I tried to nap 2 different times today and I couldn't sleep. I am so tired. The only thing I can think of is that maybe I am having withdrawls from my medications, specifically my pain meds. I am definitely in pain. I haven't taken pain meds for 2 days. Maybe that is the problem? Makes me nervous.
I also haven't had my trazadone in a few days. I need to go to the pharmacy to pick it up. just been too tired and too broke. We shall see what the night brings!
Keep your fingers crossed that I can sleep! Thanks, M
Saturday, October 25, 2008
Attempt at "normal"
Yesterday was a decent day overall. I didn't feel to bad. My friend invited me to go out for dinner. I decided to try to go. I was tired and had a headache but forced myself to go.
I had fun but it was hard. We had some appetizers and I even had 2 margaritas (over 4 hours). I could have done without the drinks, but it turned out ok. There was live music at about 10:30 pm. I was disappointed in the type of music and the ridiculous people flailing around on the dance floor. I felt really old. It has been a really long time since I went anywhere like this. I think maybe almost a year. I am only 30 years old, but I felt like I was 80! There were a lot of 21 year olds having a great time. I think maybe I was secretly jealous of them. It was like they had no cares in the world! What it would feel like to be that way again!
We stayed a bit longer than I would have liked, but I didn't want to be the "lame" one. So I toughed it out until my friend wanted to leave. This was about 12:15 am! I got home and tried to go to bed. No such luck. I COULD NOT sleep. I didn't take any meds as I had a few drinks, and I was having shooting pains in my arms. I was up until 4:30 am and I am so tired. I wonder if it would have been better to have gone to bed earlier and not go out, but I can't change my decision now. I sure hope my parents will watch the kids so I can take a nap!
I had fun but it was hard. We had some appetizers and I even had 2 margaritas (over 4 hours). I could have done without the drinks, but it turned out ok. There was live music at about 10:30 pm. I was disappointed in the type of music and the ridiculous people flailing around on the dance floor. I felt really old. It has been a really long time since I went anywhere like this. I think maybe almost a year. I am only 30 years old, but I felt like I was 80! There were a lot of 21 year olds having a great time. I think maybe I was secretly jealous of them. It was like they had no cares in the world! What it would feel like to be that way again!
We stayed a bit longer than I would have liked, but I didn't want to be the "lame" one. So I toughed it out until my friend wanted to leave. This was about 12:15 am! I got home and tried to go to bed. No such luck. I COULD NOT sleep. I didn't take any meds as I had a few drinks, and I was having shooting pains in my arms. I was up until 4:30 am and I am so tired. I wonder if it would have been better to have gone to bed earlier and not go out, but I can't change my decision now. I sure hope my parents will watch the kids so I can take a nap!
Wednesday, October 1, 2008
What does sick look like?
What does a sick person look like? The reason I ask is because I had a conversation with a total stranger yesterday and I told them about my Lyme disease. They were very nice and understanding, but said to me "but you look good, you don't look sick". I asked her what sick looked like (I probably sounded like a nut, but oh well). She replied with anxiety, "well your eyes are not sunken in, and your color is good". What? That is what a sick person looks like?
I said that many Lyme patients do not look sick therefore are misdiagnosed often as having mental health issues.
I realize that all around me are sick people that I may not notice because they look well. I know a few people with Diabetes that look perfectly fine, but alas they are very ill.
So maybe that person who just cut you off in traffic is chronically ill? Maybe the rude cashier has a pain disorder and that is why she is so grumpy? Maybe the guy at Dunkin Donuts has neurological Lyme disease and that is why he forgot my cream cheese?
I usually get really mad and impatient (maybe Lyme rage) at these people, but maybe I need to slow down and think about others for a minute. Perhaps I am not the only one who is sick?
Sick people do not wear name tags that say, Hi! my name is Melissa and I am sick with Lyme disease.
I think we get so focused on ourselves we forget about the people around us
Melissa
I said that many Lyme patients do not look sick therefore are misdiagnosed often as having mental health issues.
I realize that all around me are sick people that I may not notice because they look well. I know a few people with Diabetes that look perfectly fine, but alas they are very ill.
So maybe that person who just cut you off in traffic is chronically ill? Maybe the rude cashier has a pain disorder and that is why she is so grumpy? Maybe the guy at Dunkin Donuts has neurological Lyme disease and that is why he forgot my cream cheese?
