Rise Above Lyme Blog

A family member had Bartonella striae up and down the spine, and those marks helped lead to the diagnosis. Many doctors still brush them off as stretch marks, so I want you to know what they can look like and why they matter. Short on time or energy? A quick-view graphic with the key points is at the bottom of this post. BARTONELLA EDUCATION https://www.riseabovelyme.com/post/bartonella BARTONELLA MOST COMMON SYMPTOMS https://www.riseabovelyme.com/post/bartonella-most-common-

Head pressure, head pain, ice pick pain and migraines are some of the most common struggles with Lyme and co-infections. At my sickest, head pain was my very worst symptom, even worse than my seizures. There were days I couldn't see my children because of it, so I truly understand. What was behind it could change from day to day: one day it was POTS, the next a Babesia flare. This post explains why head pain and migraines can happen with Lyme and co-infections, what makes a m

Here all of my mental health posts from the Lyme Directory in one place, so you can find what you need when you need it. You are not alone. Short on time or energy? A quick-view graphic with the key points is at the bottom of this post. DEPRESSION, ANXIETY AND MENTAL HEALTH DEPRESSION AND ANXIETY https://www.riseabovelyme.com/post/depression-and-anxiety-2 DEPRESSION AND ANXIETY - POSSIBLE SOLUTIONS https://www.riseabovelyme.com/post/depression-and-anxiety DEPRESSION

If you live with Lyme or any chronic illness, you may have heard people talk about spoons. The spoon theory is a simple way to explain what it's like to start every day with a limited amount of energy. Every task costs spoons, and once they're gone, they're gone. I made this graphic to help our community explain it to the people who love us. Count your own spoons today, and share this with someone who needs to understand. The spoon theory was created by Christine Miserandino,

This is something I've poured so much care into, and I'm so glad it's finally ready to share with you. If you've ever sat in a doctor's office and watched your mind go blank, or left an appointment thinking of everything you forgot to say, this is for you. The Rise Above Lyme Symptom Checklist is a six-page tool with more than 90 symptoms organized by body system, so you can check off what you've experienced, past or present, and walk in with the full picture. What it is, and

BPPV is an inner ear disorder that causes episodes of vertigo when changing head positions. It was an awful experience for me personally and seemed to come on after I had a viral issue. It was extremely scary, and it took a few months to eliminate the severe symptoms. I honestly still have a little bit of it going on when sitting or lying in certain positions. Short on time or energy? A quick-view graphic with the key points is at the bottom of this post. Buy products on Full

This questionnaire is a great starting point if you suspect you may have Lyme. I also feel it's a good idea to fill it out and bring your results to your first Lyme-literate doctor appointment. Short on time or energy? A quick-view graphic with the key points is at the bottom of this post. FREE SYMPTOM CHECKLIST: A TOOL TO BRING TO YOUR APPOINTMENTS https://www.riseabovelyme.com/post/free-symptom-checklist-a-tool-to-bring-to-your-appointments WHAT IT IS - The Horowitz Lyme-MS

Lyme disease and Babesia caused POTS for me. I speak from experience, as POTS was one of the most common reasons I had to go to the ER. Once it was managed, I was better able to understand my health and not live in such fear. It gives me a feeling of anxiety when my heart rate spikes, and it can even look like anxiety to those around me. It also puts me in a drunken, confused state. That's scary, because I know what to do to fix it, but in the middle of it, I go blank. My h

Mast cell activation (MCAS) comes up in our Lyme groups all the time, and the same questions follow. What is it? What are the signs? How do doctors decide if someone has it? Is it connected to Lyme? Doctors do not all agree on the answers, so I pulled together the basics from the MCAS specialists and Lyme organizations I trust. Always take your own questions to your doctor. Short on time or energy? A quick-view graphic with the key points is at the bottom of this post. POSSIB

A member said a therapist who is also a manager at a behavior health center would like to educate her other therapists, staff and doctors (psychiatrists) about Lyme disease and mental health. I am doing this post containing articles pertaining to that connection. There would be many to gather based on Bartonella but I'm keeping it mostly Lyme focused. Quick view graphic at bottom. Email us for a Lyme Literate therapist: https://www.riseabovelyme.com/post/rise-above-lyme-lym

