Posted 1/19/2020 12:54 PM (GMT -5)
Antivirals: I took a prescription antiviral once many years ago (before I got Lyme) and it gave me liver pain and vomiting, but of course not everyone has that experience. Some find them very helpful. My LLMD said that all of his patients with chronic viral involvement (usually members of the herpes family) have seen benefit from antivirals. Consider also non-pharmaceutical antivirals, as the doses can be titrated very low at first and then increased depending on what you tolerate. Monolaurin is great. I like olive leaf as well. Many herbs commonly used for Lyme, like cat's claw and various mushrooms, have antiviral properties as well.
Your family: I'm so sorry that they do not understand how your illness works. That must be very hurtful for you. I wish I had helpful advice about this, but I mostly just have empathy. I don't generally recommend dishonesty, but is this the sort of situation that could be smoothed over by saying that your doctor advises you against travel with your immune system in its current state? This is not your fault, and one day I hope that your child educates herself about how chronic illness works. I'm sure you want to be helpful in-person and to be able to travel. It is not your responsibility to convince her. You are right not to risk your health by pushing yourself physically. Emotional support from a distance is still a significant thing!
My family is far away and needs me right now, and I cannot be there for them, and it breaks my heart. The ways we are useful in the world as people with chronic illness may be different from what we planned and different from what others expect, but we are no less valuable or important than anyone else.
Good luck!