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Posted 5/20/2014 4:26 PM (GMT 0)
I just went to go pick up my kid fromschool- Ihaven't even started the rifampin yet, and I had a panic attack. I had to come home call my husband and call the school to tell them my husband is going to pick him up a 1/2 hour late/ ( he is in 1/2 day preschool so is just staying later with the full day kids).

this sucks.

I am so scared. I took a valium. I only have a few and at this point may get addicted as I need them all the time now.

Is this bartonella? I loathe this. It is awful.

I am about to start the rifampin because I have to get rid of this hell.

At some point on the rifampin will  the panic and anxiety clear????

And if so how long do I expect for that?

Will it 100% get worse before it gets better?

Will it get better?

Please give me hope this is hell to be living in constant panic and fear. It is so overwhelming only those of you who also have this can understand. Other people cannot understand and think it is mental based but it is so beyond that.

I feel dizzy and shaky and just scared like I literally was on the way to get him from school and had to come home. thank god for my husband.

I guess I will start the rifampin now just because smething has to change with me for he better and maybe this will be my way out.

Anyone know ow long till I shold expect to see the panic lessen ?

 

Posted 5/20/2014 4:39 PM (GMT 0)
I just took a 1/2 dose of rifampin. I read something about how it is particularly useful to treat the neurological effects of bartonella so I am telling myself that. I am treating it. I read on one website to expect an increase of symptoms for a week or so and then in second and third week notice progress so that is what I am telling myself. I hope my herx is short. I ordered some alka seltzer gold from amazon and I have gluthione whatever

I am speaking to the second doctor in two days ( the second rung in the practice) but I cannot wait till then. This panic attack I had was not quite as bad as the one I had the other day but bad enough I had to ask my husband to leave work and pick up our kid, and to call the school and tell them we wil be 1/2 hour late. It is so scary.

So I have to tell myself I am treating it with the right medicine now. And I will go through what I have to to get out of this awfulness.

The valium usually takes 20 minutes or so to kick in.

I am a little worried my doctor won't prescribe me more valium because it is addicting. I hope they do give it to me. I would rather have it and be temporarily addicted and get through this than try to go at this alone with no sedative.

Do most doctors treating lyme and co infections, who know about panic and anxiety, are most willing to prescribe a sedative during treatment? The only one I have ever taken is valium and it works well for me.

How long have others noticed on rifampin that the anxiety decreases? I hate this.

Posted 5/20/2014 5:43 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Kate, After starting the rifampin, my Bartonella related anxiety and the majority of my bartonella symptoms were over in like 2 weeks. Bartonella is a different bacteria than Borrelia is, and it doesn't have the same kind of "herx". Borrelia, yes lots of die off and toxins, Bartonella treatment doesn't so much have that effect. For example my Bartonella herx I just had some shin pain but also diminished symptoms.

If you stick with the rifampin treatment you will likely feel better soon. I took my rifampin in the evening, 2 x 300 mg pills all at once because it causes lots of fatigue. I found that it almost felt like a sedative and also relieved the bartonella anxiet too.
Posted 5/20/2014 6:06 PM (GMT 0)
I've had anxiety/panic before and after getting lyme and co's. Before a low dose of anti-depressant helped get me out of it. Do to some heart issues now I can't take it. I take lorazepam as needed now, and yes I worry about addition but will deal with that when the time comes.
A good LLMD knows anxiety/panic is part of lyme and co's. There are many treatment's, natural, herbs or scripts that may help. I'm sure your Dr. will prescribe whatever will help you best.
From what I've read on these forums, with treatment, this awful symptom will go away. Let's hope!
Posted 5/20/2014 6:18 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks, you guys. The valium has kicked in, my husband brought my son home, my son is now taking a nap, and I feel much more normal, and somewhat sedated.

I have no problem using as much sedatives as I need to get through this.

The anxiety and panic is so scary.

I am glad I started the rifampin because I feel like I am finally treating this. I hope it works.

 

Posted 5/20/2014 10:14 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Katebirch,

I'm so sorry this happened to you. The mental/emotional aspects of these diseases are the worst, in my opinion. I'm with you--I'd rather go through withdrawals when I'm well than suffer the anxiety/depression without help while I'm trying to heal. In my opinion, the anxiety lessens our ability to heal, as well. My experience with Rifampin, before I went off of it because I was concerned about Mepron interference--I didn't herx, and I started to feel MUCH improved emotionally after about a week. Two 1/2 weeks after stopping, here I am with some of the worst depression of my life. So I think Rifampin works well, and I plan to go back on it once I am through with this month of Mepron. Cefdinir doesn't seem to be cutting it like Rifampin did. I think you'll be happy you started the Rifampin. And my philosophy--take whatever drugs you need to take (ie Valium) to lessen the pain while you're treating. Again, I think it's a necessity to lessen stress and anxiety as much as possible while trying to heal.
Posted 5/20/2014 11:32 PM (GMT 0)
Try Serene by Neuroscience
Posted 5/20/2014 11:43 PM (GMT 0)
thanks everyone. this board is so helpful. So many of the creepy weird lyme and coinfections things can only be understood by those going through it.
Posted 5/21/2014 12:08 AM (GMT 0)
Maybe rhodiola and phosphatidyl serine?

I'm trying to remember what I did during panic attacks. One thing I did was to ask for help from someone, anyone. Once, when I was staying at a beach house with some people, I had to run out on the beach. I just sat on the sand and waited it out. It felt like even the moon hurt.

Is there any way you can just talk to yourself, and tell yourself you're having a panic attack, and you know that's what it is, and it will be over at some point? That's what I do with depression.

Are you unable to drive when you have one? Can you pull over or something?

