Completely unraveling at the seams « Got Bed Bugs? Bedbugger Forums

Got Bed Bugs? Bedbugger Forums » Psychological and Health problems caused by bed bugs (besides bites)

Completely unraveling at the seams

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willthisend

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Posted 2 years ago
Tue Aug 10 2010 0:37:28
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I moved into my home in April and was so excited and I am a single mom and had purchased this home for my kids and I on my own. I love my house and couldn't wait to get started making it "ours" About a month and a half after we moved in, we started having terrible hives as these horrible little creatures were apparently making it "theirs" as well. We went to the doctor and dermatologist, changed soaps and detergents, washed and rewashed, to no avail. Finally in July, I discovered the awful little things when I lifted the mattress and saw them between mattress and boxspring. Since then I have been through two exterminators- 1 of which came in and did not perform a service and tried to charge me over a thousand dollars. I have spent $1500 on the new exterminator. I disposed on bedding, encased all mattresses and ordered a new mattress to be brought in in a few weeks. A week and a half ago it became apparent to me and the exterminators that the living room furniture would have to go- my boyfriend often slept on the couch and we believe this originated in his apartment building. So now I have to figure out how to replace the living room furnitire. When all is said and done, I am in over $5000.......and I guess all is not said and done yet as we are still seeing the occassional bug and being treated for five more weeks at the least.

My problem-besides having the bugs in my home- they have taken over my life! I am obsessed. I spend every night googling and trying to get more information. A lot of the sites make me feel hopeless about getting rid of this problem and others make me feel dirty and ridiculous that it isn't easily gone as has apparently been the experience of some. I have lost weight, my summer has been ruined as I wash and clean everything in sight, every single day. I'm completely broke. My anxiety is through the roof and I can't even sleep without prescription anxiety medication. I am afraid to travel, go to the movies, or have people in my home in fear that if I get rid of this, it will come back. I am depressed and I can't sleep because I am so afraid of being bit. My PCO turned my room upsode down so we were more easily able to put one of the kids beds back together and sleep in there. Now I am afraid they will follow us in here even with all the chemicals my house must be wreaked with. What if they miss ONE bug? This will all be for nothing and I don't have any money left! I am so depressed! Will this ever ever be over? Every day seems to drag and the nights are so much longer. I have cried more in the last month than I did through the entirety of my divorce!

Can someone please tell me there is a light at the end of this tunnel? I honestly feel at times that I am going crazy and I can't make it stop!
spideyjg

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Posted 2 years ago
Tue Aug 10 2010 1:51:52
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You took back one room right? That should give you hope. Take back another.

You can win this but it isn't easy.

Jim
KillerQueen

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Posted 2 years ago
Tue Aug 10 2010 2:06:18
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You will get there!! Keep strong and think positive for yourself and your children. Reading here late at night and your story kills me. Most people who get rid of bed bugs ... don't always come and post that they won the war. But people do win and you will too.

I want you to count down 60 days from your last treatment, tell me you have not seen a bug or have been bitten 60 days out. Once that time comes, tell me, and I'll send you a gift card for $500.00 for the furniture store of your choice to help you purchase a new living room set.

But promise me you will do your best to stay calm for yourself and children ... and know that each day you get closer to the end of all this. Deal?
paulaw0919

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Posted 2 years ago
Tue Aug 10 2010 7:57:30
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This WILL end. It takes diligence and time, but it will end. There is much more knowledge and detection tools than there was 3yrs ago when I went through our infestation. You most likely caught it earlier thatn people did years ago due to knowing that bed bugs even exist.

