I'm just feeling really bad and my parents aren't being supportave and my friends don't understand. Can someone please reassure me that there is hope of getting better? Maybe share some success stories if you don't mind.
Posted by hopeful4 (Member # 8486) on :
There is always hope! Don't every give up!
I'm sorry that your parents are not supportive and that your friends don't understand, that makes what you are going through all the more difficult.
Many people (parents, doctors, friends) do not understand anything at all about Lyme Disease. Until I got it myself I had no idea that it could be chronic, that you didn't need to have a bullseye rash, that it existed in my state, or that it could be so very disabling.
I was ill for 5 years, misdiagnosed with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, before getting a Lyme Disease diagnosis. I kept searching for an answer to my illness, changed doctors when things did not improve, then found a doctor who got to the root of my health problems with indepth lab testing and clinical diagnosis...that was a major breakthrough and blessing!
I've probably had Lyme for much longer, and I'm lots older than you, too. So at this point, doing the work of regaining my health is going to take awhile. But I am seeing improvements.
I wonder if there is a Lyme Support Group in your town, or nearby. Have you checked that on the SUPPORT GROUPS link? Even if there is one somewhere in your state, you could try calling and talking to someone.
Is there anyone in your life that you have a great relationship with or that you trust very much? Maybe a teacher, school counselor, or an aunt or older cousin? Perhaps you could talk with that special someone, and provide them with some of the information you have found. Then, they could help you to advocate for yourself with your parents.
I wish you the very best, and hope that you soon find the kind of support that you need and deserve.
Take care, Hopeful4
Posted by trueblue (Member # 7348) on :
Hi Mystery ~ I'm not in so different a place as you right now. i'm sorry, hugs to you.
I hope that helps. Posted by hopeful4 (Member # 8486) on :
P.S. Here are the Support Groups listed for New Jersey on the SUPPORT GROUPS Link. Just click on the link, then click on the group to get their phone number and info.
Good luck, Hopeful4
New Jersey:
~Cape May County ~Greater Raritan Lyme Disease Support Group ~Long Valley LDSG ~Lyme Care Support Group ~Lyme Disease Association, Inc. ~Lyme Disease Information Group of Burlington County ~The Lyme-Tick Borne Disease Support Group ~Lyme Vaccine Victims ~LymeLight Lyme Disease Support Group ~Morristown Lyme Disease Support Group ~NJ Self-Help Group Clearinghouse ~North Jersey Lyme Disease Support Group ~Resources Only ~Sussex County Lyme Support
Posted by MysteryGirl44 (Member # 10201) on :
Thank you both very much for replying. I really appreciate that.
Hopeful-- thanks so much for all of the information that you provided. It's great to have support. Especially from someone who actually knows what it's like to have Lyme. Some people have never had it but still try to give advice but it just isn't the same.
I really am not that close to anyone right now. I would talk to my friends but I don't want to want to scare them. Or scare them away.
I talked to my guidance councelor at school but then she starts saying that it's just panic attacks and hypocondria. I didn't even ask her what her opinion was I just came to talk about how I feel like I have no support and nobody believes that I'm sick.
She wasn't any help. So I guess I'm on my own with telling my parents about Lyme. I've told them so much about it but they just aren't taking it seriously. They think I'm just trying to 'find a disease'. Which obviously isn't the case at all.
Posted by AZURE WISH (Member # 804) on :
Are you being treated now?
Two of my family members had lyme (and had symptoms) and they are both fine now.
A friend of the family had it many years ago and she was very sick and couldnt work for awile. She has been fine for years.
I have been sick quite awhile. I am not really near being a sucess story.....YET. Right now I am just a progress story. But progress can mean alot.
Please dont lose hope.
Sometimes people dont realize how much this disease can take from us (physically financially emothionally spiritually and probaly a couple other 'allys)
People also dont realize the severity and amountof symptoms lyme can cause... to most lyme is a rash and maybe an achy knee.
That is awful about your guidance consolor. Their job is to be supportive and help not to critize and cast aside thoughts and concerns.
Just remember we are here if you need to talk about anything.
I hope your parents come around and start being supportive.
Posted by MysteryGirl44 (Member # 10201) on :
Well, I actually wan't officially diagnosed yet however I strongly believe that this is what is wrong. I've been getting Lyme tests but they keep coming back negetive. I just got yet another Western Blot test yesterday. Hopefully it finds something.
I'm glad to hear that you are making progress and that your friends are getting better. That makes me happy.
Thank you for being so kind and supportave. That's really sweet. Posted by Vicki in Oregon (Member # 10718) on :
I hope you are doing better by now. I know what you mean about people not believing you are really sick. I carried my test results with me, in my purse that I whipped out and showed them when challenged.
I am doing better. I do have hope that things will continue to improve.
Take care of yourself, rest, meds, nutrition, and know you are not alone.
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