Margaret
Posted 5/21/2014 1:34 AM (GMT 0)
If you go on the Neuroscience website you can get tested for brain chemistry and they will give you the supplements you need to feel better. I am not connected to Neuroscience.
Posted 5/21/2014 3:39 PM (GMT 0)
Kate,

How are you doing today after trying that 1/2 tab of Rifampin yesterday?
Posted 5/21/2014 6:12 PM (GMT 0)
yes, I was just going to ask the same question, that's why I came on... tickbite beat me ;-)
Posted 5/21/2014 9:13 PM (GMT 0)
How you doin' today K.B.? I want to mention that you might want to try Avena Sativa tincture - Traveler was the one who mentioned it here in the forum, so I decided to give it a try - started lastweek when the anxiety was through the roof and I have to say, my anxiety is much much lower this week - pretty incredible. I had tried everything under the sun, it seemed and nothing was giving me relief - until this Avena Sativa. Traveler does know what she's talking about.
Posted 5/22/2014 12:01 PM (GMT 0)
I have the anxiety and panic attacks also. I have for the most part become homebound because I fear being out in public. This illness is so bizarre, I was always confident, worked full time and left my job of 26 years because my personality did a complete 180. I feel for you, now is the time to get selfish and focus on getting yourself better.
Posted 5/22/2014 12:03 PM (GMT 0)
Has anyone tried the Jernigans NeuroAntitox CNS/PNS? I have heard from a few people it helped them with anxiety issues around the second day of using it.
Posted 5/22/2014 1:44 PM (GMT 0)
all I can say is thank goodness for valium. I spoke with my doctor today and thankfully she will prescribe me valium to help me get through this. I need all the help I can get. I feel hopeful that the rifampin can knock this hell out of my body and give me my life back. I am waiting till the afternoon to take the rifampin today-- it seems to kick in hard a couple of hours after I take it and I want to make sure my husband is home to take our kid. I feel okay today except the darn panic is still there- I took a 1/2 a valium already today just because I have my kid alone today- he is with his grandma for an hour I am going to get him right now but I already felt a panic attack kicking in this morning this is nuts- thank god for sedatives that actually work. I feel that I will get through this. Yesterday was so hard I felt so sick but I also felt like- okay- the rifampin is battling this hell that is bartonella and I will beat this- so knowing that the hrx is actually a good thing helped. Plus my husband is amazing and helpful and takes our kid and lets me sleep. When I had a herx yesterday it wasn't panic it was just illness. Anyway have to go pick up my kid now- will take the rifampin this afternoon.

 

Posted 5/23/2014 1:44 AM (GMT 0)
Hi, Katebirch.

I hope you are having a better day! The anxiety and panic are definitely the worst. I have both Xanax and Valium laying around, but I don't want to take them, so I've been trying L-Theanine, and I think it is working okay. Hang in there.
Posted 5/23/2014 3:32 AM (GMT 0)
ruthmf19, I did the Neuro/Antitox and it did not help me with anxiety. Mine was caused by mold so that's why the formula did not work with me. From what I understand it is supposed to remove ammonia which it did not for me. I have the blood work. So if your anxiety is caused by ammonia and it actually removes it for you then it will work.

Now that I have been on Serenity by dr. Sponaugle I will go that route any day. It is all natural and it works. It corrects serotonin and dopamine levels. Serene by Neuroscience is similar.
Posted 5/23/2014 3:45 AM (GMT 0)
Lymebabe,

The mold issue has come up for me several times this week- I want to be tested. Is it just a regular panel that my LLMD can do? I remember seeing this woman's Youtube video, and she explained the reason she wasn't getting better was because the mold basically builds a basket around the Lyme, and protects it. I guess kind of like a bio-film? My last apartment had a very bad water leak in the sun-room for years. It had a musky smell to it, but I could never tell if it was the cat that previously lived there, or from mold.

If renovations are done to the sun-room, and they remove the carpet, does that mean the mold will be gone, if there is any?
Posted 5/23/2014 3:45 AM (GMT 0)
I had the panic attacks with the heart racing...that was before my diagnosis...had heart palps for years that came on suddenly...was wondering ***. ..
Started doxy 3 months ago...and have only had a minor ...what seemed like a low blood sugar attack...but wasn't cause sugar didn't help....think I was hurxing
Since I've taken magnesium...my hart palps are nearly zero.
Posted 5/23/2014 3:53 AM (GMT 0)
Well, here I was giving you advice, and now I have been panicking for about 24 hours. I have been completely flustered and overwhelmed, and of course, everything went wrong that possibly could, and I got really scared and couldn't function!

I can commiserate!!!

Margaret
Posted 5/23/2014 12:38 PM (GMT 0)
I am pretty sure mine is from bartonella. Can't be sure exactly but it seems the most likely. Today will be day 4 of rifampin and I hope to eradicate this.
Posted 5/23/2014 1:13 PM (GMT 0)
I can only confirm that Bartonella is responsable for mental instability, as my dr very diplomatically puts :-)

He's talking about crying, depression, anxiety and anger.

He studies a lot on Bartonella, also with the help of veterinarians, cause they know a lot about it.

I hope you get some relief soon Kate, cause it's really hard to deal with.

I myself have crying (over NOTHING at all, like a commercial on television), anger (!! you should hear me in the car). Anxiety is not as bad as it was years ago. It was crazy. Then I started working on it (that was before I was receiving treatment, so it wasn't influenced or increased by it) with regular meditation. I think that saved me before I got into treatment.

How is day 4 on Rifampicin going, is it somewhat less intense meanwhile?

Hang in there!! going on treatment is the right way to getting better!

MarieLS

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