I am not sure if this is the right forum, but my mom keeps urging me to "meet people my own age", and since I can't get out of the house much, a bar is out of the question.
I was unable to finish school, cannot work, and live at home- and it is really just LONELY.
I am sure that I am not alone in this, and it would really help to meet some other people going through the same ordeal.
I would be happy to share symptoms, stories, or just camaraderie with you.
Thanks!
[ 20. April 2008, 04:17 PM: Message edited by: blueaboutlyme ]
Posted by KirstenS (Member # 15146) on :
blueaboutlyme, welcome, I am new here also but not new to lyme disease.
I may not be in my 20's but I suffered through my teens,20',30's and now I am hitting 40 gasp!
That must sound so old to you, hell it sounds so old for even me!
I am finding out through this forum that no matter what age you may be or what part of life you are in, to feel alone is very normal feeling associated with having Lyme.
You said you are at home and mentioned that your Mom is trying to encourage you to reach out. When you start to read the posts you will learn you are not alone.
Believe it or not knowing that other people are going through and suffering the same feelings will help you understand what Lyme disease ia all about.
You will also find that there are a lot of very smart and educated people and their knowledge will help you to begin searching what Lyme is and how Lyme effects you.
I may not post a lot but I am on here everyday reading and researching from posts that people leave. It has helped me in my own uderstandings.
So I would like to say Thank you for everyone's knowledge and compassion and willingness to express their deepest feelings.
I am here if you would like to talk
Take care and feel well
Posted by Aniek (Member # 5374) on :
Hi blue,
National Capital Lyme Association has suppor group chapters in various parts of Virginia and in DC if you are in the northern part of the state. http://www.natcaplyme.org/index.php
I know they've had a few meetings in DC for young adults. But when I used to go to the DC meetings, there were often a couple people in the their 20's. Maybe you can make one of the meetings? It would probably be helpful for you mom to meet family membes of other Lyme patients too.
It is helpful to meet people who are going through what you are, even if they are older than you.
There may also be support groups at your local hopsitals that aren't Lyme specific, but are for people who are chronically ill or have some of your symptoms. It might be worth calling and asking, because they might have something or know of something for young adults.
And you can always come here and reach out to us.
I'm in my 30's now. I was 12 when I was infected and in my late 20's when I was diagnosed. Feel free to send me a PM if you ever just need to "talk". But I should warn you, I'm finishing law school and I'm about to enter finals and will then be studying for the bar exam, so there might be days I forget to respond right away.
-Aniek
Posted by blueaboutlyme (Member # 15261) on :
Thank you both so much for your replies!
I did not mean to exclude people by age.
I am so happy to meet anyone who can understand what I am going through!
Posted by knshore (Member # 13451) on :
Hello blueaboutlyme, I am in my late teens. If you want, you can PM me and we can exchange emails or screen names for AIM, etc.
Look forward to hearing from you! Posted by bettyg (Member # 6147) on :
blue, please take the time to READ, READ, READ here to educate yourself on lyme diseases; KNOWLEDGE IS POWER when dealing with drs. and making decisions.
go to treepatrol's newbie archive at top of medical; 1,000 plu links there.
did you get my newbie packge? 118 pages there. if you didn't, please PM me, it's 2 people standing together and ask for it ok!
goodnight~ Posted by blueaboutlyme (Member # 15261) on :
I am definitely trying to gather all the information that I can.
I am meeting with my LLMD to start treatment tomorrow.
To say the least, I am a little overwhelmed by all of this!
Thanks to all here for your support- it really helps!
Sometimes I really just wish I could be enjoying "the best time in my life" the way I feel that I (and everyone else) am entitled to.
It was a lackluster 21 birthday when I could not get out of bed or tolerate any alcohol at all (and still can't)!
Although I am lonely, I am trying very hard not to feel sorry for myself.
Let me just say that you all are helping tremendously.
Thanks for caring so much!
Posted by merrygirl (Member # 12041) on :
Hi Blue.
I am 29 and suffering too. One of the best things for me has been the daily chat at 8pm. I have made great friends here.
Melissa
Posted by blueaboutlyme (Member # 15261) on :
Thanks for the tip, Melissa! I will be there tonight.
Posted by cookiegirl (Member # 15226) on :
I'm 25, recently diagnosed - and completely overwhelmed with everything. You're not alone.
It's like being an elderly person 50 years too early...
Posted by lymednva (Member # 9098) on :
merrygirl beat me to it. i was also going to suggest the lyme chat.
there are a variety of ages there, but quite a few 20's-30's in the group.
a few of us "oldies, but goodies" hang out there too.
we have quite a variety there, and you never know what we'll be talking about.
we can serious or downright silly.
look forward to seeing you there one night soon.
Posted by blueaboutlyme (Member # 15261) on :
cookiegirl,
Your words just sound so familiar to me.
Whenever anyone asks I feel, I always tell them I feel like I'm 80.
It is so frustrating to me when people tell me that I "look healthy", especially since I look so much worse than I did before I was sick.
Often people would stare daggers at me when I parked in the handicapped space (I have handicapped plates, don't worry) or would have my mom pick up something heavy for me, etc...
I actually can no longer drive, physically, so that is a non-issure now, but I still find it insulting when people judge me.
People seem to feel that "young" should be equivalent to "healthy" and it just isn't.
It is so unfair, isn't it?
It is so very fulfilling to meet people that understand, even though it breaks my heart that they, too, are suffering.
Posted by trish4 (Member # 14156) on :
pm sent
Posted by nclymelife (Member # 15276) on :
i can understand what you are going through. This is the first time i have logged in because i am not very computer skilled. I understand the lonlyness and not being sure. I am 31 and have only been fighting lyme for 7 months but am going in circles. I am very fortunate to have a loving husband and two great boys to keep me fighting. I will Listen or share my story with you any time i can. I would not make it everyday without the support of my family and friends.
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