Topic: Who has improved after treating psych stuff
sutherngrl
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Sorry if this is long, but I'm trying to give some background.
Many of my lyme symptoms have improved, although I still have mild pain from the waist down, possibly just residual; and still deal with fatigue(moderate). More recently I have had brain issues, such as anxiety and worsening mood swings.
My LLMD decided to treat me for a mood disorder since it seems that my moods are out of control and since mood disorder can also cause fatigue and pain. Doc says its hard to tell whats what if I don't treat the mood disorder and get that stabilized.
At first I was hesitant; but after a crazy depressive episode and looking back at the extremes of my ups and downs the last few months, I decided to start on the mood stabilizer. (I posted about that recently). Believe me I weighed this out for several days, and decided I have to treat for my sanity.
Today is only day 7 on the mood med; but I am beginning to feel really confused(not from the medication). Confused because I can't tell if I am getting better from lyme and now its all mental or if its a combination of both or maybe I am just loosing it from dealing with being chronically ill for so long.
I know there are no concrete answers when it comes to LD and I don't really know what my question is. Just need some input or experiences from other lymies.
I know some of your LLMDs think you have to treat the psych stuff along with lyme; so did any of you start treating the psych stuff and feel better, like in the area of fatigue mainly. That seems to be my most debilatating symptom from day one.
Well now the mood thing is becoming debilatating also. And maybe it is the main source of my fatigue???.
Anyway does anyone have any experience with lyme symptoms improving after treating with psych meds?
seekhelp
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In my mind, I've wondered a long time if this may be a contributor to my fatigue. None of the LLMDs I saw had any interest in mood disorder issues. I say this because at times I was very motivated to do a project and was able to finish it. I wonder if motivation is the driver that helped me or pure adenaline. However, I was very motivated to visit a friend today to help him with a project and way too sick to actually go. I just couldn't.
I have not had any crazy depressive episodes or big ups and downs. My issue is I just feel 'dead' at times. Not any emotions. I can't imagine crying like others say here. That bothers me a lot.
I think if you make major strides on your new med, it's safe to say mental issues are at play. Whether they are Lyme-induced, I cannot say. A professional would need to decide. I don't think any 'miracles' are going to happen overnight on your mono Doxycycline protocol so it's easy to guess what's what IMO.
Are you saying you are feeling better since being on your new med? I hope so.
I can say being chronically ill for three years has devastated every part of my life (my personality, my friendships and even my marriage is affected). It's a cold, lonely road none of us should need to experience.
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sutherngrl
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Seek, I'm not saying I am better on my new med. Not yet anyway. Only been 7 days and having to start at 1/4th the dose and go up to theraputic does over the next 6 weeks.
I actually started feeling less pain and slightly less fatigue over the last few months; but at the same time the mood issue increased. For some reason that doesn't make sense to me. Unless I just finally went crazy from being ill for so long.
What happened was the fatigue would feel better and I would get all hyped up like I wanted to conquer the world all in one day; and I would have racing thoughts. Then for no apparent reason I would just go into a depression and be exhausted again.
This sounds very similar to what happens with LD to me, except my moods just were so back and forth so it became hard to tell......is it lyme or is it mental! Maybe its both. I guess I won't know for at least a few more months.
Posts: 4035 | From Mississippi | Registered: Jul 2008
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quote:Originally posted by sutherngrl: What happened was the fatigue would feel better and I would get all hyped up like I wanted to conquer the world all in one day; and I would have racing thoughts. Then for no apparent reason I would just go into a depression and be exhausted again.
wow this is exactly what im going through now only mine is more physical at first... I get feeling good, maybe in the morning, then I start doing stuff.
I may work out or plan a day to go to the park... but ill get all prepared and start working and then it will just hit me like I wore myself out with very little action when I started feeling better. Its always depression first then I just want to lay in bed.
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sutherngrl
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Ahodge, well you pretty much described it.
Doc said its hard to tell where the lyme ends and the mood disorder starts. In other words, maybe I am almost over the lyme, (since many of my lyme symptoms have improved); but now I have to treat the mood disorder, in order to distinquish what is physical and what is mental.
