posted
During the last two weeks I am noticing a complete change with my husband. He is extremely fatigued and in a lot of pain and his personality is Dr. Jeckyll and Mr. Hyde.
I am so scared that he is succumbing to Lyme after two years of it being dormant in his body. He was exposed just as I was and he had the bulls eye rash. He never had any symptoms until now.
He's had gout for years but it is more painful now than ever. I have noticed he is getting lost while driving and he is extremely irritable. He used to be extremely sharp and generally calm.
The worst part is that every time I bring up Lyme as a possibility he says he doesn't have any symptoms and if I press the issue then he says "shut up and leave me alone."
He also gets mad at me when I am really sick and in tremendous pain. For two years he has been there for me and beyond understanding and all of this is just completely out of character.
We've been together for nearly five years as true soul mates and I feel the old him slipping away and I don't know if the stress of me being so sick is destroying him or if it's Lyme.
How can I try to help him if he refuses to listen? I am so scared. Not only am I terrified of him being as sick like I am but how can we afford treatment if neither of us can work?
Is anyone else here sick and their spouse as well? How do you make it financially?
posted
Oh boy! My husband started experienceing symptoms about 6 months after me...So I feel your panic! He is also the "breadwinner"
We decided to have him go see my LLMD just in case and her secretary was like, ok, b/c of her waiting list she can fit him in in about 8 months!
Well, I freaked out of course and to make a long story short he got into see my LLMD right away.
He was on orals for Lyme/coinfections for about 2 years but never missed a day of work b/c of it.
It sounds like your husband better get to your LLMD pronto.
I'm sure he's very frightened but he needs to be evaluated.
In my husband's case, we forget sometimes he ever had it, while I've been dealing with this disease 5 years.
It was no big deal for him, but who knows if he didn't get treatment...
-------------------- "We must be willing to get rid of the life we've planned, so as to have the life that is waiting for us" - e.m. forster Posts: 921 | From PA | Registered: Jan 2004
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My fiance has started to have major symptoms as well. He was bitten about 5 years ago, tick embedded in his belly. I think the stress of my illness and taking care of me, the children, working and doing everything else has allowed it to come out.
I think you should get him checked.... I know it stinks
Peace
-------------------- "You'll be surprised to know how far you can go from the point you thought it was the end" Posts: 946 | From Massachusetts | Registered: Apr 2008
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Geneal
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 10375
posted
I was diagnosed in Oct of 2006. My husband got ill around April of 2007.
He thought testosterone. I thought Lyme.
Had his testosterone checked. I ordered the Igenex kit.
Lyme. Without a doubt. Testosterone levels were fine.
He started treatment. Stopped treatment.
Started treatment. Stopped treatment.
Now, finally is back on treatment with an admonishment from LLMD.
Stay on meds until remission.
When not treating, my husband is forgetful, easily agitated, confrontational, etc.
He is a different (much kinder, compassionate, etc) animal on antibiotics.
My worst fear is him not treating until remission.
I don't want him to end up with early Alzheimer like symptoms, etc.
He is our only financial contributer in the family.
I am unable to work as a Speech Pathologist due to speech and language issues as of yet.
Get him to a LLMD. If you can.
My husband didn't want to believe he had Lyme even with a history of tick bites.
(Which he did not share with me until after diagnosis)
I think that the stress of being the main bread winner makes him think that he has to
Pretend he is well and able to do.
If I have to go back to work at any job I will to get us through.
Hang in there.
At least have him accompany you to your next LLMD appt.
Then, let the doctor speak to him without you in the room.
My husband is definitely more forthcoming when I am not there.
Hang in there. It is a scary place to be.
However, I can honestly say that not treating is even scarier.
Hugs,
Geneal
Posts: 6250 | From Louisiana | Registered: Oct 2006
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