Aa
Over Exertion
Of all the ridiculous luck! We have a forest/wildland fire burning very near out house. I'm pretty sure a fire got me started into this mess to begin with and now I'm feeling the effects of gathering up my possessions to evacuate w/i about an hour. The 40-50 MPH wind shifted and brought the fire to w/i about 1/2 mile of our house. We gathered up the most important stuff into vehicles and moved some antiques into truck trailers all in about an hour. But what an hour it was! I can't believe that I used to be able to work like that all day and yet this tired me out so much, that I was dragging! And even though I put SPF 50 on my face before making that many trips out into the sun, I still got a sunburn AND clogged pores. Does anyone know if there is any amount of sunscreen that will prevent sunburns while on 300 mg. of Doxy? If I have to spend that much time outside again I may have to wear one of those things that the Muslim women wear! I am not even very prone to sunburn and I think my cheeks are going to peel. They aren't kidding when they say it increases the risk of sunburn!
As I was trying to keep moving I was thinking about Stargazer's doctor saying you should just "push through the fatigue". I would like to kick that women in the shin w/ my steel-toed work boots. I MIGHT be able to work (half days?) if all I did was sit around and talk to people, but not everyone has a job like that!
Our road has been evacuated but we didn't go. We used to have a contract w/ the Forest Service to fight the Wildland Fires and a lot of what my husband does now is to create 'defensible zones' for property owners in order to maintain their property owner's insurance. We have all the equipment and knowledge and it would have looked pretty bad if we "abandoned ship" at the first sign of trouble, like the captain of the Costa Concordia! And the fact that the main focus of the firefighters so far has been to save people's houses, and we live in a 'tear-down'house but have all the materials for a new house stored in truck trailers, so it would be hard to trust the message to get through: " Let the house burn; save the semi-trailers!" And I don't think I did too badly w/ my higher than normal anxiety, but there was a noticeable difference since the last time I was behind the evacuation lines of a fire. I'm not sure if that had to do w/ the Lyme, the fact that it was MY livestock and possessions that close to a fire, or the fact that I was in an information black-out as opposed to having a command channel radio so I knew what was going on! I'm guessing it was about equal parts of all 3.
I went to bed at about 7:30 after doing all we could and tearing up some landscaping that we were reluctant to mess with until the risk was that close. I had planned on getting up for my turn to watch, but after the National Guard woke us up at midnight to tell us that our area had it's risk area upgraded, I was so tired, I was able to go right back to sleep. (It was more smoke than fire). The kids took pity on me and took my watch, and with a few interruptions, I ended up sleeping almost 14 hours. This is an insane illness, that even this kind of thing can't break through the fatigue!
I am dreading having to put the house back together and I have to take my daughter back to Denver on Wednesday for a check-up and I have another appt. with the LLMD. I am so looking forward to regaining some stamina!
As I was trying to keep moving I was thinking about Stargazer's doctor saying you should just "push through the fatigue". I would like to kick that women in the shin w/ my steel-toed work boots. I MIGHT be able to work (half days?) if all I did was sit around and talk to people, but not everyone has a job like that!
Our road has been evacuated but we didn't go. We used to have a contract w/ the Forest Service to fight the Wildland Fires and a lot of what my husband does now is to create 'defensible zones' for property owners in order to maintain their property owner's insurance. We have all the equipment and knowledge and it would have looked pretty bad if we "abandoned ship" at the first sign of trouble, like the captain of the Costa Concordia! And the fact that the main focus of the firefighters so far has been to save people's houses, and we live in a 'tear-down'house but have all the materials for a new house stored in truck trailers, so it would be hard to trust the message to get through: " Let the house burn; save the semi-trailers!" And I don't think I did too badly w/ my higher than normal anxiety, but there was a noticeable difference since the last time I was behind the evacuation lines of a fire. I'm not sure if that had to do w/ the Lyme, the fact that it was MY livestock and possessions that close to a fire, or the fact that I was in an information black-out as opposed to having a command channel radio so I knew what was going on! I'm guessing it was about equal parts of all 3.
I went to bed at about 7:30 after doing all we could and tearing up some landscaping that we were reluctant to mess with until the risk was that close. I had planned on getting up for my turn to watch, but after the National Guard woke us up at midnight to tell us that our area had it's risk area upgraded, I was so tired, I was able to go right back to sleep. (It was more smoke than fire). The kids took pity on me and took my watch, and with a few interruptions, I ended up sleeping almost 14 hours. This is an insane illness, that even this kind of thing can't break through the fatigue!
