Hi Grams,
I'm so sorry for what you are going through. I really do understand as I was once in that same position. I know that it's very hard to just hold on long enough to get through each day right now, but please realize this - Lyme and the co-infections may be what's causing all of the other things you are dealing with - it was for me. So if you can hold on with taking those meds for now to help your body function better, then you can treat the Lyme and many of these things will resolve most likely!!
Try to not look at the 'big picture' too much. When we are that ill and have such trouble just functioning like that, looking at the whole picture can and is very overwhelming - but you are not alone. You can come here or you can email with me to help you get through this. It will take a lot of work, but it's all work you can do. It's slowly getting your body to detox, taking the treatments and eating as healthily as you can.
Only look at the day in front of you though - don't look at the big picture until it's a must. There's just no point in trying to think you can conquer the whole forest when all you have to do is clear a path.
One day at a time, and you can only look at one hour at a time during those really rough days. The one thing I finally found comfort in when I was at my worst, was that things were constantly changing. I didn't have to put up with excruciating intestinal cramping every day at least. I didn't have to put up with severe chills every day at least. I didn't have to put up with migraines every day at least. I learned to find some comfort in those little things.
I also found comfort in that I was doing all my body would permit to help it feel better. Gentle detoxing, but pushing to do it when I needed it most helped me the most. This was likely the hardest part of my recovery - pushing myself to detox when all I wanted to do was curl up in bed and make the world go away because I was miserable. But I did it and I healed because of it.
What are you doing for detoxing? I bet we can help you get some more gentle detoxing going to help your body.
What are you doing for Lyme treatment? Did your doc put you on something for the Mono?
How are the meds bothering you? We might be able to help you find ways to tolerate them easier.
As for your Chinese Medicine doc - that's the kind of doc I was using to help me heal from my 40 yr old infections. I honestly don't believe anyone else could have helped me. What you need to do is to look them up online.
How many
years of schooling did they get?
How many
years of apprenticeship did they complete?
How many
years of using those skills on their own do they have?
Notice, I'm saying YEARS? That's because it's critical for you to find someone that has LOTS of experience. Chinese Medicine is an amazing healing practice, but it's VERY detailed and in order to be effective, a week or two long course - or worse yet, a weekend of instruction - will never be able to help those of us that have serious health issues like this.
If they are very well trained, and have had years to perfect their intuition, acupuncture can be totally amazing!! My doc could calm my worst migraines in minutes, stop the excruciating Bart/Lyme pain in my legs and feet (& I only saw her every 2 weeks!), help get the organs all functioning up at higher levels again, including the immune system.
The right practitioner can be amazing. I am so very sorry that my practitioner had to move out of state, or I'd still be a faithful patient of hers.
If you would like to send me the name of the Chinese Medicine Doctor that you will be seeing, I'll be happy to check them out for you.
Take a deep breathe. You aren't alone. We are here to help - just let us know how we can be of help.