Posted: Wed Oct 22, 2008 6:33 am
Please read IF you've had a MAJOR Health Crisis in your life, otherwise I doubt this pertains to you, you cannot have this and NOT have major health issues.
OK, I've been a part of this board for years. While this program has certainly helped me and I believe it is worth it, it hasn't cured me. I wondered why. Why have I been so anxious much of the past 12 years?
In two words: LYME DISEASE
I didn't know Lyme could cause panic attacks/anxiety and depression. I did not know!
I want to say that I do not believe everyone on this board has Lyme, but some of you may. If even ONE person can relate to my story and get tested and helped, then I will have done my job to help others.
My anxiety started way back in 1996 just before my senior year in high school. I had lots of friends, was very active, ect. That summer I went on vacation with a friend and her family to South Carolina for 10 days. Had a great time! The day we got back, I had a sore throat, fever, chills, felt like I had the flu, but it was July.
Did I mention my throat was SORE, like extremely sore, I was hoarse for weeks. The doctor told me I must have strep or something. I started noticing muscle weakness some, I just couldn't run as fast in cross country, but I continued running and gymnastics and choir, orchestra, student council, honors' society and anything else I am forgetting.
3 Months after getting that 'flu' I had my first panic attack. We were stretching after CC and gabbing with one another and my heart just took off, I jumped up and my mom who was also a coach raced me to the hospital, only it was over by the time we got there.
Over the next 5 months I turned into the most anxiety ridden, depressed, tired person I had never imagined someone could be. I couldn't think, went from an A student to even getting a D in Physics, I could not comprehend anything.
I went to a lot of doctors, one told me first they thought I had leukemia as my WBC was so elevated, then determined due to the fatigue that I must have mono. But I didn't get better, my depression turned to dark thoughts about death and dying, it was a fearful time, my friends were having fun and I was living a secret hell. I stopped wanting to do anything, was sleeping at least 12-14 hours/day. I felt like I was dying.
I eventually started this extremely strict diet (raw foods) and taking all kinds of supplements/herbs and got well enough to go to college for a year. I was maybe 60% of the person I once was, but the panic had stopped, moderate depression still there.
Over the years, the symptoms have waxed and waned. Oh, difficulty swallowing anyone???
Yup, Lyme Symptoms. I have horrible trouble swallowing sometimes. Muscle twitches, yup, Lyme. Pain in my leg muscles, Lyme again. It is called the 'great imitator' because it mimics so many diseases, MS, ALS, Arthritis, Fibro, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (another thing I was diagnosed with and told I would be like that forever).
If it isn't the Lyme that causes it, it may be a co-infection, called Bartonella.
I only post this so that if you have ever had a health upset like this (and I talked with at least one on this board who has), it may not 'JUST' be anxiety.
I also may have infected my 3 children, 2 have possible symptoms, we are in the process of finding a good pediatric Lyme Literate Medical doctor for them to go to and get tested. It makes me sick. If I had been diagnosed when I had the 'flu' way back in 1996, I would be able to be cured and wouldn't have endured all of this. Chronic Lyme (meaning longer than a year) will not resolve with current medical treatment, you can hope to resolve symptoms but not erradicate the spirochete.
I just found out last week that I was positive. I was glad and sad, I have not started treatment, because I'm so scared of medicines (they prescribe antibiotics).
Also, I did not get ANY arthritis symptoms until this past spring when my knee would swell and hurt, so it was nearly 12 years since I contracted it. I always thought that is what Lyme is. Not Neuro Lyme, it's a nightmare.
If anyone would like to pm me I would be happy to answer questions. Most doctors know nothing about Lyme, so I went to one of the best Lyme Doctors in the country.
If you are unconvinced, please do a search on Lyme and anxiety or Bartonella and anxiety. I couldn't believe how many symptoms I had.
Also air hunger is a symptom of another co-infection called Babesia. Lyme can cause heart issues, two doctors have told me that my heart rate was irregular, this has come about only in the last couple of years.