I am dreading having to put the house back together and I have to take my daughter back to Denver on Wednesday for a check-up and I have another appt. with the LLMD. I am so looking forward to regaining some stamina!
Best Answer
Love the belt story! I think being feisty gets you farther in life than being a wallflower!
I especially love that you repossesed it!
I especially love that you repossesed it!
Great story stargazer!
I bet my son would have done that to get out of speech therapy if we had ever dressed him in some kind of "weapon"!!!
I bet my son would have done that to get out of speech therapy if we had ever dressed him in some kind of "weapon"!!!
Send me these studded handbags! I'll have uses for them!
When I was a little, in 2nd or 3rd grade, I had studded belt. I did not like speech therapy class, and I wanted a "free" time. So I took off my belt and twriling it to keep speech teacher away from me.
Suffice to say I got suspended, and thought I'd lost my lovely belt for good. One day, many months later, I saw it tucked away in the school's office, and of course I helped myself to it! I still have it now, albeit too small for me, but big enough to double as dog collar :)
When I was a little, in 2nd or 3rd grade, I had studded belt. I did not like speech therapy class, and I wanted a "free" time. So I took off my belt and twriling it to keep speech teacher away from me.
Suffice to say I got suspended, and thought I'd lost my lovely belt for good. One day, many months later, I saw it tucked away in the school's office, and of course I helped myself to it! I still have it now, albeit too small for me, but big enough to double as dog collar :)
Good luck, I hope you find someone who can help with your hormones.
If you learn anything useful, please remember to start a thread here to share it with us, OK?
I have to say I was tempted by those handbags covered in studs that were trendy a year or so ago. It was probably for the best I decided not to buy one!!!
If you learn anything useful, please remember to start a thread here to share it with us, OK?
I have to say I was tempted by those handbags covered in studs that were trendy a year or so ago. It was probably for the best I decided not to buy one!!!
LOL Your family really needs to be careful to steer clear of the embellished handbags--you could put an eye out with one of those things :-)
I am loving it though--a genetic predisposition to purse beating!!! Hahaha--Classic!!!
I'm off to an endocrinologist in early July. I'm 99% sure that the Lyme has messed with my hormones, thus causing most of these issues, but no-one has done anything more than a general look at TSH etc. I figured an endocrinologist might (especially a female one) might take a closer look and listen to my cyclic symptoms and offer some suggstions.
I am loving it though--a genetic predisposition to purse beating!!! Hahaha--Classic!!!
I'm off to an endocrinologist in early July. I'm 99% sure that the Lyme has messed with my hormones, thus causing most of these issues, but no-one has done anything more than a general look at TSH etc. I figured an endocrinologist might (especially a female one) might take a closer look and listen to my cyclic symptoms and offer some suggstions.
I agree that lyme causes wild hormone swings. My doc said lyme attacks any horomne producing organ, and it can wreak havoc with ovaries.
I'm also totally wary of all hormones, would never again take anything. I have tried to go on the pill twice and both times lasted 2 months. It turned me into a completely psychotic, axe-murdering loonatic.(The kind who'd try to clobber Mike Tyson with a handbag, for example) I recently found out that all my female cousins are the same, so I don't know if it's caused by having lyme or something genetic in my family! Or perhaps both of course...
I'm also totally wary of all hormones, would never again take anything. I have tried to go on the pill twice and both times lasted 2 months. It turned me into a completely psychotic, axe-murdering loonatic.(The kind who'd try to clobber Mike Tyson with a handbag, for example) I recently found out that all my female cousins are the same, so I don't know if it's caused by having lyme or something genetic in my family! Or perhaps both of course...
Nice to have a smile now and then! :)
I was scheduled to put in a hormone laden IUD just before I got diagnosed. It was my gyno's idea to help smooth out my wild hormone swings and prevent recurrence of painful ovarian cysts. As soon as I got diagnosed, my GP said, "No hormones! It will interfere with your Lyme treatment." My Lyme PA also said the LLMD asks patients who have them to take them out. Glad I hadn't put it in yet!
I do believe my wild hormone swings and cysts were symptoms of Lyme, as I had no history of either one prior to Lyme. We'll see what happens in the years after my treatment is done and whether I am proved right.
