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Returning to Nature May Help Heal Your Lyme

When I was researching my popular book “Love, Hope, Lyme: What Family Members, Partners, and Friends Who Love a Chronic Lyme Survivor Need to Know,” I had no idea how traumatizing being out in nature could be for some persistent Lyme disease survivors. Even seeing a deer on the side of the road could be triggering.

But I met some people who have attributed embracing the nature they once loved as helpful in healing while still maintaining tick prevention habits. One such person, marine scientist Alayna Bellquist, discussed on my Love, Hope, Lyme podcast how she was able to reduce her Lyme anxieties and challenges by fully embracing her love for the sea and horseback riding as critical to her recovery.

“I’m a classic Lyme person in that I was very overachieving, very people-pleasing, very go, go, go. I live in San Diego, had a relatively frantic life (before being infected),” she said.

Although she was bitten by tick in Southern California, she said she was not tick aware growing up.

“I grew up on Vancouver Island where no one ever spoke about Lyme. I had no tick awareness until I moved to Southern California, and it came up a bit more,” she said.

She said she was bitten when riding her horse, noticed the infection, and immediately sought antibiotic treatment, which mildly helped. In 2020, her symptoms increased, and she became bedridden for a year. Although she tried a lot of conventional and alternative healing methods, and did mental and emotional work, it was getting back into the nature she loved that accelerated her healing.

“Fearing nature is understandable when you have Lyme, but I think that mindset is dangerous. I want chronic Lyme survivors to know that getting back into nature can be helpful, while, of course, ensuring you take proper precautions,” she advised.

Missing Nature Was Brutal, But Led to Healing

“Before I got sick, horseback riding was a big part of my identity. I was a marine scientist and a horseback rider. Every minute I wasn’t working, I wanted to be on the back of a horse. I’ve been nature and animal oriented my whole life,” she said. “There was no limit to how much time I could spend around them.”

She said becoming bedridden and not being out in nature was brutal.

“Having had worked in fisheries for 20 years, I learned that nature always heals, given the chance. Nature is inherently resilient and heals from devastation that you cannot even grasp. These are principles that people are not really taught,” she said.

“Growing up in Vancouver Island, there’s nature everywhere and we are a part of it. I learned that if certain species, such as white sharks, can be in such terrible shape for a long time and then recover, that principle can apply to me, too.”

She said since the bond with nature was so intrinsic to her, she did not realize how fearful of it Lyme survivors might be.

“There is a lot in science to back the healing properties of doing that, especially for your nervous system,” she said.

“My nervous system was 100% fried when I was bitten. I was running all of time and had chronic anxiety and a racing heart. My stomach was always in knots. I also had babesia, but sitting on the earth, calming my nerves, taking the time to look at the stars healed me. I know it’s so basic, but I never looked at the stars before,” she said.

“Being back in nature, while at the same time ensuring that I am preventing another tick bite, has been the most important to my recovery,” she said.

Getting Back into Nature Healed Her

“If you want to bring a species back from depleted numbers, you work on the ecosystem. You work on the things that depleted its resiliency. If there’s pollution or problems in the food chain or warming oceans, for instance, those are the things that you address so that the species can flourish,” she said.

“I asked myself, ‘What are the things that are attacking my ability to heal?’ People-pleasing, never saying no, running 12 to 14-hour days nonstop, perfectionism came to mind. Those are my pollution and overfishing and ocean warming. That was the connection I made. Those are the things that made me incapable of healing,” she realized.

Alayna said although she accepted that she was infected, she didn’t accept it as a lifelong diagnosis. Returning to nature helped with her emotions and mindset.

“I’ve chosen, through a lot of work, to shift from victim to ownership. I radically own what happened to me. Wanting to be a people-pleaser and an overachiever is on me. That’s radical acceptance and responsibility,” she surmised.

“But in owning it, it’s up to me how the direction this goes. I don’t want to lose control. I want control of the next 40, 50 years of my life and returning to nature helped me realize that,” she summarized.