I'm surprised that not many ppl have responded to this. I know a lot of lymies are on psych meds. I just wondered if they helped others feel "physically" better?
I am at a point now of total confusion. I think some of the fatigue could definetly be mental. Then another part of me says its not mental, its just the lyme.
This is why I get so confused. Which is it??? And the deal is, as usual with lyme, there are never any concrete answers.
Thus I am willing to try the psych meds. I'm thinking what do I have to loose! I just want to feel good!
posted
Hi suthernrl, Have you treated the co-infections?
Posts: 182 | From hills and valleys | Registered: Jan 2009
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Hoosiers51
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The psych drugs only helped my psych symptoms, not really the fatigue.
Though when your psych symptoms get better, you do more, but it doesn't necessarily mean you have more physical energy. Does that make sense?
Is the mood stabalizer helping your mood? Or can you not tell anything in that area?
I wouldn't count on it helping the fatigue, though you may notice more motivation. Still worth a try though. Anything is worth a try.
Unbalanced neurotransmitters can cause fatigue....but for me at least, I do not think that is the cause of my fatigue.
I don't think many Lyme doctors think psych meds will help fatigue, unless it is caused by depression/mood issues, which of course in some cases it is....but when you are as sick as we are, I think psych issues causing the fatigue is more rare. Though I suspect for some it's the cause. You just need to be honest with yourself, but not be swayed by what others think or even what they hope is the cause.
Most Lyme doctors I meet attribute fatigue to the infections, hormones, etc etc but not usually psych issues. But they still think the psych drugs are important so that you can be stable and have motivation.
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sutherngrl
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Loonie, yes, because most co-infections respond to most antibiotics I have taken for the last 2 years. But I only treated babs for 2 months, because I really didn't have typical symptoms for babs.
The only thing I feel that could still be around is lyme and or bart. I do have lingering shin and heel pain. But I also have knee pain which seems more lymish.
Doc said some could be residual pain that will gradually improve.
I have not stopped lyme treatment. Doc intends on me treating lyme for at least 6 more months.
He also thinks that the only 2 things that could out last 2 years of treatment would be either lyme or babesia. And like I mentioned above, I don't seem to have babs symptoms.
Anyway, I know I am in good hands. He won't give up me. He will keep trying until I am better one way or another.
Still just have that question for those on psych meds. Did they make you feel better physically?
Posts: 4035 | From Mississippi | Registered: Jul 2008
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sutherngrl
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Hoos, I don't actually think my LLMD is contributing the fatigue to psych issue; he is just trying to establish if the lyme is getting better or not.
And the mood disorder since it can cause fatigue, could be hampering his/my ability to determine if at least some of the fatigue is indeed contributed to the psych issue.
Maybe the physcial fatigue has improved, but the mood issue moved in and is disquising some of that improvement. Does that makes sense?
Maybe if I can normalize my moods, I can function more normal, thus determine if I have physically improved.
As I write this, its making more sense to me. I think I get how its possible that many of us are more improved than we think; but we have been so wiped out mentally....... thus masking some of the physical improvement.
This is what I think my doctor is getting at! Wow, I think I just figured at least some of this out!
Posts: 4035 | From Mississippi | Registered: Jul 2008
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Hoosiers51
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Yes, that makes sense. And I agree that mood disorders could disguise improvement.
I think time will tell, and once you do get to the point where your moods are back to normal, you will be able to get a more clear picture of where you stand with Lyme and other problems.
Are things any better since starting the Lamictal, if you don't mind me asking? It is still early so maybe you can't tell, but just wondering.
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sutherngrl
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I think its still too early to tell for sure, although my mood seems a little more normal today. But I have normal days, so who knows.
I have been taking it for 9 days and only at 25mg. We are aiming for a theraputic dose of 100mg. But moving up in 2 week intervals. Doc did say I might feel better within 2 weeks though.
I guess the good thing is that I don't feel any worse. I always felt worse on antidepressants within a few days.
