Topic: How many People had a Huge Life Event / Trauma Experience before they got Sick ?
Keebler
Honored Contributor (25K+ posts)
Member # 12673
posted
- How many People had a Huge Life Event / Trauma Experience before they got Sick ?
--
Yeah, I got deathly sick with no explanation.
Thinking back, I had been bitten by a tick - actually 3 ticks at once - but they were so small that, for days, I thought they were just dots of oil or something on my hairline. I barely gave it any thought at the time though. Never knew ticks could be so small or even carry disease.
Doctors dismissed me for years before I was finally dx with 3 long-term but active tick-borne infections and, STILL, no doctor in my state to treat me. Seizures would cause real physical trauma but having serious infection ignored for years - that's pretty huge.
Infection is the most significant factor here, not some life event. The worst life event for most of us here is being bitten by an infected tick and not getting proper medical care.
Without tick-borne disease, I sure could have handled anything else that would have come my way. Anything. Brain infection changed all that.
Lost my job, my car, my apt., my family, my future. That's all pretty big but nothing compared to being denied medical care for infection that caused seizures, falls, loss of speech, etc.
sparkle7
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 10397
posted
This is interesting. I'm sorry so many of you have suffered so much...
It seems that suffering is part of life. I know many people who have been though big traumas who never got Lyme.
In the Fibromyalgia world - there are scientists & doctors who try to say there is an emotional trigger for Fibro & that it's a psychological illness. I think they were saying abused people were the ones who got Fibro - if I recall correctly.
I don't think it's true. We all go through stress & traumatic events to one level or another. People handle things in different ways. What is horrific to one person may be something that another person just sucks up & goes on with things.
I do think the emotions can greatly effect our health - it's just something that is individual, though. I don't think it necessarily correlates to any particular illness.
Trauma & stress are definitely things we should try to decrease if possible. Being bombarded with images of violence, threats of terrorism, losing your home, job, health etc. are all very stressful things.
None of it is good... but it's the way life is here. We have to find ways to cope as best as we can. It's how we handle the stress that makes a difference.
Posts: 7772 | From Northeast, again... | Registered: Oct 2006
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posted
9/11 and my brother dying started things with me. Breathing issues, sinus and knee and foot pain. The doctors gave me steroids which along with my grandaughter dying in 2004 my life has never been the same. Finally with long term treatment I was able to return to work just 2 weeks ago!! Never take steroids and if you must have surgery, ask the anesthesiologist (sp?) not to give you any steroids!
-------------------- Margaret Posts: 103 | From CT | Registered: Feb 2007
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I had a couple of weird symptoms for years but nothing that really interfered with life.
Then during a major junction in life I got sick with standard infections (bronchitis, sinus and ear infections). I think stress caused my immune system to tank.
I got over the acute infections, but never went back to "normal" and instead began to present with mostly neurological symptoms that slowly worsened and spread.
I don't recall a bite ever, but my hypothesis is that I had a quiet smoldering infection from some previous exposure that came to the surface when I was weak from stress during major life events.
Posts: 455 | From Was in PA, then MD, now in the Midwest | Registered: Nov 2008
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lightparfait
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 22022
posted
Yes, every stressor in my adult life had brought out symptoms...immune system was on overload and I did not know it until the stress took it over the top.
Like an air conditioning unit running all day and night for years to keep a boiling hot house cool and comfortable. Then someone opens the windows and forgets to close the doors...lets in that stinking hot air...and bam...it shuts down! Too hot for the unit to handle...overloaded...that was my immune system!
Pregnancy was particularly bad postpartum...got very ill both times physically. so when lyme showed up...I was already over the top internally I believe...but is seemed under control so I never knew I had any internal problems until they were triggered, different symptoms at different times in my life over the years. This seems to be many people's story for those who say they have chronic lyme.
Fibro symptoms were the ones to come out first..as they were the minor symptoms for me...with just holiday stress.....happy stress or having to cook for a crowd!
Lyme was also another tipping point for me, and what finally caught my attention to seek help for that along with understanding all the underying conditions that has kept the lyme chronic...all those things that kept my air conditioning unit on overdrive..until each tipping point!
