Lyme Disease and Relationships
conniekillbug asked:
This video is related to an excerpt in my book, “The Lyme Disease Survival Guide: Physical, Lifestyle and Emotional Strategies for Healing,”, and is entitled: “They Will Never, Ever Understand: Accepting Friends’ and Family’s Limitations.” It discusses the difficulties that Lyme disease sufferers have with family and friends who don’t understand chronic illness, and ways to cope with the disappointment. For more information on Lyme disease, visit: www.lymebytes.blogspot.com…
Susanna
November 13th, 2009 at 2:25 pm
Patsy
Thanks for this one. I have very little family support other than my husband and my friends don’t really understand what is going on. This was helpful.
November 16th, 2009 at 5:45 pm
Cam
“Hi” I have lymes and i don’t have any support at all i deal with it on my own and it is very painful and hard.
November 19th, 2009 at 11:04 pm
Carlo
I have psoarsis we have alot of the same pain. having people look at me funny always scratching and bleed because of it. Low self esteem so I know some of the pain you have or go t hrough maybe not all but most of it. Jesus is the only one getting me through it I am nothing with out him GOD bless you for your wonderful videos
November 22nd, 2009 at 6:37 am
Chris
I am so sorry you have experienced this! Yes, I know a few others who have gone through such horrible experiences; ie, abandonment by spouses, abuse, etc. I have found personally, that the only one who has really been there for me like I need through this journey is God. I don’t know what your spiritual beliefs are, but I encourage you to seek companionship with God through prayer. It can give you the strength to get through, and the comfort to endure, when others fall through. Best wishes, C
November 23rd, 2009 at 3:39 pm
Bethany
thanks so much for posting, I have been treat with some uncommon amounts of cruely by the people I have lived with and others in ways I’ve never thought people were capable off, far beyond just not understanding, before I was diagonsed and even after, and I had been so sick I DID look like hell, had seisures and total loss of function. I am fucntioning now but still have problems. It almost like its worse when people know, it easier to pretend things are ok and keep to yourself.
November 24th, 2009 at 4:24 pm
Kevin
Hi connie, thanx for your reply. It is hard indeed and i’m happy to hear somebody who’s goes through the same thing as me.. I saw the lyme documentary ‘under our skin’ today, and the stories are just like mine.
It’s is good to hear those storries, but also makes me angry.
I wiss you well in your healing journey too, and never ever give up!!
Martijn
November 25th, 2009 at 8:23 pm
Chase
Hi DoppieStyle, I am sorry to hear that. It is so hard not to be understood, isn’t it? The best thing, I have found, is to find other people who are going through the same thing. They can often support you better. I wish you well in your healing journey, Connie
November 29th, 2009 at 4:14 am
Clancy
This is so true! It’s like i hear myself speak… I have lyme disease for about 6 years now and the last 2 years i couldn’t do much and have been home without no job or anything..
I lost a lot of friends and it feels that nobody understands me.. The only thing they ask is ik i got a job already.. That really pissis me of somethimes.
It feels good listening to this because you just said the things that are true and im going to the same shit..
Thanks for the video. Sorry for the bad english.
December 1st, 2009 at 8:27 am
Mary
Thank you for this film. I am a Lyme sufferer for 20+ years and all you say is so true. However, I am not quite as generous as you. When my sister was suffering from Manic depression, I put my all into helping her recover. I supported her in every way for a few years. Since I have had Lyme….she has not done one thing to help me….has not even gone shopping for food for me….there’s something wrong with this picture.
December 4th, 2009 at 7:59 pm
Francis
SliceofHeaven,
I understand how hard that can be. I’m sorry your friends have not understood and believed you when you couldn’t go out. I think only those who have experienced chronic illness can truly understand. That’s why it’s good to have friends in the Lyme community, as well. When you are sad and depressed, I’d suggest going to a Yahoo! Lyme disease group for support and making friends there. It can really help. Thanks for sharing your experience.