Posts: 4035 | From Mississippi | Registered: Jul 2008
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I completely agree. Not saying to stop your meds, just saying this is free and worked very well for me. It seemed too bizarre to be capable of working, but surprisingly, it did. It's free, so nothing to lose.
-------------------- sixgoofykids.blogspot.com Posts: 13449 | From Ohio | Registered: Feb 2007
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Hoosiers51
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Yes, 25 mg is a very low dose. It's possible you will need to be at 100-200 mg for a little bit until you notice much.
Definitely follow your doctor's instructions no matter what, but if he told you you can increase faster than every two weeks, you may want to do that.
If he didn't give you a choice, than obviously just do what he said, (duh).
But I am not surprised you aren't seeing too much yet. If you're increasing that slowly, you'll need to be patient, unfortunately.
Posts: 4590 | From Midwest | Registered: Jun 2008
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sutherngrl
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I printed it off a few weeks ago. It does really seem bizarre; but hey so does LD.
I just haven't convinced myself to it yet. Seems so far out in left field for me. Gotta get use to the idea of doing something that in my mind seems silly.
Not saying it doesn't work. But the idea of me sitting around the house tapping myself.....well I can't quite see myself doing that. I guess I don't see how that could change my brain chemistry or "reset" my brain.
I can see how it might work if you believe it works on something like minor anxiety, but not brain chemistry dysfunction. Can't wrap my mind around that.
Posts: 4035 | From Mississippi | Registered: Jul 2008
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posted
I feel really stupid, but what's EFT?
Posts: 847 | From upstateNY | Registered: Dec 2007
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sutherngrl
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Don't feel stupid! I just found out about it a few weeks ago.
Its tapping your body in places where they might do acupuncture with needles; but instead you just tap those areas with your fingers.
Several ppl say it works; but I am still a little bit of a skeptic.
I don't criticize anyone for trying anything though; because you just never know what might help someone.
Posts: 4035 | From Mississippi | Registered: Jul 2008
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posted
Guess I would need a little more explanation on how to do it if anyone was up to it. I'd try anything if I thought there was a chance it would work.
And suthrngrl, been wondering about you (kta123).
Posts: 847 | From upstateNY | Registered: Dec 2007
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sutherngrl
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Hey Keltyl, you can actually go to a site, Massman knows it, and print off how to do it. I can't remember the site right now.
Oh, and I've been wondering about myself too! HA!
Posts: 4035 | From Mississippi | Registered: Jul 2008
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posted
Actually, all i had to do was google it. Thanks
Posts: 847 | From upstateNY | Registered: Dec 2007
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sutherngrl
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Well that optimism is either "optimism" or a "mood disorder". Up, down, up, down. Actually I can be very optimistic and a few minutes later be in tears.
"Lyme Disease".......Its a bizarre illness!
Posts: 4035 | From Mississippi | Registered: Jul 2008
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posted
I had to share that I have struggled with very similar thoughts throughout treatment.
However, I have been on lexapro and while it stabilizes my mood for the most part, I still have fatigue.
I agree with what Hoosiers said...when I am in a "happy" place, I want to do more.
But it's not long before the fatigue sets in...and then I get depressed and angry bc I can't actually DO more.
Posts: 104 | From No. VA | Registered: Aug 2009
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I was being driven absolutely nuts by my OCD when I was in treatment and was desperate for relief. It helped tons!!
-------------------- sixgoofykids.blogspot.com Posts: 13449 | From Ohio | Registered: Feb 2007
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massman
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Well, since it is "bizarre" I posted it because I am bizarre. 6 are you bizarre too ? Yikes !
EFT = Emotional Freedom Technique
Go to the bottom of the first page of www.mercola.com and click on EFT It leads to a short manual with explanations and technique.
Insanity = doing the same thing over + over + over again + expecting a different result.
Simple straightforward things that are suggested here are not taken seriously.
The love of drugs drugs drugs for anything + everything by many is also insane (to me).
Sometimes I feel some here do not really want to heal or even want their kids to heal. I know that is a strong statement but the lack of action with simple interventions shows me that.
EFT is very simple to do + can be done in private easily. Results are often seen + felt quickly. Like within 30 minutes ! But apparently not feeling a little silly for a while is more important.
