I came across a quote the other day, on one of the lyme groups, and can't remember where, and as simple as it was, I found it to be consoling: " Tough times never last, tough people do..."

I have been worried about you and not seeing you post after I knew things were rough for you!

Have things improved physically at all?

Staying positive thru this treatment/disease. I dont know- for me, watching funny stuff on tv/ movies helps. Or watching something more tragic than my life like Hotel Rwanda or a documentary on a war or something makes me feel like I got it made.

Distraction works the best for me when it is rough going.

WHat can you do to distract? Sometimes time is all that is needed to get over a hurdle. SOmetimes more than that, but try the time first.

Know I am thinking about you and hoping you are able to find the strength to swim or do something fun today.

Thanks for posting and sending good thoughts my way. My e-mail quit working recently, so I can't send e-mails, yet I can post on forums...go figure!

My shoulder DID improve. It was just killing me (which is why I thought of you!)...now, a few days later, it is MUCH better. I figure that is a lyme thing for sure. It was nice to do a few weights at the club today (not near what I used to do, for sure...but nice just the same). And your're right...I need to watch how I sleep on my shoulder too!

I am feeling less "lymie" today too. I was great last Friday, and then took a nosedive. I hadn't expected that, and sure didn't like it, for no one wants to go backwards!

I wonder if it wasn't related to my menstrual cycle...I am going to track that. I heard there can be flares around that time of the month, and that could have been what happened to me!

Thanks for your suggestions...I do try to find things to make me laugh. I love Dave Barry books!

And...someone wrote that friends are those who stick around when the going gets tough...when other people tend to leave. So..it's nice to look at the friends that have stayed around me during this time! (A certain doctor seems to be one friend that left! )

Thanks for stating in your private email to me that the SLOW in improvement cannot be emphasised enough. That helped a lot!

Good luck with your move, and keep me posted!

I'm glad I could write to you here. You can still e-mail me, and I can read it through my server's web page for now....

Thanks everyone for the positive suggestions....only another lyme person really knows what it feels like to face ANOTHER day feeling yucky.

Tina

I am having a horrific day with lots of lyme symptoms and it is b/c I am going to get my period any second.

I went from feeling pretty well yesterday to arm buzzing and tingling, severe awful headaches, vision problems, concentration is OUT OF IT, stabbing pains in my face, twitching that is much worse, ringing in my ears and severe severe severe fatigue. As in pack a box and go take a nap, (for an hour) pack another box and quit for the day.

Oh well, it will get done. And I get monthly flares BIG TIME so I can only hope that this is what is happening again. Track it for sure, you'll be surprised!

When I am at my lowest point, I think of something I am grateful for and focus on that.
So, when I am in pain, I think of how bad the pain used to be. When my son is having a bad day, I think about the wonderful doctor he has..etc

This helps me along with praying.

When I am having a bad day I do three things:

1) think of a beautiful waterfall that I have hiked to

2) play uplifting music
3) get on my knees and pray to God

If I can handle it, sometimes I get all dolled up and go out for a night on the town. Pretend I'm healthy, and it sometimes makes me feel healthy.

Also, try to think back to something that you did that made you smile. Trust in your heart that you will be in that situation again- both happy and healthy.

I think it is important to keep a journal, especially recording good days.

When the bad /painful days come, read the journal, you can be assured that "this will pass".

Due to Lyme and pain being so deceitful, the journal will confirm the truth.

DO not get stuck in the moment or in your world.
Make your lens broud and take in the rest of the world.

There is something we can learn from all of this, even when we don't want to.

Your friend Jesus is sitting right there with ya. Tell Him all that you feel.

Peace,
BJG

I keep a journal too. Helps my docs see how I've been all month. PLUS, helps me realize that the bad times ARE going to let up, even if it takes a while.

Another thing I do is to make fun of myself and my Lyme-brain. One of my favorite sayings is "If you can't laugh at yourself, someone else is gonna." My co-workers used to get weepy with worry, now they're all Lyme-literate and paste post-it reminders all over my desk, and make gentle jabs about how I'll forget the entire conversation in five minutes. :-)

Another thing I do: Go fishing. Often.

I have been marking each day on my calendar with a score...so I can keep track of how I'm doing (see if the meds are helping!) or see if my bad days are linked to my menses.

The latter may very well be....we'll see what next month brings.

My "rankings" go something like this (and I'm open to suggestions on how to rate my days) A (1) means bad day...I'm down. A (2) means I can function, but just barely and I feel awful. (3) I can function and do slightly above the necessary...maybe add something extra like make some cookies (4) I can do the extra with some enthusiasm and energy (5) A really good day...clear head....lots of energy....normal is even in view (I've only had one of these days since starting IV antibiotics).

I have learned to take life a day at a time. If the day seems too long, then I work hour by hour. I have a warped sense of humor which I thank God for everyday because if I ever lost that, I would just give up....

My motto.....life is too important to be taken seriously (Oscar Wilde)