and have insomnia the rest of my life? Or do I need more treatment? Does anybody ever get healed of those 2 things?
liz
Posted by GretaM (Member # 40917) on :
It's hard to say because I am still treating, but treating bartonella helped my insomnia.
It is night and day to what it was before bartonella treatment.
Does melatonin help you fall asleep?
Posted by Lymedin2010 (Member # 34322) on :
I have suffered those two things for most of my adult life & without even as a hint of infection.
I got bit in 1995. Over the years I then developed headaches that then led to other symptoms & then one day BAM, Lyme!
It may be of no comfort to you, but I wish I had only the low level tiredness all the time & sleepless nights as I did before, instead of the multitude of deathly symptoms now. After much reflection, I now realize that it was a blessing in disguise to be sick & not be as sick. I wish that I could go back to those times!
Posted by Lymetoo (Member # 743) on :
Treated for candida yet?
Posted by tick battler (Member # 21113) on :
Yes, my husband finally was able to get off sleep meds and have more energy for the first time in 5 years when he started treating parasites with the chlorine dioxide baby bottle protocol by Kerri Rivera.
Prior to that, 3 years of abx could not get rid of his fatigue and insomnia, even with seeing some of the "best" LLMD's.
Posted by j_liz (Member # 20496) on :
Hi Lymedin2010 ,
Believe me they are not my only symptoms. I have come a very long way with 3 yrs. of abx and LDN for a few after that (and I continue with LDN).
I will see specialists the rest of my life because of the damage Lyme has caused me. It's just that I can live with all that, but the fatigue and insomnia drive me insane and if those 2 things were gone I could live a full life.
I am just existing, because of the stinking fatigue.
I have tried so many natural sups for sleep and have a problem with every one. I was on Ambien CR for yrs, along with muscle relaxers, their affect wore off.
I am now trying Kavinace Ultra PM (I got it through my LLMD), but it's too strong! It's affect lasts through the day. I am going to continue however, and hope that my body can deal with it.
This fatigue has affected my marriage. We almost got divorced last year.
Posted by sixgoofykids (Member # 11141) on :
quote:Originally posted by j_liz: and have insomnia the rest of my life? Or do I need more treatment? Does anybody ever get healed of those 2 things?
liz
I have gotten rid of both of those. It took a while to get rid of them. The adrenals have to be healed after the infection is gone.
Posted by oceangirlSA (Member # 40873) on :
I have managed to get rid of my insomnia but not my fatigue, with antibiotic treatment.
I just take melatonin to help me fall asleep now and it works well for me.
I get really tired in the afternoons - adrenal fatigue, but Ashwagandha helps me alot.
I have just started taking it again because I had a relapse in my fatigue symptoms after a very stressful few months.
Exercise can help with both insomnia and fatigue. Are you able to exercise at all?
I walk for 30 minutes on a treadmill several days a week and it helps.
Posted by twinnick (Member # 43163) on :
Sixgoofy,
How did you go about healing your adrenals? How long did it take?
Posted by biscotta (Member # 33963) on :
I have a lot of difficulty staying asleep. I tried the typical sleep drugs (Ambien, Rozerem, Lunesta) and they wouldn't work for more than a day or so. Melatonin would help me fall asleep but not stay asleep. Trazadone has been a huge help in keeping me asleep through the night. It's a little tricky because too much, and I'm a zombie in the morning. I end up taking odd doses, cutting pills in halves or even in quarters to adjust the dose as needed. Like right now, my perfect dose is one and a quarter of 50 mg pills.
Just a suggestion of something to try! Also, something else that helps me fall asleep is Relax-Tone (which are herbal drops).
Posted by biscotta (Member # 33963) on :
Sixgoofy,
I'd also be very interested in healing the adrenals. How do you know if you need adrenal support (as opposed to more antibiotics)?
Posted by j_liz (Member # 20496) on :
Yes, I can exercise! I just started a few weeks ago and am amazed at what I can do. (I have been rebounding for awhile, but now real exercise.)
I got sick with a cold/fever and have missed two wks of exercising and I had only been exercising 3 wks. bah!
I guess I am going to have to try the lesser strength Kavinace. Which is too bad since my LLMD sells sups at a greatly reduced price.
I would be interested in how you healed your adrenals, too, 6goofykids. I guess I should start taking my Himalayan salt again.
Not treated candida. How do you do that, Lymetoo?
Posted by ladycakes (Member # 12619) on :
I thought I was never going to get over this particular set of symptoms, but we seemed to hit on a Lyme treatment that's really working for me, four years in to taking antibiotics.