She also advised bringing family members into the healing process.

“You can be there simply by answering the phone, going and doing something in a Lyme friendly way. If all your Lyme family member can do is sit on a rock, go sit on a rock together.”#lyme #LymeDisease #ChronicIllness

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I’m New Here

I joined to find a community that understands what it’s like to live with and manage daily all that comes with chronic illness. I was diagnosed with chronic Lyme disease over 5 years ago. I’m still on my journey and looking to walk this path alone no more. #lyme Disease #lyme Warrior #chronic Illness #chronic Pain #chronic Loneliness

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Finding Your Brilliant Passionate You

I'm taking a free course on Coursera called "Brilliant Passionate You". And I recommend it highly. One of the assignments is to write a letter to yourself. In this letter you explore why exercise and physical health is important to your life journey. You also explore your emotional well being. You also look at the importance of gratitude. The last thing you do is think about other steps you might take to improve your life through things like lifestyle changes. I'm sharing my letter assignment here because I have come so far in my healing - physical, emotional, spiritual. 10 years ago, I grieved over my arthritis and physical degeneration.I felt like a train wreck that would never be fixed. And lonely, oh so lonely. Then I got my heart broken first by family and then by the love of my life. Then I got lyme disease. Struggled with homelessness. It was all so bleak. But I guess I'm a stubborn Taurean because I kept getting up, brushing myself off and moving forward. In my deepest core, I wanted peace and happiness and fulfillment, not darkness. It wasn't always easy. But it was worth it. And now I look back and see the miracle in my journey. This letter assignment allowed me to take stock of where I'm at. The person I was 10 years ago is not the person that I am now. Who knew? Anyway, here's the letter:

"Kim, In order to move ahead in your life, it is optimal to have a body that is in the best health possible. As someone who has been challenged by weight issues, injury and disease, you know that the worst thing that you can do is stop moving. Keep the body moving as best you can. Strength, stamina, flexibility and good balance will serve you well. Keep putting healthy, life sustaining foods in your body. This is a life long work in progress for you. Food has been a constant paradox - an enemy, a friend, a comforter, a destroyer. So continue to work towards eating as healthy as you can. But you are a foodie and someone who loves to cook and try new things, so allow yourself some reasonable indulgences. Balance.

Emotional health is something that will always be in front of you! The other day you approximated that you had been to about 15 therapists in your life. But what you found is that no therapist can help you until you really look inward at your major issues and own them and most of all, show them (YOU!) compassion. Yes you are damaged goods, but like a suitcase that has traveled many places, been bumped and thrown around -- you have the dents to prove it -- you have survived and continue to move forward.

Gratitude is huge. You have continued to heal by finding the small joys in life and being thankful for them. The big joys you celebrate bring more joy by just acknowledging them. KEEP BEING GRATEFUL, KIM

Mindfulness is a struggle, I know. You have trouble meditating and its hard for you to focus. But keep trying. Your anxiety and PTSD doesn't run your life. So don't give into it.

The changes to your daily lifestyle you are taking a step at a time. And its working. Keep moving in that direction. The journey is not over and it does keep getting more and more interesting, fulfilling and enlightening.

I love you, Kim.

#lyme #Arthritis #Selflove #Gratitude

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Forgiveness = Freedom & Peace

I’m sry this is a lil long. I am 52 but the baby in my fam. 3 brothers and 1 sister who passed. One of my brothers who is the only married one said they considered me more like their daughter then a sister.
We were extremely close talked on the phone all the time sleep overs & vacations. I then got sick Lyme twice then diagnosed with fibromyalgia.
I unfortunately was not able to work any longer. I had loved working and loved my career. My company ended up laying off 90% of my department. I was absolutely crushed. At the time I had needed back surgery and ended up getting an anterior lumbar fusion.

