posted
Any sleep issues @ night?
Posts: 59 | From NH, USA | Registered: Oct 2004
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Keebler
Honored Contributor (25K+ posts)
Member # 12673
posted
- This is just the way lyme works. That you awakened refreshed and even get 6 - 7 hours of functioning is absolutely amazing, really.
I'm sorry to say this but if you are expecting the brain fog to lift anytime soon, you should probably not hold your breath. It will likely take months, even for someone treating fairly early. When lyme hits, brain fog is one of the key features and it takes a very long time to clear.
It's just the way lyme works. If you can work with that rather than fight it, your brain will be less stressed and (hopefully) come around faster. But the disappointment when brain fog is think really undermines how we feel about ourselves. It's nearly impossible to feel good, inside. So, acceptance and understanding are so vital.
You will have some clearer periods of time, perhaps, but be aware they can be fleeting until you are done with treatment, even a couple months after other symptoms are gone, the brain fog may be with you for a bit. For this reason, planning is so much more important.
Brain fog also indicated vitamin or mineral deficiency - or liver stress - or adrenal weakness. Be sure your support is in place but also be understanding that this is just the way lyme works. Patience in excess is needed.
About TV. TV is not that restful. It's actually very draining on your eyes and your brain. So is the computer. The brain works VERY hard to process electronic images and sounds.
In fact, since you are planning a cruise in a week or so, it might be best if you unplug your TV. You will feel so much better if you do. Really. Books can stimulate your brain but won't pull you down like TV can.
Back to how to manage your energy:
BEFORE fatigue hits (or even hints) at 6 ot 7 hours, then, you should lie down and rest aggressively - even if you can't nap, your body is telling you it needs to rest.
In the dark. In the quite. Horizontal. Your brain needs to be horizontal for the best rest.
Lying down, closing your eyes, really going into a deep rest mode is what's needed. Aggressive rest is far different from just lying about.
Reassess your LIVER SUPPORT. A stressed liver will fog the brain. Also, check your ADRENAL SUPPORT. But don't push, rather support.
Even with that, frequent aggressive rest sessions are needed, though. If you don't do this, you could wind up having to rest several times an hour. Really. Listen to your body now so you can give it the real rest it needs to help you heal.
Also be sure to get some non-aerobic exercise when your energy will permit.
** Nutritional Supplements in Disseminated Lyme Disease **
J.J. Burrascano, Jr., MD (2008) - Four pages -
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.
======================
If help beyond supplements is needed, sometimes LLMDs will prescribe LOW DOSE CORTEF (Hydrocortisone).
While steroids are dangerous with lyme, the low-dose Cortef is more like the body should be producing, but can't and lyme patients who need it generally do very well with it. A few may not be able to handle it.
Usually, the adrenal supplements are employed first.
For many good past LymeNet Threads, you can search here: -------------------------------
Topic: To everyone with cardiac symptoms please read !
-----------------
But, I really suggest just unplugging your computer and resting. It's good to understand all the different things that go with lyme but - you are in training for a CRUISE. Too much study will rob you of once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to experience joy.
Get you liver and adrenal support in place. GLANCE over the cardiac thread - maybe get some Hawthorn Extract going for you and then unplug - rest - and gear up for the Mediterranean.
Just what I'd do (based upon what I've learned from my misplaced attention in the past). Going without a TV and even without a computer for long periods of time was wonderful for my brain.
Start packing for that cruise. You don't want to have to make all those decisions the night before you leave. Even seemingly minor stuff like packing can be draining.
However you proceed, good luck. -
Posts: 48021 | From Tree House | Registered: Jul 2007
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Rumigirl
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 15091
posted
Excellent advice, as always, from the invaluable Keebler!
And, Paul, I don't know if you can appreciate how extraordinarily lucky you are that you have that window of energy! It must mean that you haven't been sick a long time, and that you are catching it early. And that the treatment is good.
Be grateful for what you do have, and preserve the energy. Keebler is so right on.
Posts: 3771 | From around | Registered: Mar 2008
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posted
Since I first got sick about 15 months ago, I have usually felt good when I wake up in the morning, and fatigue and pain come on gradually later in the day. If it's a bad day, they start by breakfast. If not, they might wait until late afternoon or evening.
If I'm herxing, I will wake up in pain and want a nap after breakfast.
I do find that I get some relief from naps--I sleep an hour or two, and then the symptoms I had before the nap are less when I wake up.
-------------------- Don't forget to laugh! And when you're going through hell, keep going!
Bitten 5/25/2009 in Perry County, Indiana. Diagnosed by LLMD 12/2/2009. Posts: 756 | From Inside the tunnel | Registered: Jan 2010
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posted
After 3 weeks of treatment it is only really the brain fogg (and occasional) that I am experiencing for the most part. We will see noe that I started Flagyl if I herx at all.
Posts: 239 | From NC | Registered: Aug 2010
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