posted
I am a late stage Lyme sufferer. At the age of 42, I became unfaithful to my husband and children and after 6 months of wide-spread promiscuity (which I never, ever had in my life before) I was "found out" and have been trying to put my life back together as best I can without just throwing in the towel. I've briefly read about some having this happen to them due to the brain swelling from the lyme (encephalitis). Anyone experience this or know anyone who has?
Posts: 2 | From United States | Registered: Sep 2015
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-------------------- --Lymetutu-- Opinions, not medical advice! Posts: 96222 | From Texas | Registered: Feb 2001
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Keebler
Honored Contributor (25K+ posts)
Member # 12673
posted
- Indeed, you are likely not alone in various articles I've read, this topic has been brought to life.
First question: Were any kind of steroids involved? Prednisone, even a breathing / inhaler? Or a shot into a joint?
Why I ask? Steroids can make some seem to crave sex - as well as food, but that's a different, of course) partly because also they are feeling so much better (temporarily as steroids can mask infections) that they can think all dreamy and deserving of attention, etc. Just one thought.
Not that we all don't deserve attention but, along with such a harsh illness, that kind of attention can take such a long absence and if the opportunity presents itself, we can loose out to some kind of fairy tale notions.
Steroids may lessen inflammation, temporarily but it can make infection blossom and that adds to the toxicity. When someone is "toxic" their thinking can be very muddled.
If your behavior was not true to your nature, yes, it could have certainly be due to infection and brain swelling, alone, and all that goes with it.
Best to have a LLMD assessment of course, as there are other brain & adrenal issues that could be separate from lyme as well.
[ 09-28-2015, 03:46 AM: Message edited by: Keebler ]
Posts: 48021 | From Tree House | Registered: Jul 2007
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-------------------- --Lymetutu-- Opinions, not medical advice! Posts: 96222 | From Texas | Registered: Feb 2001
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Keebler
Honored Contributor (25K+ posts)
Member # 12673
posted
- Be very careful, though, if someone wants to say this is bipolar. There are many who have had ups and downs, severe, with lyme and also with steroids. But that is not at all the same thing.
Many are MISdiagnosed with bipolar or other psychiatric labels who later find out it was lyme (&/or other tick borne infections) as the cause and with treatment for infections, they went back to their normal selves.
Also consider any reactions to OTHER MEDICINES you may have been taking such as any anti-depressants, sleep drugs (especially ambien), etc.
Google the name of any drugs you were taking at that time, along with "hypersexual" or "hypersexuality" for a start.
Best to consult with an ILADS educated LL PhD (lyme literate doctor of psychology) to help you work through how to handle the after effects of all this -- and any ongoing emotional issues.
Of course, nothing is more important than adequately addressing the infection(s) so be sure your MD or ND is ILADS educated and thoroughly lyme literate.
Be sure other tick borne infections are considered, especially bartonella. -
Posts: 48021 | From Tree House | Registered: Jul 2007
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Keebler
Honored Contributor (25K+ posts)
Member # 12673
posted
- You say that you are "late stage Lyme sufferer"
Are you still in treatment then? With a good LLMD?
There can be various brain abnormalities that can cause hyper-sexuality. Best to be assessed by a LLMD and, if they think you might have something else going on, they could refer you to the best person for
some kind of brain imaging or
adrenal imaging. Adrenal glands can also be to blame. You'd want to be sure the adrenal glands are free and clear.
But to just go to a doctor who does not know about lyme is not the best place to begin. Talk to your LLMD about this. Be up front about all this as it is am important symptom since you say it was so very different from your usual behavior.
If you need to find a different LLMD, post in "seeking a doctor" here:
Keebler
Honored Contributor (25K+ posts)
Member # 12673
posted
- Now, think kindly of yourself. -
Posts: 48021 | From Tree House | Registered: Jul 2007
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Keebler
Honored Contributor (25K+ posts)
Member # 12673
posted
- If this drug can do this, you have to wonder about some of the other drugs on the market, too. Go back over all the drugs, OTC and even supplements that you might have been taking BEFORE and during that time period.
Even if you took something for a while and stopped, if a mind or mood altering (or sleep inducing as that is mind altering) drug, it could set one's brain chemistry up for a fall even after stopping the drug.
posted
First of all, thank you so much for all your words. My husband has researched this topic and has come across that link here. This was very helpful, but getting current info is always an additional help.
I'm not seeing and haven't seen any LLMd for years due to no medical coverage. I'm not on any medications, only a low carb diet which has done wonders.
Just knowing I am not the only one and more info is out there now on the subject helps. But, currently it's being able to face my husband and children and deal with (understandably) occasional anger and distrust from them....
Posts: 2 | From United States | Registered: Sep 2015
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droid1226
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 34930
posted
You're starting off great with the low carb diet. Lyme messes with your hormones both ways. I'd have times of testosterone, then estrogen was off the charts. There are good drugs to balance those out if you ever get them tested & you don't have to be on them forever.
GretaM
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 40917
posted
Yep. Lyme and bartonella are notorious for causing poor poor impulse control.
Also they mess with all the feel good hormones, so we feel good when we shouldn't (during bad or unhealthy choices), and crappy when we should feel good. (during solid family and friend moments, or even simple things like the first cup of coffee in the morning etc.)
Treating lyme and bartonella helped me with the impulse control.
Posts: 4358 | From British Columbia, Canada | Registered: Jun 2013
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LisaK
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 41384
posted
sorry to hear you are having this issue. bart makes me go nuts in every way. and during my first treatment for it even my dog was afraid of me.
I don't want to say it, but I will.... it puts me on the brink of lunacy. and I was recently reinfected and my new treatment starts tonight. not looking forward to it becasue the last time the herxing was astronomical.
I can say that bart can certainly make someone 'manic' in any way including sexually. yes indeed.
I commend you for searching ways to get yourself together again. and your husband for loving you the way he does. I hope you find what works for you and your life be as normal as possible. blessings
-------------------- Be thankful in all things- even difficult times and sickness and trials - because there is something GOOD to be seen Posts: 3558 | From Eastern USA | Registered: Jul 2013
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