I'm in a dark brain fog complicated with depression. Losing hope real fast. I've been been fighting a battle that so many Drs believe Lyme doesn't do what's happening to me. I'm getting weaker.
Except I now have 2 family members that want to help me. But I'm out of resources to move out west. If I didn't have all the people here for encouraging support I don't know what I would do. Each day gets harder to live. I'm lost in a sea of pain. brain fog, depression, loneliness, and fear that I will be alone forever.
I thought I'd have more family support. And I can't even get a Dr to support what I've lost. Things I've lost doesn't matter. And people are the most important when it comes to understanding.
I want to give up. I keep hoping I'm in a coma somewhere and all these 15 years of research has been a vain attempt to get better. But I keep getting worse. 3 more tic bites and now it's worse than before. Prayers are needed now more than ever before. Thank you for reading.
Posted by Keebler (Member # 12673) on :
- Annie,
So very sorry to hear this. I hesitate replying as I have no answers right now and far too tired to put on any kind of thinking cap and have it stick.
Just know that this can all change, somehow.
Forget those who don't understand all this, don't let them get you down. It does help to know the truth that, indeed, lyme and TBD CAN do all this.
As I've been stuck in a similar place for so many years without a LL doctor of any kind, some specific herbs have at least help me not get worse. And I see some hope with BERBERINE.
Berberine is a nice lift for mood. DARK CHOCOLATE is, too. Above 80% (very little sugar), one ounce a day is my best antidepressant. Fish oil and Magnesium, too, are essential to support neurological health (and that translates to mood).
Adrenal support is also a good mood support.
Back to Berberine, though - it helps in so many ways. Not the full answer, alone, but still very good for me - and others have reported some good effects. Maybe you can, too.
The most affordable brand is GlycoX, and they now have clear capsules (try to avoid any that have dye).
Best of luck, and sending what ever kind of good vibes that might have enough "oomph" to get to you! -
Posted by Keebler (Member # 12673) on :
LL Naturopathic links here, too, and links to articles and books for various alternative approaches. -
Posted by lax mom (Member # 38743) on :
What about an anti-depressant? Even though the underlying cause is infection, it could help pull you out of this pit of despair.
Sounds like you need a life jacket. I know because I've been there.
Posted by Lymetoo (Member # 743) on :
Annie .. accept help from wherever you can find it! Do you have a doctor you are consulting with? Please tell him how depressed you are.
Hang in there, my sweet Annie!
Posted by linky123 (Member # 19974) on :
Prayers sent for Annie. Posted by Keebler (Member # 12673) on :
- When I first replied, I assumed you have no way to obtain an ILADS educated LLMD or LL ND. Just want to say that if there is any way that is possible, I hope you can do so.
If not, still, some links above can be a life-line and lead to success, just in a different way.
Take care. -
Posted by Annie C (Member # 14) on :
Thank you all so much with so many of you who've been there tried that some actually work. I've not been able to think clearly for quite awhile.
Migraines have me living with sun glasses indoors. The body aches are everywhere including now my upper back.
The support here on this web site keeps getting better and better. Unfortunately most of us never want to give up hope that one day our lives will have as much love and care as this place has done for thousands of us.
So the Lesson here is we will always have each other helping each other getting through our darkest days. And celebrate with each other on our best days.
I will try the suggested herbals etc. I know we've all been where I am right now. I pray for those that haven't found this 30,000 people in pursuits to wellness. Some have actually succeeded.
United We Heal. Thank you again.
Posted by Keebler (Member # 12673) on :
- I would start with MAGNESIUM . . . helps with headaches, light sensitivity, pain, mood, etc. Then you can move on to figure out what's next.
Many with lyme are severely deficient in magnesium. [Berberine also helps to lessen pain for me tremendously]
Topic: MAGNESIUM LINKS sets -
Posted by Robin123 (Member # 9197) on :
A homeopath doctor once suggested I try pulsatilla 12x tablets, and they worked - I woke up euphoric the next day after having put one under my tongue the nite before, and couldn't think why I was so happy!
It was weird, actually, being happy without a good reason for feeling such, but it broke the depression for me.
If you have two family members who want to help, do you think they could help get you to see a Lyme doctor?
And if so, have you made any attempts yet to find out where the closest ones are to you? You can always post on Seeking here if you don't know and people will let you know.
Posted by OptiMisTick (Member # 399) on :
[ 09-20-2013, 02:04 AM: Message edited by: OptiMisTick ]
Posted by lymiecat (Member # 42075) on :
Having been there and feeling hopeless as well, I wish you the best! Take care of yourself as best you can dear.
I hope you can find a good doctor soon.
Posted by terv (Member # 29410) on :
I was in a brain-fog until after 5 months of IV. That being said my short-term memory and ability to multi-task is still horrible. While on IV, my LLMD had me on a lot of different abx.