Being a mom of three I totally understand the physical and emotional toll this is on you right now. Due to caring for the kids makes the anxiety 10x more than if you were single. But please know this...it will end, you will get through this and you and your children will feel at home again. We have been bug free (knock wood, praise God) for 3 yrs come this fall. My children and I are happy, healthy and love our home. Of course I have fears of the bugs coming back, some anxiety issues but know that my experience 3 yrs ago was much different than those of today. We have gotten our lives back, my kids have playdates and I have the occasional friend as well. To answer your questions, there IS light at the end of the tunnel. All the work you're doing will pay off. Through the thick of my anxiety I found just sitting on the floor and spending time with my children helped me most. Sending a virtual hug and God bless.
cilecto

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Posted 2 years ago
Tue Aug 10 2010 8:25:31
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ThisWillEnd: Welcome. There's a lot of distracting information out there. Please stop googling. Stick with this site and the guides available on the Resources page, particularly the U of Minn guide. These are written by knowledgable people, ie, university scientists, not by hucksters, pranksters or ignoramuses.
http://www.ipmctoc.umn.edu/Control_of_bedbugs_in_residences_US_Commercial.pdf

You will find wisdom, compassion and camaraderie on this board. Hang in there.

Killer, you deserve a case of Milanos.
KillerQueen

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Posted 2 years ago
Thu Aug 12 2010 1:16:51
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cilecto

Killer, you deserve a case of Milanos.

=) Thanks .. But I'm eating more greens now if you know what I mean.
bugnut

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Posted 2 years ago
Thu Aug 12 2010 11:04:01
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willthisend,

I totally empathize with you - I am not a divorced but I am fairly new to my home and have been battling with this since late May - I have had 3 treatments and it seems to be working. No signs of bugs live or dead or fecal, etc. I would recommend climb up interceptors for peace of mind and also a packtite - it has been a Godsend - I packtite shoes, lunch boxes you name it.

I feel you will get through this - it just takes a while. I was lucky in that the couches were never infested - it was limited to the bedrooms. I may have a set back as I found out that there are bbs at work (I sprayed my chair and desk as a precaution and have been ziploc-ing my handbag for the last year - the place is filthy) I also have been changing by shoes in the parking lot and bagging and packtiting when I get home. I left for vacation from work on Tuesday and do not intend to go back. It is very hard to find the source of the infestation, but now that I know I can move forward. They sprayed about 2 months ago for "dust mites" and I believed them!

KQ is a very generous person and truly goes out of his way to help folks like us. He spent time on the phone advising me and even id'ed my samples - all free of charge. Every industry could use someone like him.

There is a light at the end of the tunnel - you can do it. I know what you mean about the ruined summer and anxiety - i can burst into tears at the drop of a hat and I used to be so resilient. But it will get better - and at least you only have to worry about your house and not some crazy tenant downstairs that will not allow the exterminator in. Please have your boyfriend be careful about bringing things into you house if you believe it may have originated with him.

Best of luck!
Vickytoria3112

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Posted 2 years ago
Thu Aug 12 2010 14:19:40
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Oh hun, your not a lone.

It is hard and it is nerve wrecking. I too get no sleep because I know when I lay in my bed I'm offering myself to them every night. I'm grouchy, cranky, etc. I'm also a single mom of 3 wonderful children. It's really hard because 2 are disabled so I don't really have any help with this battle. I'm unemployed, no money, no family (all live in another state), and I'm scared to tell them what my battle is in fear they will think I'm dirty. Luckily I caught on early enough and I'm trying to do everything I can to keep them bastards from biting us.

I have a queen size bed and I have me and the kids sleeping in my room. I'm just hoping that if the kids had any biting (which I haven't seen nor did they complain) those bugs will come to my room and it'll be easier to kill them than having to treat the whole house. Budget is really tight but I'm determined to win this battle. I haven't had any bites for 2 nights now I think it's because I've been letting the dog sleep in the house so maybe she's being bait (good thing I use the frontline plus on her) and I think she's killing them off. But I still am doing my part with vacuuming, scrubbing, and laundering everyday.

