posted
As I read many of the posts here, I realize that there are many people here that are much more ill than I am. People with major mobility problems, especially.
I feel a mix of compassion and gratitutde and confusion when I think about this. I'm wishing wellness for all those who suffer, I'm grateful that it's not worse than it is for me, and I'm confused that maybe I'm not really that sick, and I am in fact the dreaded *malingerer* that we've all heard about!
I never had a rash, I never had bell's palsy, my joints have the migratory pain, but have never been swollen, hot or red. I've had status migraine, and heath arrhythmias that I'm told are probably not from lyme (but I'm not convinced since they improvied with anti-biotics). I've also had major psychiatric problems, that could definitely be caused from trauma, but also could definitely be made way worse by neuroborreliosis.
At any rate, and I do feel silly for asking, but is it possible to *have lyme* and be sick, but not *that* sick? I still function, in a part-time, on my own schedule sort of way.
I've had two CDC positive IgM tests, one in Aug 2006, one in Jan 2007. the IgG was positive igenex and negative CDC.
I'm reality testing here, trying to make sure I'm not falling down the wrong rabbit hole.
It's a little embarassing, but not enough to keep me from hitting "add new topic"
Karen
PS, can someone tell me how I could turn off the graemlins at the bottom of hte post page, they are a bit too distracting and make it hard for me to concentrate.
Posts: 112 | From RI | Registered: Jan 2007
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shazdancer
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 1436
posted
Hi karenelee,
Yes, you can be plenty sick with Lyme, and still not be as sick as some. I have had similar symptoms to yours. I was able to slog through a work day as a dance and gymnastics teacher, having to take a nap midday. There were times I couldn't even climb a flight of stairs, but I got through.
I know people who have NO outward symptoms, just cognitive and emotional problems, debilitating fatigue, headache, and general achiness. I know one of those who tested positive on the Western Blot, and got better with antibiotics.
Like you, I wondered if I was "not that sick," just getting older, perimenopausal, depressed, etc. Then I felt better. Hope to tell you, there WAS a huge difference!
No one can tell me I wasn't sick. I've been in both places, and there IS a difference.
Hope that helps you,
Shaz
Posts: 1558 | From the Berkshires | Registered: Jul 2001
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geniveve
Unregistered
posted
i think my husband is one of these too. i firmly believe he has lyme.
he complains of dry eyes, muscle aches and that's about it.
he keeps on going just like the energizer bunny and i'm almost debilitated........ some good days most bad....
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Beverly
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 1271
posted
Hi Karenelee,
You are not asking a silly question, so please don't feel that way, if you have lyme you suffer.
Everyone is sick in a different way, that is why lyme can be so difficult to diagnose. Although I was going downhill physically each year and in pain, especially after another tick bite, I was mentally in a wheelchair.
Major psychiatric problems are no walk in the park, so just because you are not in a wheelchair doesn't mean you don't suffer. I was practically schizo and it wasn't fun at all. You loose who you are, your personality.
I think too when you are having psychiatric problems it's easier to be in denial and think because you can walk your not sick...etc. I did this for years.
Getting treated for lyme and co-infection can really help.
Hang in there.
Posts: 6638 | From Michigan | Registered: Jun 2001
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lpkayak
Honored Contributor (10K+ posts)
Member # 5230
posted
yes. do not apologize. this disease hurts us all in so many ways...there's no keeping track here of who is most sick.
start out by educating yourself-you may find quirks you have learned to live with are really lyme or coinfection related.
start to use what you learn to take care of yourself as best you can.
then -if you feel up to it-help others...get involved in the activism or other educational opportunties that are here. we are here to help you...but if you are well enough to help the cause-say your thanks to who/whatever your higher power is and jump right in.
thanks for posting...stay with us! the lyme road is a long one with ups and downs-good and bad times....we take turns being strong and weak and helping each other out-welcome!!!
-------------------- Lyme? Its complicated. Educate yourself. Posts: 13712 | From new england | Registered: Feb 2004
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Cobweb
Unregistered
posted
I truly think all of us grapple with this dilemma from time to time. How sick am I? Can I get better on my own? and Please don't let me get as sick and debilitated as some get.
It is sooo frustrating trying to sort out all the different ingredients of being sick-is it hypothyroidism? is it low estrogen (from total hysterectomy and estrogen blocking meds-as opposed to age )?, is it major depression from major stressors in life? is it lyme? is it treatment for lyme?
Not a silly question-especially since there is no simple answer.
posted
Karen said, "I never had a rash, I never had bell's palsy, my joints have the migratory pain, but have never been swollen, hot or red."
My story is the same, but my "migratory" pain became constant beginning around 1980.
If you'll PM me your email, I'll send you my story. You'll see that I've managed to "keep my head above water" for much of my life until Lyme finally became overwhelming.
When I was finally dxd, I had 35 of the 38 Lyme symptoms on Dr B's list and I was disabled.
There are many on this board who still work a 9-5 job.
-------------------- --Lymetutu-- Opinions, not medical advice! Posts: 96223 | From Texas | Registered: Feb 2001
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trueblue
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 7348
posted
Karenelee ~ I'd like to echo what the others have said, mostly because they say things better but...
I was sick for 12 or 13 years and still functioning. Also didn't remember a bite, rash, had joint and migratory pains but no swelling, vague flulike symptoms a week or 2 a month, scratchy throat... just always feeling I was coming down with something that never really came on full. In that time sleep disturbances, mood swings, migraines got increaasingly worse.
Anyway, I was still functioning and chalking these things up to getting older. I was almost 30, after all. Hahahahahahahaha
It took an enormous amount of stress and a major trauma to tip me over the edge. I had 38 out of 43 symptoms on the checklist when I was diagnosed.
I worked full time for a few years even after I started treatment (picc line in my arm and all)and then a car accident laid me up and I lost my job.
Truthfully, I'd have been much better off if all those docs that told me I should be tested for chronic fatigue and other things would have just started me on treatment. I had to fall pretty far to diagnose myself. Knowing what I know now, I think I could have treated and not gotten to the point I did.
-------------------- more light, more love more truth and more innovation Posts: 3783 | From somewhere other than here | Registered: May 2005
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bettyg
Unregistered
posted
graemlins, go to bottom left, and click on box ON DISABLING GRAEMLINS; i've never done thisbefore but see if that helps.
the MOVING ones bother me terribly the WOOHOO one especially!
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posted
I actually played sports, lifted weights, worked 50 hours a week, went to college, and had girlfriend(this was most demanding, of course) and still had Lyme.
My only symptoms were hurt hip and took a lot of naps on weekends and after work everyday, and IBS.
I found out it was Lyme after working at Toxic Mold building for 9 months, and body was shutting down fast. Don't apologize. You are lucky(in a twisted way--not lucky to get Lyme, but...) and that is good.
-------------------- Never walk through a cornfield backwards.
Boomerang
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 7979
posted
Oh Karen, it's all so hard. I get so frustrated with everything. We've had a couple of ER visits when hubby was at his worst. Then the scans and spinal tap ordered by neuro. It all makes you wonder if we're doing the right thing now.
I am so afraid at times, that something else is wrong with my hubby. Everything still points to Lyme though. And the fact that he keeps responding to the anbitiotics. I have to hope that we are doing the right thing.
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)?, is it major depression from major stressors in life? is it lyme? is it treatment for lyme?
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