I have become really depressed lately and I just can't dig myself out of this hole. I have had Lyme for at least 3 years now (previously thought it was carpal tunnel syndrome, sciatica, depression, memory, and prostate problems) until it was discovered in February (I think).

I'd been to so many myofascial/ART specialists, a doctor, psychiatrist, psychologist, and urologist over the past year until one ART guy suggested I had Lyme and to get tested. Lo and behold, I had it and got treated with doxycycline for 1 month at which point in time I took all your advice and went to see a specialist since I was still having problems.

I'm now on Biaxin and Cefuroxime (Ceftin generic) 2x daily @ 500mg (in addition to many supplements)and things have lessened to an extent.

What's bothering me now is that my life is slipping away from me slowly but surely. I've got 20 credits left to graduate college (7 years after I've begun), and my grades have shot up to A's and B's from B's, C's and D's, but now I've enrolled in a class that is kicking my butt. The teacher is completely unsympathetic to my condition, and basically is taking the stance, that if I forget things or have a problem completing the assignments according to his schedule, that I shouldn't have taken the course in the first place. This is really depressing because he didn't even come to class for the 1st two days which are the only time you can add or drop a course during the summer. I was planning on graduating in December (which I promised to friends, my girlfriend, and especially my family -- who is paying for all my doctors and medicine).

Just 2 weeks ago, during the beginning of my class, I threw out my neck really badly, and I was unable to get out of bed or even turn my neck at all. 4 sessions of ART helped a bit, but I'm still scared to workout, for fear of reinjury.

I've recently started working a part time job for a bank to pay for things here and there, including taking my girlfriend out for her birthday (which we did last week). Thanks to the neck injury, my new job gave me a hard time about missing a day of work 1 week into starting, and my teacher almost didn't let me makeup the quiz because its an "accelerated summer course". My muscles are all imbalanced and riddled with myofascial pain thanks to Lyme and too much computer use over the years, so now the one thing I used to love doing, running and working out, are unavailable to me to release stress and feel better. I've begun smoking cigarettes to let off some stress now which is terrible but I can't seem to find a good alternative.

My parents are constantly blaming me instead of supporting me because I had a history of disappointing them (due to depression, which would keep me from completing tasks).

To top it off, my girlfriend seems to be speaking to me very matter of factly lately, much like a stranger. She firmly suggested I start attending a support group, which I can understand because I've been getting more and more miserable lately. I wouldn't dare ever taking anything out on her or anybody else, but I must be very dismal to be around lately.

I'm still constantly tight all over and in pain, not getting sleep, stressed out like hell, and unable to find a way to cope with my problems now. I have two labs that are overdue and points are slipping away from me very quickly.

I don't know what to do anymore.

Here's the thing though...you will get better....maybe you haven't found the right drug combo yet or there is a coinfection involved. You have had lyme in your system a long time and it is not going to get better overnight......BUT..... IT WILL GET BETTER.....you gotta hang tough. It was a good idea to come here and post.

Listen, I love to workout too and have slowed down quite a bit.....but you can go for a walk or bike ride even if you can't lift. It's ok to go to the gym and do a 30 minute workout (or less).

I know it's not the same as running ( I love to run 5k races and will again at some point)but it will keep your body moving and that is important. The healthier you can keep yourself , the better. Lyme hates oxygen and exercise oxygenates the blood.

The smoking, well you know as gym rat/ runner that you gotta quit that. Don't wanna be harsh...just want to support you in doing the right thing.

Take care.....hang in there.....you will improve it just takes time....

What you wrote on this thread could have been an entry from my journal! It was kind of scary to read! Maybe we should talk. I too am doing my best to pull through but get tired from fighting.

E-mail me your contact information, if you'd like to get in touch. My address is: [email protected]

I'll be traveling Wednesday and Thursday but should be back home on Friday and will once again have internet access.

Have you been to the disabilities office in your school? They can set you up and advocate for you with your instructor. Usually you have to have papers signed by your doctor to prove your disabilities.

Then the office should set up the accomodations required. For me, they included extra time for tests, papers, and other work as needed, special chair and desk, permission to tape classes or they would provide me with a notetaker, permission to leave a class if exposed to chemicals or scents, and various other things.