EFT is not about reliving past trauma. It is about dealing effectively with ones' reaction to it.
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You made one comment that I would definitely not agree with -- you stated something like your doc said that only Lyme or babesia could survive 2 years of tickborne treatment.
I think there are others besides me that would say that bartonella, BLO or mycoplasma can easily survive 2 years of antibiotics. I would probably add ehrlichia and rocky mountain spotted fever to that list and several of the viruses such as HHV-6, CMV, EBV, borna virus etc etc. And probably CPN as well.
When dealing with multiple infections I don't think it is realistic to say that any one infection should be gone just because you have treated for 1, 2 or even 5 years. I don't think it really works that way in real life.
If I was you, I would get a bloodslide from either Clongen (cheapest at $100) or F lab. If they see bacteria then you at least know there is another infection that needs additional treatment. As for what the actual infection is that is much harder to pinpoint.
This is not medical advice, just my opinion based on hubby's experiences.
Bea Seibert
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sutherngrl
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Bea, When I say my doctor says something it doesn't mean I am saying that it is 100% fact. It is his opinion as all lyme docs have different ones.
I would not be surprised if any of the co-infections had the ability to survive longer than 2 years. However, since I have improved physically lately, I have not really considered that there are other co's left for me to deal with. However if I don't feel much better in the next 6 months, I will definetly look into the testing you have suggested. I appreciate you reminding me about this and about where to get tested.
Massman, stop being so defensive. I just gave my opinion and at the same time I included that anything is possible. Just because my first impression is that tapping seems bizarre to me, doesn't mean I am discounting it as effective.
I did not put you down for promoting it. If it has worked for you, I think that is great and I think you should continue to inform ppl. I think anything that helps any lymie is wonderful and should be brought up; but don't get defensive if others have different opinions.
I think if you don't think something will help you thats its very possible that it won't. I need time to process the information about EFT and form my own opinion about it to see if I am open to it. And just because it works for some doesn't mean it works for all.
I still am a little skeptical that it can change brain chemistry. You shouldn't take offense to that. I'm not saying that in a mean or rude manner.
We all give different opinions here, and in my opinion ALL opinions are welcomed. We don't all have to agree with each and every one of them. Seems you are constantly frustrated with those of us that don't know or understand EFT.
Posts: 4035 | From Mississippi | Registered: Jul 2008
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massman
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oh well........................
Did I really say it changed brain chemistry ?
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I have been struggling with the contributions of the medical and the emotional to my overall condition for 15 years, but I've only been on lyme treatment for 1.5 months. In all honestly, what I've seen is that the medical is a far larger contribution than I ever realized. In the last month and a half I have made more progress than the past 14.5 years of treatment for emotional issues, including meds, biofeedback, cognitive training, etc etc.
Don't get me wrong, ALL of that emotional work has been extremely helpful in terms of learning HOW to handle the pain, fatigue and other bizarre symptoms. But, it did nothing to change the symptoms. (and, as an aside, I have a far deeper understanding of myself ).
For me, the hardest part of all that was when Cymbalta came out, advertising that it helps with the pain of depression and fibro. It did nothing for my pain. And, everyone suggests it. But, there's a light in that because it does help my sleep.
How I am starting to understand this for myself is that having pain and the fatigue make me extremely anxious and angry. Thus, my emotional/psychiatric issues stem from the Lyme. Additionally, I believe that LD is also causing racing thoughts and foggy head (which also cause anxiety). Finally, I also have many separate emotional issues from earlier in my life (which also cause anger and anxiety).
So, at the end of the day, I can get pretty distracted by the emotional consequences of where I'm at. That takes energy. Energy that I desperately need to heal the underlying causes. So, I'm pretty willing to address the emotional consequences in the hopes that more energy will be freed up for me to do more underlying healing.
I am treating all of these, now. And expect that they will all unravel themselves and I may have more clarity, later. Or, the clarity may never come and I don't really care about that so long as I feel better.
I don't know if any of this helps, but I hope so. For me, it always helps to reevaluate these sorts of things as treatment goes on. Good luck.