I usually get really mad and impatient (maybe Lyme rage) at these people, but maybe I need to slow down and think about others for a minute. Perhaps I am not the only one who is sick?
Sick people do not wear name tags that say, Hi! my name is Melissa and I am sick with Lyme disease.
I think we get so focused on ourselves we forget about the people around us
Melissa
Monday, September 29, 2008
South Shore Lyme Support Group
I have a support group that meets monthly. It is called South Shore Lyme Support. We meet at the Whitman Public Library, 100 Webster Street Whitman MA 02382.
The next date is October 6th 2008
For more info please email me at
southshorelyme@hotmail.com
The next date is October 6th 2008
For more info please email me at
southshorelyme@hotmail.com
My Current Medications
I am currently on the following meds:
1 gram of Penicillin VK every 8 hours (in preperation for Bicillin injections starting Thursday)
40 mg Propranolol every 8 hours ( for tachycardia and palpatations)
Yaz (I also Have Polycystic Ovary Syndrome)
75 mg Diclofenac every 12 hours (for pain)
20 mg Prilosec twice a day (GI protectant due to diclofenac)
150 mg Lyrica twice a day (for fibromyalgia and neuropathies)
1 mg Ativan as needed (for anxiety/sleep)
200mg Zoloft (anxiety, depression, OCD)
30 mg Abilify (for rage, irritability)
Vicodin as needed for pain
100mg Trazadone for sleep
Probiotics
1 gram of Penicillin VK every 8 hours (in preperation for Bicillin injections starting Thursday)
40 mg Propranolol every 8 hours ( for tachycardia and palpatations)
Yaz (I also Have Polycystic Ovary Syndrome)
75 mg Diclofenac every 12 hours (for pain)
20 mg Prilosec twice a day (GI protectant due to diclofenac)
150 mg Lyrica twice a day (for fibromyalgia and neuropathies)
1 mg Ativan as needed (for anxiety/sleep)
200mg Zoloft (anxiety, depression, OCD)
30 mg Abilify (for rage, irritability)
Vicodin as needed for pain
100mg Trazadone for sleep
Probiotics
My Symptoms
I wanted to list my symptoms for others to see. I will put them in order of severity the best I can.
Severe Fatigue
Joint pain (knees, hips, hands, elbows, neck, back, jaw)
Muscle pain
Neuropathies (shooting pains, cold and hot sensations, tickle feelings, creepy crawlies)
Chronic Fevers (99.2-101) I never have a normal temperature
Hairloss ( I have lost 75% of my nice hair)
Derealization (feeling like in a dream)
Brain fog
Sweats
Weakness
Dizziness
Headaches
Irritability
Rage
Depression
Anxiety
OCD
Tachycardia
Palpatations
Enlarged spleen
Enlarged lymphnodes
Lack of concentration
Overall Sick feeling
Severe Fatigue
Joint pain (knees, hips, hands, elbows, neck, back, jaw)
Muscle pain
Neuropathies (shooting pains, cold and hot sensations, tickle feelings, creepy crawlies)
Chronic Fevers (99.2-101) I never have a normal temperature
Hairloss ( I have lost 75% of my nice hair)
Derealization (feeling like in a dream)
Brain fog
Sweats
Weakness
Dizziness
Headaches
Irritability
Rage
Depression
Anxiety
OCD
Tachycardia
Palpatations
Enlarged spleen
Enlarged lymphnodes
Lack of concentration
Overall Sick feeling
An Introduction
Hello. My name is Melissa and I am 30 years old (that was hard to type). I live near Boston Massachusetts. I have been with my husband for 12 years. We have 2 beautiful young children who I absolutely adore. I have Had Lyme for about 17 months that I know of.
It has been a really hard road for me and my family. I was a Veterinary Technician for 10 years prior to getting sick with Lyme. I loved being a technician, and I have to say I think I was pretty good at it. I mostly enjoyed Emergency and Critical Care. I also did a lot of training and supervising. Boy, do I miss it! I haven't been able to work since getting Lyme. It really makes me sad. I miss my friends, the animals and just being "normal" whatever that is. I miss having a skill. I miss having a paycheck too!
