Got Bed Bugs? Bedbugger Forums » Psychological and Health problems caused by bed bugs (besides bites)
Complete meltdown. Need resassurance. Positive stories.
(9 posts)-
bedbugbubble
newbite
Joined: May '09
Posts: 15
Posted 6 months ago
Fri May 22 2009 19:31:41
#
Login to Send PM
Hi,
I have been in complete meltdown state since I found bed bugs on Monday. And now the POC inspector isn't coming until next week.
I'm not sleeping because I'm scared of being bitten (I'm staying as suggested) in my bed, which is only making things worse.
I just don't see any light with this. I don't think I have a heavy infestation. Maybe? But I just got furniture for the first time in a long time and now it feels like I'll have to get rid of everything. I just can't stop crying, can't stop feeling alone.
Has anyone had an experience where they were confined to the bedroom? I have a one-bedroom, apt. Is the likelihood that they're everywhere? Or do I just have to bin and store everything (it's Canada--no thermal, no Vk).
This is a financial, emotional, and life drain. I just don't see the light right now. Could use any positive story. I'm reading this blog way to much and freaking out. I'm calling my family every ten minutes sobbing.
-
bedbugdude
member
Joined: Feb '09
Posts: 121
Posted 6 months ago
Fri May 22 2009 20:21:20
#
Login to Send PM
Look at it this way. If you don't see any bed bugs all over your mattress seams and no black dots all over then you have a very light infestation and things should clear up soon. Be diligent, read up on bed bugs and how to prepare for treatment. Then you'll have the upper hand. Don't be afraid of the things you read, consider yourself upgraded. Use the knowledge you gain from this site and put it into action. You can do it. It's life kicking you in the pants, it will pass. I'm not saying it's going to be easy but don't stress yourself out. Be calm, cool, collected, informed, prepared and ready for service! Yes you CAN!
-
buggedbybugs
newbite
Joined: May '09
Posts: 12
Posted 6 months ago
Fri May 22 2009 20:58:25
#
Login to Send PM
don't feel bad i just had a new baby on may 7th and don't want her to get bit too. i can't figure out if i have them or not. i i was getting bit but before i read up on them my first instincts were to get rid of the bed so i did i haven't been bit since my bites have finally cleared up it's been about a little over a week now and i'm just playing the waiting game. i saw some bugs today in my laundry room on 2 towels don't know if they were them but could be?? i wish i would have caught them to take them to get a positive i.d but again i acted on instinct and threw the towels in the washer so again waiting to see some more or get some more bites this sucks!!!!!!!!
but anyways while your waiting for POC try washing and drying your blankets every day untill then. thats what i did when i first got home from the hospital untill my new bed came, i'm no expert, but it worked for me. -
bedbugbubble
newbite
Joined: May '09
Posts: 15
Posted 6 months ago
Fri May 22 2009 21:04:22
#
Login to Send PM
thanks, bedbugdude. honestly, your post helped. the most today. I guess I just freaked because the inspection got pushed back. In my dreams, the la massive infestation happens overnight. I guess I just feel like there is a ticking clock. i wish the nightmares would stop, the freaking out over everything.
i do feel better informed because of this site. thanks all. i guess i'm also just frustrated because it says i shouldn't do the big clean before the inspection. if they can't find anything, they won't treat, right? although i did send the photos of all my bites.
maybe i'll bag up my laundry tomorrow. yes, that's what i'll do. there's a great service in toronto that takes all of your stuff and washes it in one shot. a helluva lot better than trying to find 100 bucks in quarters. and my building only has two washers.
k. i'm okay. thanks. and breathe. and breathe. and breathe.
and thanks, buggedbybugs and congrats on your new baby! much luck to you both!