Please take care and take this post very seriously, it may change your life!!!
Take care,
Ocean
OK, I've been a part of this board for years. While this program has certainly helped me and I believe it is worth it, it hasn't cured me. I wondered why. Why have I been so anxious much of the past 12 years?
In two words: LYME DISEASE
I didn't know Lyme could cause panic attacks/anxiety and depression. I did not know!
I want to say that I do not believe everyone on this board has Lyme, but some of you may. If even ONE person can relate to my story and get tested and helped, then I will have done my job to help others.
My anxiety started way back in 1996 just before my senior year in high school. I had lots of friends, was very active, ect. That summer I went on vacation with a friend and her family to South Carolina for 10 days. Had a great time! The day we got back, I had a sore throat, fever, chills, felt like I had the flu, but it was July.
Did I mention my throat was SORE, like extremely sore, I was hoarse for weeks. The doctor told me I must have strep or something. I started noticing muscle weakness some, I just couldn't run as fast in cross country, but I continued running and gymnastics and choir, orchestra, student council, honors' society and anything else I am forgetting.
3 Months after getting that 'flu' I had my first panic attack. We were stretching after CC and gabbing with one another and my heart just took off, I jumped up and my mom who was also a coach raced me to the hospital, only it was over by the time we got there.
Over the next 5 months I turned into the most anxiety ridden, depressed, tired person I had never imagined someone could be. I couldn't think, went from an A student to even getting a D in Physics, I could not comprehend anything.
I went to a lot of doctors, one told me first they thought I had leukemia as my WBC was so elevated, then determined due to the fatigue that I must have mono. But I didn't get better, my depression turned to dark thoughts about death and dying, it was a fearful time, my friends were having fun and I was living a secret hell. I stopped wanting to do anything, was sleeping at least 12-14 hours/day. I felt like I was dying.
I eventually started this extremely strict diet (raw foods) and taking all kinds of supplements/herbs and got well enough to go to college for a year. I was maybe 60% of the person I once was, but the panic had stopped, moderate depression still there.
Over the years, the symptoms have waxed and waned. Oh, difficulty swallowing anyone???
Yup, Lyme Symptoms. I have horrible trouble swallowing sometimes. Muscle twitches, yup, Lyme. Pain in my leg muscles, Lyme again. It is called the 'great imitator' because it mimics so many diseases, MS, ALS, Arthritis, Fibro, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (another thing I was diagnosed with and told I would be like that forever).
If it isn't the Lyme that causes it, it may be a co-infection, called Bartonella.
I only post this so that if you have ever had a health upset like this (and I talked with at least one on this board who has), it may not 'JUST' be anxiety.
I also may have infected my 3 children, 2 have possible symptoms, we are in the process of finding a good pediatric Lyme Literate Medical doctor for them to go to and get tested. It makes me sick. If I had been diagnosed when I had the 'flu' way back in 1996, I would be able to be cured and wouldn't have endured all of this. Chronic Lyme (meaning longer than a year) will not resolve with current medical treatment, you can hope to resolve symptoms but not erradicate the spirochete.
I just found out last week that I was positive. I was glad and sad, I have not started treatment, because I'm so scared of medicines (they prescribe antibiotics).
Also, I did not get ANY arthritis symptoms until this past spring when my knee would swell and hurt, so it was nearly 12 years since I contracted it. I always thought that is what Lyme is. Not Neuro Lyme, it's a nightmare.
If anyone would like to pm me I would be happy to answer questions. Most doctors know nothing about Lyme, so I went to one of the best Lyme Doctors in the country.
If you are unconvinced, please do a search on Lyme and anxiety or Bartonella and anxiety. I couldn't believe how many symptoms I had.
Also air hunger is a symptom of another co-infection called Babesia. Lyme can cause heart issues, two doctors have told me that my heart rate was irregular, this has come about only in the last couple of years.
Please take care and take this post very seriously, it may change your life!!!
Take care,
Ocean