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Posted 3/18/2012 3:10 PM (GMT 0)
I am really sick this weekend, and just feel like I'm worthless. I have Hashimoto's and Lyme disease, and I don't know which is the culprit. Yesterday I had terrible stomach pain (high, starting under rib cage), and felt all day that I needed to go to the bathroom. It hurt worse to sit, so I spent most of the day laying flat or standing up. Today I woke up with terrible diarrhea. This is a pattern that happens about every 5-8 weeks. It took me forever to figure that out. I thought I kept getting a "touch of the flu" with either vomitting or diarrhea. All I can do is cry, go to the bathroom, cry some more....... I just want to shut down, stay in bed and do nothing. But I have 3 young children, a full time job, and several other committments that I have to keep up with. My home looks like those featured on "Hoarders" (not quite as drastic). Not because I collect things, but because I have no energy to clean up...things just keep piling up. My family deserves more, but I have nothing more to give them. I don't want my kids (age 8,5,3) growing up in an environment that is so messy, a mom who never feels like doing anything, etc, etc. I just don't know what to do anymore.

If you read this, Thank you for listening. I'm sorry for being so down and depressing.

Posted 3/18/2012 3:52 PM (GMT 0)
I'm so sorry you feel so so bad and you've got to incredibly much on your plate with a full time job and your small children to look after.

I just wanted to give you some info perhaps you weren't aware of.

Some doctors, research and this well respected molecular biologist say most auto immune disease are caused by mycoplasma infections and lymes and co infections and viral etc.

Check out his site as I learned from him actually after being misdiagnosed with Sjogrens with joint inflammation that I didn't buy, and found his site saying "Sjogrens" and he lists MANY other auto immunes usually caused from a chronic ..

..infection. I read there got tested positive for mycoplasmas and am waiting for more tests as it's looking like lymes too. www.immed.org
Go to auto immune tab, and read about these and pdf's. Educational.

Here he is on another site helping someone diagnosed with Hashimoto's.
He was nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize. Maybe your Hashimoto's, is the Lymes too or co infections and you could test it and treat it and....

....have less on your plate if your Hash is in fact a symptom of another co infection?

http://www.medhelp.org/posts/Autoimmune-Disorders/Hashimotos-Thyroiditis/show/1455026

Person inquiring:

Hello, I have been diagnosed with Hashi for 6 years now, positive ANA. ......Dr. wants me on 50mg of Levo to see if it shrinks, your thoughts and am I missing something......? (There's more I cut question.)

Dr. Nicolson's response:

I think that you are headed in the right direction. Our own studies on Hashimoto's Disease indicates that often pateints are infected with mutliple microorganisms (bacteria, viruses) that target the thyroid gland and other sites causing mutiliple signs and symptoms. Our own studies have focused on cell wall deficient bacteria (Mycoplasma, Chlamydia, Borrelia, etc.).

I would suggest that if Levo is not considered effective after several weeks of treatment that you and your physician consider switching to another Abx.

Also, there are other considerations, such as immune health, repair of mitochondrial damage, etc. that need attention. You can find more about this on our website under Treatment Considerations, www.immed.org, especially the second publication that can be downloaded as a RTF doc.

Prof. Garth Nicolson

=====

Just food for thought Diambleseed. I really hope you can somehow get relief somewhere.

I've been venting a lot too. Good luck with all this. xo
Posted 3/18/2012 4:07 PM (GMT 0)
hang in there iamblessed, you are blessed as you have 3 wonderful children; but i am sure its very hard handling that while ill and attemping to hold down a job


you cannot be hard on yourself for being sick, as we all are doing the best we can under the circumstances


you can only do what you can do, is there any friend or family that can help out with the kids and or household for a while; can you cut down on commitments temporarily..I have founds friends willing to help, sometimes we just have to be openw ith them and say, look I am very sick and need your help ins ome small way..maybe neighbors can take or puick up your kids 1-2 days a week..just to give you some break

also, i have found a good cry does help and there is sceintific reserach to show that it does help..the body needs to release emotionally all of that that is held in
Posted 3/18/2012 5:14 PM (GMT 0)
Oh, diamblessed, I am sorry for your feelings of worthlessness. Look at all you are doing. Take one day at a time.You can do it. The problem I have that I am working on is the feeling that I need to be Super woman to succeed. I am working on my pride and acknowledging my limitations. That is hard, isn't it? Your available time and energy should be channeled to your kids, imo, and screw the housework. It will always be there, but your children wont. Someday, they also can help keep the house in order.
It's great to vent. Don't give up.
Posted 3/18/2012 5:29 PM (GMT 0)
Never apologize for venting - that's what we're here for! The thing to remember here is that our bodies - or minds - are not really designed to function in this state! Most people get sick like this and make resting a priority, and then get better and that's it. There are no rules for how to live our lives and maintain all of our responsibilities while being so sick - you're doing the best you can and that is more than commendable!

