Andie333
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 7370
posted
I had been glad to have quite a few invitations to get-togethers over the holiday. Last Christmas, I was already quite sick (though undxed), so we didn't go too many places. It seemed I was always tired, or feeling "not well..."
I've been on abx more than 6 months and things are markedly better most of the time. I still have bad days, though.
Anyway, last night, I had a dinner party invitation. I got showered, dressed...even got out my cashmere and pearls.
We showed up at a great time. The hostess was concerned about me, but I assured her I felt wonderful and was ready for a lovely evening.
After about 45 minutes, my fingertips started going numb. Then my lips and the entire left side of my face all went numb. This had never happened to me before in any of my herxes. My right knee started to burn and my eye began to twitch.
I came home and felt pretty discouraged.
Tonight, we had plans for a small dinner party then church. Again, showered, dressed...and halfway there, the numbness started in my lips, forehead and fingertips. Then my vision got cloudy, and my face began to flush. Finally, my left arm began to twitch.
So once again, I'm back here, feeling too much like Cinderella. I sent my SO along to enjoy the festivities without me both nights. I figured there was no reason both our nights should be ruined.
But, geez...NEW symptoms? And why now? I've tried to think of everything I've eaten and haven't found any clues there. My meds haven't changed either.
So I'm here, sitting with the lighted tree and struggling to feel better.
My first Lyme Christmas. So far, a bit of a bah-humbug!
Sorry to be so down...but I'm grateful to anyone who reads this! And I do wish everyone the best of holidays
Andie
Posts: 2549 | From never never land | Registered: May 2005
| IP: Logged |
Andie333
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 7370
posted
Happy Holidays, Sven...
My thoughts will be with you!
Andie
Posts: 2549 | From never never land | Registered: May 2005
| IP: Logged |
cantgiveupyet
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 8165
posted
Hello Andie,
I'm sorry new symptoms popped up with such bad timing.
Something similar happend to me tonite......i was feeling a bit better then i have been in awhile.... so I attended an anual xmas eve party....i decided i wasnt letting lyme win and i had stayed home long enough. So, i went, and before i knew it i was just sitting there off in my own thoughts.... feeling tired, neck pain and then came the numbness...my lip became numb and my eye twitched..... Then it left and i was extremly tired. And now my throat hurts from all the 2nd hand smoke.....all scratchy and dry. Seems i cant tolerate being around smoke at all.
I did manage to have an ok time, i laughed some and im glad i went out.
This is also my first Lyme christmas.
Do you think you might be more stressed during this time of year....maybe even your excitement could have triggered some symptoms??
I hope you are resting and tomorrow will be a better day for you.
-------------------- "Say it straight simple and with a smile."
"Thus the task is, not so much to see what no one has seen yet, But to think what nobody has thought yet, About what everybody sees."
-Schopenhauer
pos babs, bart, igenex WB igm/igg Posts: 3156 | From Lyme limbo | Registered: Oct 2005
| IP: Logged |
posted
Hi Andie, Please don't feel too bad you're definately not alone in this..My husband and I don't usually go out on Christmas but we do exchange gifts on Christmas eve.. Well last night was the worst night in years for me.. I was so sick I almost didn't make it through opening my gifts and now this morning I havent even been able to get out of bed..Christmas day dinner doesn't look like its going to be cooked or eaten. This is my 12th christmas with the lyme being so bad but it is by far the sickest I've had.
shazdancer
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 1436
posted
Yes, cantgiveup, good stress or bad stress, it's still stress, and the holidays have a way of bringing out good AND bad stress! Stress messes up the immune response, which may make the little 'chetes come out and play.
Try and take it slow, and get plenty of rest.
Sven, so sorry to hear. I left my SO of 5 years this past September. It got pretty nasty on his part, due in part (only in part) to my relapse and being unable to work full time. I got well enough, then moved out. Sorry to hear you are going through this now.
