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will I ever get better?

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Posted 10/2/2012 10:45 PM (GMT 0)
Hi, I am new to this board. I had my first experience with lyme disease ten years ago. During those ten years I have been treated for lyme 3 times and babesiosis once. I thought it had gone away, but recently had another positive lyme test. I am experiencing many disturbing symptoms such as panic, anxiety, depersonalization, heart palpitations, dizziness, etc. My question is will I ever get better? Once the lyme has exhibited psychiatric symptoms, is it possible to feel sane again. Are neurological symptoms reversible? My biggest fear is that I am going crazy and my mind will never be the same. Will I be able to live my life, or will I have to spend the rest of it in a psych ward? Please help.
Posted 10/2/2012 11:13 PM (GMT 0)
I think you can get somewhat better if you have had the right treatment. Have you been to a LLMD? Also, what are your neurological symptoms?
Posted 10/2/2012 11:17 PM (GMT 0)
I have been to a LLMD and am going back asap. My neurological symptoms are brain fog, short term memory loss, lack of concentration, anxiety, and panic attacks.
Posted 10/3/2012 3:58 AM (GMT 0)
maxam- did you treat each time months after all your symptoms subsised? also another thing is they're using a the cd57 marker as a predictor if you will relapse. According to a famous llmd, if it's under normal range when treatment is ended, then a relapse is likely.

Just some info, I don't know what a remission is because I've been sick so long, and my cd57 was a 2, now it's at 11. Not all docs go by this though, but I believe in it because mine is so low and I'm so sick.
Posted 10/3/2012 12:12 PM (GMT 0)
I second the cd57...most insurance co's ill cover the test and when I started mine was 19. I have seen it as high as 45. Haven't checked in a while...but my doc uses it as well. Better than sending blood out to a Lyme lab all the time...
Posted 10/3/2012 3:13 PM (GMT 0)
Yes it is possible to get well and "feel" normal again psychiatrically.  My head is totally clear now and I no longer have the rage, anger, anxiety and depression.  Perhaps you can ask your dr. about an antibiotic that crosses the brain barrier. 
Posted 10/3/2012 4:55 PM (GMT 0)
Rest assured, all of this is reversible, and all of us have, at one time or another, felt sure that we'd never recover! Eventually the right combination of factors - treatment, lifestyle, etc. will come together and you'll start to move forward.

In the meantime, not to send you on a wild goose chase, but psychiatric symptoms are often correlated moreso with bartonella - might just be worth looking into.

If you look through the new to lyme thread, there's a lot of information about co-infections, and also about detoxing, which should help your symptoms substantially.

Just know that it's completely normal to be questioning everything, but I hope our positive stories will make you feel a little more hopeful!
Posted 10/3/2012 5:45 PM (GMT 0)
It sure is some encouragement to me thanks. My last llmd visit I was told many of my issues are not reversible. Though with proper treatment and care I can have more good days than bad.

Mine also ran dormant from 2weeks after initial bite (bullseye). Then 7 years later I relapsed from a car accident. So I may not have a traditional case if there are any.
Posted 10/3/2012 5:46 PM (GMT 0)
This is what I needed to read today, because that was the question I was just asking, "Will I ever get better? Are the herbs really working?"

I am just so tired and my head is dizzy and foggy - and now a new thing - my vision keeps going into wavey horizontal lines, like I'm seeing heat waves or something. If I can ignore it, it's OK, sort of, but if I allow it to happen and actually LOOK at it, I think I could fall over. I would hate to think what might happen if it went all weird while I was driving.

I am scared that I am going to have seizures before too much longer. And the ongoing waves of anxiety are a constant stress, even though I know they're not real. Not real. NOT REAL.
Posted 10/4/2012 1:32 AM (GMT 0)
WisconsinGardener - are you detoxing enough along with all the herbs? Drinking enough high quality water? Exercising enough, if you can?

It's so great that you can remind yourself that it's not real - doesn't always make it any easier, though, does it? Hang in there - be well!

Posted 10/4/2012 3:51 AM (GMT 0)
You're going to get better. I know you don't know me and I don't know you but you've just got to believe me on this. You just need to hear it. You're going to get better.
Posted 10/5/2012 4:55 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks everyone for all the responses. I saw my lyme specialist today, and he said I am on the right treatment for now: doxy 100 mg 2x/day. He also took blood for additional tests. Started the doxy on Monday, and my symptoms are worse than ever. Had a major panic attack and almost went to the er. Is this "herxing?" Guess I have a lot to learn. Thanks again for the support.
Posted 10/7/2012 10:08 PM (GMT 0)
Do lots of research. Knowledge is power. I have been *better* and I have been worse but the fact that I can go either way is actually encouraging to me, lol. LOTS of good info here and on people's blogs, as well as googling Lyme and detoxing...plenty of great books out there as well. I found that I felt a little better simply becoming more educated about my condition. I do believe we all will get better, even if it means discovering a new normal. Hang in there, you WILL have more good days than bad eventually :)
Posted 10/8/2012 4:14 PM (GMT 0)
I feel so out of it. My lyme has become psychaitract,
I space out, everything is so difficlut, one shrink says I have schizo affective, but I was fine until a few yrs back.

another shrink says I have lymes.

I am getting to the point wher I need to be taken care of.
I could end up in a mental ward permently. Everything is so difficult. I have some various dr. apts lined up this fri and next week. I hope there will be something to help. I pray that this is reversable, I am going to spend every penny i have as time is of the essence, I feel it internally.
what people have descirbed here, is me
I was full of rage months back and ws never like that

I knew something was wrong, wound up in the mental hosp.
gave meds that helped until I had severe allergic reaction
now, ugh.
this is just so horrible. I pray that I can get well
adn that it is reversable.
Posted 10/8/2012 4:25 PM (GMT 0)
 

Maxam, my 15yo daughter just started 100 mg doxy 2x day and is majorly herxing. She is even getting symptoms she never had before like light sensitivity and hearing/ear pain sensitivity.

 Hopefully it will be all worth it when the herx ends and she feels better. Hoping for quick herx for you too. I have read everyone responds to meds and treatment differently due to co-infections and immune problems. Take care.

Posted 10/8/2012 4:25 PM (GMT 0)
I'm sorry you're struggling so much, hope2bhealthy - this thing can get pretty dark, I know. It is reversible though, please know that! Even if you can find a way to know that it's totally okay to FEEL like it could never possibly get better, and it's totally fine to give into that feeling once in a while, please still know, somewhere in the back of your mind, that there's no reason not to have hope! We're all here for you.
Posted 10/10/2012 10:01 PM (GMT 0)
hope2bhealthy- I can really relate to how you are feeling. I went through many stages of grieving, and now am at acceptance. I realize my life may never be the same, but I can be happy again. These forums have shown me that life is possible with chronic lyme. I am very lucky to have an extremely supportive family. However, I am very scared of the journey to recovery. It sounds awful.
Posted 10/10/2012 10:22 PM (GMT 0)
Maxam,
The journey to heal is not nearly as bad as the journey to where we are now is! It's a lot of work, sure, but it's all so worth it!!! I was once bed bound, and now I'm out working a small garden and have dairy goats that I take care of pretty much by myself most days!

Be sure to go slow with adding meds, or supplements, and detoxing - but know that detoxing is a must, so be sure to do all that is suggested in the "New to Lyme?" thread - dry skin brushing, detox baths, drinking 32 - 64 ounces of water daily, eating as clean as you can, and getting as much rest as you can.

We have to help our bodies to heal, but at least we have the hope - no, the understanding that we will heal! The amount of time is different for each of us is all.
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