Greengirl
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MichaelTampa
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When I was misdiagnosed with depression, before lyme diagnosis, I was treated with prozac, and it turned me basically bipolar. The all powerful mania was crazy and the real deep in the dumps depression like feeling was overwhelming. The moods would change at the drop of a hat. That was the first couple weeks, then I couldn't think straight and process sentences and had to leave work and get off the prozac, which obviously wasn't helping. By then, I was just exhausted.
In summary, it was tried but went quite horribly.
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sutherngrl
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Greengirl, thanks for your experience! It does help and makes total sense.
I have been in lyme treatment for 2 years and feel that possibly over the last few months I have actually started to conquer the physical part of LD.
I definetly see how dealing with the constant chronic physical side of it, can bring out the mental. I think in those of us that are predisposed it can change your brain chemistry and needs to be dealt with along with the lyme.
My thing is that possibly I am toward the end of the physical part and now to get my life back need to address the mental side.
I am slowly beginning to understand the importance of not ignoring the brain disorders that can be triggered by LD. I also know that in some, if these issues are not addressed aggessively that they can become worse and possibly life long.
At this point I am going to continue to treat LD for a minimum of 6 more months while I am addressing the mood issue.
Carol in PA
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quote:Originally posted by sutherngrl: I just wondered if they helped others feel "physically" better?
Yes. When I finally saw a neurologist for the migraines many years ago, she started me on an SSRI.
As she increased the dose, the intensity of the headaches decreased. The body pain decreased. When the dose got high enough, the ocular migraines stopped. A big surprise was that the premenstrual syndrome stopped. Six months later, I read in the paper that this med worked for PMS.
At one point I decided to stop, I was tired of the side effects, one of which was sweating. Within three days, I was crying all the time. Yeah, the sweating stopped, but the headaches and body pain increased. Even just sitting there, I could not believe how much pain I was in.
I went back on the med as fast as I could.
So yes, the psych meds can help you feel better physically.
Carol
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Pocono Lyme
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Prior to lyme diagnosis, I tried an antidepressant as this doc thought maybe the dizziness etc. was from my stressful job.
All that did was make me not care that I was sick and dizzy. Stopped it after about 3-4 weeks. It didnt help with the fatigue.
Xanax on the other hand (low dose) often helps and I have read that one sign of anxiety is fatigue.
The emotional ups and downs for me I have found have been moreso related to Babesia.
Following Coartem, I had motivation AND energy. I actually accomplished quite a few tasks for the first time in over 6 years. I was much happier and my mood was steady.
Unfortunately it didn't last but it was a great indicator of what the culprit was for those symptoms. Still fighting Babs..
Hope this helps.
-------------------- 2 Corinthians 12:9-11
9 But he said to me, �My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.� Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ�s power may rest on me. Posts: 1445 | From Poconos, PA | Registered: Jul 2004
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posted
Anyone stuck in a super mania like state causing tons of anxiety without ever going to depression? No, I don't have energy as living in this state is absolutely exhausting. Can't find a med that brings me down except lots of tranquilizers (which are addictive).
I have been considering Lamictal, but have been wondering if it works for those who don't dip down into depression. My brain is stuck and everything and anything is overstimulating. I can't have conversations or talk on the phone too long. I don't really watch TV, and if I do it has to be something really mellow. It feels like my brain is destroying itself.
I've only had negative experiencing taking substances with antidepressant properties. Anti-psychotics have sent me to the ER feeling like I was dying requiring lots of IV sedation. I couldn't sleep for days until it got out of my system. And yes, the hospital determined it was an ADR. Anti-depressants increase overstimulation and anxiety/panic tremendously even if I try to keep taking baby doses for several weeks.
I think Depakote helps a bit with overstimulation, but to be honest I can't really tell for sure since each day/week can be so different. I don't get the ice pick stabbing sensations in my head or the feeling like I'm falling for several seconds on Depakote.
The toxicity of Lamictal concerns me, but it's probably the next thing on my list to try.
