I was feeling a bit better lately (less neck tension and a bit more energy or so I thought).
Well, I tried to cut my back lawn today and paid the price. I got super weak and shaky quickly. I hate Lyme so much. I don't get it. My heart rate shot up high even standing for several hours afterwards (105-110 BPM).
Cutting the grass is NOT strenuous. I just can't do anything physical anymore and I hate it.
Why does this happen if you have no cardiac issues, no fever, no lung issues, etc? I am going to purchase a pulse-ox meter because I just have to know if my oxygen levels are sinking upon exertion to unacceptable levels.
There has to be some scientific reason behind this pronounced fatigue. I feel like I'm never going to win. It always starts with a neck pressure, facial tingling, and then dizziness and some weakness. I can't even imagine what would happen if I rode my bike.
I feel like Lyme can't be beat if I truly have it.
I'm considering popping some Armour Thyroid as my LLMD suggested it. My TSH ranges between 2.0 - 3.0. My Free T3 and T4 levels are fine. For some reason, he thinks it may help.
I take plenty of supplements, eat a gluten-free / dairy-free diet, etc. I wonder if seeing a pulmonary specialist would have any merit. Could some form of a neck injury impinge blood flow, thereby weakening me with exertion. This happens mostly when pushing mowers and shoveling, and other tasks.
I'm just lost...nothing more to say. I want my old life back so much. OK, I'm done whining. lol.
Posted by seekhelp (Member # 15067) on :
Really hoping someone has some thoughts! I'm looking forward to replies.
Posted by Geneal (Member # 10375) on :
In my very humble opion I would suggest that
You need to be tested via tilt table test by a cardiologist
For Postural Othrostatic Tachycardia.
This causes increased heart rate when standing due to pooling of blood in lower extremities.
It is a dysautonomia issue.
Don't just "pop" some armour thyroid. If you don't need it,
It will increase your heart rate.
The fatigue will get better.
There are medicines for POTs.
Have you tried adding in some B-12?
That at times really helps my energy level.
Hugs,
Geneal
Posted by seekhelp (Member # 15067) on :
Thanks for the suggestion. I'm very interested in using a pulse-ox meter to see how my numbers change during activity.
Everytime I goto the stupid ER, they have me walk around SO slow and say, "oxygen is 98% - you're great!" I'm thinking c'mon staff, use your head, this is zero exertion.
Somehow they can't differentiate real-life activities and stress from being babied.
Something HAS to be happening to weaken me so bad. If a system is not failing, why would it occur. My blood pressure readings have been pretty good.
What I truly need to know is a way to definitely prove if fatigue is tue de-conditioning or bacterial illness related or POTS or whatever else.
In my eyes, either you're sick or not...either an organ system is malfunctioning or not...
I've had zero indications in 11 months of low red or white blood counts. In fact, 99.99% of tests are perfect. The puzzle just isn't making sense to me.
Posted by lpkayak (Member # 5230) on :
i figure i can "work" 5-10 minutes and then have to rest 40-50 min. then i start over again. it takes forever to get anthing done. housework, gardening, even fun...
i wrote a long reply yesterday but it got lost-but you're not alone.
i hav ehad lye since 85 or so. had 3 yrs tx in 98-01 and got well enough to work-but thats about it. now i'm retired/disabled...
but i know what you are going thru
Posted by troutscout (Member # 3121) on :
I was JUST like you...now I lift weights and compete in track meets...untreated frop over 30 years before.
SOunds like Lyme or a Co-infectiuon to me.
Especially the neck thing....that sounds like Babesia to me.
Mine used to do that toooooo.
Get treatment...and LIFT weights will during it.
Trout Posted by seekhelp (Member # 15067) on :
I am having a shoulder surgery in three weeks due to an impinged left shoulder (cysts backed up into clavicle). I am unable to lift much due to shoulder pain. I hope this resolves with the surgery.
