posted
I'm not sure if this is a symptom of lyme, a by-product of lyme or a little of both...
But I've been sick for so many years, and for a long time, I never really went out and socialized with my friends.
Prior to being sick, I was very outgoing... but slowly, most of my friends have moved on and stopped inviting me to things. I don't have any family (and now hardly any friends) in my area...
Now whenever I am with people or go out... (which is still kinda rare), I am highly uncomfortable. I feel like I don't know what to say or I don't fit in. I get nervous and sweaty and I just don't want to be there!
It makes me not want to socialize at all.
Is this fairly common in chronically ill folks? Or am I just turning anti-social?
Posts: 173 | From Washington, DC | Registered: Oct 2013
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map1131
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 2022
posted
Yes, I had this too. Being around people and socializing is hard work. You don't notice it's exhausting when you are well.
But come down with this fatigue, pain, brain fog etc etc illness, then socializing is not easy at all.
People, friends, family wore me out. It took me a few years to even realize that I was in a very dark hole for days after being around people.
Now one on one with a person did not wipe me out. But group settings or even worse was going to a b-ball or f-ball game and seeing thousands of people....even though I didn't talk to them all,
it sure as heck felt like it for days. I got to the point where I didn't want to go out. I finally had to talk to my PCP about how awful it was for me.
He did rx something for me, Xanax helped me have the desire to go again. Then I noted that it also helped with my pain mgmt.
I'm on the same low dose today that I was 10 yrs ago. I still have anxiety attacks on occasion sometimes. Some people in my life make recovering the next few days more difficult.
But it is better. sparkly, it is not easy to be social. Not you being anti-social, it's your body/mind putting up the beware signs to you.
Pam
-------------------- "Never, never, never, never, never give up" Winston Churchill Posts: 6478 | From Louisville, Ky | Registered: Jan 2002
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Judie
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 38323
posted
Another thing that's difficult is that you stop having things in common with healthy folk. Others are just as nervous as you and don't know what to say or ask either.
I only talk to people that we have something in common with now. It's just uncomfortable otherwise.
I try to get myself to support groups when I can. If you make a connection with someone from those, the anxiety feels the same as when I met someone new when I was healthy.
It's just a new way to deal with the world when you've been healthy before and I believe there's a whole new set of social skill that go along with it.
Posts: 2839 | From California | Registered: Jul 2012
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steve1906
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 16206
posted
It's very common with these diseases, so stop thinking about that.
It affects our brains, and fatigue, anxiety, is all part of the symptoms.
Hopefully in time/treatment it will improve, it has for me, but I'm still not where I was before getting sick.
Try your best to overcome this; I know it’s easier said than done, but try....
-------------------- Everything I say is just my opinion! Posts: 3529 | From Massachusetts Boston Area | Registered: Jul 2008
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posted
Has anyone tried GABA for anxiety?
Posts: 803 | From USA | Registered: Oct 2013
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Kudzuslipper
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 31915
posted
Hi sparkly. It is absolutely normal when you feel so bad. And i also think it part of the lyme pathogen or bart. But I think it is worth fighting for, on your own terms, when you feel well enough. Human contact helps you feel normal in the midst of an abnormal world.
Perhaps with friends you have you could design an get together that is less taxing. Go to a movie together... Invite a friend over to rent a movie in Jammie's. even just grab a short bite. I think it's fair to tell your friends your just not up to their usual outings, because your treatment sometimes makes you feel worse and a bit out of sorts... But you would love their company if they could spare an hour or two.
It's really easy to fall off the face of the earth... friends can keep you connected, and I think if you reach out it could make for a closer friendship... ( you can't reach out too much or expect anything though, ha ha just take what you get)
Seeing people usually made me have a better day the next day.
This disease is hard. But it does get better.
Posts: 1728 | From USA | Registered: May 2011
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