I have read through some very informative and support threads on this forum, and wanted to share my story and give support to others as well.
I was diagnosed with Chronic Lyme in December 2012, and began treatment in January 2013. It has been the hardest fight of my life! You definitely get worse before better. I was diagnosed with Fibromyalgia in 2006, and had my health improve greatly with diet, exercise, physical therapy, rest.
I was able to lead a very active life. Then I became very ill in May 2012 after the removal of my gallbladder. I was bedridden and could not work or take care of our 1 yr old son at the time. Everything in my life has been stripped away.
I am working very hard at rebuilding my life and health. I know I will beat this disease and I will feel better than I have in years.
As I read through some of the threads I wonder if I have had Lyme my entire life?? I only remember having a tick attached to me in 6th grade, otherwise no tick or rash was ever found.
I guess that is not important now, but that I have the proper diagnosis, and am seeing a great LLMD and getting the treatment that I need.
I am seeing improvement, but it is slow and steady. We started going after the Babesia a few months ago and I have the debilating flares every 4-6 days, and that gets hard. Then I come out of it and have better days.
When will I see the shift? Where better days outweigh the bad? Overall my symptoms are getting better, but I am still very sick and sometimes feels like I am constantly herxing.
Thank you for reading and letting me vent!
Posts: 1 | From Minnesota | Registered: Oct 2012
| IP: Logged |
Keebler
Honored Contributor (25K+ posts)
Member # 12673
posted
- Welcome but sorry for why you are here.
Treatment can take a while - a "while" can vary from months to years but there are just so many variables that it's hard to predict.
While we may feel like we are constantly herxing - and even actually be doing that - some of the symptoms are just the infections, themselves. Even during treatment, these tick-borne infections still produce mighty symptoms. You are still ill and will be for a while and that, alone, explains a lot. Some kinds of support methods can help.
Still, you also have wellness within as part of you so do "lead with that" to so speak when you can. We can be a health-wise individual, regardless. We can still embrace characteristics that we admire. All along the way.
We just have to do that differently (no aerobics, for instance). Change the speed, alter the scene but still embrace what goodness you can.
It's not a good idea to herx to strong, too long or too much, though. If too much, ask your LLMD how to moderate the Rx load. Your liver support may need some adjustment. Be sure to never be without that as it's essential to being able to tolerate treatment.
Yes, you could have had this for a very long time. Talk to your LLMD about any need to assess your son, too. Just in case.
Hope this gets easier or at least you can have more enjoyment along the way. Be sure to find your area lyme support group. Minnesota has good state group, just Google for that.
LIVER & KIDNEY SUPPORT & and several HERXHEIMER support links, too. -
Posts: 48021 | From Tree House | Registered: Jul 2007
| IP: Logged |
Keebler
Honored Contributor (25K+ posts)
Member # 12673
posted
- A gluten-free diet is a huge helper to many (even if not genetic celiac). In the Liver support thread, see the Food Additive / Excito-toxin thread. Gluten detail is there.
posted
Hi - I was diagnosed with fibromyalgia too. We're all different when it comes to which treatments work for us, but I hit the jackpot with oral clindamycin 150mg - I took it round the clock every 6 - 8 hours for the first couple weeks and ended 25 years of fibro pain!
I then took it twice a day. It lasted 5 years for me, and then no longer worked, as the bacteria apparently mutated. It does, however, still work for other temporary infections, I've found.
Now I treat with anti-inflams, like turmeric powder is good for the joint swelling, and probably the fibro discomfort. I get it in bulk at the healthfood store and put it in capsules.
The trick is to discover what's going to work for us. It's going to take time and we have to be patient. The rewards come, though, when we start to feel better! I've seen a lot of people come from being on the floor to back to healthy living!
Posts: 13117 | From San Francisco | Registered: May 2006
| IP: Logged |
GretaM
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 40917
posted
Hi
Welcome
This forum is a wonderful place to learn tips and tricks and to meet like minded folks who struggle with these infections every day.
Is there a lyme support group in your area?
I was diagnosed with fibro in 2006 as well.
When I shared this with a coworker, he said, "you have ****+y-Life Syndrome, get over it."
After that I told myself to buck-up, and went about life being in pain every day. Until he said that, I really enjoyed my life.
Since then I've had many more diagnoses, from many more specialists and had only seen a decline in the quality of my "****+y Life" until my lyme dx in April.
Since then, my quality of life is improving.
I have seen my guttate psoriasis disappear and my costchondritis disappear since starting abx.
Other things have gotten worse.
The pain in my legs and feet from Bart, is worse than the pain of broken bones in my feet. (last summer)
And the weight gain is an issue.
Will journalling help? At the end of each month I make a list of my symptoms with a line beside them for the days when the intensity was above a 7.
Last months list has less lines than the month before.
It helps me to see and remember that things are getting slowly better.
(sometimes it is hard to remember this when we're in agony)
Maybe it will help you to see the progress you're making.
And I agree with the others, herxing everyday is not necessary for improvement.
Best and kind wishes to you
Posts: 4358 | From British Columbia, Canada | Registered: Jun 2013
| IP: Logged |
The Lyme Disease Network is a non-profit organization funded by individual donations. If you would like to support the Network and the LymeNet system of Web services, please send your donations to:
The
Lyme Disease Network of New Jersey 907 Pebble Creek Court,
Pennington,
NJ08534USA http://www.lymenet.org/
UBBFriend: Email this page to someone!
![[Smile]](smile.gif)
Printer-friendly view of this topic