Starfall1969
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 17353
posted
What a day I've had.
I finally shook the migraine I had for several days, and yesterday I just felt spacey.
Today, I got up for class, after a very crappy night's sleep, ate a decent breakfast and took my Doxy before heading out.
I had to turn in my final project and do an oral presentation today.
About halfway out to school (about a 1 1/2 hour trip), I started getting really sick to my stomach and felt tight in my chest--I thoiught carsickness.
Till I got out to school, O was shaking uncontrollably, felt really spacey, still sort of sick to my stomach, dizzy and had chest apin.
I started pacing around, since I couldn't sit still, and eventually got someone to just sit and pray with me.
I popped 2 Benadryl right before class started, and half an hour later, it all stopped except for the spaciness.
What the heck? Was that a reaction to the Doxy, maybe killing off bugs, or just a reaction to a bad ombination of factors?
My stomach is still a little queasy, although I feel hungry at the same time. Oh, I'm just so sick of all these little symptoms cropping up all the times.
Posts: 1682 | From Dillsburg, PA | Registered: Sep 2008
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seekhelp
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 15067
posted
I hear you. Tough to say what it is.
I had a bad experience an hour ago and decided I'm done once and for all. It's time to try some meds to control this.
I tried driving 3 miles and halfway into my trip I was unable to swallow. Head pressure, off-balance. I then got home and felt worse. Anxious feeling, ears fluttering horribly, heart beating kind of hard, some breathing difficulty.
I've blamed this all on Lyme for so long. No more. It may be, but I've not even tried to help myself with pysch meds out of fear. Only an idiot can believe you leave your house feeling 90% and come back after a three mile drive @ 20%. IMPOSSIBLE. Especially, that 90% doesn't turn to 20% all times when I'm a passenger.
I can't live anymore like this. I can't drive anymore. I'm missing out on all of life. Why bother? I read stuff like Cass A writes endlessly, BUT I wonder does Cass A live in his/her house and not able to get out due to problems? For those who shun psych meds, do you live a life of isolation and accept it?
When is enough really enough? I'm not saying anything will help, but not knowing is just like tossing in the towel. Two YEARS of hell is enough now.
None of my LLMDs has cared less I can't drive, get out, lost all my contacts. They just toss Abx and smile. Again, if THEY couldn't drive, couldn't work, would they care more?
Posts: 7545 | From The 5th Dimension - The Twilight Zone | Registered: Mar 2008
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Starfall1969
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 17353
posted
So sorry you're feeling so bad!
Makes my issues seem like nothing.
I only shun the psych drugs because I've had nightmarish reactions to them; I say if you haven't tried them and think they might help, go for it.
You've got nothing to lose, and getting your life back to gain, so I'd find a doctor who will at least give you a trial.
Heck, go see my GP; that's all they wanted to give me.
Posts: 1682 | From Dillsburg, PA | Registered: Sep 2008
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posted
I have tried a small dose of klonopin over the last week and it has helped a lot I think. I don't always do well with other psych meds, but this has helped take my anxiety level down for me.
Sometimes we just need a little help, and with a little help we can experience more success. And, success breeds success and confidence. I tried a lot of the natural stuff but it wasn't strong enough for this lyme and co anxiety.
So, I tried the klonopin. If it worked I was ahead of the game, if not it used up some of that time waiting for healing from lyme and co.
If you try something start small. Sometimes small doses can be a big help. Remember only you can decide with your doctor what is right for you. We are all individuals and must each make our own individual decisions.
posted
Remember too that there are TONS of different meds: I have had to try many before I found the one or two that worked for me. So try to be patient and know that there are meds that will help yo with this
Posts: 360 | From New York | Registered: Oct 2009
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sutherngrl
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 16270
posted
Thank goodness for Xanax! I have anxiety and sometimes panic attacks, but Xanax helps me a lot.
I think some of the anxiety is from the illness itself, but some of it is from just dealing with the illness. Dealing with the constant agony, along with the ups and downs and the unknown is very very stressful.
Some ppl say DO NOT take these type meds; but right now in the situation my life is in, I say do what you can to get through it. When your health improves you will be able to get off of them and move on.
Posts: 4035 | From Mississippi | Registered: Jul 2008
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posted
I've noticed for myself, that whenever I try to manuver the stress of routines that never phased me before, I tank or feel shakey and/or anxious.
I think that our bodies work so hard in conjunction with the abx that even the slightest amount of percieved stress/responsibility can tip the applecart when we least expect it.
Your oral presentation for your final project might have stressed your body in combination with the 1 1/2 hr drive!!!! A mega-zap of responsibility is draining even when we push through to get the job done.
With Lyme, we experience fatigue on many different levels and in many different ways. I was working on a large project that I enjoyed and it depleted me in ways that surprised me. The most surprising effect was depression and mental fog about what I loved doing!
When I hear "oral presentation" + "final project" + "long drive", I think of the energy it requires. I'd chalk your reaction up to overload on a tired, over-worked body facing expectation and responsibility. That is more than enough to churn up Doxy in a tense tummy and wreak havoc and your Lymic Warning System alarm really went off!
Slowing way down and praying sounded like the perfect way to get your system to ease up a bit. Sometimes just sitting down to rest a little and/or praying/meditating/deep breathing is enough for a short recovery.
I'm sorry you had to go through that. It's frustrating when we try to push through and the disease pushes back!
I think you sound astoundingly together despite that episode.
Best,
wiserforit2
Posts: 273 | From Banks of the Hudson | Registered: Nov 2008
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Ocean
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 3496
posted
I think the panic attacks are caused from the infections. Mine started 4 months after getting the 'summer flu' in '96.
I've gotten a lot better since early June when I started an alternative treatment, haven't had a panic attack since May/June...after having attacks for mostly the past 6.5 years....I'm positive that mine were caused from Lyme and co.
I never did take any meds for anxiety, and my anxiety was BAD! My grandma is addicted to Ativan and it scared me, plus I feared the meds would 'cover up' what was really wrong with me. I always felt there was an organic cause for my anxiety.
However, I don't feel that taking meds when you need them is bad at all. If I ever get the anxiety back, I will certainly try them. I hope I don't have to make that choice (ie...the anxiety stays away!), but if I do, I'm confident that meds would help me in the future.
The anxiety I believe will only keep you sick longer...it's very difficult for the body to constantly be in that flight or fight mode. I stopped driving for an entire year. I personally wish I had tried the meds, then again, my anxiety was so bad I was terrified that the meds would make me worse, or that they would possibly drug me up and induce sleep paralysis again (which I had when I was sick and 18 years old and it was terrifying!)...and I felt I would die if I got any 'worse'.
So by all means...take the meds when you need them. Your body needs to be in a calmer state to properly get rid of the infection and when it does, you will become naturally calmer.
Star, I'm so sorry you went through that. I remember being on the Ohio Turnpike in college and calling my husband telling him I thought I was going to die and to tell the kids I loved them. It was just terrible! Then having to be in front of the class for things...ugh!
Good job with getting through the class even dealing with panic junk!!!
Starfall1969
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 17353
posted
THanks for the wise/kind words everyone.
I posted on my Facebook page that I feel like my oral presentation SUCKED, but one of my classmates wrote back and said she was impressed with what I said.
Of course, I'm trying to remember what I said, lol.
But yeah, not a good day for that, but a good day for getting it done!
The professor actually asked if I wanted to wait and go next week; I said that would probably be worse because then I'd have to stress for another week.
Best to have just gotten it over with.
Posts: 1682 | From Dillsburg, PA | Registered: Sep 2008
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