I was scheduled to put in a hormone laden IUD just before I got diagnosed. It was my gyno's idea to help smooth out my wild hormone swings and prevent recurrence of painful ovarian cysts. As soon as I got diagnosed, my GP said, "No hormones! It will interfere with your Lyme treatment." My Lyme PA also said the LLMD asks patients who have them to take them out. Glad I hadn't put it in yet!
I do believe my wild hormone swings and cysts were symptoms of Lyme, as I had no history of either one prior to Lyme. We'll see what happens in the years after my treatment is done and whether I am proved right.
What a great thread this is! Something for everyone. :)
I had an IUD once, and it was awful, so I'm perma-suspicious of them as another idea the male medical profession foisted on us chicks. But that's just me. Re Lyme, I guess I'd be cautious about mucking with hormones generally just because Lyme seems to throw everything off kilter in general -- thyroid, you name it. But let's just say I'm overall skeptical of docs ... and there are docs in my family among close friends ... and I'm glad there are good ones ... but ... you know. Sigh.
I like your mom. It takes guts to clobber someone with a handbag. Your life will make a great movie. Let's finish the Lyme chapter first, tho. Heh.
I had an IUD once, and it was awful, so I'm perma-suspicious of them as another idea the male medical profession foisted on us chicks. But that's just me. Re Lyme, I guess I'd be cautious about mucking with hormones generally just because Lyme seems to throw everything off kilter in general -- thyroid, you name it. But let's just say I'm overall skeptical of docs ... and there are docs in my family among close friends ... and I'm glad there are good ones ... but ... you know. Sigh.
I like your mom. It takes guts to clobber someone with a handbag. Your life will make a great movie. Let's finish the Lyme chapter first, tho. Heh.
"Mommy dearest goes lyme" played by a vicious Goldie Hawn!!!
Now I'm the one going Mwahahahahahaha as that is what happened to my Mum when she got lyme, when I was 7. She developed "lyme rage" and went apeshit on a daily basis. Definitely vicious.
When she got angry with people, even perfect strangers, she would scream hysterically, clobber them with her handbag, smash things. When my sister or I were naughty she would tear into our bedroom and trash the entire room like a rockstar trashing a hotel (that, or grab our hair and bash our heads together). She once started punching a lorry driver who had blocked her car in - a man built like Mike Tyson. When I look back on it all, it's a miracle nobody actually killed her. She's very tiny so I suppose the comedy element saved her! Although she still has lyme, the rage has all gone out of her now and she seems like a different person.
Jackie, I have a friend who actually does have an IUD ***impregnated*** with hormones! She loves it, she says she hasn't had a period in 3 years and it's wonderful.
Now I'm the one going Mwahahahahahaha as that is what happened to my Mum when she got lyme, when I was 7. She developed "lyme rage" and went apeshit on a daily basis. Definitely vicious.
When she got angry with people, even perfect strangers, she would scream hysterically, clobber them with her handbag, smash things. When my sister or I were naughty she would tear into our bedroom and trash the entire room like a rockstar trashing a hotel (that, or grab our hair and bash our heads together). She once started punching a lorry driver who had blocked her car in - a man built like Mike Tyson. When I look back on it all, it's a miracle nobody actually killed her. She's very tiny so I suppose the comedy element saved her! Although she still has lyme, the rage has all gone out of her now and she seems like a different person.
Jackie, I have a friend who actually does have an IUD ***impregnated*** with hormones! She loves it, she says she hasn't had a period in 3 years and it's wonderful.
An IUD to stabilize hormones??? Whaaaat?
Is it one impregnated (you should excuse the word) with hormones?? Seriously.
Docs. Can't live with 'em .... can't live without 'em.
Is it one impregnated (you should excuse the word) with hormones?? Seriously.
Docs. Can't live with 'em .... can't live without 'em.
That's classic! If this weren't so dang sad and miserable, it would be hysterically funny. Maybe someday there will be a movie made about living through Lyme. We'd need someone like a vicious Goldie Hawn to play the main character. 'Mommie Dearest Goes Lyme.'
Hahaha that time of month--it's the longest case of PMS EVER
Oooh if only..... :-)
But, speaking of which--I just went to OB/GYN for my annual check up and told him about my "issues." LOL--he offered to give me an IUD to "stabilize my hormones" and get me back on my feet.
