Still having bad anxiety....

I should mention that I started rifampin 3 weeks ago. I've had anxiety the last week or so. I really think it's the rifampin causing it.

I'm also on rifampin. My anxiety peeked the other day when I wrote to you about waking up with it! Somehow it just leaves. I feel it coming on and I say to myself that I'm just not going to pay attention to it. I put on music and start methodically cleaning my house like a crazy person.

It's worse when I can't get up and do things. My mom used to always say she needed to work off her nervous energy. So that's what I try to do. I literally have to force myself to do things. I fight my way through it and I tell myself that it will pass eventually.

Another things that helps me is to 'pretty' myself up. I'll get dressed and do my hair just to feel different. I'll paint my toenails and put on perfume even though I'm not going anywhere. I'll make a super healthy smoothie and drink some stress relief tea. For some reason taking care of myself makes a difference. It is sooooo dang hard to start though. It feels like torture at first, and I never know if going through all the trouble will even work. But when it does its like magic.

Another very silly thing I do is look at myself in the mirror, deep into my own eyes and tell myself " I love you unconditionally right now". It sounds soooo stupud.. but doing that alone helped me quit drinking alcohol! I saw it on this really awesome documentary. It's on Netflix and it's called hungry for change. That movie literally changed the way I live my life! It's a great one for anyone with Lyme or chronic illness. I highly recommend it.

I wish I had a solid answer for you utahgal. It breaks my heart to see post after post about you still suffering like this. It's just awful. And not fair. You keep fighting that war everyday though, and it's incredibly admirable. Every time I get anxiety I immediately think of you. That's what got me through my last 2 attacks. So at least you can know that you've helped me. If I ever find the answer you will be the first to know!

What about trying some herbs? Someone told me to use valerian. I never did because I worried about getting too tired. But I think I would try it just to see. Again, I'm so so sorry you deal with this on a daily basis. I wish I could take it all away for you :(

You have to throw a lot of "mellow" remedies at it..all at once sometimes. Its does help some. Some is better than nothing.

Valerian herb capsules - mellow, but tired too.

Skull cap herb capsules- mellow, less tired for me, like it better than valerian

Chamolie and lavender stress tea from yogi-walmart

magnessium that ends in "ate"

Homeopathic mixtures - Hylands nerve tonic, even walmart has this

Kava herb -plant is awesome but hard on the liver. I cant do this anymore, abx makes liver test enzyme #'s go up in me.

I read your posts - Utah, IHL, and Katebirch, too - about the anxiety...and I feel for you.
I had the anxiety for a few months in the beginning stages of lyme symptoms...but they have subsided for the most part. But, when I was going through it...i was alternating with bouts of depression. Those are some of my darkest days...I literally thought I was losing my mind. It was hard on my hubby, too...coming home from work seeing me an emotional mess.

But, it may not seem like it, but it WILL pass ...with treatment...and time. Just keep saying to yourself, "I am healing, I am healing, this will pass".

Have you tried things like the Pinella nerve cleanse? I have nerve issues...which Dr. figures is bart...and I have found pinella to be helpful. I don't know if it works on anxiety or not. But, if you have bart...and anxiety is from the bart...it might help.
I used valerian at night...it helped calm me enough to fall asleep.

I am thinking of you all - and praying you feel better soon.