I found the instructors were much more sympathetic when it is given the validity of the law, which is that they do have to accomodate you.

I understand completely what you are going through. I have only 7 credits left to get my computer info systems degree. Because of long term lyme, can't do math now. One of my courses is calculus so I can't get my degree in cis, so I am switching all my credits over to a general studies degree, last 2 courses will be in communications or adult education or english courses.

What riversinger says is true. I was diagnosed with fibro, went to disability resource and they were actually the only people who were truly sympathetic and helpful all the time. One long time advisor had a field day with one extremely mean prof. They know the law and once they set these profs straight, then it does really help. Don't wait, so much can be done so quickly. And I think the laws are even better in the U.S. than in Canada.

As for gym work, see if they have pilates. I know most men think oh that's pansy stuff. No it's not, there are different levels, and really gets quite hard. Most men I know who do it are amazed at how hard and how effective it is. Really helped with the brain fog and especially the neck and shoulder pain.

As for family and friends, the best you can do is be quiet or to a minimum because they just don't know how you feel and usually I found out later were really worried about me. If you need to vent, etc., come here. That's what we do best, we understand and can help you.

Let us know how you are doing.

God Bless and take care, it will get better.

Step One:

1.) Contact the office of student disabilities. Every college has one. Along with that, every teacher must then be informed that you are under the office of student disability provisions and whatever provisions they set for you.

I had to drop out of my bachelors a year short of graduating. I went back two semesters ago ( I think) and the first one, I realized I was starting to get *worse*. by the second semester, I was toasted. I signed myself up for this over the break (May-through now) and

now I dare one of my teachers to suggest I get my work done or else.

2.) Tell your girlfriend that you post on a support group. Furthermore, she should be of SOME support to you. There are some things people can't handle. If she can't handle.. show her the door... handle.

Hang in there! I understand the whole school thing - in fact I had to take two incompletes last semester - which is soooo frustrating.

It will get better - especially since you're on a good treatment regime. I found, for me, that I needed to slow down for a while, to let my body have a chance to recover.

I have been slowly taking my time to do school work, and although I too was trying to graduate in December, I may need to take a class in the spring.

However, as my boyfriend tells me - a small sacrifice now is far greater than not letting my body heal and paying for it in the long run.

Everyone gave you some great ideas - let us know the outcome. Keep posting here, this is an awesome site for support and has gotten me through my worst times! Take care.

If that doesn't get you more support, then
you go to the Dean. That is how you state
your case and receive some kind of ammendments to your situation.

By all means, don't give up, Jason. Believe
me, I had plenty of students in my class
who had different problems which caused
restrictions or time limits for completing
class curriculum. (Had drug problems, student with emotional problems...I just learned to deal with things with more
sensitivity to help out.)

I don't know if you attend a smaller college
or larger university, put the steps are
generally the same.

I was not aware that there is a disabilities department and that they can help me out! I wish I had come back sooner to read your responses!

My summer semester is over in just 2 weeks, and I have an exam tomorrow (darn I wish I knew about this disabilities dept. sooner), but hopefully I will be able to pull it all off and get a passing grade. Regardless, I'm going to contact some people tomorrow after my exam.

quote:

---

Originally posted by jason:
Hello all,

I have become really depressed lately and I just can't dig myself out of this hole. I have had Lyme for at least 3 years now (previously thought it was carpal tunnel syndrome, sciatica, depression, memory, and prostate problems) until it was discovered in February (I think).

I'd been to so many myofascial/ART specialists, a doctor, psychiatrist, psychologist, and urologist over the past year until one ART guy suggested I had Lyme and to get tested. Lo and behold, I had it and got treated with doxycycline for 1 month at which point in time I took all your advice and went to see a specialist since I was still having problems.

I'm now on Biaxin and Cefuroxime (Ceftin generic) 2x daily @ 500mg (in addition to many supplements)and things have lessened to an extent.