These episodes we all have should be signs for a trained MD....they get no training on how to distinguish chronic underlying condition symptoms versus acute problems. They treat all acutely!
Stress should be a very big indicator for the medical community! Not for them to think it's a Mental problem only...as that is all they see when we come into the door...
A problem for all of us is that some lyme patients do have mental illness, most likely acquired over time, that may or may not get better with treatment. Those people taint the MD"s mind for all of us, thinking that everyone who has fibro or says they have chronic lyme is mentally ill or has bipolar. I've had these discussions with LLMD's and lyme pshcoogists.
I know people and support people who are very ill mentally, and know they drive their LLMD and MD crazy sometimes...but they are just being themselves and looking for help. They are obsessive.
And they could get better to at least some degree with propper treatment and to just have a MD believe them.
The negative emotional component of our illnesses deminishes our value and self worth which is so important to our healing and moving on in our life...to do what we can toward healing, then to accept and live as free and happy as possible. Life is too short to waste!
But to realize that the mental stress, is coming from a physical problem...underlying...and attacking our immune system....not stemming from the emotional trigger or only from mental illness.
Posts: 1009 | From NJ | Registered: Aug 2009
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Just Julie
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 1119
posted
I'm coming up on my 10 YEAR anniversary of having my first symptom. Can you believe I actually remember the date(s) of my 3 emotional traumas that triggered my muscle twitching, that caused me to panic and thus research?
1st week of May (2000): was contacted via an email by guy who attacked me in high school. Out of the blue, he sent me an email, as if nothing had happened. If I had had someone strong with me at the time of the attack, this a$$hole would have gone to jail. For a long time. So, I was a bit unnerved by his contacting me some 20 years later!
2nd week of May (2000) I found out my mom fell at her nursing home (400 miles away from where I lived) and broke her hip. I knew that was the beginning of "the end" for her. And it was.
3rd week of May (2000) found incriminating emails that appeared my husband may be having an affair.
That last one did it to me--I developed muscle twitching so bizarre, it led me on my merry path of doctor dancing, to try and find a diagnosis.
So--3 incredibly emotionally draining traumas, all back to back, and bang! my body threw in the towel.
My only known tick bite was 13 years prior, in 1987. It was attached, removed by putting vasoline on it, by an ER doctor at the hospital I was working in at the time, I had an extreme stiff neck the morning I found the tick in my neck, developed sore knees, saw a rhematologist, who told me that my lyme test was negative (of course it was, this was 1987) so I probably had rhematoid arthritis!
I was healthy, strong as a horse, back then. My muscle twitching continues to this day, in fact, right now, as the stress of my life is ramping up at this point (teen son putting me through the mill) my right eyelid has been twitching non-stop for 3 weeks!
I'm so tired of it all. Sorry for the depressive note, but I knew y'all would understand.
Still here, Julie
-------------------- Julie Posts: 1027 | From Northern CA | Registered: May 2001
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sammy
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 13952
posted
Lyme put an end to what was probably the one of the happiest and most successful times in my life. I had just graduated from college, had a wonderful job, great friends, uplifting family, time to volunteer, etc. I was physically fit and well. Everything was good. And then I got hit with Lyme. It was so sudden.
It is humbling to read all of these stories. We have all suffered a great deal with Lyme. Hopefully this will make our success stories even sweeter. I know for sure that I will never take my health for granted. I'm grateful to be alive today.
Posts: 5237 | From here | Registered: Nov 2007
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kelmo
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 8797
posted
Yes. Daughter in high school. We moved so she could attend the high school for the theater department. Teacher betrayed and lied to her, turned the other students against her. She had to drop school. Health tanked from there.
Posts: 2903 | From AZ | Registered: Feb 2006
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linky123
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 19974
posted
Very stressful summer of 1988 - the Yellowstone fires, worked as a ranger and on a fire crew, it absolutely wore everybody out.
Then the next winter was very severe. Snow almost every day, lots of shoveling etc. It took it's toll.
So sorry to hear of all the suffering and loss posted here.
