posted
hello everyone, i finished my one month of doxy. alot of my symptoms have gone away it seems. it don't get the numbness and tingling anymore, my eyes are normal, fatigue has lessened.
i still have insomnia, and some morning when i wake up it seems my arm is weak. my balance has improved since i found out my leg problem was actually a hyperextended knee problem. but now i'm having back/muscle pains and my neck continues to creak. i feel like i can crack my whole back. and not quite sure if being on the computer is the cause for my intermitent arm weakness.
anyway, the whole thing now is i'm just majorly depressed and anxious and i don't know how to get out of this rut. i haven't been returning phone calls, don't want to be with people and don't want to be alone. i have no desire to do anything and spend too much time surfing the web in case whatever i had/have is some sort of cancer....i make myself sick thinking of it. i guess i posted for some big hugs.....
thanks for listening karen
Posts: 68 | From uxbridge, mass | Registered: Jul 2006
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posted
I am sorry you are feeling this way. At least physically you are better
this happened to me it seems I feel al ittle better physically but mental symptoms are major like depression and anxiety???? I do not know why other people on board muchmore knowlegable but here is a hug Kristin
Posts: 225 | From home | Registered: Aug 2006
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I've been on IV rocephin for 2 months now. At one point, I knew I was turning a corner. Physically at least.
But I too still have back pain and severe agorophobia (sp?).... I want to be alone all of the time, and am really depressed too.
Hang in there with me? I just keep thinking I should be better now...
But know...IT'S THE LYME EFFECT, NOT YOU. So please don't punish yourself feeling bad or worried. Been there, done that.
[hugs]
Posts: 867 | From PA | Registered: Jan 2006
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TerryK
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 8552
posted
I'm sorry you are feeling depressed and anxious. I think many of us suffer with anxiety and depression and abx often seems to make it worse. Talk to your LLMD about getting some help with these symptoms. Perhaps an antidepressant would help on a temporary basis, at least until you are through with treatment?
I'm not a doctor but I've had depression and anxiety for years and have been able to keep it under control using various tools. When it was really bad I went on an antidepressant and that brought me out of the major depression. Then I learned over the years about some alternative things to deal with depression and anxiety.
First, consider that yeast can be a major contributor to both depression and anxiety and since you've been on abx, that could be part of the problem. Try caprylic acid, tanalbit, probiotics, dietary changes (especially no sugar) etc if you haven't already for the yeast.
For anxiety, my doctor (not LLMD) recommended GABA 750 2X per day. I used that for about 4 months and then didn't need it everyday anymore. I use pantothenic acid everyday for anxiety and when I feel anxiety coming on again I take the GABA until it subsides.
For depression, consider 5-HTP, SAM-e or some of the amino acids like tyrosine, tryptophan, DL-phenalanine. Melatonin helps some people with depression. It would be helpful to have a naturopathic doctor help balance amino acids because you can cause yourself some problems depending on your amino acid status.
In the short term, I often find incredible relief with flower essences. They don't seem like they'd work but they do. The key is finding the correct one. I personally use muscle testing for that.
Minerals and B-vitamins make a huge difference in keeping oneself balanced emotionally. Extra magnesium is very important.
Also, counseling can be helpful. It is not easy having your life altered by a debilitating illness. Not only is it hard for others to understand but it is hard for the person suffering to accept that things have changed and to learn how to make the best of our lives given our new situation. Having someone to talk to about these things can be useful. This board is useful for that too so keep talking here and getting help from others.
I'm sure others will come along with more suggestions. Please don't let yourself go with these symptoms. There are things that you can do to lessen or alleviate them. Terry
Posts: 6286 | From Oregon | Registered: Jan 2006
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posted
If you've been having balance issues, the lyme is probably well entrenched. Do you know when you were infected? If it's more than a couple of months ago, you may need a longer, stronger treatment. Another thing that makes treatment much more difficult is the presence of "co-infections", other diseases some of the ticks that carry lyme also carry. If you continue to have trouble, even after several rounds of abx for lyme, this might be the reason.
I don't know if it has changed yet, but, in the past, there has been major ignorance of lyme in the "official medical community" One needed to find a "lyme literate" doctor-- as far as I know, the situation hasn't changed much, or possibly, has even gotten worse. Apparently certain ...'prominent'... ...'researchers'... made some serious errors and don't want to admit it, or something. As a result there are many people with chronic lyme disease who have to travel quite some distance to find treatment. Every case is different, so a doctor who knows how to treat tickborne illnesses is not easy to find.