December 7th, 2009 at 6:47 pm
Cam
You sounded like you were talking about me. I am a single woman and it’s hard to date with Lyme. It’s hard to have fun with your friends with Lyme. They think you are just blowing them off when your not. I was going on a poker run today for Cancer Awearness but was sick all night and again today. I hurt so bad and I’m depressed. I think my friends just thinks I didn’t want to go and I use Lyme as an excuse. Seems like people just don’t understand and it’s sad and lonely.
December 8th, 2009 at 12:21 pm
Carlo
You are welcome, Lisa. I am sorry to hear that your daughter is struggling. It is hard to be treated this way when you are sick. Please let her know that she is not alone, and that she WILL one day feel normal again. I used to think I was losing my mind and that I would never get it back-and that I could not forgive those who did not understand me. But I have healed tremendously and recovered some of the friendships that I once lost as a result of this illness. Prayers and hugs, Connie
December 10th, 2009 at 9:24 pm
Dan
Thank you so much for posting this. My 14 year old daughter is going through this and it’s horrible. She’s missed 6 months of school and loves school and was being dismissed by people as having “emotional issues” and we as her parents are trying to understand. This was helpful – thank you.
December 12th, 2009 at 7:23 am
Janet
Thanks for the compliment, foggygyrl! I am glad that you enjoyed the video. Best wishes for your healing,
Connie
December 15th, 2009 at 7:14 pm
William
Thank you for making this video. I found out about it from someone on an ME/CFS site and you’re right, this situation is the same for many of us with different invisible illnesses. I agree with you about forgiving others in your heart, I’ve been working on that since New Year’s Day. You did a perfect job expaining everything. 5 Stars!!
December 16th, 2009 at 7:24 am
Samantha
Yes, don’t give up, Josh! I was denied for SSDI the first time around, by the second time, I won. Persist and believe in Him, and He will provide all things that you need!
Blessings, Connie
December 18th, 2009 at 12:00 pm
Chris
my daughter has had lyme for about 5 years now.She also had to quit her job and applied for disability and lost.She fineally hired a attorney and won So dont give up.
December 19th, 2009 at 4:42 pm
Mary
You really hit the nail on the head about what people think a sick person “looks like”. You just can’t “see” Lyme. I have had lyme for over 7 years now. I had to quit my job as an electronics technician and stay at home. I applied for disability and was denied, but will be having a hearing in 9 months. I some times get the feeling that some people think I’m faking my symptoms.
I do have a supportive family and church family. Prayer and Bible reading are very helpful.
Josh in VT
December 21st, 2009 at 11:20 am
Chase
I can relate to what you are saying. I have suffered from lyme for 8 years. This is the first summer that I am able to be more like myself. I’m glad you have addressed this area that is so often overlooked as part of the disease. Every relationship I had fell apart. It took and is taking time to rebuild all of them. I was fortunate that my parents were able to care for me during this struggle. Too continued good and improving health for all lyme sufferers!
December 24th, 2009 at 2:58 pm
Cam
You are welcome!! I do hope it helps to open their eyes. It is so hard when family and friends don’t understand…believe me, I know!
Blessings and best wishes for your healing, Shandy.
December 27th, 2009 at 6:22 pm
Violet
THANK YOU for this.. I am sending this to all my freinds and family who just think I need to get out of bed and do yoga or stop being lazy and just be the “shandy” you used to be…. People can be very ignorant.. even family…
December 30th, 2009 at 5:51 am
Marilynne
Hi HalseyKay,
I am so sorry your mom doesn’t understand. Collectively, as a society, we are ignorant and unless you have “visible” signs of illness, people often aren’t sympathetic. It sounds as if it would be better to find a few friends in the lyme community who would be more supportive. I wish you and your family well in your healing.
December 30th, 2009 at 6:01 pm
Mary
I relate to all you say, and it drives me crazy. My own mother does not get it. She does not even try to learn about
it. I’m sure my husband and two daughters are infected.
If we had cancer you wonder if they would be there. It is easier to just be alone.