Praying for better days ahead.
Posts: 2607 | From Hooterville | Registered: Apr 2009
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map1131
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 2022
posted
My stressor was work work work. I worked myself to death. My body just gave in to the fight.
Pam
-------------------- "Never, never, never, never, never give up" Winston Churchill Posts: 6495 | From Louisville, Ky | Registered: Jan 2002
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posted
Yes, all the neuro symptoms started to creep up and then hit the fan about 6 months after I herniated a disc in my neck. This was a spontaneous herniation, which I believe was also caused by the Lyme eating away; but, guess I'll never know for sure.
Posts: 566 | From West Coast | Registered: May 2008
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posted
I had weird symptoms on and off for years, and was labled a hypochondriac.
Then my husband divorced me and my father died, and I was brought to my knees. Took a while but was finally diagnosed.
Posts: 161 | From midwest | Registered: Jul 2007
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posted
I was perfectly happy... working 2-3 non-stressful part-time jobs at a time (I only work in fields that are fun for me).
No huge life event and no trauma at all. I was a little bit freaked out (in a normal sort of way) when my vision started to go blurry at 22. Then **** hit the fan, and I ended up in bed for months and months. PCP called me a hypochondriac and such and told me that it's all in my head. Just anxiety. She said that she thought it was just anxiety because I came in last year around the same time with a 15-day bout of constipation (what the hell?). I was fine for a year.
If there was anything that impacted me negatively, it was my physicians arrogance and attitude about my health. According to her, I was anxious, depressed, and probably bipolar. She was the one that was bipolar (not joking).
Posts: 967 | From A deserted island without internet access | Registered: Sep 2009
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posted
Bingo! I was a healthy, happy camper, and in Sept.06, my sister who lived next door had a disabling stroke and became confined to a wheel chair.
Then about a month later, my 89 year old mom had a sudden heart attack and died. I was divorced and living back at home with her. We were very close and that was a HUGE stressful adjustment.
(I've lived alone ever since) Then a few months later, my nephew was killed in a motorcycle accident.
That was 3 BIG things in about as many months. It was then that the crazy symptoms came on, and are still around to this day.
I'm just about to get to a LLMD tomorrow and get this lyme thing rolling I hope!!
Posts: 67 | From Alabama | Registered: Feb 2010
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steve1906
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 16206
posted
Hi,
Two years ago to the month: Had a lump removed from my head (Cyst). Had a couple of teeth pulled. Got the flu. Got 2 sinus infections, I know I had more problems than these at the same time but just can't think of them right now.
I was healthy, happy, strong etc till I got Lyme or what ever I may have...
This all happened within a 2 week span and been sick ever since - like all of us I have the 15-20 symptoms day after day...Lyme sucks!!!
Roy
-------------------- Everything I say is just my opinion! Posts: 3529 | From Massachusetts Boston Area | Registered: Jul 2008
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posted
swine flu 8/2009 brought out my lyme, bit 3/07 dx 11/09
Posts: 443 | From The North Star | Registered: Jan 2010
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bcb1200
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 25745
posted
I had a stressful time at work. Went around the world on a biz trip for 12 days with little sleep and poor diet.
Started to feel unwell when I came home. Wife was 8 months pregnant and I am freaking out about being ill when the baby comes. How could I support her, etc? Then have upper endoscopy under anesthesia and went downhill.
As compared to some, I am not so bad. But I still wouldn't wish this on anyone.
-------------------- Bite date ? 2/10 symptoms began 5/10 dx'd, after 3 months numerous test and doctors
IgM Igenex +/CDC + + 23/25, 30, 31, 34, 41, 83/93
Currently on:
Currently at around 95% +/- most days. Posts: 3139 | From Massachusetts | Registered: May 2010
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posted
i had a fall at work and landed on my tail bon pushing my cocyx straight up and that was found a year later by a physical therapist. from the time i fell, i have been in a downward spiral. was told i had fibro for almost three years. now i know i have lyme, babesia, cf, fibro, osteo arthritis, being treated for major depression. i am unable to work now. i was a non stop work aoholic, stayed active with my husband hunting, fishing and four wheelin. with the fall and the major stress that was continuously getting worse at work because i wa being deemed an under performer. i could no longer keep up i was having mental breakdowns daily. i had to go out for now. doc says he doesn't see me beinf able to return. i have to take so many meds to make it through the day. yes. trauma and stress bring this s@#$%$# out.
