Benzo taper of Lyme?

Hi Laineyk!
Welcome to the Lyme community!

If you haven't ​yet​, it would be helpful for you to start with reading through the thread at the top of the forum titled,"New to Lyme?...Start here!!", as it is packed full of important information, symptom lists, helpful links and pdf's, how to detox when one has these infections, information on probiotics and much more. And this is another good list of possible detoxing routines: www.tiredoflyme.com/detox-methods.html


Band 31 is Lyme specific - A "Lyme specific band" means specific for Borrelia Burgdorferi, sensu stricto - Lyme disease in the strictest sense. There are only two on the over 300 known strains of Lyme that is considered Bb, ss. Borrelia burgdorferi and Borrelia mayonii. Nothing else will turn a Lyme specific band positive other than Lyme disease - - even though there are over 100 different strains of Borrelia in the US that cause human illness.

So, you do have Lyme, even though the overall testing was negative. This is because these tests are not very sensitive, despite their claims otherwise. "The proof is in the pudding".

I'm so glad that you will be seeing a LLND soon!! They should be able to help you get started with treatments. Please do let us know how the appt goes!

GOSH thank you so much...I am scared beyond words

I have gone to many Lyme sites and have done some reading...waiting to get Dr Horowitzs book and Buhners book

just wish I knew if continuing with tapering off benzo is the right thing to do...that it is POISON and so horrible to get off...wish I never ever ever took it

was given SSRI 15 years ago and finally came off that last year because I was so sick on it. then given benzo 4 years ago because was told all of what I felt was still anxiety.

now I can barely walk without looking like I am a drunken sailor
head feels so weird I can not think or concentrate

Also, if you are still dealing with quite a bit of anxiety, staying on the Xanax until you can get Lyme treatments going well might be the better thought. These infections are hard enough to deal with, but throw in anxiety (which can be a symptoms of these infections) make everything more difficult - I have anxiety as well, so I do understand.

I was on Klonopin and crossed over to Valium because it is the weakest but longest acting and therefore supposedly easier to get off...

I am weaning by small amounts every 2 weeks but it is HELL and I can not tell if its the benzo or lyme

I am not supposed to have any citrus because it is a migraine trigger but I used to drink lemon water daily...all I drink is filtered water (NOTHING ELSE) so I will just add the lemon back in

also we have infrared sauna but I am afraid to get in it because it seems to make me dizzier

I can definitely relate. I am tapering off Xanax....very, very slowly. I will probably hold for a bit now and see if I get get more of the lyme out of my system. My anxiety is not as bad as it was, but still there enough that it is noticeable. I am also hypothyroid, so when I started on thyroid medication, I do believe it helped some with the anxiety. I wish it would help with the depression, but I think that must be more of a lyme thing.

Ok I have that here too...how much of the ACV?

thanks I will

Lainey,

Welcome. You have come to the best forum for lyme. The mods and posters are so helpful and wise. I call them my lyme angels.

I was diagnosed with fibro (but now think it was lyme) two years ago. I got severe anxiety. As if a flip had been swtiched. I never had anxiety in my life. I was given low dose valium as needed. I got bit by a tick in July last summer and the anxiety came back full force. So there is definitely a relationship there. Before July I would take the valium only when I had some insomnia. Now I end up taking it about four times a week. I take 2 mg. How much are you on? It may be too high a dosage. I don't have any headaches nor wooziness. When I first got lyme I was dizzy. I stood up and had to quickly lie back down. It was only one day but it's how I knew I was sick. So it may be a lyme symptom for you. What I find helps with anxiety is: meditation tapes, reading spiritual books, prayer, taking a walk, music. Good luck to you.