I am a single gal, just turned 35, the day I was diagnosed I closed escrow on my Bay Area home. Had I known then what I was in for financially - hindsight I guess.

The friends drift away, the horses sold, family even begins to get annoyed or non-plussed with the cries for help.

When do you say when? when does it stop? I may lose my home and all from a tick. A girl my age ended her life because of lyme a couple of weeks ago. I never thought I would understand getting to that point but I do now.

The stress, anxiety, constant battle to prove your sick, the insanity of insurance companies, the overwhelming expense. I never wanted it to get me down, I am always a fighter and strong of spirit BUT how do you keep doing it day in and day out.

Is a condo better for you?

I've wondered if Lyme patients should move in with other Lyme patients. If you do, have all your agreements in writing. Lyme patients are very forgetful.

Would renting rooms in the house work for you? Check your town's zoning laws.

After years of going to a church that felt like a duty I found the right church. It has made an incredible difference for my whole family.

The only problem is my husband wants us to move in practically (Wednesday night, Sunday morning and Sunday night)! Bu he feels better going.

the only way out of it, is through it

don't let this disease win ~ your not alone!

never say when ~ saying when is giving up - never give up! no matter how hard, you have to believe there is a light at the end of the tunnel.

I read so much, from the folks that are recovered - they all say it's takes a long time, but you have to stick to it, and make sure you're being cared for by a LLMD, and nothing less!

Keep your chin up and ignore Brainless - don't sell your house unless you want to!

Please try to hang in there. I can tell you from my own experience that I was able to get two different times of remission from these symptoms. During those (total of 14 years) I did not need any treatment and only a few extra suppliments.

Yes, I have relapsed, but it may be due to having had a cortizone shot...dummy me.

I am younger than you are and I have seen many friends leave due to the seemingly never ending symptoms and problems. My family is okay but they don't understand the severity of symptoms, the intense FIGHT you have to put up to the docs and insurance and everything else. I feel like you, that I have to constantly prove to them about stuff or sometimes I just pretend things are okay.

Can you get to a support group out there? There is one in Santa Cruz. Maybe we can hang out some when I move to Turlock in August? Can you hang on till then?

Financially it is a nightmare. I don't know what to say, but I have never even OWNED a house, so you are ahead there. And to own in California is a dream and should provide at least SOME income for a time if you must sell.

I know that is NO consolation. I know it isnt. I am just trying to reach out to you and ask you to please hang in there and NOT kill yourself.

Anyone know of a hotline for help? I have heard of some being used around the country. But I never get the REAL info on them. We need more hotlines and more folks who have gotten batter to reach out to us that are still suffering.

Email me if you need to! I can't promise that I can talk you down from suicide, but I CAN talk to you about life with lyme and the atrocities of it all!
Trails

When someone says "I may lose my home" and "I never thought I would understand getting to that point (suicide) but I do now", it's time to consider ALL options.

She has passed trite.

b

Are your parents alive? Can you live with them until you get better-YOU WILL. Or a sibling?

You must ask for help, I know it's hard.

Are your parents alive? Can you live with them? Maybe a sibling or old friend, aunt or uncle?

It's hard but sometimes you gotta ask for help, if you don't others won't know how to help.

Maybe a second opinion from another LLMD?????

Call your Lyme support groups and ask.

Suicide is not for me, not considering it at all, just understand how desperate one can feel to do that. But it does help to know that others send out support and good wishes. I did not intend for it to sound like I was feeling suicidal, I have too many wonderful things in my life plus I am a fighter.

Plus I think I was having some wicked rage and depression yesterday...too many things pile up on you at once.

Was really scared there. As YOU know when people ARE suicidal with this disease you need to take it seriously FAST.

I am so relieved to hear that you are a fighter and that you can work again for a bit! I know this doesnt mean that things are just grand out there, but I am relieved none the less.

again, look into the support groups, it can really help with the emotions without taking out more $$ from the bank! And e-mail me if you want, I don't need to be a roomie, but I can take some time and chat with you, or we could start our OWN support group.

My best to you,
Trails

I'm glad you're going to hang in there with us!! I understand about the suicide too. I could understand how people could get to that point after what I've gone through as well.

Hope you continue to improve!

After reading some posts on Tindamax I see there is some depression associated with that med. I am on bicillin, Zithro and Tinda.

Pippy I am sorry to hear you are going through the same thing. Maybe we can help pep each other up when we need it. I have thought of moving out of California as well.

Trails - thanks for your concern and willingness to be there.

The last two days I lost an insurance appeal for IV meds ($15K), I was auditied by my disability and they say the overpaid me and now I owe them $2,400, I apparently forgot to pay a supplemental prop. tax in 2003 and just found out about it, so it went from $3,000 to $9,000 - yikes.

The finanacial suffering involved with this disease is devastating. I have read so much suffering - people selling everything they worked for - it breaks my heart.

There should be a fund for lyme victims so that they don't have to experience such financial despair.

I know I am luckier than some and try to focus on the hope that one day I will not have to fight fight fight and can just live life again.

For those that are experiencing the same financial and emotional fights, please know all these wonderful people are wishing you well including me.

Just tested negative for Bart after two years, thankfully. Hypothyroid - iron anemia - lots of little things that add up.