I'm just suddenly not exhausted all the time anymore. I'll still get it a bit here and there, but it's not every day, and it's improving all the time.
That's probably not terribly helpful advice, but it's possible that when you clear the Lyme, you'll clear that too, and it's not another satellite condition (like thyroid, or adrenal, or any of those).
Posted by lpkayak (Member # 5230) on :
Tx definitely made them go away for me and i was able to work another 15 yrs and raise my kids...but another bout with mold, a second head injury, age, time and afew more tick bites and i am back there now. But i was bed bound and went from that to teaching full time, an hour commute each way, got my masters plus 60, had a backyard horse farm-4-7 horses, ran a riding/swimming camp every summer with a few teenage counselors..even kayaked and competed in low level dressage...
I did aggressive treatment, changed lifestyle, stayed positive and even tho i am going downhill now i dont regret it
I had so many more experiencrs by not guving up...im still sad i cant do more...but happy for what i did
Thanks for letting me brag!
Ii would say a lot of good probiotucs, yeast free, getting metal and root canals out of mouth
l out of mouth...being really good about staying
Posted by lpkayak (Member # 5230) on :
Staying away frim processed food and educating myself about lyme complex are what helped the most
Posted by sixgoofykids (Member # 11141) on :
Oh .... so many things! It's a lifestyle!
I read a couple books - "Adrenal Fatigue: The 21st Century Stress Syndrome" and "Tired of Being Tired".
I was careful not to drain my adrenals with cardio. I was careful (I trained to be a Pilates instructor) not even to do non-cardio workouts too often or too strenuously.
I got to bed early-ish. I was sure to sleep at least 8-9 hours.
I ate a diet as recommended (low sugar, etc.) in the books.
I reduced stress.
I respected that my body needed time to heal. I took time to rest, not just sleep, but maybe lie down in the afternoon and read for rest. I took walks. It is a lifestyle of balancing work, rest, and play. Learn to listen to your body.
Getting rid of infections is important, too. They are the primary thing draining the adrenals to begin with.
I can't remember how long it took. I thought of it like the flu. When you get the flu you're sick for a couple weeks, then fatigued for a couple weeks after that. I had Lyme many years, was severely ill for six years, so I considered six years to be an appropriate time for it to take.
It has been five years. I am strong and lead a perfectly normal life. I'm a bit of a health fanatic, but that's okay, I don't want to get sick again, I'd rather be a fanatic. Posted by Lymetoo (Member # 743) on :
- If you treated with antibiotics you may have some yeast overgrowth.
Stay away from sugar in all forms and eat as low carb as possible.
Some people need anti-fungals to help kill the yeast.
Posted by OtterJ (Member # 30701) on :
You need help with energy. Look at treating the glutamine pathways. Utilize CoQ10 and R Lipoic Acid. These help me with energy.
Posted by CherylSue (Member # 13077) on :
good info
Posted by j_liz (Member # 20496) on :
I should state that I am much better, but still...
If I get moving I feel better. Like going shopping or visiting someone, I don't feel as tired.
I cleaned a good bit Tues. before going away and felt good. Tired, but I thought rightly so. Wed., forget about it. I was reminded I have to pace.
I did start doing exercise with a video that I think is a good pace for me. I can't work straight thru, I have to take breaks, but I think it's amazing how much I can do after being sick and sedentary for so long.
Unfortunately, after 2 wks. I got a cold and ran a fever for 5 days. I wasn't able to get back to it until 2.5 wks. later and it was as if I hadn't started at all.
I was so shaky and weak. Two days later, I wasn't doing well, either. Then I went away for a few days, a very relaxing time in Atlanta, GA visiting my nephew with my sis (his mom). Beautiful weather.
I am going to start exercising again tomorrow. It helps me to feel good, encouraged and I wonder if it won't be what I need to shake the fatigue.
Oh, my ulcerative colitis just started flaring, but my kefir grains are on the way! I started salt today (again), too.
lpkayak, great to hear of your recovery. I am so sorry you had a set back.
Posted by aileenhome (Member # 3960) on :
Have you been checked for sleep apnea? I was amazed to discover that i have severe sleep apnea and treatment made a big difference.
Posted by aileenhome (Member # 3960) on :
Have you been checked for sleep apnea? I was amazed to discover that i have severe sleep apnea and treatment made a big difference.
Posted by aileenhome (Member # 3960) on :
Have you been checked for sleep apnea? I was amazed to discover that i have severe sleep apnea and treatment made a big difference.
Posted by Catgirl (Member # 31149) on :
Treating for parasites (even though I couldn't see them) and supporting adrenals has helped me with energy and insomnia.