Adding organization into your life makes treating less stressful. Tracking symptoms can help guide you and your doctor in treatment choices. Here are some options gathered to hopefully help you: SYMPTOM TRACKING "Use the Lyme Symptom Tracker App to keep track of your Lyme disease symptoms each day." https://www.globallymealliance.org/patient-support/lyme-symptom-tracker-app "This project involved a mobile web app to help Lyme Disease patients keep track of their symptoms a

Doxycycline is the one most known for sun sensitivity in the Lyme world, but many other medicines carry this warning too. Some herbs, essential oils and plant juices can also make us burn more easily, and for some of us the reaction comes from our mast cells or an autoimmune condition. I've gathered the causes first, then the ideas that may help. Short on time or energy? A quick-view graphic with the key points is at the bottom of this post. Product links are under WHERE TO B

Sound sensitivity can make everyday life feel overwhelming. Dishes clattering, the TV, a busy store or even a normal conversation can suddenly feel too loud, painful or exhausting. If this is happening to you, you're not imagining it, and you're not alone. The first part of this post explains why sound sensitivity can happen with Lyme, co-infections and mast cell issues. The second part shares possible solutions that may help. Short on time or energy? A quick-view graphic wit

I hold no shame in admitting I have Medical PTSD. Three practitioners diagnosed me with it. Many things caused it for me, many things trigger me, and I am constantly seeking ways to help myself in this area. Almost anything medical, for me or a loved one, triggers me. It isn't just my own health that does it. I have used different things through the years. I would say EMDR and Somatic therapy are my favorites. I admit to avoiding triggers as one way I have coped. Which has

Two of my doctors drilled this into my head: proper elimination is vital to detox. Toxins are not meant to sit in our bodies and be reabsorbed, and with Lyme we cannot afford to add to an already heavy toxic load. Constipation comes up often in our groups, so working on regularity really matters. And yes, you can be constipated even if you go every day. This post explains what proper elimination means, why things slow down with Lyme and co-infections, and the signs to watch f

We have gathered multiple sources of information to help you get educated on POTS and dysautonomia. Many things that can help are included. Knowledge is power. Short on time or energy? A quick-view graphic with the key points is at the bottom of this post. Looking for ideas to help? See my POTS - POSSIBLE SOLUTIONS post: https://www.riseabovelyme.com/post/pots-possible-solutions Learn the signs and what can cause POTS in my POTS CAUSES AND SYMPTOMS post: https://www.ris

PARENTS OF CHILDREN WITH LYME: SIGNS THAT LOOK LIKE DEPRESSION, ANXIETY OR ADHD LYME IN KIDS CAN LOOK LIKE SOMETHING ELSE DEPRESSION? ANXIETY? ADHD? ACTING OUT? I understand this challenge as a patient myself and with my own child facing these diseases. I greatly empathize for parents facing this helpless feeling. We hope this post helps in some way. Short on time or energy? A quick-view graphic with the key points is at the bottom of this post. IN THIS POST -Why Lyme

Parasites come up often in our Lyme groups, and they can be confusing. Babesia, one of the most common Lyme co-infections, is a parasite itself, and some Lyme-literate doctors feel other parasites can keep us from getting better. Others aren't so sure. This post explains what parasites are, how they may tie in with Lyme, the symptoms to watch for and how testing works, so you can talk it through with your doctor. Comment with your approach. Short on time or energy? A quick-vi

Nerve pain, burning, numbness and tingling are some of the most common struggles I hear about from people with Lyme and co-infections. For me personally, I had random shock pains and some neuropathy symptoms during heavy treatment, but then I was fine for years. My hardest struggle with it came when menopause and MCAS decided to become friends, and then brought severe neuropathy into their friend group. It has been awful. Here is what may be behind it, and what the research s

Mold exposure is something I believe is essential to address in order to heal. Here is what the newest information from the mold doctors I trust says, in simple terms. For support, I recommend one group that focuses on recovery, since I feel some groups focus more on fear: https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1B5UZ86cym/ Looking for things that may help? My Mold Possible Solutions post is here: https://www.riseabovelyme.com/post/mold-solutions A quick-view graphic with the key po