Posted 9/8/2017 12:55 PM (GMT 0)
Hi catchscooter. I'm new to this forum, but not to tick-borne illness. Diagnosed accurately in 2009, but symptoms began about 20 yrs earlier. Had 10 infections that we know of.
Sorry you are having trouble finding a LLMD that is a good fit for you. Every practitioner has their particular approach, based on what they know about these infections and what treatments they feel are effective. As tick infections are relatively new, much is not fully understood. New studies are published often, and keeping current is a challenge. As a patient it can seem at times that there are so many treatment inconsistencies, and one can question if anyone really has a handle on these conditions. For me it has been a journey of self-education and networking to find the best available treatment, and this is a dynamic process, as new data comes in.
I want to speak to your psychiatric symptoms and treatment. It is well recognized that tick infections can cause psychiatric problems. It is often a combination of direct effects of the infections on the brain and balance of the neurotransmitters and hormones that affect mental health, coupled with the challenges and life changes that chronic illness brings. There is a broad range of resulting psychiatric responses, and these look different in each person and different on a day to day basis.
Your difficulty getting relief from your anxiety is unfotunately too common. The political climate surrounding the prescribing of controlled substances makes doctors reluctant to write for them, for fear of added scrutiny from the DEA and possible repercussions. Due to the controversial nature of Lyme diagnosis and treatment, many LLMDs do not like to draw attention to themselves and "fly under the radar" so to speak. This is why many will not treat the anxiety and or pain that are commonly present in their patients. The patient gets referred out for treatment, and often the psychiatrists or pain specialists will not order the medications either. Many don't understand tick illnesses, or the magnitude of suffering these patients must endure. I am currently dealing with this dilemma myself. I am not sure how this issue can be solved. A cancer patient would never be treated this way. There needs to be a shift in the general understanding of the degree of suffering and disability these infections can bring.
In the mean time you might want to try a few things that have helped me. If you don't have a good support system, you need to establish one. Forums, local support groups, churches, family, and friends can help share the load. Another thing you can try is an Epsom salts bath. These are good for relaxing muscles, decreasing soreness, detoxification, and supplying the body with magnesium through the skin. Most of us are chronically deficient in magnesium, and this way to replenish it doesn't seem to cause the loose bowels that come with taking it by mouth.
I know this is a long post, but I hope it helps you. My prayer is that through this journey, God would use my experiences to help others. God bless you and bring you healing of mind, body, and soul!