I could Use Some Encouragement...

I have lost another job from what I believe is due to my disease. My brain fog is so bad I can't even learn very well. My cognitive skills are completely gone. I had landed a high level position manager job last year and was told yesterday that it was time for me to move on because "it just isn't working out".

I tried my best...I really did. I gave it 110%. But I knew I was struggling. It is so hard to fight through it...it takes so much effort mentally to do basic things. I wanted to do better, I just couldn't. I worked 60-70 hours a week trying everything I could to make it work. Obviously it wasn't enough!

The most frustrating thing is...I DON'T HAVE A DIAGNOSIS! I am almost certain I have Lyme or something similar but I can't get anyone to find out what the issue is. I have been to many doctors over the past 12 years and no one can find out what the issue is. I went to a new doctor over a month ago and still haven't heard back from him. I'm very frustrated with that as well. I have called the office for results but they don't call me back. Unfortunately, he isn't a LLMD but he treats many Lyme patients.

Anyway, I could sure use some encouragement. I am very frustrated and don't know what to do. My confidence is completely shaken. I frankly don't know if there is anything I can do for a job that I can handle. I have a Master's Degree with a 4.0 GPA but things are a lot different now. Without a diagnosis and a treatment plan, there is no direction for me to turn.

Thank you for listening.

Dave

Hi Dave,

I'm really sorry to hear you are going through this. Please do let us know where you are located to see if this forum's wealth of knowledge can hep you out. I've also noticed people posting that there is the option to request a home testing kit from Igenex (the most reputable lab in many people's opinions in diagnosing Lyme) that you can mail back to get results--if you have a spare $200.

I'm not sure if this makes you feel any better, but I also recently stopped working in a role that sounds just like yours. Like your 110%, I put in herculean efforts (and looong hours) to stay on top of that job--it was beyond exhausting and those long days were absolutely brutal. When I left I was very angry, sick, and wanted to leave my field of expertise altogether. Fast-forward 2 months:

Since I've stopped working, I'm trying to constantly remind myself how much better I'm actually feeling now, and how those long hours and stressful environment actually made me feel so much sicker while at that job. I am not sure that is the case for you, but hopefully you can begin to feel some relief once you're not working those crazy hours. Hindsight is 20/20--I now wish I'd taken a leave of absence or applied for disability. When I left I still didn't know I was suffering from Lyme. If this disease ever comes back during a future job I will know better than to just keep pushing...

As far as your work prospects, do you have any type of financial cushion until you figure out what you can handle? I hope they gave you some kind of severance package or that you have some savings. That could buy you some time to figure out what you can handle before taking on a new job. It may also be good for you to just take some time off--it's been a real blessing for me and my health. Of course, the sooner you can get into an LLMD, the sooner you can get a diagnosis & some meds, and then hopefully your health and confidence will return. Best of luck, and keep reaching out here! Let us know how you're doing...

Maui

mauihawaii said...

I've also noticed people posting that there is the option to request a home testing kit from Igenex (the most reputable lab in many people's opinions in diagnosing Lyme) that you can mail back to get results--if you have a spare $200.

I'd be interested in doing this. However, I believe you need to have a doctor sign the order don't you?

Kurrykid,
If you would send me an email, I have a few LLMD's that I would be happy to share their contact information with you!

So I found out that the $400 test (in addition to the $200 test) is a 3 day urine test (the $200 test is a blood test). Is there any additional value with the $400 test? What I mean is that while I'm sure there's value, would the $200 be good enough for confirmation.

Thanks.

Thanks Twinmkm. I appreciate your thoughts. I wish you well on your situation too. Hopefully you can figure it out and get your life on track. It's sounds like you're fairly young and got your whole life in front of you. Hopefully you can get the results, a good doctor, and get it going.

Thanks again.

Actually, if you can, do the urine test too. The $200 test is likely just the Western Blot, which only tests for the immune system response to the bacteria, not the bacteria itself. This is why these tests are not very accurate - Lyme disease can inhibit the immune system and it's reaction to the bacteria. So a person can have the infection without their immune system "showing" a response to it.

PCR testing is much more accurate.