I just found out yesterday that I have lyme disease and I am on antibiotics. I have all the problems you mentioned, chronic fatgue, joint and muscle pain, stomach pain, headache, plus I have the chills and it doesn't matter if I have the heat on 80, I will still feel cold, so I can sympathize with you.

I think we all have crosses to bear in this life and we need to find the ways to handle them.

I will keep you in my thoughts and prayers.

God Bless

Hi, sydneyi. It is hard. Freakishly hard. I'm sorry to hear that you have Lyme but glad for you that you finally have an answer for what exactly you're fighting. I too had Lyme for years without being diagnosed, with diagnoses very similar to yours in the meantime. For me, an especially difficult aspect of all of this is how much disagreement, ignorance, and misinformation there is in the medical community about Lyme. Finding a truly Lyme-literate physician is key. ILADS and internet searches can help, but they tend to be infectious disease specialists, integrative medicine docs, or functional medicine docs. Often they are expensive because their practices have to be independent of mainstream medical facilities (and sometimes also insurance companies) in order to access testing and treatment options necessary for Lyme. So unfair and frustrating! Additionally, there are so many treatment options in addition to or instead of pharmaceutical antibiotics: rife machines, bionic photon therapy, detox baths, infrared saunas, herbal therapy, Kinghardt protocol, Marshall protocol, Buhner protocol, Cowden protocol, acupuncture, ozone therapy, vitamins and minerals, dietary modifications, qi gong, etc. (You might have tried some of these already, but I just wanted to point out that many treat Lyme effectively without pharmaceuticals, if you are inclined to try that now or in the future.) The depression and insomnia are most likely symptoms of the Lyme itself, so feeling better in so many ways is impossible with Lyme. But it won't always be in charge! Truly, this is temporary. I'm glad to hear that you have supportive parents, and I urge you to take advantage of every favor anyone offers to you. Be patient with yourself, and don't push. Learn as much as you can about Lyme, its co-infections, and its treatment options so that you can advocate for yourself against this inadequate medical system and this gnarly illness. We're all in this with you. It's awful. But you are not alone.

I think it is very unlikely that someone who is going through chronic lyme experiences happiness all the time. You are compromised, your body and emotions and soul.
It is a time to heal.
I think feeling overwhelmed is, in a way, a sign of health, a natural response to what is going on in your life right now.
This has nothing to do with deserving it or not, it has to do with a challenge you are facing, that you need to face. Know that there are treatments. You can try what is available and see what works for you.
Beyond the antibiotic treatment,
When I am in a really bad state, grounding really helps me, just sitting on the earth. Helps my body and my emotions.
When I am a bit better, then meditation is awesome. If it is a regular practice, it is even better.
You are lucky to have supportive parents.
Eat well, take good care of yourself.
This will make you stronger.

Hello
Syndneyi , I like that you have gotten some very good replies. I have also had some of the
symptoms which you are describing. I don't have the fibro part however. I was
very discouraged and quite miserable when I began treatment. I saw several holistic doctors
over about a five year period. I had times of reprieve from my pains, but they would return.
Then, I found a doctor who actually diagnosed the Lyme. After, I began treatment,
I started to improve. I had to do a lot of detoxification for heavy metals. That has been
ongoing. It is definitely a complicated illness and we do have to educate ourselves and
take it seriously. I trust that you will find the help you need. I have seen many people get
better. I am for certain much better now, than when I began this healing journey.
My prayers are with you also. Take good care. Having parents who care about you
is so important. I wouldn't worry so much about 'being happy' right now. To me,, we can
try to be happy but when you're confronted with a major illness, well, for myself I just went
into survival mode. Your body's doing everything it can and might not have that extra 'happy
energy' right now. I would say, be gentle with yourself and kind.

Sydney,
I read your post and couldn't feel more of a connection with what you as I am 23 and am going through the very same symptoms to a T. Know that you are HEARD and that we are all in this together! As I am sure you are beginning to understand, treating lyme is like taking off layers of an onion. I would do a heavy metal panel before starting antibiotics. I did the whole round of doxycycline, antifungals, anti-rheumatoid arthritis, and antiparasitics all at the same time and it ruined my gut so bad that the lyme damaged my nerves and I now have gastroparesis
It wasn't until September that I learned the heavy metal poisoning from my dental fillings were what compromised the immune system and many organs that feeds parasites and allows lyme to propagate. Since getting diagnosed in May, I have tried (and still do) rife therapy, ozone therapy (working up t 800 cc's of blood) 2x/week, bought an at home hyperbaric oxygen chamber, infrared sauna 2x/week, hot yoga, Whal's protocol/paleo diet, and journal every food/treatment/symptom for my doctor (Dr. James Novak at Scripts). I am not writing this to discourage you but I am still on medical leave and unable to have a normal life but I do know that beating this one day will make anything in life a piece of cake! I find ways to make humor, do trivia games online, set little daily goals even if it is as simple as reading 20 pages or listening to a full podcast before wanting to change it. If you ever want to meet facebook me! I'd love to meet you!
God Bless,
Natalie Spaeth

Hello there, I looked carefully into your description of your symptoms.I'm sorry to hear that you've been struggling with lyme disease for so many years.Lyme disease requires a very professional medical treatment, but at the same time your mood is important, maintain a good attitude, and continue to fight with lyme disease.I was a Lyme disease patient once, after few years, I found out a serial herb medicine which called DR ZHANG. They’ve been doing a medical study on Lyme disease by using herb medicine for a real long time. By using their medicine, my symptoms has been greatly relieved. And You can find helpful help on there website www.hepapro.com. Wish you get well early!