I got bit just 3 days before my second baby was born, he’s 4.5 months now. I didn’t start feeling sick until two weeks later. My doctor attributed my sickness to side effects from anesthesia, pregnancy, changing hormones etc. I really felt like she thought I was a hypochondriac. I started seeing a psychologist for Postpartum Depression and Anxiety. I thought I was losing my mind, I’m still not sure that I’m not losing it. She actually suggested I get tested for Lyme because she had one previous patient that had Lyme disease. Sure enough it was positive. I’m sure I’ll need additional testing before I can start treatment. I’ve been taking magnesium, holy basil and tons of ibuprofen and benadryl. This was all for PPD though. I’m sick all the time with a slew of various symptoms and I don’t have the energy to take care of my 2 year old and 4 month old. And now I’m worried my baby could have it since I was still pregnant when I got bit and breast fed for 2 weeks. And the worst thing is I’m so depressed that I can’t enjoy my baby. I’m overwhelmed and daunted by the road ahead. I don’t want to live like this.
Before I was diagnosed I felt the same way…like I was losing my mind, overwhelmed with depression and anxiety to the point that I was ready to give up, with no idea why I felt that way and questioning my sanity. Some days i would feel good and others like I couldn’t manage the simplest tasks. I was having muscle spasms and major neurological symptoms along with other symptoms and a drop foot finally brought me to the doctor. Finally the diagnosis (about ten years late) and treatment and I can see the light at the end of the tunnel. Once you are tested positive, you should begin treatment unless there is some other concerns to beginning treatment. The best you can do now is keep talking to those that have gone or are going through it, and read the blogs so that you know you are not alone and not losing your mind. Be careful though, as with anything you read online, all may not apply to you or will happen to you. Just having a cause for how you feel can help alleviate the questioning and lead you to a course of corrective action. You have a good outlook as it seems you have identified it relatively early and should have minimal if any long term effects. I have found one of the biggest challenges is coping with an “invisible” disease, and the reactions and lack of understanding of those around you, such as your original doctor. Stay on this site and keep reaching out and try to have at least one identified go-to person or outlet for when the symptoms are particularly bad. I wish you well in your recovery and congratulations on your family!!
Thank you. I contacted ILADS for LDL doctor in my area (Florida). My doctor told me to start seeing a ID doctor and didn’t offer or suggest any treatment.
I should be over the moon with my babies. Instead I’m falling to pieces.
It seems the most useful thing I can say is I understand. Myself I was deserted by my wife the same week I was diagnosed with Lyme. It has taken three years of constant LDI injections and several other things, but finally my Doc has told me, THE WORST IS DONE WITH NOW, now you only FINISH GETTING BETTER. Knw what? He is right, and YOU WILL GET THERE TOO! In my case, I figure I was sick for seven years until I was finally diagnosed and began treatment. If you have a good support system, that will be of incredible blessing to you and your family. Sure there may/probably be times of sorrow, depression, isolation and the like because unless someone has been there, they likely cannot entirely get what you are going through, but they can still help. Your faith is your greatest ally here, because faith begets hope and hope begets everything else you are going f to need.
My belief is that the standard AMA government proto calls do not heal/treat on a permanent basis. You may wish to research Lyme and its biofilm defense system. Yes, they may offer some relief, but I think we are far far behind other areas of the world here. Please consider LDI, its what saved my life I believe… You may have the desire to drink alchohol, trust me I get that too. There are many studies how Lyme people can have increased desire for it, but it really only feeds the disease, the depression from it and makes you take much longer to heal. Lyme nests in your nervous system/brain and joint/muscular system as well, so, you can imagine what thoughts such a body short circuiting can cause you. Its not you, your not crazy and there are many others like you. Hope this may have helped you. Don’t quit!
Thank you for your support and encouragement. I’m very thankful I found this forum. My husband tries but he doesn’t know what the feels like. Before I got my positive test results I think he even thought it was all in my head. I will look into what you suggested. I don’t feel like I’m getting the best information on the internet but I’m still not sure where to go from here. Thank you for taking the time to talk to me. Truly, it feels good to know I’m not alone.