What is Lyme Disease
Lyme disease or Lyme borreliosis is the most common vector-borne disease in the Northern Hemisphere. Named after the town of Lyme, Connecticut, it is now one of the fastest growing...
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Lymes and Panic Attacks
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I was recently diagnosed with Lymes Disease with the on set of severe symptoms and was hospitalized 3 times and the 3rd I stayed for 6 days when they ran the Lymes Western Blot test for the second time and it came out negative from the test just 2 weeks prior and the second test was positive. Prior to this experience I've never experienced Panic Attacks or Anxiety. I am the queen or have been the queen of handling stress. Now I'm having serious panic attacks which involve stress or difficulty breathing. Like a weight on my chest causing me to struggle to breath. I feel the weight a majority of the time but the real problem is when the are so bad I struggle to breath and my head pain increases. Yesterday my Dr. suggested I see a pyschiatrist. Although I've read many individuals having many of the same symptoms I'm having such as head aches, neck pain, balance issues, sweating, mind issues, nausea, sensations in the limbs etc, my Dr. thinks not all of my symptoms are due or caused by the disease itself and that makes me feel like I'm crazy. I'd really like to know if the disease itself causes Panic Attacks or is it because of the stress of all that I am going through. Thanks out there...
Posted on 08/25/09, 06:08 pm |
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Panic attacks can definitely be a symptom of lyme disease, as well as many other symptoms you are experiencing, IMHO.
Below is a link to Dr. Virginia Sherr's website, a psychiatrist who has authored articles about the connection between lyme and anxiety, as well as other lyme topics: http://www.thehumansideoflyme.net/... Well Wishes! 
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Robin, please tell us why you were hospitalized? I would think that alone would cause a huge amount of anxiety. It is difficult to tell what is Lyme and even harder to give advice if there is another illness going on.
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This could also be a symptom of any of the three co-infections you can get along with the bite of a Lyme infected insect. There is Babesiosis (cant spell today) Erhlichiosis and Bartonella to check for also along with Lyme tests. Have the doc refer you to a Lyme literate doc also or ask him/her to tell you what your band levels were on tests. I think thats what they are called, I cannot remember anything today for the love of me! I hope you get treated correctly, because you have to treat these co-infections first, then the Lyme either along with it as well as afterwards and suffer going through awful herxing.....better than dying and letting those buggers multiply more, cause there is no cure only lessening of them multiplying.....especially nearer to third stages of. You sound real close to 3rd stage already, please be persistent with docs! Look under Lyme disease on youtube for other peoples family stories of, and be strong!
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Yes, my husband and I both experienced anxiety attacks and general feelings of anxiety. Never have before. It is a common symptom, especially with coinfections. Doesn't mean THAT'S why you have them, but surely could explain why...
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Oh yes, yes yes! Definitely. It's not surprising that so many lymies end up in therapy... in fact, it was my THERAPIST that led ME to my lyme dx. I couldn't manage my panic... my anxiety... my temper. There is a really helpful website: www.thehumansideoflyme by Dr Virginia Sherr. Check it out... it will make you feel less alone as well. Glad you found Daily Strength... you will NEVER find a better group of lymies to help you, support you, swap ideas with you, and even just let you vent/whine/complain/and celebrate! hugs to you... Donna
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