IMO the fact alone that you're concerned about how this is affecting your children is more than enough - don't be so hard on yourself! While it's great that you want the best for them, you won't be doing them any good by beating yourself up over what you can't do. It's normal to need to cry sometimes - get it out! I know this isn't easy, but just remember that you're doing the best you can and that's just going to have to be good enough!

Have you seen a doctor about what's going on with your digestive system? That's definitely an important place to begin as if your digestive system isn't functioning properly, anything you take orally to treat the rest of it might be rendered less effective. Just something to think about.

From personal experience, my guess would be that it's more likely the Lyme than the Hashimoto's - the Lyme could actually be causing the Hashimoto's. I got infected with Lyme when I was 10 - for the next few years I started having joint pain, chest pain, shortness of breath, abdominal pain & "IBS," etc. They sort of wrote it all off and never put 2 and 2 together. At 14 I started having more emotional/psychiatric symptoms, so they blamed it on Hashimoto's, when, more than likely, after 4 years, the Lyme had caused hypothryoidism, and the autoimmune component was a result of the Lyme as well. The psychiatric symptoms were more than likely a mix of bartonella, and being 14!

Just a personal story - I don't even think doctors can be 100% sure of what's REALLY going on with multiple conditions, what came first, etc.

Just remember these things wax and wane - take good care of yourself, get rest and relaxation when you can, and most importantly treat yourself with compassion.
Posted 3/18/2012 9:25 PM (GMT 0)
Today I'm wishing I could quit my job, not to sit at home and sulk, but so I could give any energy I have to myself and my family. Since my first was born almost 9 years ago, I've worked only part time. In the last year, we decided that I would go full time in an effort to get out of debt. Now I find myself missing a lot of work (either physically sick, exhaustion, depressed). We eat out all the time because I don't have the energy to cook or clean up afterwards (eating all of the extra money). I'm tired of watching my kids step over piles of laundry or clutter.

We suspect possible mold in our home (which can cause it's own host of problems). Due to our clutter and lack of organization, we haven't let anyone in the house to check it out yet. What a crazy cycle. I cannot believe I'm sharing this, but it's nice to get it out.

My husband just doesn't get it! Not that he's a bad guy, but pretty sure he thinks I'm just lazy.
Posted 3/18/2012 9:53 PM (GMT 0)
have him read some of the posts of those of us who are very sick..i printed some out and sent to my mother
not thats he will read it, butaamkes me feel better

not to get into your personal situation, but everyone has to be helping you..kids etc..they will take cues from your husband..i say time for a family sit down under the terms of "moms sick"
Posted 3/19/2012 12:15 AM (GMT 0)
Someone asked if I was being treated. I was diagnosed with Hashi's almost 2 years ago, and am on Armour 90 mg. I was just diagnosed this past week with Lyme. I haven't even had a conversation with my husband about Lyme, so we need to do this. My Dr. sent the results in the mail, but no information on treatment. I'm hoping to find out this week what he suggests. As far as the digestional problems, he started me on Nystatin. He asked me to go gluten free. Lately I've felt so bad that I've just been eating what sounds good, obviously not a good plan.
Posted 3/19/2012 1:04 AM (GMT 0)
keep in mind treating thyroid to increase its activity (hypothyroidism) whcih is what armour is doing may crash adrenals and adrenals likely already tanked with lyme and this is what is contributin to severe fatigue.

nystatin is a pretty strong drug and can be hard on liver...seems peculiar to start you on a yeast drug

It sound like he wats to support gut and metabolism But i would question how he is going about it

do you remember if you felt better before thyroid support.ie armour

salt water with a good sea salt in am is good for adrenals as is loads of magnesium as is Vitamin B5
you may want to discuss with him cutting armour dosage and even trying srt3 (sustained release t3) which IMO
is a gentler approach to treating low thyroid (see www.wtsmed.com)
Posted 3/19/2012 1:51 AM (GMT 0)
Please do not do anything to treat your adrenals though, unless you know that your adrenals are not functioning properly. Then please see a practitioner and don't do anything on your own. The last thing anyone needs is to mess up their adrenals even more.