What's bothering me now is that my life is slipping away from me slowly but surely. I've got 20 credits left to graduate college (7 years after I've begun), and my grades have shot up to A's and B's from B's, C's and D's, but now I've enrolled in a class that is kicking my butt. The teacher is completely unsympathetic to my condition, and basically is taking the stance, that if I forget things or have a problem completing the assignments according to his schedule, that I shouldn't have taken the course in the first place. This is really depressing because he didn't even come to class for the 1st two days which are the only time you can add or drop a course during the summer. I was planning on graduating in December (which I promised to friends, my girlfriend, and especially my family -- who is paying for all my doctors and medicine).

Just 2 weeks ago, during the beginning of my class, I threw out my neck really badly, and I was unable to get out of bed or even turn my neck at all. 4 sessions of ART helped a bit, but I'm still scared to workout, for fear of reinjury.

I've recently started working a part time job for a bank to pay for things here and there, including taking my girlfriend out for her birthday (which we did last week). Thanks to the neck injury, my new job gave me a hard time about missing a day of work 1 week into starting, and my teacher almost didn't let me makeup the quiz because its an "accelerated summer course". My muscles are all imbalanced and riddled with myofascial pain thanks to Lyme and too much computer use over the years, so now the one thing I used to love doing, running and working out, are unavailable to me to release stress and feel better. I've begun smoking cigarettes to let off some stress now which is terrible but I can't seem to find a good alternative.

My parents are constantly blaming me instead of supporting me because I had a history of disappointing them (due to depression, which would keep me from completing tasks).

To top it off, my girlfriend seems to be speaking to me very matter of factly lately, much like a stranger. She firmly suggested I start attending a support group, which I can understand because I've been getting more and more miserable lately. I wouldn't dare ever taking anything out on her or anybody else, but I must be very dismal to be around lately.

I'm still constantly tight all over and in pain, not getting sleep, stressed out like hell, and unable to find a way to cope with my problems now. I have two labs that are overdue and points are slipping away from me very quickly.

I don't know what to do anymore.

[This message has been edited by jason (edited 13 July 2004).]

---

Hi just hang in there Ive been getting treated for 3 years I found out last year that wife has it she's never been bitten by a tick so I believe she got it from me this day today is a straight year on abx'x and I may be coming off them. I feel pretty good now. I believe we passed it back in forth. I had this disease since 1988 and couldnt prove it around here(clearfield county PA) had every symptom and some.So to my point hang in there its really rough but you can make it dont ever give up GOOD LUCK!!!!!!!!

Ps get girl friend checked.

Sexually Transmitted ??? http://flash.lymenet.org/ubb/Forum1/HTML/017501.html http://flash.lymenet.org/ubb/Forum1/HTML/023077.html http://www.ktvu.com/video/3547022/detail.html

In terms of having her checked, she has plenty of symptoms that are associated with Lyme but I haven't been able to get her to go as of yet (although I will never stop urging her, and one day I will get her to go)

I missed an exam today because this past weekend I was hurting so badly (pain, fever, chills) that I couldn't focus on my studies and just quit studying after vomiting at 4 in the morning

However, I just contacted my Lyme Specialist and hopefully she will come thru with a helpful note. I also contacted the disabilities department today at my school and the lady over the phone sounded very encouraging. Unfortunately her director is not in today, so I will have to confront my teacher tomorrow unarmed. I'm not sure if i should tell him why I missed the exam, as he won't be very receptive anyway. Maybe I should go in early and discuss it with him.

In any case, I must eat and get over to the Disabilities department, and continue studying for the makeup exam that I don't know if I will receive!

Hopefully your teachers will be a bit more flexible after they learn what you have been through. I'm planning on delivering a letter to my teachers before the start of the semester to update them on my status in hope that they are more understanding when I am not feeling 100%.

Good luck with it all!

I just read your post and had to respond.

Your situation sounds so familiar to my son's (LazerOrca). He too is a college student undergoing Lyme treatment.

He also has done the rigorous summer sessions to make up credits for classes he had to drop due to this illness.

Used to be very active, an excellent runner, tennis player, basketball, football etc.

If you are open to it, shoot him an email sometime. You guys seem to have alot in common. ([email protected])

Please hang in there and know that people here sincerely care!

That is great to know about the gf, you need someone close to you to support you and be understandin. Very important to ones mental state.