I'm new here, wondering if any of you have called the suicide hotline. I just did, and I'm really dismayed.
The woman who "counseled" me knew absolutely nothing about Lyme! She was clueless as to how to help, and I ended up having to educate her as best I could.
Fortunately, this took me out of myself for about an hour, which led us both to the conclusion that I wasn't truly suicidal after all.
But what a horrifying discovery--how can they possibly help suicidal Lyme sufferers if they don't understand anything about the disease and how it affects the brain?
Anyway, the reason I've been so down is because I have exhausted ALL financial resources after spending my entire life's savings trying to be cured of lyme. Result: I am still as sick as I was to begin with, but now also living on disability at 2/3 the federally-mandated poverty level with no hope of ever feeling better. Seizures, pain, brain-fog, the works.
I'm sure there are others out there in the same boat. I've read through many of the posts here, and a lot of them offer advice about treatment plans, etc, which is wonderful for those who still have the resources to try them. But for the rest of us, is there a group that just addresses plain and simple loving-kindness kind of support? I REALLY need it right now!
Thanks ever so much.
Posts: 3 | From Eastern Washington | Registered: Jan 2015
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poppy
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 5355
posted
Well, some pretty kind people here, so welcome and please stick around.
I think it would be very surprising for a suicide hotline to know anything about lyme, since most people don't either. Perhaps expecting too much. They are just there to try to slow down a person who is suicidal until other help arrives. Usually that other help is some kind of counseling, possibly a psychiatrist, but it doesn't sound like you can afford that.
Hope someone else will have suggestions for you on getting counseling. The real problem, of course, is that you have a chronic illness and are getting not enough treatment to feel better....enough to see some ray of hope.
I don't know what treatment you have had or where you got it, for how long, but it is possible to get better if not well. Could you tell us a bit more about your history? No doc name or dosages, just a general idea of what has been happening, how long you were sick before treatment, etc.
Posts: 2888 | From USA | Registered: Mar 2004
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posted
The suicide hotline is not specific for lyme and tickborne diseases - it is for people in emotional crisis situations regardless of the cause.
There are a few LLMD psychologists and several have written extensively about the neuropsychiatric aspects of lyme and tickborne diseases.
I am glad that you called the number and even happier that you feel more emotionally stable after the call.
Reading your symptom list my first thought is have you treated Babesia or bartonella? Often those coinfections are just as serious and maybe even harder to get rid of than lyme.
As far as I know all of the tickborne forums and discussion groups cover treatment options primarily, but they are all open to any topic anyone wants to discuss.
I am sure there will be others who answer your post here that may be better at answering your specific needs.
I would not give up hope of getting better. There are many things that can help that are not always all that expensive. Things like going gluten free and sugar free for example. It is very much a trial and error exercise to see what helps you.
I suggest picking your most bothersome symptom and asking in the medical forum for suggestions on how to alleviate that symptom. I honestly think that supplements and herbs are almost as important as the meds.
Bea Seibert
Posts: 7306 | From Martinsville,VA,USA | Registered: Oct 2004
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posted
Phew, I'm so relieved! I can tell already that this is the place to be--too bad I didn't find you sooner.
Thanks for your support and suggestions. Wow! I'll start perusing that link, and soon take a little time to introduce my basic info and history. But not right now. Oh so tired today!
Posts: 3 | From Eastern Washington | Registered: Jan 2015
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Keebler
Honored Contributor (25K+ posts)
Member # 12673
posted
- While I certainly do not think everyone contemplating suicide is depressed (I know that not to be the case always) there can be other things going on to throw the body / brain out of kilter. And circumstances, of course. In sorting out possible contributing factors:
Top consideration: many drugs can cause depression or other disorienting aspects, big time. Even drugs intended to treat mood.
Not for everyone but trials of a long list did me long ago when I thought they were the ticket out of depression (the opposite happened due to my liver not being able to properly metabolize them, or their making me too sleepy, too agitated, too dizzy). Check the side effects for all you take.
Also a key consideration: Magnesium deficiency
Magnesium can be directly tied to many suicide issues. Bet the phone counselors don't even know that, nor could they say so if they did.
LIVER & KIDNEY SUPPORT & and several HERXHEIMER support links, too.
