Hi everyone, Luvmycat here. It's been ages since I've been here and posted. I see some familiar names and wish everyone my best.
I was treated (for 37 months) for a severe case of neuro-Lyme by Dr. S in MD and have been doing well for the past 10 years. A couple years ago, I began to have anxiety and panic but held off seeing a dr thinking I could handle it. When it got totally out of control, my dr put me on Lexapro, then Buspar--neither worked at all. I saw a psychiatrist and am on 100 mg. of Zoloft and 25 mg. of Seroquel 2x a day. I have 1 mg of Klonopin which I can take occasionally. The bottom line is none of this medicaiton is touching the level 10 anxiety that I live ith 24/7.
I wanted to know if anyone else has ever been affected this way and to describe their anxiety symptons, panic, etc. I am beginning to think I am having a relapse after all these years and should call Dr. S.
Any input is appreciated. Thanks all!
Posted by TNT (Member # 42349) on :
I don't know if you saw the thread I just posted in medical about mental health and stealth infections, but it is very helpful info along the lines of what you are experiencing.
IT sounds like bart. You might want to call your doc.
Posted by TNT (Member # 42349) on :
Just wanted to also say I think it's a relapse, or even a new exposure. Bartonella definitely sounds likely.
Posted by jory (Member # 50029) on :
This might sound overly simple, but.. What are you eating, luvmycat?
Posted by luvmycat (Member # 4984) on :
I am eating all things healthy, no junk. Blueberries, almonds, walnuts, oats, homemade smoothies with lots of fresh fruit and vegetables, salmon, chicken, salads, almond milk, etc.
Posted by jory (Member # 50029) on :
That sounds like a good diet. Have you ever had your mineral levels tested or your fat (lipid) fractions analyzed?
Posted by luvmycat (Member # 4984) on :
I've had a lot of blood work and everything seems ok. By lipid fractions do you mean cholesterol? I'm not familiar with that terminology.
Posted by jory (Member # 50029) on :
The thing with blood tests and mineral levels is that the high/low thresholds vary from person to person, every brain has different needs. Have a look at the Mineral Test Kit "MTK" from BodyBio. It's an amazing science that really works.
Here's an example of someone's lipid fractions. Again these threshold levels can vary from person to person but I haven't seen the same variance.
The rest of that book is an eye-opener.
Posted by ilovedogs (Member # 48866) on :
I think if you are even questioning a relapse, go see dr. I relapsed this fall and my worst symptoms were anxiety/panic. It is so awful and i'm so sorry you are experiencing this.
Everyone here told me to get tp my lyme dr quickly. If it is a relapse, the quicker you can treat, the better.
Posted by TF (Member # 14183) on :
Just want to let you know that Dr. S. will likely not charge you the new patient fee. That's how he was in the past.
He will likely see you quickly and it won't cost much at all.
Posted by luvmycat (Member # 4984) on :
Thanks everyone. Great info and I value all of your opinions. I've been sitting on the fence with this issue so now I believe it is a relapse the more I think about it.
Posted by Neko (Member # 46592) on :
I thought I was having a relapse for lyme. In my case, it looks like mold mycotoxin illness.
My symptoms are severe anxiety and panic attacks, major depression despite therapy and medication.
Not to mention: gut issues, fibromyagia symptoms, tingling, vertigo, acne.
You may have a lyme relapse, but don't rule out other pathogens...tick-Bourne or mold.
Posted by luvmycat (Member # 4984) on :
Saw my LLMD last week. Awaiting test results. In the meantime, he has prescribed low-dose naltrexone which I start tonight. Should help with anxiety and any inflammation.
Posted by Lymetoo (Member # 743) on :
Hope you feel better soon, cat!!
Here is some info on salicylates... They can cause crazy anxiety in those who are sensitive. (depression as well)
I hope your former Lyme doctor will help you and you feel better soon. Apart from babesia, bart and borrelia itself, in my experience SIBO, producing too much bile, and worms or other parasites can be a major cause of anxiety.
Posted by Christopher J (Member # 46401) on :
Good luck! Oh btw I would get off every one of those 'anti depressents'. SSRIs are like a time bomb waiting to go off. They should never have been made so mainstream. The Lyme/ Bartonella treatment should help the anxiety over time.
Posted by Pantsinsocks (Member # 7440) on :
I've had the same severe (debilitating) anxiety symptoms and was on the same meds with limited relief. Then my LLMD put me on Ativan, and it made all the difference in the world. I can function without that horrific anxiety now, and have not had any panic attacks since starting it, either. The nurse called it a "miracle drug" for lyme related anxiety symptoms. Good luck.
Posted by jory (Member # 50029) on :
Pantsinsocks, benzos can be helpful for sure but Christopher J is right, they can become a real problem just like SSRI's and SNRI's. I sadly know this from experience. I'm sure you could find something less troublesome from a good herbalist.
Jory
Posted by Marnie (Member # 773) on :
Ativan/Xanax?
It took a LOT of Xanax to halt a significant panic attack once in someone I know.
Ativan doesn't work as fast, IMO, but is now preferred by many "shrinks". It is effective.
I'm surprised Zoloft didn't work. Do you have sufficient amnino acid precursors - to serotonin and dopamine?
Posted by luvmycat (Member # 4984) on :
Nothing really to report.....I see Dr. S tomorrow (5/18/17) to get my Lyme/TBD's results. I told him that I did have underlying anxiety from an emotional trauma a few years ago and that meds were not working which would make me suspect (and hope) an infection was involved and certainly check it out. I was thinking maybe there was an overlap with the true anxiety and a possible infection. I didn't want to leave any stone unturned. Not being a hypochondriac but just being thorough, although it's rather expensive to be thorough.
I've been on LDN and CBD tincture but no help there either. :/ And, yes, benzos are a dangerous drug. One makes you feel good, two makes you feel better....and so on. Then if you have breakthrough anxiety, you have to 'up' the dose. It becomes a cycle. When I go back to my shrink, I always take the bottle of K-pin and show him what I have left just so he knows I'm not abusing it.
I never knew what anxiety was until I ended up with it. I always thought it was something a person could just 'get over.' But I can't seem to find the 'off switch.'