How do you calm your Lyme anxiety?

P-

Yes, slightly through skin. 3 hrs after a shower and my arms and legs can give it off. My cotton clothing will absorb it slightly too. A few years ago (before ABX) it was more noticeable than now.

I dont know if I've ever been tested for it. Just had a comprehensive metabolic panel and ammonia was not on it.

I went to the ER twice due to anxiety attacks. They hit me hard physically, My limbs get tingling and my chest and stomach tighten like someone is squeezing is. First trip was mainly for the chest pain. the second time i thought I was having a stroke or seizure, I couldn't move my left hand or arm, my whole body was on fire and tingling. And the worst part was nobody would tell me it was a panic attack. they just said all my tests came back normal and they sent me home. After that I just had to deal with any attack that happened. Yet for me they always seemed to happen while in the car. Which I thought was strange because I use to love going out to new places and getting lost just for the hell of it. Then suddenly 10 minutes in a car and suddenly I'm in the middle of panic attack. That was the beginnings of my overly obvious Lyme symptoms

What really helped me out was acupuncture. I understand it's not for everyone, but if you can find someone that knows what they are doing and even better, familiar with Lyme, then they can be a big help. It took a little while and the improvements were very minor at first, but slowly I noticed I was having less and less and they were easier to handle. I haven't had one in a long time and fingers crossed it'll last.

You have to be careful with some of the herbs. My first LLMD suggested GABA for the anxiety, so I stopped by a vitamin shoppe bought a small bottle and took one for the ride home. I immediately had a anxiety attack . I thought maybe it just didn't work for me, but found out later that it could have been the small dose I took. If you take too little (like me) or too much and it will trigger an attack. You have to find that right amount in the middle that can help.

Do you have any stomach or gut issues? I had alot of gut issues during that time. Pain, constipation, diarrhea, low appetite, nausea, you name it I had it. I still have some issues but it's not as bad as it was and I think that has helped with my anxiety too.

Pirouette-

Yes, right from my arms skin. It used to be much worse. Cotton clothing will absorb it to (T-shirts), not as bad as before though. It has somehow improved on its own. But still there to notice.

I think I have the mhtfr variant, holistic doctor thinks so,just being tested.
Does that affect the abx l can take does anyone know?
I also need to start herbal for this l think as it's becoming quite dominating.

Honestly...Klonopin. I hate to recommend drugs but it's one of the least addictive anxiety medication and there are several ways to wean off of it when/if necessary.

I understand the feeling of anxiety...it's physical mostly, not mental as if I'm thinking about something, but I feel it in my body like clenching teeth, weird dry taste in my mouth, inability to get comfortable, itchy scalp, hot face or flushing, etc., and then I start to exhibit severe OCD behaviors and sometimes rage, have phantom unpleasant smells, startle at every little noise and have peripheral vision hallucinations. I am also on nerve medication, which I'm supposed to take 3x day but sometimes my schedule gets messed up (even by oversleeping or just forgetting. I think that contributes to the anxiety somewhat because I'm not keeping a steady state with the nerves.

Point is, I can sort of know the patterns of when it will kick in (usually evening), so I take half mg late afternoon, ahead of it and it really helps. Often I will still express OCD behaviors at bedtime, and so I try to take 1 mg at that time. You really don't need a lot, and it is helpful in other ways. If I have a severe headache, it actually helps relieve it a bit. My doc told me that Klonopin also has a muscle-relaxing property, which is why it is good for physical anxiety that involves pain or discomfort.

Post Edited (njfillet) : 1/27/2018 12:28:47 PM (GMT-7)

Hi Jaxy. Welcome!

That's great that you've found something to help with your anxiety.

I've had those wakings in the night...in a panic...they're horrible!

Thanks Girlie! Yes, it's nice to have some relief of something.

I think knowing what was causing it all helped too. To finally have an explanation makes me a little less afraid, therefore, less panicky.

For months before my diagnosis I would drill my 6 year old on how to call 911 every night, because I was having heart palpitations, shortness of breath, chest pain, and was lightheaded and dizzy. Now that I know why the anxiety has calmed. None of the symptoms are that much better, but now we only practice calling 911 every couple of days.