New & scared

Hello everyone. I'm writing because I feel like the only person in the world with these symptoms. I was told by a highly regarded LLMD that my Igenex blood work was "suggestive" of Lyme disease because of my weak response (response to what, I don't know - I was too nervous to ask and the doctor is a man of few words). Also, I suppose my symptoms had something to do with the diagnosis.
The worst symptom I have, and it's been going on for 16 months now, is anxiety, but for absolutely no reason. I know that many of you can relate to this. But with me, the anxiety is always accompanied by a lump in my throat as though I had just been given the worst news in the world, and this tremendous " ache" under my left rib cage. This combination also plunges me into a low, sad, mood in which I pretty much feel like doing absolutely nothing. I just retired 3 months ago, and prior to the onset of these symptoms, I had had great plans for my retirement. Now it just seems to loom as a big nothingness. I'm on a boatload of anti-anxiety meds and a thyroid pill every day. The doctor started me on antibiotics (today is only day 4) and 4 acidophilus pills daily. He said I'd probably feel worse befor I felt better, but said that probably wouldn't happen for 2 weeks. Well, I don't know what's going on, but today I feel awful with the aforementioned symptoms multiplied by 5. Could I be herxing? If so, is that a good sign? Like so many of you, I've had every test in the book - all negative - but now I'm wondering if the diagnosis of Lyme might not even be accurate. I don't have the headaches and joint pains and other symptoms which so many of you write about.
Sorry to bum you out. I'm just feeling really old and sorry for myself today. I used to be a happy and well-balanced person. Now I feel more like a basket case.
Thank you all.

Hey Missy, hope you are feeling better.


I found out that women actually keep up their same cycle their whole life even after menopause ..they still cycle but it is out of balance. So you could be 20 yrs old and estrogen dominant or 60 yrs old.

Parasites and coinfections ??? Bartonella is famous for anxiety.and mold exposure too.

Metametrix has an expensive but excellent parasite test that gives all kinds of other info on how you are processing . It was $395
but the best money I ever spent and had another stool test done a year before and nothing showed up with a local lab.

hormone test
metametrix parasite stool test
google Jack Kruse Leptin and Lyme . He is a neuro surgeon.

This whole blog especially the question and answer section is worth pringing out and going over with your doctor.

HRT made me go from gripping paralyzing anxiety to laughing. I forgot my face could even do smile anymore.

Every age is good to get the entire Estrogen, estradiol, progesterone, testosterone, DHEA , T3, free T3, T4 and all that stuff done.

Lyme suggestive is an interesting diagnosis? How much was that Igenex test? Mine was $900 but it told me about bartonella and lots of other stuff.

good luck and let us know how you make out.

bucci

Hi missyouall - just wanted to welcome you to the forum! I hope this can be a place for you to come to feel less alone - and probably learn a lot, too! We're all in a similar boat and it really helps to have people who understand what you're going through.

I've been herxing pretty badly myself lately, and even though I've been going through this for a while, every time I still question everything - whether this could really be a herx or whether it's even really Lyme at all, and my anxiety is through the roof at this time! Sometimes 4 panic attacks per day! Detoxing really is crucial - there are so many different ways to do it and every little bit helps! It really makes all the difference in the world. I know it's hard and sometimes it seems endless, but it does get better - hang in there!

Thank you, Scarlet Grace, for your comments and understanding. You're helping to educate me. Up until about 6 weeks ago, I had absolutely NO idea that this disease could wreak such havoc and in so many devastating ways.
Today is day 6 on my abx and I've felt pretty crummy most of the time. Today it's really bad brain fog and an intensifying of the sore, bloated stomach I usually experience. Also quite anxious for no reason.
And you know the kicker? Last night, from about 7pm til bedtime at midnight, I suddenly felt absolutely fine, almost like my old self again. Then, wham, everything was back as soon as I opened my eyes this morning. What the heck is going on here?

Oh no! At least you didn't do it as a mod - that was embarassing! If you go to "My profile" and then "edit ignored users" you can change the settings there!

I'm sorry you're struggling so much with all of this - being sick is by no means easy, and often extremely emotional and isolating! Most people find it gets better with time, and the beginning of treatment is especially overwhelming (and confusing!). The doubts you're having are natural, but it does help to make an effort to avoid getting sucked up in them. Your treatment will have the best chance of working if you believe in it. Trust me, I know that optimism can seem impossible, sometimes even ridiculous, when you're feeling awful, but it really does make all the difference in the world once you get past how annoyingly hokey "just be positive!" can sound.

I've forgotten whether or not I've taken my pills plenty of times! Normally I have my pill organizer to make things easier, but my probiotics are in the fridge and half the time I just stand there with a bottle in my hand wondering whether or not I just took one! Plus 9 times out of 10 I drop them on the floor and/or under the fridge!

I know how hard it is to deal with all of this without adequate support - but that's what we're here for! Please don't forget that if you just want to post to vent your frustrations or feelings, and don't hesitate to send an email my way if you need someone to talk to - that's the one and only perk about having lyme disease/any disease - we all know what each other is going through! Hang in there.

My username was originally a mix between the two illnesses I've been dealing with my whole life, my lyme disease and a parent's borderline personality disorder. In retrospect though it is perfect - my Igenex test came back at 80 - the cutoff for being positive, and even now the western blot is so unbelievably close to being cdc positive - which I really need for insurance reasons.

I can relate as far as your daughter - I have a similar situation with my sister. She's a wonderful person and I love her dearly but her comments about my health/illness are very, "oh, that sucks..." It's hard not to be able to feel like yourself, but you'll get there. I'm having one of those days where out of nowhere I'm struck with how much easier life is and how much easier it is for my real self to shine through because I'm not feeling all that sick today.

So sorry, borderline, I keep getting your user name wrong.

I totally understand - sometimes the things I post on here using my iphone are completely senseless! Boy does that thing love to autocorrect!