When I spoke with my brother he felt that I could and should still work. He and my sister in law started saying that I should lose weight (which they had not known I has lost a considerable amount of weight)
Then they went on to say I should stop drinking which again because I had quit smoking due to the surgery I also stopped drinking.
They then said A LOT to me a lot of things that were out of line. They then proceeded to say the most painful thing to me.
Which was they hoped that I wouldn’t get approved for disability. Now at the time my husband was awaiting his disability as he was hurt on the job. So financially we were struggling. (Sry so long).

So fast forward 10 years I have been on disability and my brother and sister in law do not speak. They told my mother they do not know why we’re not speaking or why I’m mad at them. I think my biggest pet peeve of the whole thing is they said they looked at me as a daughter. Yet they never reach out. We have had a few special occassions were my daughter wanted them there, so we invited them.
They have never invited us to anything. I don’t want to be petty and want to do the whole forgive and forget but the question is I am worthy are they worthy of my forgiveness or can as I have my own family my husband and daughter. Write them off as I feel they did me ?
Whatcha ya guys think

#fibromyalgia #fibrowarrior
#fibrofighter #sickofbeingsick
#chroniclymediseaseawareness #lymesucks #LymeWarrior #lyme
#invisibleillness #spoonielife #chronicpainsucks #epsteinbarr
#ra #rheumatoidarthritis #ic/BPS #interstitialcystitis #ptsd #sciatica #pituitarytumor #nervedamage #ankylosingspondylitis #LymeDisease #LymeWarrior #chronicpain #chronicpainsufferer #ddd #migraines
#immunocompromised #forgive #familydisfunction
#InvisibleDisability #DisabilityBenefits #anteriorlumbarfusion
#LymeDisease #ChronicLymeDisease

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How is it going?

How is everyone doing physically or mentally?
I feel like I am in a constant state of up and down physically. I say tomorrow I am going to do xyz, and my body says go for it but I'll punish you later or forget I'm punishing you for just thinking about doing something 😂 #HEDS #POTS #MCAS #Gastroparesis #lyme

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Overdid it

My uncle's funeral was yesterday and I wanted to go. 5 hours there 5 hours back. 10 hours in a car. I don't regret it but my body hates me. #HEDS #POTS #MCAS #Gastroparesis #lyme

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New Podcast

Hi, my name is Windy and I've started a new podcast called "Windy's Journey" where I share stories about my journey living with Chronic Lyme Disease, Fibromyalgia and Chronic Fatigue. I'd love it if you took a listen to the most recent episode where I share my thoughts on the mental impact of Lyme.

open.spotify.com/show/40rkKyhYjBFfcryIP52o3U " originalText="https://open.spotify.com/show/40rkKyhYjBFfcryIP52o3U?si=6E3Ghoc-Qvmnirx4yqeibQ&dl_branch=1 "> #ChronicIllness #Fibromyalgia

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CURING HUMANITY

I’m a 19-year-old college advocate hoping to reach the FDA to promote the accelerate of cures/vaccines for incurable diseases. Please help by signing the petition and promoting it to your social media if you agree with my petition. We can start by passing the Promising Pathway Act Bill.

For more information read my petition…

www.change.org/p/janet-woodcock-m-d-accelerate-the-developme...

iamals.org/action/promising-pathway-act

** TAKES LESS THAN 3 MINS COMBINED TO COMPLETE **

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Herx question for Lyme

I’ve had some severe Herx Reactions that lead me to Er. Horrendous. I don’t even remember the 3 weeks I was forcing myself to take Doxy plaquenil and Tinidazole. NOPE NEVER! I am on a lot of supplements which I’m sure you all are. But thanks be been tolerating Byron Whites a-l complex. Knocked me down at first but now I’m up to 15 drops a day. Dr added Clarithromycin a week ago ( I was terrified) I seem to be tolerating and having less Herx episodes. Does this mean it’s stopped working or I’m getting better? I know you’re not Dr’s. Just looking for opinions.
#LymeDisease #lyme #lymewarriors #ChronicIllness #LymeWars #ChronicLymeDisease

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