And remember, mental is physical. Your brain controls your body. There are many drugs that can trick your brain to give you a false sense of well-being (refer to pain killers). Just because a drug makes you feel well, doesn't mean you are actually well. Glutamate toxicity occurs in an injured brain, so perhaps the modulation of glutamate and asparate makes one with an injured brain feel better.
I just hate how science sill tries ignore the connections between psychology and physiology.
I'd give an arm and a leg for a false sense of well-being. Maybe Lamictal is the next step I need to take.
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sutherngrl
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kday, when I am in my up mood it is exactly as you describe it. Feels like my brain won't shut off. And, yes it is exhausting. For a few moments it actually feels almost uphoric; but then you realize its so not normal. The exhaustion that comes after, is what sends me into the depressive state. That can last a few hours or days, sometimes a couple of weeks.
My first thoughts of Lamictal were fear; but after researching and hearing from others, I decided thats for me. I decided the benefit outweighs the risk. All I want is to feel good, whatever makes that happen is alright with me.
Posts: 4035 | From Mississippi | Registered: Jul 2008
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massman
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I've got some good _____ I can sell you
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Carol in PA
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Bugg
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This may be a dumb question but are you still taking the higher doses of Vitamin D? I seem to recall you were doing this for awhile. As I imagine you are aware, this can do a DOOZY on your moods due to modifications in hormones..etc....
I've been working diligently on raising my vitamin D levels and I can tell at night when I've gotten a lot of Vitamin D from the sun...I feel weepy...Also, if I don't keep up with my magnesium intake I'll feel profoundly edgy like I want to bite someone's head off (very snappish); I'll also start to think "everything is going wrong...or "this person's mad at me"....etc...When I take the magnesium, it levels out again....
I could be way off base but I thought I would at least mention it....Raising my Vitamin D levels has been very difficult from an emotional standpoint but otherwise (physically) TREMENDOUSLY rewarding....
Posts: 1155 | From Southeast | Registered: Oct 2005
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I believe my mind, my brain, my moods, my psychiatric disorders, my lyme disease, my diabetes are all part of my physical body. I know that my Lyme disease symptoms make me physically irritable as well as emotionally irritable. I can't separate one from the other. Where does one's mind/psyche stop and the body begin? Nowhere. They are seamlessly intertwined, like the fibers that make up silk threads. When I take flexeril to treat the physical pain & tension of lyme disease, I find that I have more energy and am more alert when it kicks in. I take Namenda for "lyme brain" and it works wonderfully. When I started on Depakote, because I was manic, I noticed my hypersensitivity to sound/light was gone. When I started on biaxin, cleocin and flagyl, my energy returned and the spark of life was again lit in me. I was physically better and I was happier. I don't know about you, but if something can alleviate a facet of my suffering....I'm all for it.
-------------------- Lyme is like the flu. You can get it and recover, but you can always get it again. Posts: 607 | From (deer tick)Heaven! Angeles National Forest | Registered: Oct 2000
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posted
For me, Lyme Disease (& co) first manifested as psychiatric illness, and then, slowly, over the years, my symptoms became more obviously physical. In addition to borrelia, I have bartonella, babesia, and ehrlichia -- at the very least. I'm currently treating bartonella with zith and rifampin. The die-off reaction I'm having is VERY psychiatric in nature. In fact, my doctor thinks that bartonella is probably the culprit when it comes to my so-called mood disorder and anxiety/panic. I have seen my psychiatric symptoms flare and then ebb so many times over the past year that I've been in treatment that it's become clear to me they're Lyme & co-related. While a lot of my 'physical' symptoms have lessened in intensity and duration, I'm still a psychiatric mess. Remember that mood symptoms, though they aren't experienced as such, originate physically. It's not an either/or proposition; i.e., either Lyme & co. are causing my psych symptoms or I have an unrelated mood disorder. To think that way is to diminish the physicality of your mood/anxiety symptoms. Also, realize that if a mood stabilizer (or some other psychiatric medication) DOES work, that does not mean the symptoms are not Lyme-related. It just means that the bandaid (read: the medication) is working.
I hope you find relief soon.