Take care, Shaz
Posts: 1558 | From the Berkshires | Registered: Jul 2001
| IP: Logged |
just don
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 1129
posted
Gee, and I thought I was just going to enjoy my 19 cent package of Ramen Noodles and call it a meal!! Just another day in the life of --just don--
-------------------- just don Posts: 4548 | From Middle of midwest | Registered: May 2001
| IP: Logged |
posted
Im with Don. Its just another day on the calendar except expectations are soooo unreal.
You can love family and friends any day of the year and we eat every day.
This is the first year I didnt put one deco out and you know what my grown daughter, her friend and I had just as good a time Xmas Eve as we ever did. Ate, an unconventional meal and enjoyed each other.
I too got some new leg muscle twitches for my Xmas present but today they were gone. Who knows what tomorrow will bring.
Whatever it is I will have to learn to cope with it and push on the best I can.
Guess what, no decos, NO CLEAN UP!!!!! There is a bright side to everything.
Posts: 561 | From connecticut | Registered: May 2004
| IP: Logged |
Monica
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 224
posted
You would think we could rationalize with these spirochetes and tell them, "Hey, let me have a few hours without you guys messin' with me. It's the holidays!"
Unfortunately, we can't.
But despite this disease I had a wonderful Christmas with my children (who are adults) and their SOs. They cooked dinner and waited on me. This is the second Christmas that has been the case.
Without their support and love it would have been a bummer.
Next Christmas, we'll all be a lot better. Right, guys?
Posts: 1757 | From Somerset County, NJ | Registered: Oct 2000
| IP: Logged |
Andie333
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 7370
posted
I hope everyone's feeling a bit better today than over the weekend.
I'm still pretty bad -- worse than I've been in about 4 months. I stayed home and didn't attend the famly dinner last night or the night before. Quiet doesn't even begin to describe it...
Anyway, this is just reinforcing for me the whole idea that this disease does what it wants when it wants. It's really full of surprises.
Last night, I got out my notebook and started writing out all the things I'm grateful for. This board and everyone here is definitely on tht list.
This time last year, I felt just as awful and I had NO idea wht was wrong. I just knew I was getting sicker and sicker by the day.
Now, at least, I've got a positive dx, a good LLMD, supportive SO, family and friends, enough money for my meds for January and heat in the house. Things could be a lot worse!
Andie
Posts: 2549 | From never never land | Registered: May 2005
| IP: Logged |
lymeloco
Unregistered
posted
Andie, I'm sorry you couldn't enjoy the holiday.
Fortunately, I was able to enjoy it this year, except for my s.o. sisters parrot who decided to take a bite of my neck and finger.
Last Christmas I stayed home, and couldn't stop crying. I did make myself drive that night to see my granddaughters...I couldn't let them down.
We played a game, and my head was so screwed up trying to figure out how to play the game we all couldn't stop laughing. Seeing them was the best medicine ever!
This year I was able to celebrate two days in a row.
It's good that you can be so positive when feeling so bad. It's not easy. It will get better. This disease has it's own agenda.
You just have to go with it, and this to shall pass.
I also have been grateful to have lymenet, and we all wish you a happier and healthier New Year!
IP: Logged |
Andie333
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 7370
posted
LL, Great news that you had two good days in a row and were able to enjoy the holiday weekend!
Ouch, though, to the parrot! I'm a big fan of birds, but I know how sharp their beaks can be.
I take inspiration from your post, LL! I'm pretty down tonight, in part because one of the children in my family wondered out loud why I couldn't be with them yesterday and whether I would be sick for the rest of my life.
Also, I saw an acquaintance on Friday night who was startled by my condition. "You've always been so full of life; it's hard to see you this limited>'
I feel exactly the same way.
But it's best for me not to think too much about that. Better to look forward, as you, MOnica and others have said.
In the meantime, I'll take those hugs, LL and give them back to you!
Andie
Posts: 2549 | From never never land | Registered: May 2005
| IP: Logged |
MADDOG
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 18
posted
AHH Shucks gang!!! Well this was the first christmas,that I was tick free while being santa and handing out the christmas gifts at moms.
What I mean is after getting the Touretts diagnosis,the meds. stoped the ticks.
