1st post…see my lyme dr of 4mo tomorrow. need help!

You have a lot going on. Im a little confused, are you going to your first llmd apmt or has the treatment strategy you are on been prescribed by your llmd? The emotion and mental aspect of this xan be as challenging as the illness. Were you tested gor coinfections? Dometimes one can be treating lyme but the coinfe tions go crazy. Hang in there, many people here have, are waljing a similar path, came from active, productive lives to dealing with all this and many do heal. I think there maybe soms runners here as well. It sounds like you are taking the right steps. Hopefully your llmd visit will be an encouragement.

Check the new to lyme thread at the top of the forum if you havent yet.

Hi run26.2,

With such a deep seated infection (i.e. in your brain), perhaps the best approach would be low and slow. It looks like you have had treatment in fits and starts and now you are on several powerful medicines at once. It is no wonder that you feel worse than ever.

I hope your new LLMD will be able to put you on a more productive path to healing. It sounds like they are very experienced, perhaps it would be good to listen to them rather than going in and asking for more tests.

With your background in running, you are probably used to getting results in direct relation to how hard you are trying. Lyme and associated disease isn't really like that. While being positive and concentrating on getting well is very helpful, pushing yourself is not. I imagine it is more like running a marathon; pacing yourself, listening to your body, and taking it one step at a time.

Hope you get some good help from your new doctor.

Hi run26.2,
I would have to agree with achievinggrace. From your posts and what you've done I am guessing you are a Type A personality, which is great, but Lyme is the one thing that MAKES you slow down. Otherwise it will continue to degrade your health.
I'll be the first to admit that I am still relatively new to this and don't know much. However, what I do know is that based on the bacteria and its ability to evade the immune system and transform itself to survive it takes a LONG time to eradicate. It will take patience, lots of REST (no running), faith in your LLMD and his/her plan and support from family and friends.
I am/was a runner myself and have not run in over a month and a half which is driving me crazy, but I know that my body can't handle running right now. The little buggers hijacking my body right now love it when I do something that decreases my body's ability to fight off infection. Running just puts too much stress on an already stressed out body. Sorry. I know that's not what you want to hear but I truly believe its the truth and I've read several articles stating the same. Of course, just like anything else, you should do your own research to come to your own conclusions.
Good luck to you! I truly hope you find a treatment plan that works for you.

Thanks run26.2. Glad to hear you've got a new plan of action for your ABs.
It's hard for non-runners to understand a running obsession, right?
They think, "I'd be SOOO glad to have an excuse like that not to run,' but the HARD truth is that running was/is a part of who I am and I just don't feel like me when I'm not running.
I had been training for ultramarathons for about a year and I will say that my trail running addiction is what got me into this mess in the first place! If I'd been satisfied with running on the road then I may not be where I'm at now, but thinking that way just drives me crazy and doesn't do me, or anyone else, any good.
I've said it before and I'll say it again: losing your health is one of the hardest things to go through, and people just don't/won't understand fully unless they go through the same thing (which I would NEVER wish on anyone). What makes it more difficult when dealing with others is that they ALWAYS comment something like, "but you don't LOOK sick." I always insert the rest of the sentence in my head for them: "so you probably AREN'T sick." Just part of the depressing feelings that are part of all this crap, I guess.
Anyhoo, I am partial to the foothills or Sierras for my runs so maybe I could take you for a run in Tahoe or Auburn (some call it the ultrarunning capital of the world, but I'm not sure I'd go that far) once we are both healthy! Just thinking about running again is putting a smile on my face! Take care!