posted
I wonder if anybody else with lyme or bart met the problem that stimulants like ritalin or antidepressants don't work properly anymore?
Before the begining of my infection I already had a little ADD-problem and took a small dose of ritalin, which had very(!) significant effect at that time. Also caffeine was giving me much energy before the rise of the infection. But since the beginning of lyme and bart... the effects has totally vanished. The same thing holds for sleeping pills, SSRIs and nearly any other drug that should effect the brain.
It's like the areas of my brain which should be influenced by the drugs are completely shut down.
Is this a common problem? Posts: 4 | From Germany | Registered: Aug 2010
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posted
Sounds like your adrenals are part of the problem. The stimulants don't work for you anymore because the adrenal glands are worn out. You can't even fake them out with stimulants or caffiene anymore. Keebler has a lot of links on Adrenal Fatigue. Hopefully she will come along and post them.
Now with the SSRI and antidepressants, I will say, I never thought they worked for me, but I have had lyme for 20 years. And of course when I went to the doctor and told them how tired I was, that was all they prescribed me for at least 7 of the 15 years I have been searching for an answer to my medical problems....that answer being Lyme/Co's, not depression.
Posts: 893 | From Florida | Registered: Dec 2008
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Keebler
Honored Contributor (25K+ posts)
Member # 12673
posted
- Stimulants can be VERY dangerous for a lyme patient. Most can't even tolerate a little caffeine (and it's not allowed anyway). Many have trouble with even tiny, tiny amounts of SSRIs. They nearly killed me. I tried all of them at different times and I had terrible reactions each time. Terrible.
Many such drugs are very hard on the liver and kidneys and since lyme is so very toxic, our bodies just say "no" to added chemicals that push us over the edge.
Infection(s) MUST be addressed. Correcting the REASON for the imbalance works best yet it takes time. Nutritional deficiencies need to be corrected at the same time the infection(s) addressed.
A gluten-free diet can help, too.
Tai Chi or Qi Gong can help with concentration and mood. Music lessons, too. Restorative Yoga.
Not only when to suspect lyme, but this explains how lyme totally changes a body: ------------------
** Nutritional Supplements in Disseminated Lyme Disease **
J.J. Burrascano, Jr., MD (2008) - Four pages
========================
It's very important to have this book as a reference tool for self-care and support measures. It answers so many questions in detail that is impossible here on the forum.
[ 08-16-2010, 01:18 PM: Message edited by: Keebler ]
Posts: 48021 | From Tree House | Registered: Jul 2007
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Keebler
Honored Contributor (25K+ posts)
Member # 12673
posted
ADRENAL LINKS: -----------------
This book is specific to lyme and other chronic stealth infections. The author discusses the endocrine connection and effects of STRESS on a person with such infections. You can read customer reviews and look inside the book at this link to its page at Amazon.
The Potbelly Syndrome: How Common Germs Cause Obesity, Diabetes, And Heart Disease (Paperback) - 2005
by Russell Farris and Per Marin, MD, PhD
==================
Remember that lyme really messes up the HPA axis (Hypothalamus/pituitary/adrenal network). The pituitary has much to do with weight/growth. Mess up any part of the endocrine system and other parts suffer, too.
Curcumin Prevents Some Stress-Related Changes (By CP Staff)
Excerpts:
A recently published study investigated the effects of curcumin, a constituent of the botanical turmeric, on changes in cognition and memory caused by stress. . . .
. . . In this new study, researchers investigated the effect of curcumin supplementation on stress-induced learning defects in mice. . . .
. . . In addition, curcumin reversed the stress-induced increase in the levels of serum corticosterone, the primary hormone secreted during the stress response. . . .
. . . The researchers concluded, ``Thus, curcumin may be an effective therapeutic for learning and memory disturbances as was seen within these stress models, and
its neuroprotective effect was mediated in part by normalizing the corticosterone response, resulting in down-regulating of the phosphorylated calcium/calmodulin kinase II and glutamate receptor levels.''
The Potbelly Syndrome: How Common Germs Cause Obesity, Diabetes, And Heart Disease (Paperback) - 2005
by Russell Farris (Author), Per Marin (Author)
Much about stress reactions here. - you can read customer reviews at the link. Attention is given to lyme and other chronic stealth infections however, it does not go into details about solutions.
===========================
This is not a lyme book.
This book has only one reference to lyme (in the historical use of sarsarparilla for another spirochetal infection). However, it is a vital first book to read - or a reference - for anyone interested in understanding nutritional methods.
Search for Ashwagandha; Cordyceps; Siberian Ginseng in this book:
Graciously, much of this book is on line. It can also be purchased from this site or through Amazon where you can look inside the book and see many customer reviews.
The Rhodiola Revolution byt Richard P. Brown, MD and Patricia L. Gerbarg, MD, et.al.
See this at Amazon.
======================
This thread explains a lot about mitochondrial dysfunction that goes hand in hand with lyme. Mitochondria damage can cause fatigue but stimulants make it worse. Here is what can help: -------
Topic: To everyone with CARDIAC symptoms please read !
=========================
Lyme also causes a lot of inner ear symptoms. When explained, it makes sense that any degree of vertigo or ear problems can cause exhaustion and problems with concentration - and mood. Exhaustion causes various levels of anxiety and depression. --------
Topic: TINNITUS: Ringing Between The Ears; Vestibular, Balance, Hearing with compiled links - including HYPERACUSIS -
Posts: 48021 | From Tree House | Registered: Jul 2007
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Keebler
Honored Contributor (25K+ posts)
Member # 12673
posted
- Lack of good sleep also causes problems with mood and concentration. Many sleep & pain meds don't address the underlying deficiencies but offer a band-aid that often comes with toxicity to the liver &/or kidneys. Here are some considerations for nutritional support to help: --------
Topic: Looking for long term pain management -
Posts: 48021 | From Tree House | Registered: Jul 2007
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Keebler
Honored Contributor (25K+ posts)
Member # 12673
posted
- Philip,
As you live in Germany, you might want to know about the Bionic 880 treatment. Some here have gone to Germany for the treatment and some have see absolutely wonderful and lasting results with the program.
The idea that a disfunction of the adrenal glands might be the cause is interesenting. Though I'm not sure, because when I take high doses of caffeine, I still experience strong nervousness... but absolutely no effect on energy and concentration. It's like the infection would cut off all the good effects, leaving only the bad ones.
quote: As you live in Germany, you might want to know about the Bionic 880 treatment. Some here have gone to Germany for the treatment and some have see absolutely wonderful and lasting results with the program.
Thanks for the info. Didn't know there's such a thing. Maybe I will trie it. Posts: 4 | From Germany | Registered: Aug 2010
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