As for your Hashi's, I have that too and it was caused by the tick-borne infections, as they are well known to cause such things.

Maybe you could get your husband to go to a site for those who are caregivers for Lyme patients? It's called Lymespouse and can be found here: www.lymespouse.org/
I've been through as much as I can on that site without registering (I'm a Lyme patient not a caregiver, LOL!) when they first started it, and the info seemed to be accurate at that point.

Maybe you should re-evaluate your situation at this time, now that you know you are fighting a very aggressive, complex infection? Now may not be the time for you to be working full time if you can find a way not to. Your health is very important!
Posted 3/19/2012 2:10 PM (GMT 0)
Got a call this morning from my LLMD's office. They are sending me a prescription for 4 different antibiotics, and said I only take one at a time. More instructions will come in the mail with the prescriptions.
Posted 3/19/2012 3:22 PM (GMT 0)
I know that feeling...guilt, pain, listlessness, depression........

Don't beat yourself up. You are doing the best you can. I also have to hold down a full time job. I don't have children, but I work with them. It's very difficult to do and keep a smile on your face when you're hurting so bad.

I find pain medication does help to take the edge off some if your dr is willing and you're willing.

Best of luck to you!

BTW--Change your diet. No more eating out. No starches (not even veggie starches), No sugar, No processed foods, No dairy. It will help you. Make big meals on the weekends..have your husband help you.

Post Edited (SleeplessNJ) : 3/19/2012 9:25:17 AM (GMT-6)

Posted 3/19/2012 10:03 PM (GMT 0)
SleeplessNJ: What do you mean Change my diet? What's wrong with my Reeses Sonic Blast's, Chicken Fried Rice, crab rangoons, fast food........?

So I'm home sick today, and decided to watch the movie "Fat, Sick, and Nearly Dead" on Netflix. Ironically, I had to pause it twice to go get sick.

My diet isn't always as bad as I described it above, however it isn't good. When I am in a good place emotionally and physically, I eat well. After much research, and nutritional advice, my idea of eating well is: good meats (antibiotic free, etc), low carb/no starch veggies, some fruits, and good fats. I use coconut oil, coconut milk, almond milk, and bake with coconut and almond flours.

However, after watching this movie today, I am tempted to try juicing for health and healing. I've always felt like protein is a must though, and not sure if it is a good idea to leave it out.

Any thoughts or opinions?
Posted 3/19/2012 10:49 PM (GMT 0)
brocolli, cauliflower, asparagus, steamed with fresh butter are like candy to your tummy

celery is very good as well, for snacks with an almond or cashew butter..

remember habits can be broken-made in as little as 3-4 days; and i found it took an adjustment period of a few weeks-month to get rid of sugar cravings..

was watching Dr Hyman on the weekend , public Tv station, cannot remember which of his books, talk tell about how sugars are so addictive to body (he said more addictive than cocaine based upon studies) and we eat more as there are no nutrients in all this crap food, it does not satisfy our bodys requirement for nutrients so we are always hungry and then eat more bad food, etc, etc

you go clean ,pretty soon your body will start to reject crap food..i get ill now eating anything that is too processed...with canaola oil..will not eat any whole foods soup as its loaded with canola oil..the wrost..even biords and bugs do not eat the plant

i now crave my veggies and eggs and oat meal..no cravings athestarbuck pastry counter
I still have a weakness for tea and veggie chips though, so this is my one treat of bad food

at my worst i was likely 240, now i am 180..i see pictures of myself then, and boy did I look sick...even my ex gf said at the time, that my skin and eyes were yellow..a sign of liver toxicity

i remember going home to visit my gramma and her first words were boy are you ever fat :(
I did not know it yet, but my sickness was making me heavier (constipated, low thryoid) and the sicker i got the more junk food i ate..I was one ball of fatigue

I am sure, another few years and I would have had a heart attack-stroke in mid 40's with this genetic tendency to have high fibrin---so sometimes our illness can have some positive effects, although I wish i could have gotten the message sooner without being poisoned by dentists and these bugs

A much improved plan..congratulations..1st step is the hardest
Posted 3/20/2012 1:16 AM (GMT 0)
Diet is so important with Lyme or any other chronic condition. But sugar and starch feed those little bugs inside us and get them strong......