Below is an interesting article which lists various abx ability to cross the BBB. Hopefully your fog isn't too bad to get through it. I remember being totally overwhelmed by just reading something. That has improved.
The only thing I have found to help my brain fog/disassociation is Klonopin. Doesn't cure it, but it helps the buzzing feel enough that I can partially function.
Perhaps a chat with your doc for a trial of it (that's what I did....just 5 pills at a low dose to start saved me $ until I was convinced it helped.)
Not saying it's the answer for you, but it helps me. Good luck w/whatever course you choose.
Posted by GretaM (Member # 40917) on :
Don't give up Annie.
It's hard, especially with migraines.
I am thinking of you and will ask god to lift you up and help you get out of the despair you're feeling.
Greta
Posted by emily (Member # 42381) on :
I've heard that Pinella can help with brain fog also.
Posted by Robin123 (Member # 9197) on :
Btw, I was low thyroid - that's low T3, in bloodtesting. I went on Armour thyroid and my brain fog and dissociation ended.
It was slowed down metabolism, and the thyroid supplementation made body processes work better again.
Any doctor can test for TSH and T3 blood levels. My TSH was normal, T3 low.
Posted by linky123 (Member # 19974) on :
Be careful with benzos.
Klonopin just about killed me and it's very addictive.
Took me eight months tapering one drop at a time to wean off of it.
It causes more problems than it solves.
Not worth it.
Posted by faithful777 (Member # 22872) on :
**moving to medical**
Posted by lyme in Putnam (Member # 11561) on :
I'm sorry Annie. It can't go on forever, Even though it seems like it. I can't say think good thoughts in this state, just hold on. Each day we feel different. Get whatever help u need from friends and people who understand. Good thoughts to you, god bless.
Posted by Rivendell (Member # 19922) on :
Annie, I understand the depression. You are loved here.
Just wanted to say that a combition of herbs that have helped depression and brain fog for me are:
Eleuthero, Rhodiola, and Aswagandha
Don't know if they would help the dizziness you have been having, but they sure help depression, energy, and brain fog.
I don't take them after 2:00 because they might keep me awake,
BUT, oddly enough, the ashwagandha before bed (by itself) really helps me sleep.
(These herbs were suggested to me by Stephen Buhner, and they really help. And they help to balance the immune system as well.)
Posted by we'll win (Member # 11112) on :
Annie C,
We all love you. We have all been there and to some extent still are....
Annie have you ever been on bicillin-LA? It is a shot. It is a form of penicillin, powerful and less expensive than other antibiotics.
Here is an oral combo I have also found effective. It includes flagell, which I think is less expensive and important for busting the cyst form. It also includes an herb, Andrographis, a natural which I read crosses the blood brain barrier into the brain. It also includes omniceff, this one might be more expensive. Maybe a substitution can be made for the omniceff-I used to find Pen VK (oral penicillin) effective.
So the combination is omniceff, flagell and andrographis (I found andrographis "chuan xin lian" tablets in a chinese herb shop for about $3.00 a bottle): But something weird has been going on with getting andrographis. For instance a huge Indian herb manufacturer is no longer carrying it out of "quality concerns". I have been finding it difficult to find it at stores. I have my suspicions.
Anyhow lyme has caused brain problems for me and I am just passing on some combos which I have found effective.
We're all with you. We all care for you. We all know what you are going through.
Somehow, keep smiling. We need you.
We'll Win
Posted by CherylSue (Member # 13077) on :
Have you tried Pure Encapsulations brand St. John's Wort? Good stuff.
Also, find a doc that will prescribe a good antiobiotic that crosses the blood brain barrier like Ceftin or doxycycline. It will take 4-6 months, but so worth it.
This, too, shall pass.
Posted by Carmen (Member # 42391) on :
Annie, I highly recommend the videos from this woman regarding mental/brain issues that were quite severe and she tells how she recovered. There are five videos. Here's the link to the first one and you will find the rest. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nzL1vlezCQM Posted by we'll win (Member # 11112) on :
Annie C,
I forgot to list one more ingredient in a combination that has helped me: Japanese knotweed, along with omniceff, flagell, and andrographis Although with any regimens I have been on, some days or weeks I don't do as well, even if the combination seemed to be effective the day before.
But even on those days or weeks when I am not doing so well, I still am much better than without any antibiotics at all. Without antibiotics, I go downhill steadily with no point of return. I have tried doing naturals alone but, ultimately for me, an all natural regimen has not worked.
I wish you the best. As you can see from all the responses everyone is concerned and cares about you.
Is there a lyme support group in you area to get some in person contact and support? To me, my lyme support group was a lifesaver back when I started going in 1995.
I know we all hope you are doing better, or will be doing better as soon as possible.
![[group hug]](graemlins/grouphug.gif)