Then I get back to my office and read this---bwahahahahabwahaha
too funny
Oooh if only..... :-)
But, speaking of which--I just went to OB/GYN for my annual check up and told him about my "issues." LOL--he offered to give me an IUD to "stabilize my hormones" and get me back on my feet.
Then I get back to my office and read this---bwahahahahabwahaha
too funny
When I was striil trying to pretend I was well, I spent years claiming to be coming down with something! Sadly it was true, I just kept coming down and down and down till I hit rick bottom!
My other line, when that one got overused, was to whisper "it's the time of the month" which always seems to get heaps of sympathy from the very same people who think, if you have lyme disease, you should just pull yourself together!
My other line, when that one got overused, was to whisper "it's the time of the month" which always seems to get heaps of sympathy from the very same people who think, if you have lyme disease, you should just pull yourself together!
My favorite dodge was "I think I might be coming down with something" -- which kept me in the allegedly healthy part of the population, but reduced people's expectations for my peppiness.
Or allergies, an all-purpose excuse: "I think something is blooming near our house that is making my allergies kick up." Doesn't work as well in the winter, but the other three seasons, yeah. So in winter, I was 'coming down with something.' Heh.
Or allergies, an all-purpose excuse: "I think something is blooming near our house that is making my allergies kick up." Doesn't work as well in the winter, but the other three seasons, yeah. So in winter, I was 'coming down with something.' Heh.
Val - I use Neutrogena Pure and Free Baby sunscreen. It has zinc oxide, does not have the questionable Oxybenzone, and works great.
Youvegottobekidding -I am chuckling at your "I feel ill." phrase. Perfect! I also had to distinguish between tired and Lyme tired when a friend gently asked if I could push through the fatigue. This was even before I got diagnosed. I explained to her that there are times when it is so bad, if I don't sit or lie down immediately, I will fall down. I couldn't believe it the first time I saw the Burrascano checklist and it included "Unavoidable need to sit or lie down." I shouted, "YES!" Now I just say, "My brain is shutting down." That seems to get the message across.
Youvegottobekidding -I am chuckling at your "I feel ill." phrase. Perfect! I also had to distinguish between tired and Lyme tired when a friend gently asked if I could push through the fatigue. This was even before I got diagnosed. I explained to her that there are times when it is so bad, if I don't sit or lie down immediately, I will fall down. I couldn't believe it the first time I saw the Burrascano checklist and it included "Unavoidable need to sit or lie down." I shouted, "YES!" Now I just say, "My brain is shutting down." That seems to get the message across.
I forgot to mention about sun block.
You need to get one with the words "mineral" on it - it contains zinc and will make you look like a geisha, but it works. When your skin is very sensitive, just chemical barriers are not enough.
If you have trouble find one, look for creams specially for babies.
Dolf,
I have got so fed up of trying to explain to people that when I'm tired, it is a tiredness that they have never experienced in their lives. Healthy people CAN push themselves when they're tired, but we're ill. So now, I never say I am tired, I tell people "I feel ill". Because actually, that's what it is.
You need to get one with the words "mineral" on it - it contains zinc and will make you look like a geisha, but it works. When your skin is very sensitive, just chemical barriers are not enough.
If you have trouble find one, look for creams specially for babies.
Dolf,
I have got so fed up of trying to explain to people that when I'm tired, it is a tiredness that they have never experienced in their lives. Healthy people CAN push themselves when they're tired, but we're ill. So now, I never say I am tired, I tell people "I feel ill". Because actually, that's what it is.
Oh the humanity!!! Being an environmental scientist by training, who then spends most of career teaching biology, I've spent this whole year studying mitochondria and cellular respiration in relation to Lyme disease--one might consider it ironic!! :-) It is such a "simple" concept really, and yet our good friend Lyme can create such havoc as to confuse people who've been studying the biochemistry since 10th grade!!!
Caffeine would work, if you were "sleepy" but no-one who hasn't experienced it can understand what we mean when we say we are fatigued. It isn't a "tired" kind of fatigued--it is bone draining, mind numbing, lack of core energy that most often is not "cured" by a nap!!! And, in my case, having been diagnosed with PVC's long prior to this ride, when my body goes down that road, my heart starts skipping, my eyes feel like there is sand in them and it is a LOOONG road back to average activity levels--let alone increases in energy needed to do things like clean, mow, launder, etc etc etc.
Preaching to the choir again--If I keep this up, I'll have to foot the bill to clean your robes :-)
Here's to a good day for all--and Valkyrie--here's to rain, rain and then some more rain.
