Crippling Anxiety

I seem to be doing okay when I'm around my close family, but as soon as I'm alone, it is terrible.

It's even worse if I have to do anything in public. My mom took me to the store over the weekend, and as soon as I got to the counter to speak with the cashier, my heart started racing, my legs were shaking, and I was dizzy. (Well, I'm always dizzy- but it was worse).

I was able to talk myself down for a little, but the feeling of urgency, of needing to "hurry up and get out" wouldn't go away.

I know part of this is happening because I've become really reclusive the last 6 months. When the vertigo got bad, I stopped driving, and since then it feels like my scope of the world has shrunk.

I'm wondering if I should really push myself to at least get out more, allow myself to desensitize. I feel like all of my senses are in over-drive.

Being the passenger in the car made me feel like I was going crazy. I just wanted to get out. But this is such an irrational feeling, I tell myself.

Back in February, I was still getting out on my own, driving, etc. Then I moved in with family, my symptoms progressed, and I found out I had Lyme.

My uncle passed away last week, and his memorial service is this weekend. It's an hour away, and I would certainly have someone drive me, but I'm already worried that my anxiety will just be too much. I don't want to draw any sort of attention to myself on his day, and even my mom said that if I'm not up for going, then I should not feel like I have to go.

I have thought about taking something, but really only want to as a last resort. It is my understanding that the 3rd and 4th week of treatment can be the worst, so I'm just trying to ride it out until I hit 6 weeks, and see if I'm at least making some progress. That's all I want! Just a little progress, and an anxiety level that is at least tolerable- maybe not great, but at least tolerable.

I have some GABA in my cabinet, and am wondering if that might at least take some of the edge off.

Hi Binduspire .. sorry to hear you have to deal with this !!! I had severe anxiety and panic attacks for 4 years before getting a proper diagnoses which was Lyme Dis and Co infect.. Lyme effects your nervous system ... I took Lorazepam during this 4 years .. After I started seeing a LLMD and was being treated properly about 6 months into treatment the anxiety and panic stopped .. I have not had to take any Lorazepam in 6 months now ... Are you seeing a LLMD ???

Binduspire, Even though the feelings are irrational,they are nevertheless very real and more often than not uncontrollable. I suffer from clinically diagnosed depression and have had my share of dealing with anxiety. There are times people suffering from these illnesses feel guilty that they cannot function well. I spent many years feeling that way. It certainly doesn't help and I can honestly say I am dealing with it better by accepting my limitations, just like accepting being ill with some physical issue. It's still difficult to deal with at times, but it's better when I am not so hard on myself. Now if Lyme is causing your anxiety then at least you have an answer as to why you are going through it. Other people may not see it, but you do. I am not sure if that's the case for me. I have never been diagnosed with Lyme. I hope, like Purple, you find something to ease these symptoms. Let us know what the LLMD recommends. Be good to yourself and know it wouldn't be this way if it wasn't for this insidious disease.

Please, please be sure to bring this up with your LLMD - and if for any reason the LLMD won't rx you a 'script (I had Xanax for a couple of years, then switched to naturals), then go with natural medicine for your needs. There is absolutely NO reason for you to have to deal with this - none. This is a symptom of the diseases you have and there is medicine for it. Untreated anxiety is hard on the body.

I actually have panic attacks to start and before lyme I thought that it would be my only battle that would bring me down me on a daily basis. So, with that said. I have noticed an increase in anxiety. Be it stress from being sick with something new and unknown. My Doctor upped my anti-anxiety to a level I was at before. Because, we decreased it ironically early this summer before "the bull" came into two. (bullseye). I am not informed about GABA but have had panic attacks since 1995 which has been limiting. I can offer what I feel is decent advice on coping skills with them if you'd like. Stay well :) -Kathy

I'm on a low dose of Lorazepam because I have to function...it was becoming crippling and between working and being a single mom I had to do something. One pill works a day and I'm on .5mg. I would advise against going to the funeral. When I found out my friend was murdered last month my symptoms hit the ceiling...when the car accident happened on Monday just past..again my symptoms flared. Don't put yourself in a very uncomfortable situation. Keep us posted but you shouldn't have to live like this...you need your freedom so you can heal right. Too much anxiety will delay the healing process.

Blessings to you.