LOTS of protein (preferably hormone and antibiodic free)..I eat a lot of fish, chicken, beef and seafood..then TONS of starch free veggies like Cauliflower, broccoli, cabbage, spinach, zucchini, a little spaghetti squash, salads..I steam them or sautee them in Coconut oil (which is a fantastic antifungal btw) lots of garlic too. NO dairy and NO butter..sorry mercury, not gonna agree on that one. I don't cheat at all. NO sugar. NO starch. NO processed foods. ALL natural..

I drink almond/coconut milk when I want something "sweet" and ocassionally (and only just that) a handful of berries or a Siggis yogurt. (I am not affiliated with the company in any way) Their cows are grass fed and they only sweeten the yogurt with organic agave nectar. It is all natural, no fake ingredients and they use skim milk. It doesn't bother me at all and it gets extra probiodics in you which you need. Are you taking a probiodic??

Fall in love with garlic and coconut. Also, you can eat some nuts like almonds and pecans, or sunflower seeds..

This does help. I also purchased something called "Green Vibrance" that you can mix in your water and it has probiodics in it and like a zillion veggies.

It's all a good start. You need to see an LLMD of course too :-) I do know the diet did help me with some of my neuro symptoms. It hasn't cured me, but I've only just started being REALLY strict last month. I have noticed improvements and that is good! I was not able to go #2 but once or twice per week before, now I go almost every day/every other day. It's a huge improvement. My RLS has improved too without the sugar. I know diet wont cure me, but it is helping and I'll do anything to not feed/enable these nasty little bugs inside me. Yuck!!
Posted 3/20/2012 1:17 AM (GMT 0)
Oh yeah and make sure you drink LOTS of water (with lemon if you can tolerate)
Posted 3/20/2012 1:30 AM (GMT 0)
I agree. I think the diet is sooo important to feeling better and getting better. My problem is the emotional/phychological part of all of this. I feel so depressed and blah most of the time that "I don't care".

In April 2010, I started the hcg diet, and lost 95 pounds. I accepted the low carb, high protein diet, and I made all my "goodies" from scratch with coconut or almond flours and stevia, agave nectar, or xylitol. After 12 months of this, you would think I would could continue. I went way down hill after that. I ate a little sugar, which turned into a lot of sugar! I need to get back to this way of eating.....fast!

As far as dairy, I did fine as long as I used them in their more natural state. I used whole cream, greek yogurt, real butter, and full fat products. These are less processed.
Posted 3/20/2012 1:40 AM (GMT 0)
I'm sure you did, because we have a SERIOUS addiction to sugars and starches as that is what the bugs crave.

As for dairy--I promise you, you would do better without them. If you MUST have butter, I'd go with Ghee (clarified butter)..but a good extra virgin olive oil or coconut oil takes its place quickly and you'll never miss it, I promise.

The Almond milk is delicious and I actually like it better than milk. Just my opinion though.

You have to get inspired..maybe get in to cooking again..write down what you cook, you can make it easier to remember and re-produce the recipe for yourself. Cook big batches on weekends and freeze/eat for the week.

We are here to support you! Just think, each time you cheat, the bugs are happy and winning. That was enough for me to drop everything and not look back. Again, just how I see it.

Diet is very important. Vitamins too. Get some good vitamins, some fish oils, magnesium, probiodics..

Posted 3/20/2012 2:12 AM (GMT 0)
This whole thing - we'll call it Lyme disease but it's so much more than that - can be really overwhelming in the beginning! It can be pretty overwhelming at times months into it, too. It can be really tough to adjust to such a lifestyle change so quickly, and it does take time.

I know how you feel - not only do the bugs make us crave the "bad" food, but when you're feeling depressed and stressed out, it can be really hard not to give into temptation. You can only do the best you can do, and never beat yourself up over anything you could've done better. We're all always learning and improving.

I know how tough it is to talk to people about Lyme, or being sick in general. It's emotional and hard to explain, but I think the sooner you can talk to your husband about it, the better. With a giant checklist of symptoms, it's overwhelming to explain, so when I find myself at a loss for words, I just tell them it's like having a super-flu at all times, or that every single bodily function is slowed down or impaired by these infections and their consequences. Or even, "I can't really explain it, but I'm pretty sick." What you're going through isn't easy, and you need all the support you can get!

While it isn't written specifically about Lyme disease, a lot of people "the spoon theory" pretty helpful in explaining what being sick is like to friends and family - hope this helps!:

www.butyoudontlooksick.com/articles/written-by-christine/the-spoon-theory-written-by-christine-miserandino/
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