Posts: 15 | From NY | Registered: Jul 2009
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posted
Such an interesting thread....Chronic illness has so many layers. The best we can do is keep peeling them back, the psychological issues, the physical damage, the effects of meds, the ebb and flow of symptoms, the mental toll of working to heal, the body's self directed desire to heal.... We will never really know the truth about all of it.... Just keep moving forward, trying different things, taking note of what helps, letting time go by. Sorry so preachy!
Posts: 37 | From ma | Registered: Feb 2010
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Tricky Tickey
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posted
Two thumbs up for psych meds!! Yes, yes, yes. I thank God I started on Lexapro. I went from a low 2 to a 10 on the scale, meaning ten is best! Plus, the vitamin Cerofolin, has helped also.
I sleep a lot, now. I an even nap during the day. I slept nearly 10 hours last night. I mean it's a good, deep sleep. Now, I dream a lot, too. But regardless, my body can relax now.
-------------------- Early Disseminated LD- 2010. Currently doing acupuncture and yoga. Negative Igenex (IND & Pos Bands) ISSUES AFTER: Tendonitis, letter reversal, Low immune system. PREVENTION:SaltC,Iodine,Humaworm, Chiropractic. Posts: 1013 | From In a van down by the river. | Registered: Jun 2010
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quote:Originally posted by arkiehinny: Two thumbs up for psych meds!! Yes, yes, yes. I thank God I started on Lexapro. I went from a low 2 to a 10 on the scale, meaning ten is best! Plus, the vitamin Cerofolin, has helped also.
I sleep a lot, now. I an even nap during the day. I slept nearly 10 hours last night. I mean it's a good, deep sleep. Now, I dream a lot, too. But regardless, my body can relax now.
Lexapro is great at modulating the immune system and helps boost NK cells. It also suppresses TH1 upregulation.
Too bad I can't tolerate SSRIs at all. Why? I could in the past.
Posts: 967 | From A deserted island without internet access | Registered: Sep 2009
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In my opinion the conection between not being able to tolerate SSRI's and lyme is quinolinic acid. There is a pubmed article regarding elevated quinolinic acid in lyme patients. In the presence of brain inflammation the body diverts serotonin precursors (B6, 5HTP etc) to produce quinolinic acid. Quinolinic acid is a neurotoxin.
Per Buhner in the Healing Lyme book resveratrol and specifically Japanese knotweed can block this conversion.
A year or so after he got sick, he actually had one test showing elevated quinolinic acid in the blood (not spinal fluid). At the time his alternative med dr had him try taking 50 mg of 5HTP every hour or two while awake. It would stop his tremors temporarily, but he felt so much worse physically that he stopped after 2 or 3 days.
Anyway, by taking the Japanese knotweed (Source Naturals brand) he was able to tolerate 50 mg of 5HTP before bedtime and it greatly improved his sleep.
Bea Seibert
Posts: 7306 | From Martinsville,VA,USA | Registered: Oct 2004
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sutherngrl
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 16270
posted
I can't believe this thread surfaced again since I started it the end of May. I figured I would update on how things have been going.
I had to stop the Lamictal due to a muscle reaction. I then started on Risperdal, another type of mood stabilizer; and things are really going well. I have a renewed faith in psych meds, since I am unable to take antidepressants.
The fatigue has greatly improved. I am now walking a mile on my treadmill about twice a week. Thats a huge feat considering where I started from. I'm trying to work up to walking 4 or 5x a week and realize that it is a very slow process. But the improvement in my fatigue is amazing.
I can now admit that some of the fatigue is from lyme; but that some of it has been due to what lyme did to my brain. The pysch med is really helping to balance my brain chemistry.
I still have some of my lyme pain, but hopefully with continued lyme treatment that will also improve along with the fatigue.
I never would have believed that a psych med would improve my fatigue this much! It is definetly improving my quality of life.
Now to just get rid of the lingering lyme symptoms. I still have light to moderate pain, muscle twitches(i do take mag), heart palps, still have some memory issues, and a few other lyme symptoms. I am continuing to treat with Doxy.
Posts: 4035 | From Mississippi | Registered: Jul 2008
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