I hope you can get the best treatment for your case; you may have to find a new doc to do so, and you will definitely want to learn as much as you can-- I know this can be tough when you're feeling terrible, but that's the reality of the situation. People here are very helpful, but we are, of course, human beings, so keep the salt shaker handy, if you know what I mean! I hope you beat these diseases as soon as possible, and that you feel better soon! DaveS (click for my lyme story...)
Posts: 4567 | From ithaca, NY, usa | Registered: Nov 2000
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Depression has been one of the moost debilating symptoms for me.
Two things have helped me: Finding a caring therapist who is open to listening and learning about this disease.. He is pragmatic and helps me problem solve when I feel overhwelmed.
Second (this should be first) growing in my faith and relationhsip with God. Seeing that the pain and suffering has a purpose gets me through days when I want to give up. And when I don't see a purpose, knowing that I am loved even when I feel worthless gets me through.
Posts: 628 | From the south | Registered: Dec 2005
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LostCityAgent
Unregistered
posted
Karen, Due to your symptoms I strongly recomend Low Dose Naltrexone.
AZURE WISH
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 804
posted
I apologize for any incoherence and rambliness..fatigue is making thoughts a bit liquid right now.
Karen,
Not only can the lyme itself cause depression but coping with the symtpoms of the lyme and the effects the symptoms have on ones life is not easy.
First I would tell your dr about the depressiona and anxiety. There are things you can take or do to make these things easier to live with. Realize that you may not even need assistance from meds, therapy or whatever long term.
I sincerely hope that you are not ending treatment at the four week mark if you still have symptoms. As a lyme patient I can tell you I plan to be treated until all of my symptoms are resolved and then some.
posted
The first abx I was on was doxy for two months--I felt really good after that. I was amazed that my fatigue, joint pain and other problems that had bothered me for a long time all but vanished.
Unfortunately, once off the doxy, my sx came back one by one.
Enter IV Rocephin. By the third month my depression was so deep, I felt lower than an earthworm. I felt like I was in a black hole, obsessed by the internet and Lymenet. I not only felt deep depression, but I felt physically bad as well.
Because I developed peripheral neuropathy in my feet, they took me off all abx. That was in April. Since then I have had some cognitive and other neuro problems, along with the PN, which I see a Neuro for, but other than that I feel great.
I also have a strong belief system, meaning that God is number one in my life. Having someone to talk to is imperative if you're suffering from depression. I also realize that this could be costly and most insurance plans don't cover it. You could try the pastor at your/or nearby church. I am fortunate in that respect that the man that married my husband and me has his own Ministry, and he seems to be available to me when I need him the most.
Either way, you both should ask your doctor for an anti-depressant. You're at the beginning of what may be a bumpy ride. Try to make it a tad easier on yourselves. Listen to the advice of the veterans on this board; they are still here for a reason. But at the same time, don't become too entrenched in this board. Remember you do have a life outside of Lymenet. Also, if you find a pimple on your butt, it doesn't mean it was caused by Lyme!!!!(Sorry, couldn't resist!).
Healthy Healing, Jill
Posts: 203 | From Jacksonville, FLorida | Registered: Oct 2005
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Cobweb
Unregistered
posted
"By the third month my depression was so deep, I felt lower than an earthworm." quote from Jillybean (I think).
Tracy9
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 7521
posted
I would highly recommend an antidepressant. As a Lyme disease sufferer and a therapist, I know you don't have to feel this way. Antidepressants don't have to be forever, but they can sure as heck lift you out of the depths of despair. I take Cymbalta, 90 mg per day, and it helps immensely with Depression as well as neuropathic pain. It has really helped me to cope with this disease! I also take Wellbutrin as a booster; because this LYme related depression is a tough one to be sometimes! My other life saving treatment for depression is exercise and sunlight. Good luck to you!!!!
13 years Lyme & Co.; Small Fiber Neuropathy; Myasthenia Gravis, Adrenal Insufficiency. On chemo for 2 1/2 years as experimental treatment for MG. Posts: 4480 | From Northeastern Connecticut | Registered: Jun 2005
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