posted
Does anyone have experience with their therapists not believing that neuro Lyme exists?
I was telling my therapist the reason I haven't been doing school work is because the neuro symptoms. They have gotten worse because I'm herxing on flagyl and just started Rocephin.
She was telling me that I can seem to remember so much about Lyme, but nothing about school. She thinks I need to "push through."
If any of you knew me pre-Lyme diagnosis, you would know I am the kind of person who pushes TOO hard, so what she said ****ed me off!
I guess the reason this is in Medical is...can someone maybe help me figure out a way to explain this to her. I am not looking to change therapists right now because I can't take more change. There is too much going on, don't have the time to "catch up" a new therapist.
Thanks!
P.S. I asked her if she would watch Under Our Skin if I brought it to her, and she said yes. I'm worried she's going to take sides with the few idiots in the Movie (IDSA and CDC people). Hmm...should I have her watch it? Posts: 215 | From Student | Registered: Oct 2007
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Vermont_Lymie
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 9780
posted
Personally, I think your therapist is wrong. If you just started rocephin and flagyl, there are very good reasons why school work may be more difficult!
And the reason many of us remember more about lyme than our work -- for our survival! I too have been a very motivated student of tick borne diseases and their treatment, since my illness, diagnosis, treatment and recovery. This is important stuff!
Good idea to have her watch Under Our Skin. I haven't seen it, but from what I heard about it, sounds like a good call.
Posts: 2557 | From home | Registered: Aug 2006
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Tincup
Honored Contributor (10K+ posts)
Member # 5829
posted
You said...
"She was telling me that I can seem to remember so much about Lyme, but nothing about school."
You might want to mention Einstein was a pretty smart fellow in his world.. but he couldn't tie his own shoes.
Tell her the brain is made up of "files" and the ability to get into and out of a file is different for everyone.
With Lyme (infection in the brain) sometimes you can go directly to a file and share the contents... other times you can't.
Plus there is short-term and long-term memory and the ability to access either or both at any given time.
I know I could spit out Lyme as if it was right there in my face... but often couldn't remember what store I was shopping in or what town I was in.
Tell her there are different problems associtated with Lyme that she might want to read up about.
You have a right to be upset. It is very much like me telling someone I have trouble reading small print... and them just ignoring me and handing me the paper anyhow and saying.. "well, just read this".
They DON'T listen. Plain old simple.
You wouldn't believe how many times that happens, too.
You might want to have her read some of Fallon's work. That might help explain it.
Clarissa
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 4715
posted
I can totally relate. You either have to give her a bunch of articles, books, websites (if she's even willing) to educate her or, it's time to "kick her to the curb" and find someoene whose more open-minded.
I had to "break-up" with my psychiatrist of 10 years because, he literally, laughed at my Lyme Diagnoses. It broke my heart. He helped me so much and I still, to this day, love him but I had to move on as he was old school and simply didn't "buy it."
My psychologist NOW admits to her ignorance but wants more and more info and even said to me in my last session, "I bet there are SO many mentally ill people and addicts who really have Lyme." She's getting it. She's even going to contact a former CFS patient and give her some websites I've provided. Now that's cool.
Think it over but it's totally counter-productive to have a therapist like that! Your self-esteem needs to be uplifted and your illness needs to be validated...not in a victim-sad-sack sense, but on a human level!
posted
I think you should be honest - her ignorance about Lyme upsets you. Tell her how it makes you feel. See how she responds.
If she doesn't not understand neuro lyme and can admit that and work through it with you, great, but how is she really able to help you if she doesn't get it?
I am only saying this b/c I stayed with therapists/psychiatrists years after I should have moved on...
I believe therpists etc can be great for a short while or even years, but then again, sometimes you have learned all you can from a person and it is time to move on, even though it's hard.
-------------------- "We must be willing to get rid of the life we've planned, so as to have the life that is waiting for us" - e.m. forster Posts: 921 | From PA | Registered: Jan 2004
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I am thinking about what to do. I think I am going to have her watch Under Our Skin and see what happens from there.
I am hoping it's just a lack of understanding. If not, I'll have to leave.
I totally agree with everyone who said it's counterproductive to be with someone who isn't even on my side.
Larkspur, I was TOTALLY honest with her about how much it upsets me that she's not willing to learn about Lyme...or care about how much it affects my life.
It's helpful to hear your guys' experiences. It's encouraging. Posts: 215 | From Student | Registered: Oct 2007
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posted
I'd find another therapist - or better yet, none at all - find a good friend instead.
Otherwise, you will find yourself spending your appointments trying to convince her that you are indeed sick (and not faking it to get attention, transquilizers, whatever), something that drains every last bit of energy out of you, and you are already compromised with Lyme.
Her comment indicates that she has already been poisoned with misinformation about Lyme and that she watches too much Dr. Phil, and unless she gets Lyme herself down the road here, even a video will not change her mind on the Lyme issue - nothing will ever erase her Freudian Dr. Phil mentality.
So my advice - hope she gets Lyme herself or ditch her.
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posted
oooh - if you already told her how much she's upsetting you and she was pretty unresponsive than, unfortunately, signs point to moving on...
I know it sucks to start with someone new, but remember that phrase - when one door closes another door always opens
(unfortunately, the hallways are a b$%ch!)
-------------------- "We must be willing to get rid of the life we've planned, so as to have the life that is waiting for us" - e.m. forster Posts: 921 | From PA | Registered: Jan 2004
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Tracy9
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 7521
13 years Lyme & Co.; Small Fiber Neuropathy; Myasthenia Gravis, Adrenal Insufficiency. On chemo for 2 1/2 years as experimental treatment for MG. Posts: 4480 | From Northeastern Connecticut | Registered: Jun 2005
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lpkayak
Honored Contributor (10K+ posts)
Member # 5230
posted
writings by virginia sherr might help. she's a lyme literate psychiatrist. here's one, but there are more:
-------------------- Lyme? Its complicated. Educate yourself. Posts: 13712 | From new england | Registered: Feb 2004
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lymednva
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 9098
posted
I was going to suggest that instead of Under Our Skin, and less expensive, too, loan her a copy of Cure Unknown.
It talks a lot about different kids and how Lyme made school next to impossible for them. It also is full of facts that really explain why the LLMD's are the good guys and IDSA are the bad guys.
Good luck, whatever you decide to do.
-------------------- Lymednva Posts: 2407 | From over the river and through the woods | Registered: Apr 2006
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