Troutscout, you are saying to lift weights during treatment? I was so shocked my LLMD wrote on a handout to do 30 min of cardio 5 times a week during treatment. I thought Dr B's guidelines say that's an absolute no-no?
It's a moot point anyways because I'd collapse in my current condition. I would like to build up tolerance. I just wonder what's the right thing to do when so de-conditioned now.
Posted by seekhelp (Member # 15067) on :
Bumping to hopefully get more thoughts about cardio vs. strength training during Lyme / Babesia treatment. I am very confused.
Posted by scared08 (Member # 14695) on :
I'm sorry as I know exactly how you feel!! It is probably one of the most frusterating, aside from the cognitive affects, about this disease.
Before I forget----NO CARDIO OR WEIGHT LIFTING RIGHT NOW---NONE!!!!!! Just think what a little bit mowing did; any strenous excersize will do more harm than good right now. You know your own body and you need to listen to it. Maybe you can start with some stretching or some Yoga?
Who is your LLMD???? Are you being treated right now?? Fatigue and weakness is soooo very comman. Sometimes it is worse than others. Some days I can clean the kitchen all at once, others--I do really well to un-load half the dishwasher!
I would like to know who you see, your dx and tx as it makes a huge differance!
Hang in there!
Posted by feelfit (Member # 12770) on :
Seek,
The same thing happens to me. Mowing lawn I start out with rapid heart rate, lightheadedness, and weakness.
Like a dumb a$$, I push through and end up feeling ok in the end. I also have zero exercise tolerance.
Having gone from 7 miles per day running or elliptical last November....I can ride my bike slowly and with much effort, for about 4 blocks.
It is all TBI's causing this. My Cardio stress with pictures, oxygen levels, etc. are all a-okay.
Listen to your body. When you feel able, start slowly, and go from there.
No way 30 minutes of cardio!
Feelfit
Posted by feelfit (Member # 12770) on :
Oh yeah,
I would opt for light weights vs cardio at this point.
Just enough weight to give a small challenge at first.
Walking if you are able.
Stretching and yoga poses are also good.
Feelfit (former fitness trainer) Posted by Wimenin (Member # 15294) on :
I would suggest you get a complete cardio workup, which includes a stress test, etc. So then you'll know for certain that its not coronary, oxygen related. Also think about your thyroid and blood sugar situation too.
If you can eliminate the element of a physical problem such as the heart, lungs, or blood sugar disorder, etc. Then you look at diet, exercise, anxiety as other culprits.
If your diet is well balanced, no problem. But if you every now and then you eat a donut or other high sugars, your blood sugar will surge, then rapidly drop leaving you feeling weak.
If you never exercise, then overtime your body gets complacent. You need some simple exercise (walking is good) to keep your muscles from atrophy, good for the cardiovascular, and its good for your mental state.
If its anxiety, it would explain the shakes, dizziness, loss of breath as well. Anxiety can create those symptoms plus a host of others. You may have some trigger for anxiety and not realize it.
Id also suggest tracking it to specific days, events, whats going on in your life, foods you're eating/drinking, etc. To look for a pattern.
But get the physical checked out first. It could be something serious.
Posted by Marcie (Member # 10070) on :
What are you taking to treat Babesia? When my babs was bad this was my worst symptom. With
treatment I am doing much better. It takes a long time to start feeling normal again.
I would listen to your body. If you feel like you can not do anymore than stop. I also agree
with scared08, maybe some yoga and streching will be good for right now until you are feeling
better. Cardio is high impact and it sounds like your not ready for that yet.
Marcie
Posted by atheana (Member # 14273) on :
Hi Seekhelp, I get the same way. I think I can do the work and then I get those awful sym.Sweating,heart pounding,weak,dizzy,eye floaters and hard to breath. I am Hypogylgemic,but I don't think it's that. I was told y Igenex I had no co-infections,just Lyme.
I hate this illness,it sure changes your lifestyle.
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OK, I'm done whining. lol.
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