It's been exactly one month since I began treatment for Lyme. Although my "herx" reaction has calmed a bit in the fatigue department, my cognitive symptoms remain and, in my opinion, have become worse.
It is literally the absolute WORST feeling in the world to have a panic attack. Suddenly things are sideways, I don't know where I am, I don't know what to do, I'm nauseous, my heart is beating out of my chest... I fight this feeling constantly. Every two hours I'd say. I guess that's what the Xanax is for.
In addition to the antibiotics I'm taking (now three different meds - we've added Cipro in case I have bartonella, a coinfection common to Lyme that can cause these awful weird brain things that are going on), I saw a neurotoxin specialist a few weeks ago, just to make sure I haven't been exposed to toxic mold, as it can cause similar symptoms to Lyme and I had spotted a teeny bit of mold in my closet at my house.
Sure enough, bloodwork revealed that I've been exposed. She also did extensive testing on my immune system to figure out what I'm fighting this stuff with.
It turns out that, even though I'm on medication to fight the Lyme's disease (which assaults the bacteria itself), the process of that battle and/or the bacteria itself can cause toxins to be present in my brain. Same thing with the mold exposure; even if I took an anti-fungal, my immune system is my only real defense against the toxins that are released as a result of the fungus or bacteria. Some people have immune systems that can naturally rid the body of toxins that arise from bacteria; others have immune systems that can effectively fight toxins from certain fungi; others have immune systems that can do both.
Mine can do neither.
So, as my immune system is faced with a "double whammy" (Lyme AND mold exposure) there's basically nothing it can do for itself. I am now on four additional supplements that are supposed to help me fight these toxins. I am PRAYING that they work, since the toxins may very likely be what's responsible for what's happening inside my brain.
I just wanted to share this for anyone out there who's fighting a serious infection. I had no idea that you can fight the infection itself and still be extremely sick from the toxins that are released via said infection if you don't have a natural immunity to them.
In other news, I have had to move out of my house to get away from any mold that may be present. One of the most heartbreaking things I've gone through. I love that house to bits and I am so, SO sad to leave. :(
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