-
Emmm
member
Joined: Mar '09
Posts: 225
Posted 6 months ago
Fri May 22 2009 21:25:31
#
Login to Send PM
Make sure that service knows they're washing bed bugs (or is it bed bug specific?). You could infest others otherwise, or they may not wash your clothes hot enough. :)
It's so, so very common to feel like you're facing the most insane onslaught when this all begins. It's not easy, and everything one has to do to proceed seems ridiculously large and like it'll never be doable. But it is. One thing someone posted on here was that once you have your routines in place, once you get going, it'll get better. Light infestation, heavy infestation, once you have your clothes in sealed bags (ziploc!) and you start deciding what to do with the rest of your stuff, even before treatment, you'll feel a bit better. And then once treatment is underway, you'll hopefully start to feel even moreso.
It's not easy, none of this, but it can absolutely be beaten. Light infestations can be easier to tackle, and you'll probably get it. Be hopeful while being realistic and proactive. SLEEP-- that can be your biggest weapon in keeping your chin up. I've been where you are (and in the same city to boot), and I'm getting closer and closer to claiming success. (Really, it's just paranoia at this point) :) What's helped me is finding silver linings in all of this. Like my chore list-- automatically, things on there for ages (shredding, organizing, decluttering) were done because of our infestation. Who knew these bastards could be helpful in a sneaky way?
Good luck!
-
bedbugbubble
newbite
Joined: May '09
Posts: 15
Posted 6 months ago
Fri May 22 2009 21:50:00
#
Login to Send PM
Thanks so much for your great advice and encouragement Emmm.
I'm just terribly frustrated that I told my super on monday that I have bed bugs and I haven't seen an exterminator yet. It's ludicrous. I have to admit I just left some pretty emotional messages for him, the building manager, her manager...I want someone in so I can start my new routines, feel like I'm doing something.
Again, thank you. Yes, I will beat this. And to sleep tonight, I think I'll sleep in the tub just this once to get one good night sleep. Then back to being bait.
Nice to see another Torontonian on the board.
-
bedbugbubble
newbite
Joined: May '09
Posts: 15
Posted 6 months ago
Fri May 22 2009 21:50:41
#
Login to Send PM
Oh, and it was a service that specializes in laundering bed bug infested clothing. Really helpful folks.
-
boredm
newbite
Joined: May '09
Posts: 19
Posted 6 months ago
Fri May 22 2009 21:52:31
#
Login to Send PM
I'm a new bed bug victim, and I can relate to the first poster, where I'm a bit freaked out that the PCO will not come until Wednesday. I've bought a bunch of XXL Ziplocs and other vacu-seal bags, and my hope is to have everything washed, dried and in them safely by tomorrow morning. I feel that once I get that done, and then get the PCO in, I will feel a million times better.
If you do decide to use that Toronto clothes cleaning service, please let me know. There are some items I'm still worried about getting really clean - including my two leather jackets and my shoes. I haven't really found consensus on the forums on how to deal with these items. While I'm optimistic that they haven't been infected, and hopefully steaming the linings and the pockets would catch anything, I'm just trying my best to be as careful as possible.
Good luck!
-
Right there with you in the yo yo hope/meltdown/hope... loop. Here's what you might expect after your PCO comes if they are ordinary (rather than the extraordinary PCO's on this forum and you know who you are)...
There may be an increase in bites if the PCO moves a lot of stuff around.
Ask if you can isolate your bed after treatment. I had a PCO tell me NO! Don't put the legs of your bed in cups of oil. But I did and started sleeping again, which is really helpful for all sorts of things, like not going completely crazy. (he thought it would be messy for him when he came back, which he was not invited back to do)
Watch the stuff in bags. Get a Packtite if you can afford to. It solves all kinds of problems, like wearing shoes, and having a purse, and reading books. If you cooked it, you can trust it.
Myself...this has been going on a while. I believe I did get bites this week, which is depressing..but you can't go crazy or give yourself a heart attack. During this I've developed diabetes, thought I might have a stroke in bed a couple of times (glad I didn't), started counseling to deal with the anxiety, am constantly stressed out about it, trying to follow my therapists advice to stay as close to in the present as I can (sorry, had to step away to spray something very tiny crawling on my kitchen window, the kitchen, an unexplainable area of activity, albeit reduced).
This forum...I believe it saves lives. Stay sane
Reply
You must log in to post.