-------------------- broncomom Posts: 25 | From virginia beach va | Registered: Feb 2010
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lymeladyinNY
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 10235
posted
I had an emergency c-section for my 3rd son a week after a tick bite on the abdomen. I had been working second shift and during the day I was taking care of my older two little boys, one with Down syndrome and autism. I was exhausted and stressed out.
I think my immune system was completely overwhelmed and as a result I've been a severely ill Lyme and co-infection patient.
I also struggled with obesity but I've been working on that and have gotten my weight down by about 50 pounds. The less I weigh, the better I feel, it seems.
- Lymelady
-------------------- I want to be free Posts: 1170 | From Endicott, NY | Registered: Sep 2006
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posted
Wow, everyone. Thank you so much for sharing.
I spent 15 years treating "anxiety" and ruling out other causes for my symptoms, that gradually grew over that time. In those years, I explored many "causes" of my anxiety. Bad marriage, stressful job and hours, bad family of origin, loss of friends, bike accidents, 9/11. What I was feeling and had previously called anxiety, I now know is the lyme (trouble catching breath, bad concentration, avoiding friends, disturbed sleep). Now that I am in treatment and have some "lucid" moments of relative health, I can actually feel the difference between my lyme symptoms and the symptoms of "stress" put on my body from worry about life's events.
As others have posted, I believe this stress contributes to the overall inability of the body to effectively handle the bacteria. I think this must be both physiological (someone mentioned stress hormones) and spiritual.
BUT, I believe that the root cause of my symptoms are the bacteria.
Not how @&*%ty my life was. Not how disconnected I was from myself. Not the accident that I had that knocked my tailbone and caused my most recent "flare" (release of bacteria into my system?).
But, now that I have these damn bacteria, I will strive to achieve better balance and avoid trauma. And, if I have to encounter stress or trauma, I'm doing what I need to do, immediately, to manage/process. Part of my Lyme treatment is better managing my life.
I have also "redefined" what I see as "stress." I do this mostly through my toddlers, who really shine a light for me on what constitutes "stress" in a person's life that most of us accept as normal. Simple things like getting dressed every day, having someone take something from us, being pushed, even if unintentional. We all need to cut ourselves some slack and be more understanding of ourselves and our limits. Not just lyme patients, but everyone.
The question of the impact of emotional trauma and stress on physical health is such a complex question that is being investigated by so many kinds of professions in so many kinds of fields. For me, though, and what I'm going through right now, it all comes back to those little bugs.
Posts: 252 | From New York | Registered: Apr 2010
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Keebler
Honored Contributor (25K+ posts)
Member # 12673
posted
- Elevated cortisol (stress hormone in excess) damages our body. -
Posts: 48021 | From Tree House | Registered: Jul 2007
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posted
My illness onset was so gradual. I have no idea when I ever got bitten.
I had a pretty traumatic childhood and suffered from severe eating disorders from age 14 until 26. I lived on coffee and cigarettes, drank too much and did drugs.
I always felt tired and had some weird symptoms, but I was never surprised given what I was doing to my body.
I had a very traumatic break-up with my ex-fiance and then tried to get healthy. I stopped coffee and cigarettes all at once. I got very sick, but ended up being diagnosed with candida and treated that for 6 months. I still never felt well during and after treatment, but was somewhat better.
It's been 9 years since the candida diagnosis and I have been to so many doctors for fatigue and other weird symptoms.
Interestingly, the only time I really felt relatively healthy was when I was pregnant/breastfeeding. It has been a full year since I stopped breastfeeding and resumed my pursuit for health.
I was just diagnosed with lyme a few weeks ago. I'm really hoping things will turn around soon.
Sorry for the novel.
Posts: 98 | From NH | Registered: Mar 2010
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