No squinting and shaking,no tremors,no blinking,or(BARKING)!!! Except at the MOON!!!!!!
However I did make yellow snow on christmas day,on some snow below some bushes,in a state park.HE HE HE HE AAAAAAAOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!
Interstital cystitus,keeps me baptising trees,bushes,and firehydrants.
If you go were the MADDOG go don't you eat no yellow snow!!!!
MADDOG
Posts: 4083 | From Ohio | Registered: Oct 2000
| IP: Logged |
Andie333
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 7370
posted
Maddog, sadly, I had tremors and shaking...
Rain, though, so no full moon and no barking.
Maybe if I let myself howl a little, it would help!
Andie
Posts: 2549 | From never never land | Registered: May 2005
| IP: Logged |
posted
Andie333: I've been in your position many times over the years while I struggled with a correct diagnosis and finding treatment. I'm happy to say: It WILL get better!! and you will be able to enjoy the holidays again. Lymeloco: I know what you mean about not being able to focus on playing a game. I'm kind of the butt of the jokes around here because I'm such a space-head!! I'm sorry for all of you who had a bad holiday because of the little critters running rampant in our bodies. This is the first year in MANY that I haven't been medicated with antidepressants and I'm NOT depressed!! It has been so wonderful for me and my family. Just hang in there, it's going to get better!!
-------------------- "I can see clearly now" Posts: 22 | From midwest | Registered: Dec 2005
| IP: Logged |
Andie333
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 7370
posted
I love that hope, Angel, and I'm really glad to hear your news about this holiday...thank you!
Posts: 2549 | From never never land | Registered: May 2005
| IP: Logged |
mbroderick
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 5220
posted
Sorry, this post got botched up!!! I wasn't able to delete it. Maybe the forum leader will...
Posts: 2097 | From PA | Registered: Jan 2004
| IP: Logged |
mbroderick
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 5220
posted
Andie,
I'm thinking of you and very much hoping that your new symptoms have passed by now. It is amazing what a bit of stress can do to a body with a weak immune system. I had a flare-up as well. The bunch of us could have snuggled under some warm blankets with our headaches, twitches, sore hands and feet etc. etc. etc.!!!
map1131
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 2022
posted
Andie and others, socializing is very strainous on our taxed bodies. The fact that this happened twice when you were socializing reminds me of me.
I discovered Xanax and it has made a world of difference in my ability to lead a normal life more often. I would start shaking just getting ready to go out. For days after I was around a group of people I would be so much worse. It would wipe me out mentally, emotional, physically and spiritually.
Some would say doing Xanax is not a good idea, you can get addicted, etc etc. Having no social life, looking at the same four walls, missing your favorite sporting events is unhealthy for us. I believe being able to do life is healing for us too.
Take care, Pam
-------------------- "Never, never, never, never, never give up" Winston Churchill Posts: 6495 | From Louisville, Ky | Registered: Jan 2002
| IP: Logged |
Andie333
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 7370
posted
Marian, I'm so sorry to hear you've been down this week, too! I've really been thinking about you a lot and trying to find the extra strength and stamina to write you a pm. Maybe this day is better for you. At least I hope so.
Pam, actually, this only happened once with people around. The other two times, I never got that far -- once was halfway to someone's house and the second time I didn't get as far as the car.
But the first time was definitely at a party and definitely too much (I do take xanax, by the way, at the encouraging of my LLMD right after my initial dx; she said it was important to take something, since anxiety was a symptom of the disease).
I'm still new in treatment -- only 6 or 7 months -- so I know I've got a ways to go.
Today is better for me. I've had a couple of work appointments across town and have been tired but okay. I also work tomorrow.
Hopefully, the good feelings will hold!
Thanks for everyone's responses!
andie
Posts: 2549 | From never never land | Registered: May 2005
| IP: Logged |
map1131
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 2022
posted
Andie, my point exactly. Mine started in the bathroom getting ready to face the world. Yours started on the way there and before you got out of the house. See the point?