We can do this. Just remember they are only bugs and we can get through this.
Good luck hun.
willthisend

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Posted 2 years ago
Sun Aug 15 2010 14:08:28
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I just read these responses, it really makes me feel better. Obviously, from all the posts on this site, I am not the only person going through this but right now I feel like it surrounded by people who are not experiencing this and either look at me like they are totally skeeved out and don't want to get too close or like I'm crazy to go crazy because "it's just a few bugs". I really appreciate you all telling me it will be over. I guess it makes me feel better just to hear someone say this. I keep crying and saying to my boyfriend "This will end, right?" His answer is always "I hope so." Not confidence inspiring! Even if he has no idea I want him to reassure me that IT WILL! I am so glad I found this forum (it almost makes me laugh that it even exists, but I'm not the only one going nuts about this!). And Killer Queen, wow, unbelievable generosity!
willthisend

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Posted 2 years ago
Sun Aug 22 2010 2:30:12
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Ok so my latest update is this. My PCO said I was in the clear, he said it's been five treatments, five weeks, all looked good. He said go ahead and bring in the new mattress. I brought the new mattress. I put the mattress covers on. I have white sheets on the bed and that's about it. I turned the light out, my wrist started itching and since my computer was on, I actually saw the bug running across me. I panicked and grabbed it and flushed it and now I am laying here freaking out. My bed is no where near the wall. It's the first night back in my bedroom, I have done everything these people said!!!! Where did it come from and how many more are there? I flipped the bed up and saw nothing. I can't turn the light out, I am freaked out and I probably won't be sleeping tonight (once again). I don't know what to do or what I'm doing wrong. This bug was not sluggish, did not look as though five weeks of chemicals had fazed it in the least! What now????? I'm losing it!
Ruby

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Posted 2 years ago
Mon Aug 23 2010 1:37:38
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Willthisend,

It will end. I'm battling right now as well. I discovered my first bed bug a week ago. I haven't slept much. I feel filthy and itchy at the thought of bugs in my place of solace. I lost 6 lbs just this week from loss of appetite. I'm also going bonkers. Tomorrow I'm going to call a free help-line offered through my employer (do you work? If so, check with your HR department about opportunities like these). I'm also going to splurge on a pack-tite -- might need to borrow money from my parents, but that's an ego-killer I'm willing to take on. I'm waiting for my back-ordered diatomaceous earth to arrive. I yearn for a full night's sleep. I'm really looking forward to baking these bastard bugs.

We're going to make it. You are a strong human being. This tiny little creature cannot hurt you, only annoy you.
buzzy1941

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Posted 1 year ago
Sun Jul 3 2011 16:32:56
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I know it's not bedbugs, but if it was at least I would have an answer. I find misterious debris in my bed: ricelike things, seeds and tiny black spots. I could wash my bedding twice a day and it didn't matter. i can walk out of the room and back in and there is the evidence again-they bite, have bloodstins on sheets and pillows. I am going crazy!!! This has been going on since Feb. where is this comin g from??? Exterminatorcame, no BB so next time I bagged up debris and took it in; I could almost feel them laughing at me--told me it looked like blue string or thread, seeds and some rice. I went to a dermitologist and they could tell nothing because I didn't have a rush!!! ANYONE please respond even if you don't have an answer just so my husband and son don't think it's just ME.
Nobugsonme

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Posted 1 year ago
Sun Jul 3 2011 19:44:59
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buzzy1941 - 3 hours ago »
I know it's not bedbugs, but if it was at least I would have an answer. I find misterious debris in my bed: ricelike things, seeds and tiny black spots. I could wash my bedding twice a day and it didn't matter.

Hi buzzy1941,

I am sorry I do not know what this is, but seeds and things that look like rice are not associated with bed bugs.

Are the tiny black spots like flecks which can be picked up or are they like spots from a black marker on cloth or drops of paint stuck to hard surfaces?

There are health conditions which can cause your skin to feel like something is biting. there are also other pests which can cause those sensations, but I do not know of any which would look like seeds or rice.

Some people have actually found seeds in their bed which originated from pillows, eye masks or heating items (like the heating/cooling pads or booties you put in a microwave or freezer to treat sore muscles, etc.). I would look into that possibility.

If you have pets this can lead to detritus in your bed.

I hope this helps. If you have additional questions besides this one, please start a new thread rather than reviving an old one which is on another topic. You click "add new" on the main page or click here to do that.