A gluten free diet helped me so much in the matters that you discuss, too. Inflammation can cause so much distress in the brain. Certain foods trigger or cause inflammation more so in some than in others. Dairy also often a culprit.
Some food additives can be time bombs, too. You likely know this, still detail about gluten is in with this set:
Topic: NATURAL SLEEP & ADRENAL SUPPORT - HABITS -
Posts: 48021 | From Tree House | Registered: Jul 2007
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Keebler
Honored Contributor (25K+ posts)
Member # 12673
posted
- Now, then, there are the matters of practicality that can seem just insurmountable.
I realize I just gave you all kinds of suggestions for supplements that cost money. If you have zero to spend, and at least some for food, try to select the most nutritious foods you can.
And, if you do not deal with candida, a very high number dark chocolate has also be key to me as antidepressant. Seriously. About one ounce a day. Still, that's not cheap. But you can get cocoa powder even in the bulk section and stevia . . . and even just mix in water and down it for the medicinal effect. It may not taste like much but that's just the most basic way.
If you have money for nuts, and a good strong blender, you can make your own nut milk. Walnuts are very soft and work well. Walnut pieces are often in the bulk sections. But be sure they are fresh and no roasted / toasted. Raw is important.
Nuts are excellent for the brain, too (hence, for mood support).
FISH OIL another one if that is in your budget. Be sure you get good fats for your brain, somehow, though.
Certain B-vitamin deficiencies can also clobber mood.
Search: Alan Gaby's work on nutrition & health.
GET DAYLIGHT INTO YOUR EYES - first thing in the morning. Twenty minutes.
No glasses or contacts, no windows. Just your eyes and daylight. Not direct sunlight nor staring at the sun.
And if you happen to be on doxycycline be very careful of sun exposure or even bounced sun . . . still daylight into your eyes is essential for mood & health. -
Posts: 48021 | From Tree House | Registered: Jul 2007
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Keebler
Honored Contributor (25K+ posts)
Member # 12673
posted
- FIND BEAUTY
Still - no matter what - find, appreciate, take part in something of beauty. Each day. Each hour. In that, I also find respect.
My favorite quote got scrambled in my computer - the file reads like Cold War code. Something like this . . . and it goes back to either Twain or someone in his time or even a century before. I wish I had the original, still while our own personal "ugliness" may be shades of illness & even poverty, the message is the same.
Ah but in such an ugly time the true protest is beauty. (Phil Ochs, from song: Pleasures of the Harbor (1967)
and value of beauty in the face of ugliness and uncertainty. ... Mark Twain
- compiled by Stephanie Sarkis Ph.D. on Apr 30, 2012 in Here, There, and Everywhere
(Just ignore all the ads on this page - they get in the way! I would have chosen a much nicer backdrop.) -
Posts: 48021 | From Tree House | Registered: Jul 2007
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Contact the Lyme Disease United Coalition at (800) 311-7518. They are very knowledgeable and perhaps they might know where you can find help for your situation.
Listen to K-LOVE on FM radio for encouraging, uplifting music. Since I don't know what town/city you're in, here is a list of cities in WA with their corresponding stations:
WASHINGTON Frequency Aberdeen 89.9 Centralia 101.7
posted
Keebler, excellent stuff. Just so you know, I'm supplementing heavily. I'm blessed to have an angel in my life who pays for the supps. B12 shots, Thorne multivites, etc.
I've done Yasko genetic testing and followed her dietary/nutritional recommendations carefully.
I also have digestive difficulties which sent me to the ER several times until I discovered "Great Taste, No Pain," which requires eating all animal products away from grains and starches. It was a godsend. And I've always done good probios.
But no, I haven't tried gluten-free. I'll read up on it and get started. Nice to have something new to try!
hopingandpraying, thanks for the links. It really will be good if I can find some folks in my area. I'm out in farming country, so it's been hard to make contacts, especially since I can no longer drive.
Sorry I won't be able to use the radio station recommendations. I can't listen to music anymore (sob) because of the reiterative nature of my brain. I can't turn the music off in my head once it starts. Aaack!
Yep, a lot of what makes me crazy is not so much depression, but OCD and ADD-type stuff. That, plus severe anxiety. I've always been a pretty revved up person and running helped, but it's been years since that's been an option.
Okay, gotta go lie down now!
Posts: 3 | From Eastern Washington | Registered: Jan 2015
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