In May 2007 I was working 2 back to back double shifts (16 hours each) on a Saturday and Sunday. On Sunday during my second shift I started to feel sick. I felt dizzy, sweaty, drunk, dream like. I ended up leaving early. I assumed it was just that I was over doing it and working too much. I figured I would go to bed and be fine the next day. Boy, was I wrong!
I woke up the next morning and felt like I was going to die. My body hurt so much. I had a very bad headache, sore throat and my voice was very hoarse. The voice thing sticks out in my mind because it was not because of my sore throat. It didn't make sense. I remember being so fatigued I could barely move. I had a fever. It was awful.
I went to my PCP and he ran a bunch of blood tests. I had a CT scan too. 3 Weeks later I was diagnosed with Acute Lyme Disease. I had bands 39 and 41 positive through Quest. I thought great, I have an answer why I am sick. I was confused because I never remember a tick on me or a rash or anything, but none the less, I wasn't surprised. I figured I would get some Doxycyline and be on my merry way. I would get better and that was that. Again I was sadly mistaken.
I started the Doxycycline at 100mg 3 times a day. On day 3 I started to have a Herxheimer reaction. This is when the bacteria start to die off and release toxins into your body. You get very sick from this, or at least I did. I have never felt so bad in my life. I went on like this for 10 days total. I finally called my PCP (who had warned of the herx) and told his receptionist that I was hearing voices and I could not tolerate light or sounds and I was about to jump off the roof.
My PCP was not seeing patients that day, but told me to come in anyway. He ended up admitting me to the hospital for 4 days. I had a PICC line placed and was put on Rocephin for 21 days.
After the 21 days I was still very ill. I ended up seeing a Lyme lierate MD (LLMD) and he put me on Biaxin and plaquenil. This LLMD did not end up working out. I switched to a LLMD in CT. He was much more attentive and particular. It was a better match for me.
I am still being treated and hoping to get better ASAP.
Melissa
It has been a really hard road for me and my family. I was a Veterinary Technician for 10 years prior to getting sick with Lyme. I loved being a technician, and I have to say I think I was pretty good at it. I mostly enjoyed Emergency and Critical Care. I also did a lot of training and supervising. Boy, do I miss it! I haven't been able to work since getting Lyme. It really makes me sad. I miss my friends, the animals and just being "normal" whatever that is. I miss having a skill. I miss having a paycheck too!
In May 2007 I was working 2 back to back double shifts (16 hours each) on a Saturday and Sunday. On Sunday during my second shift I started to feel sick. I felt dizzy, sweaty, drunk, dream like. I ended up leaving early. I assumed it was just that I was over doing it and working too much. I figured I would go to bed and be fine the next day. Boy, was I wrong!
I woke up the next morning and felt like I was going to die. My body hurt so much. I had a very bad headache, sore throat and my voice was very hoarse. The voice thing sticks out in my mind because it was not because of my sore throat. It didn't make sense. I remember being so fatigued I could barely move. I had a fever. It was awful.
I went to my PCP and he ran a bunch of blood tests. I had a CT scan too. 3 Weeks later I was diagnosed with Acute Lyme Disease. I had bands 39 and 41 positive through Quest. I thought great, I have an answer why I am sick. I was confused because I never remember a tick on me or a rash or anything, but none the less, I wasn't surprised. I figured I would get some Doxycyline and be on my merry way. I would get better and that was that. Again I was sadly mistaken.
I started the Doxycycline at 100mg 3 times a day. On day 3 I started to have a Herxheimer reaction. This is when the bacteria start to die off and release toxins into your body. You get very sick from this, or at least I did. I have never felt so bad in my life. I went on like this for 10 days total. I finally called my PCP (who had warned of the herx) and told his receptionist that I was hearing voices and I could not tolerate light or sounds and I was about to jump off the roof.
My PCP was not seeing patients that day, but told me to come in anyway. He ended up admitting me to the hospital for 4 days. I had a PICC line placed and was put on Rocephin for 21 days.
After the 21 days I was still very ill. I ended up seeing a Lyme lierate MD (LLMD) and he put me on Biaxin and plaquenil. This LLMD did not end up working out. I switched to a LLMD in CT. He was much more attentive and particular. It was a better match for me.
I am still being treated and hoping to get better ASAP.
Melissa
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
Posts
