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Has anyone else had *intense* spikes in their anxiety during treatment (Bartonella/Lyme)?

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Posted 1/14/2015 12:18 AM (GMT 0)
So I'm really lost right now. It's been 5 months on my full treatment of Doxy, Azithro, Rifapin, Tinidazole, and Flucanozole for my Lyme/Bart combo and things were looking great. I was becoming more aware of my symptoms and how they were disappearing, I was understanding what was and wasn't anxiety, and I was starting to feel really confident that this would be all over soon. Especially the weeks when my anxiety was my lowest, I felt (gasp) normal again. Said optimism also comes from the fact that I was *extremely* fortunate to get help only 1 month after the tick bite, so my projected recovery is under a year.

But within the last few weeks, everything has gone to hell. I've had 4 panic attacks in the last 10 days, I am extremely agitated and sensitive to lights/sounds when I'm not in my house, I'm developing separation anxiety because those last 4 panic attacks occurred by myself; it's just all crazy, crazy amounts of anxiety.

The only new symptoms I've had since this spike are these really irritating rashes/pin-prick sensations that increase my body temp and headaches that come on more frequently, but that's it.

So is this just Bartonella giving its final farewell show? Did I uncover another coinfection that was lying dormant? Or am I just in the general Lyme loop of fun?

My current plan is to try to get on some anti-anxiety meds ASAP, but I just feel so bad b/c it felt like I *almost* there and now the anxiety makes it feel almost back to square one :(

Post Edited (TickClock) : 1/13/2015 5:22:21 PM (GMT-7)

Posted 1/14/2015 1:09 AM (GMT 0)
Both my husband and I battled severe anxiety before being diagnosed and yes treatment amplified it. It's usually a herx which is why detoxing is so important. But we couldn't have gotten thru it without Xanax. We were able to continue working using the Xanax to be able to feel normal while at work. Did I ever think I would be saying that, NO! But truthfully, it's really a tough balancing act, pounding the disease and dealing with symptoms, side effects and herxing at the same time. Neither one of us had a problem weaning off the Xanax at all and for us it just took the edge off and made us stop shaking like a leaf and be able to focus on getting well instead of getting thru the next minute.

Hope u feel better soon.
Posted 1/14/2015 1:37 AM (GMT 0)
Thanks springsjean, and I know this freezing weather isn't aiding my detox process one bit.

I think I'm also upset that I have add something else to my ever growing list of abx, but I'm glad it helped you get through it. That gives me hope :)
Posted 1/14/2015 4:53 AM (GMT 0)
Springsjean, wondering if you had constant tremors? I too find that taking restoril at night relaxes me (doesn't necessarily put me out) but it helps with the tremors. How long did you have to be on the Xanax and at what dosage?
Posted 1/14/2015 8:56 PM (GMT 0)
signed on here today mainly because my anxiety is getting the best of me...my husband thinks i need to "look up"...my physician(not LL ) told me to quit reading the internet ((?)) and has no empathy for the neuro/cognitive issues of lyme.....Thought yesterday needed to go on some sort of meds such xanax and wondered if it helped. are there any side effects as i have really bad vertigo? thnx!
Posted 1/15/2015 1:34 AM (GMT 0)
I've been struggling with this. I'm treating for bartonella right now and it is its own kind of hell. I keep having severe mood swings, anxiety, and I feel like a completely different person. I was even cussing in front of my son and figured I should be put on a mental hold until it all blew over hahaha.

Before I was diagnosed with all of these infections I got a ton of antidepressant and anti anxiety meds. My medicine cupboard is filled with untouched bottles of them. I did however take maybe 5 or 6 of the xanax a long time ago and didn't notice any difference whatsoever. But the other day it was really bad and I got desperate and I took a .5 mg tiny little pill and felt like I was back in my body and out of my own crazy whirlwind mind.

I was surprised that it worked so well. And I'm glad that I have them if I need them. If it gets that bad again I wouldn't hesitate (thanks to utahgal!) to use them.

Bartonella for me has been rife with anxiety and a bad attitude. It's incredibly frustrating. I am planning on asking my doctor for another prescription of these bad boys just to get through it. Between the pain and fatigue you through in your mind playing tricks on you and it quickly becomes too much. I really feel at times like I'm spiraling out of control and there is no end in sight.

I was recently talking to a fellow lymie, and she said how she was thankful for the changes in symptoms. And that rings true for me too! I get anxiety and I tell myself over and over that the bugs in my cells are making me feel this way and it won't last forever. And it never has. But man.... 20 minutes of that awful feeling can feel like a week.

I feel for you, and I'd support your choice to reach out to your doctor and get relief for your symptoms. Any of them! Good luck and let us know how you're doing!!
Posted 1/16/2015 3:37 AM (GMT 0)
Yes.

Margaret
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