Yours,
Caffeine would work, if you were "sleepy" but no-one who hasn't experienced it can understand what we mean when we say we are fatigued. It isn't a "tired" kind of fatigued--it is bone draining, mind numbing, lack of core energy that most often is not "cured" by a nap!!! And, in my case, having been diagnosed with PVC's long prior to this ride, when my body goes down that road, my heart starts skipping, my eyes feel like there is sand in them and it is a LOOONG road back to average activity levels--let alone increases in energy needed to do things like clean, mow, launder, etc etc etc.
Preaching to the choir again--If I keep this up, I'll have to foot the bill to clean your robes :-)
Here's to a good day for all--and Valkyrie--here's to rain, rain and then some more rain.
Yours,
Valkyrie, I'm glad you managed to get out of the fire safe and sound, that's the most important thing.
You'll feed exhausted for a while. So irritating, but it's best just to go with the flow with this illness. I think you should take your time with sorting everything out from here - can you recruit help from anyone to get things sorted now?
Yeah, "pushing through the fatigue". The fatigue is caused by our cells lacking ATP and our mitochondria therefore failing to make energy out of oxygen and glucose. The krebs cycle gets interrupted half way and produces poison instead. If you try to push through that, the more your cells fill with poison.
I was once advised by a doctor (a private doctor paid for by my employer) to tank up on coffee for energy!! (I was already diagnosed with a heart condition BTW!) When I told my boss, he phoned up the head of the medical practise and said this woman was a "quack" and he didn't want her allowed near any of his employees ever again! He was a good boss!
You'll feed exhausted for a while. So irritating, but it's best just to go with the flow with this illness. I think you should take your time with sorting everything out from here - can you recruit help from anyone to get things sorted now?
Yeah, "pushing through the fatigue". The fatigue is caused by our cells lacking ATP and our mitochondria therefore failing to make energy out of oxygen and glucose. The krebs cycle gets interrupted half way and produces poison instead. If you try to push through that, the more your cells fill with poison.
I was once advised by a doctor (a private doctor paid for by my employer) to tank up on coffee for energy!! (I was already diagnosed with a heart condition BTW!) When I told my boss, he phoned up the head of the medical practise and said this woman was a "quack" and he didn't want her allowed near any of his employees ever again! He was a good boss!
Val - That sounds really stressful. You will probably be in catch up mode for rest for days. I am so glad your house et.al. are okay!
Lily - I have to shake my head at your psychologist. Didn't she say she had Lyme before? It must not have been very bad that she didn't get abx immediately after new tick bites. That would also explain her suggestion to push throu the fatigue. She really doesn't get what you are really feeling!!
Lily - I have to shake my head at your psychologist. Didn't she say she had Lyme before? It must not have been very bad that she didn't get abx immediately after new tick bites. That would also explain her suggestion to push throu the fatigue. She really doesn't get what you are really feeling!!
Hope you are all safe, along with your livestock and possessions.
Your remarks about kicking my psychologist with steel-toed work boots has me laughing. Guess what?
I saw her this morning--something was amiss about her. She seems tired and quiet, straining to stay alert and appear energyful. . She was hoping no one notice it. I asked her what's matter?
Weeks ago she got bitten by ticks but did not sought medical treatment so she is starting to crash late last week and over the weekend. She just has gone on antibiotics now.
Your remarks about kicking my psychologist with steel-toed work boots has me laughing. Guess what?
I saw her this morning--something was amiss about her. She seems tired and quiet, straining to stay alert and appear energyful. . She was hoping no one notice it. I asked her what's matter?
Weeks ago she got bitten by ticks but did not sought medical treatment so she is starting to crash late last week and over the weekend. She just has gone on antibiotics now.
I am very sorry you had to evacuate due to fire or at least get your stuff out quickly. I have been through this twice. The first fire got to within 1/2 a mile also. We also had to load up rather quickly and get in line to get out. I don't have lyme but have other health issues. It is very stressful and tiring. Did you acutally get out after your rest? I hope you are safe now? I dread this summer as we had a lot of early rain and so lots of underbrush. We already had a couple of small fires nearby. I hope everything turns out ok.
Ummmm ..... I think it goes without saying, but I'll say it anyway: what you've been going through would knock a healthy person on their a$$, so I think you're doing awfully well! Take care, sleep when you can, and don't you dare feel bad about it.
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