back.
These are the symptoms: you won't have all of them.
Cold hands and feet, often clammy – Poor to “pathetic” capillary refill, skin color changes – pale, dusky, hyperemic (red), purple, mottled – Headaches, pain behind/in eyes – Scalp sores – Sinus congestion, PND, teeth pain – Palpitations – Shortness of breath, air hunger, dry cough, episodic and periodic – Abdominal pain, nausea, IBS Bladder pain/dysfunction, interstitial cystitis – Joint and muscle pain, weakness, twitches – Profound fatigue, complete loss of aerobic exercise tolerance – Sweats (night/day), chills, flushes, dizziness – Insomnia, profound brain fog, poor balance – Anxiety, panic, OCD, irritability, agitation, impulsivity, ADD, emotionality – Hypercoagulability Herx to treatment: – Massive body pain, HA, brain fog, anxiety, paranoia, rage, impulsivity, hallucinations, irritability, twitching, fatigue, joint pains, myalgias, LE pain, teeth pain, sinus congestion/ pressure, abdominal pain, diarrhea or constipation, left upper quadrant pain, bladder pain/irritability, incontinence, sleep disturbance, worsening of hypercoagulability
Posted by Judie (Member # 38323) on :
Yogi Green Tea Energy is good if I drink it when I first wake up. It has some of the herbs mentioned in it.
I don't do it daily, just if I REALLY need to be up for something.
Posted by steve1906 (Member # 16206) on :
If we, or anyone, Lyme or no Lyme, have no energy to do daily activities it will cause depression & anxiety.
I understand where Keebler is coming from, but I don’t totally agree. You don’t have to overdo it, but in my opinion you should increase your energy level.
regular exercise and a healthy diet – will ensure your vitamin and mineral needs are met.
Walking, stretching, jogging – not strenuous – this will give you better blood flow and oxygen intake to the heart.
Talk to your doctor if you feel you can’t do any exercising safely, he may be able to help you.
Eat three meals a day, and healthy snacks throughout the day, this also increased energy.
Drink plenty of water
Get enough sleep - Power Nap are also good to repair our drained body’s
Reduce Stress and deal with anger
More exposure to light and sun – or Light therapy
Our brains respond to novel experiences by releasing a rush of neurotransmitters, such as dopamine, which make you more alert – do something different everyday - just take something ordinary and switch it up.
Check Your Thyroid Function
Our members gave you some good alternative meds, that’s your decision, some people benefit greatly with over the counter supplements.
Good luck Crawgir1!
Posted by Catgirl (Member # 31149) on :
Treating for parasites gives me energy (so worth it). They suck all the nutrients they want out of us. Killing them = more energy.
Ditto what Nefferdun said.
Posted by GretaM (Member # 40917) on :
I supplement with Iodoral during the week and it helps me get through the day.
Posted by Alisandne (Member # 27304) on :
Vegetables. Juicing and/or eating more vegetables than anything else throughout the day makes a significant difference in my energy levels. They're still not great, but they sure are better.
Posted by Crawgir1 (Member # 40229) on :
Thanks for all the ideas! I do have a new LLMD, and he's more of a holistic wellness type. Hopefully some of the new things he's introducing will help.
He wants me to do the idodine/iodide skin testing, is checking my thryoid, iron etc., started me on bio-identical hormones. I can only afford to add so much at a time to my monthly expense, so it's not happening all at once.
I'm looking into your suggestions, and will discuss them with my LLMD.
Posted by rosiegeorge (Member # 27518) on :
I take green tea tablets. They last about 4 hrs. Abd can be bought at any pharmacy. But warning They can make some people very jittery or even give palpitations.
Provigal or nuvigal is a prescription drug that does work well for about 8 or more hours. My insurance doesn't cover it so it can be expensive and you will need a doctors order.
Posted by randibear (Member # 11290) on :
Problem with me resting is that when I get up I'm so stiff and sore I csn hardley move. And pain...whoa. every muscle and joint just screams....
Posted by steve1906 (Member # 16206) on :
What are you sleeping on, I hope a good mattress?
Posted by Keebler (Member # 12673) on :
- Randibear,
That pain / soreness before arising from a rest or sleep can be intense. It's a good idea to do some gently yoga-style stretches, deep breathing for at least five minutes before bounding out of bed.
And more water before lying down can help, too. I know we may think we will with-hold water so that our bladders don't pull up back up sooner than we'd like but it is very, very - very - important to have water on board at all times. It helps pull the waste through for us. -
Posted by Keebler (Member # 12673) on :
- Crawgirl,
Water is a great help for energy, too (or, for most of us, at least the difference in if we are on the floor or able to walk upright).
Be sure you have plenty spread out evenly throughout the day. Not a flood to your cells, of course, but those with toxic infections require more than the average bear. -
Posted by randibear (Member # 11290) on :
I have a very good stearns & foster pillow top queen. And yes I have to get up at least twice a night whenever I have any water.
Posted by Rivendell (Member # 19922) on :
Oops, forgot to mention that I drink a lot of decaf green tea with licorice root (for low pressure) also, and this helps so very very much with calming energy, inflammation, and helping my mind to work.
It also seems to help with the terrible herxing I've been having.