I'm a single mom with no support from my ex husband. I'm a special Ed teacher, and I am so physically exhausted I want to cry. Actually, I am in the bathroom while my students ate at recess, crying and typing this.
I've struggled with fatigue before with Lyme, but never like I am now, while treating with 2 antibiotics for suspected bartonella. I have to keep pushing through my days when all I want to do is lay down and sleep. Then when I get home, I have my own kids to take care of.
Nothing stops or slows down in my world so that I can rest. I can't take time off work. I feel like I can't take not one more step, yet I HAVE to.
Please, please!!....if anyone has suggestions for improving energy levels, please share them with me.
Posted by Kudzuslipper (Member # 31915) on :
Oh Jennifer. My heart is going out to You. I worked through my worst times but I can't imagine having children too. Does your school have a short time disability policy? I was afraid to take the time off. But I wish I had. But I believe they have to keep the job for you for 3 months.
Do you have family around who could help you with your kids here and there?
It will get better.
Posted by aklnwlf (Member # 5960) on :
Jennifer, I wish I could help......
How about family, churches, friends, anyone who can help out with the kids even if it's one day a week. Also get help for housework, yardwork, etc.
Let as much go as you can....it'll keep until you get better.
Ask you LLMD what to do for lack of energy.
Posted by glm1111 (Member # 16556) on :
Coconut oil and digestive enzymes helped me a lot with fatigue. I really like Super Digestawy by Soloray a plant enzyme. You can take them in between meals as well.
They will also go after, bacteria, mycoplasma, yeast and parasites. The other thing that helped me a lot was antiparasitic herbs such as Humaworm, Parastroy and Hanna Kroeger Wormwood.
Adderrall also helped a lot with fatigue and depression, but you need a script from your doc. Hope you feel better.
Gael
Posted by MannaMe (Member # 33330) on :
Adrenal support was helpful for my husband. He uses Dr. James Wilson's adrenal support.
Posted by Robin123 (Member # 9197) on :
You are handling so much - just know that - work and then family - wow -
I recall I took flower pollen tablets once and got a lot of energy from them.
Ah - I see you're in CA - I'm pming you -
Posted by dbpei (Member # 33574) on :
So sorry that you have to go through this. Like Robin said, you are handling so much trying to care for your family and then yourself, which is obviously on back burner. But without Mom being well, the whole family suffers. Seek out any help you can.
In addition to all of the other good advice above, I would try to add licorice tea to your diet. I believe when I started to have a pot each morning, that is when things turned around for me and I started to get some of my old energy back.
It is supposed to be great for your adrenals and actually has something in it that chemically blocks some of the damage that lyme bacteria can cause. (sorry I cannot locate that literature now)
Posted by Summer3 (Member # 35286) on :
I can completely relate to this. I have found eleuthero (ginseng) helpful. The most helpful thing for me was Cortef/Florinef in very low doses and certain antibiotics that tend to have a hyperactive/anxiety effect on me.
Posted by lpkayak (Member # 5230) on :
i feel so bad reading this. i hope the suggestions help you. 10-15 yrs ago i was you. i remember resting one eye at a time on the commute home...i was so tired i felt like this was ok. my ex did not heave health ins so i felt i had to keep teaching. i used to keep a mattress in a closet and lie down during free periods or lunch.
3 of the 4 kids had lyme on and off too. i honestly dont know how we survivied that but we did and they are all doing well now-health, jobs, marriages.
i know prioritizing is critical...and getting the kids tx when they need it. but i just hope there are some newer supps or something that can help you.
i also remember "playing" with my toddlers while lying in bed with a tape recorder and other things you can do in bed.
i feel so bad for you...i remember struggling with deciding to stop work...but in the end i didnt.
i am going to pm you one more thing i did to survive
Posted by Ellen101 (Member # 35432) on :
It is so hard, I know. Feeling bad and then coming home to a family with household demands somedays it's just too much. There were days when I drove my kids to practices, appts etc with ice packs on my thighs due to the pain.
Will you atleast have a Christmas break from school? Perhaps it would be best to take a small leave. When I was at my worst I took a month off. I didn't go back feeling great, but when I could no longer funtion I knew it had to be done.
What I try to do is get things settled as best I can when I get home, dinner, laundry, dogs out and fed etc. I don't know how old your kids are but can they pitch in some in the evening? Even little ones can help with some chores.
There are still days it's tough I know, but it will get better.
Posted by kam (Member # 3410) on :
Hugs and sending over my imaginary limo with a crew. The crew will take care of things while you are gone.
The limo driver will be taking you to place of your choosing to be pampered and feed and rested and revived.
Posted by lpkayak (Member # 5230) on :
thats true about chores for the kids. even the youngest were on the chore chart on the fridge. i have a pic of my 3 yo in his snowsuit all snowy bringing in wood for the fire-one log at a time.
there were some complaints during the time they had to help but i just kept saying i cant do it all and we all have to help.
later they all told me they were glad i did it that way. they all have good work habits and know how to do laundry and cook...i felt bad at the time but it really was a good thing all around.
Posted by hiker53 (Member # 6046) on :
My friends and church really help me a lot. I really had to swallow my pride and ask. Now one member of my church is mowing and raking my leaves this fall while I work. Since I can't balance on a ladder, another neighbor changes my light bulbs etc. I find that my retired friends really want to help and have the time.
<>< Hiker53
Posted by migs (Member # 16496) on :
My god I understand that post. I used to find it somewhat stressful trying to convince my co-workers that I was fine. A couple years ago, I was pretty useless at times and nervous that I just wasn't sharp enough to be competent.
Just don't stop with the abx. Take incrementally longer and longer breaks when you can and when you restart don't just go twice a day or whatever is prescribed with your two or three med combo. Depending on the drugs, start off missing every second day or every third dose until your die-off is stabilized. It's the only way to get through your work and family life...most LLMDs will understand that you have to manage your job and kids lives.
With the kids, you are a better parent if you find a chance to rest. Hide the phones, put on a good Pixar movie for the kids after school and say "hey guys, I will be much more fun if I get some rest, so don't wake me up unless it's an emergency. Don't answer the phone or the door...regardless of who it is. I'll set the alarm and see you in a bit."
Posted by Dekrator48 (Member # 18239) on :
So sorry to hear about your awful fatigue and illness. I will pray for you.
Are you on B12 injections? (Avoid cyanocobalamin).
Corvalen D-ribose powder can be helpful, although it is pricey.
Has your LLMD checked all your hormone levels (ie: DHEA, thyroid, etc) and balanced anything out of whack?
My horrible fatigue started resolving when I was on bioidentical hormones for 2 weeks. (I am older than you for sure.)
As my hormones became balanced I started sleeping better and the fatigue got so much better.
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