For the last few weeks, I have not relapsed. There are early signs of a relapse, where I get little dizzy spells, or sleep an extra two hours a night, or my hair starts to fall out. But then I up the NAC dose (but again, I'm taking it with lots of other abx), and the relapse doesn't happen.

My internship boss has noticed this and doubled my workload, which means I am now writing a master's thesis and working two real jobs for minimal pay. My boss also let me know about a job opening at his company that pays 40-50k, and if I could just get over Lyme, I could have a job like that and not be living in adolescent-style poverty anymore.

I'm writing because I am both hopeful and scared. Hopeful that if this healthy trend holds out, I can get on with my life. Scared that I could be misreading the signs of getting better, and this whole thing could collapse.

It is wonderful that you've been offered a job with decent pay and benefits. Will they wait a few months until your health stabilizes?

But let's keep fighting for a cure, anyway.

The word cure makes me nervous. I think it looks more like healing, in process.

I feel like Grandma Moses here, but I'm offering my own experience by way of cautioning you. In December 2002 I felt quite recovered. I was sleeping well, not on any abx, using herbal supplements, feeling pretty clear headed and cheerful. I was tired a lot, but I'm used to that. I accepted a promotion and started working a lot more hours, with more stress. I crashed completely 6 months later. My decline was so slow and steady it was almost imperceptible, but at the end I was completely unable to do my job due to massive brainfog and severe fatigue.

I found out later that I had an untreated babs infection that helped the LD to keep going, too. But I believe stress was the main cause of my crash; over a year later, my adrenals are still only marginally functional.

I'm treating the babs and LD, and working with my ND to reboot the adrenals. It's going quite well. In a way, the crash did me a favor -- it forced me to deal with my illness more effectively. But I wouldn't wish something like that on anyone.

It sounds as if you are using up every scrap of new energy in your job assignments. I totally understand the necessity for moving on with your life and getting a decent job and benefits. Just please be careful, rest more than you think you actually have to, and if you have an extra scrap of energy at the end of the day, use it to stop and smell the roses.

What is NAC?

I am so happy to hear you're feeling better! I too have been wondering the same question. Up until diagnosis, and a month into diagnosis I was working full-time+ and another part-time job, plus also working on my master's thesis.

After being in denial for the first 6 weeks and pushing myself I crashed hard and ended up taking a lot of time off.

I am finally back to work and having more good days than bad, but now I'm scared that I might push myself over the edge (again).

As I am increasing my work-load I listen to my body and symptoms, if the aches, tingling, brain-fog and sleep problems start to increase, then I cut back a little for a few days.

Many people (including myself) mention that stress exacerbates their symptoms, and I would worry that as you increase the stress - especially if it is sudden, you may pay for it later.

Not knowing your entire story, I hope the "advice" I am about to offer is not too elementary or inappropriate.....

By taking the full-time job, it sounds like you'd be able to quit both part-time jobs (which having to juggle two jobs could be quite stressful alone). Not to mention the nice salary would decrease financial stress.

Would the new job add any insight to your thesis topic (that too would be a beny).

Plus, if your boss has been sympathetic and willing to work with you, perhaps you can come to a compromise about working hours and being slightly flexible until you are fully healed. It sounds like he already knows you're a hard and dedicated employee or he wouldn't have told you about the job opening.

Hope your healing continues and keep us posted on what you decide. I am finding solace in hearing other's recovery, as I hope someday soon to return full-time, go back to thesis work, and the part-time job.

There's something about the true image of all of you as athletes and professionals and students from around the globe, rather than as mysterious web surfers, that makes this illness even more infuriating.

karen

I am glad you are feeling better.

The word remission to me means you are expecting to get sick again.

After being very ill with Lyme, I am now 100% cured. I am now in better health then before Lyme.

Why would I call it remission?
The mind is more powerful then the body.
Feed it positive thoughts!

Hang on to your hope.
I wish you all the best.