Just knowing you've got to pull yourself up and put on a happy face when you feel like crap is very hard on us.
For 2/12 yrs I keep getting up and going to work no matter how I was. One day I couldn't get up. When I was working that was all I had, because I would come home and die and start all over the next day. I honestly believe I burned up my adrenals, master energy whatever you want to call it. In those days I refused to take meds to sleep, refused to do pain pills, refused to do anti-depressants. Big bad me was going to fight this. Yeah right! Down I went.
That was 4 yrs ago yesterday. Thanks be to God I'm slowly coming out of lyme hell. Got quite an education in the process.
Take care, Pam
-------------------- "Never, never, never, never, never give up" Winston Churchill Posts: 6495 | From Louisville, Ky | Registered: Jan 2002
| IP: Logged |
Andie333
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 7370
posted
Pam, I do understand your point.
Usually, I don't tend to push things, but this caught me off guard. What I've found with Lyme is that if I push, the disease pushes back -- even harder. I do better when I just allow myself to get as healed and rested as I can.
Christmas definitely was a bust, but now I'm feeling a LOT better -- even worked yesterday and today. That leads me to think it was some sort of herx reaction to something.
Today as a fallback, I made a big pot of turkey and wild rice soup. If I do get sick again, I'm just going to pull a container of this out of the freezer...
This past weekend, it's something I wished I had.
Andie
Posts: 2549 | From never never land | Registered: May 2005
| IP: Logged |
map1131
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 2022
posted
Wow Andie, I recently cut out a recipe for turkey/wild rice/noodle soup. Is that what you made? I've been thinking about it long enough. It's time to make it.
Sounds like you are able to control your job to a degree. My mistake was to take a promotion when I knew very well that I was too ill. I didn't listen to my body or that little voice that said "Don't take it". It was high stress.
Oh well, chalk up another life lesson. I just got to fix it now. I can now recover from an event with a day or two of watching what I do.
Hope that soup makes you feel goooooooood!
Pam
-------------------- "Never, never, never, never, never give up" Winston Churchill Posts: 6495 | From Louisville, Ky | Registered: Jan 2002
| IP: Logged |
Andie333
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 7370
posted
The soup has turkey, wild and brown rice, mushrooms, carrots, celery. No noodles. It's something I more or less made up, but people seem to love it. Sometimes, I throw in some escarole.
Lyme days are so up and down. We should be celebrating our 15th anniversary in this house, but SO has a nasty case of pneumonia. So instead, we'll light a fire, have some soup. And I'll keep my distance. Last thing I need is more bacteria!
I think it's hard to juggle work and Lyme. I'm really in awe of women who also throw kids into that mix.
Andie
Posts: 2549 | From never never land | Registered: May 2005
| IP: Logged |
map1131
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 2022
posted
Yeah a friend of mine that I met on this site has lyme and she has 4 children with it. She's not able to work any longer. But my heart goes out for her. After a year of emailing each other and then talking on the phone we got to meet each other about a year ago. She's only about 90 minute drive from the big city. She and her 4 children started seeing my muscle testing chiro doc in town.
My daughter is married & gone. I can't image having children to look after too. Most days I'm lucky to keep track of me. If you know what I mean?
There's a frozen noodle called Reames that I just discovered and they have a recipe on the back with turkey, wild rice and these noodles. They must of stole your recipe and added their noodles. lol
Take care, Pam
-------------------- "Never, never, never, never, never give up" Winston Churchill Posts: 6495 | From Louisville, Ky | Registered: Jan 2002
| IP: Logged |
The Lyme Disease Network is a non-profit organization funded by individual donations. If you would like to support the Network and the LymeNet system of Web services, please send your donations to:
The
Lyme Disease Network of New Jersey 907 Pebble Creek Court,
Pennington,
NJ08534USA http://www.lymenet.org/
UBBFriend: Email this page to someone!
![[Wink]](wink.gif)
![[kiss]](graemlins/kissing.gif)
![[group hug]](graemlins/grouphug.gif)
![[Big Grin]](biggrin.gif)
Printer-friendly view of this topic