In desperate need of some hope « Got Bed Bugs? Bedbugger Forums

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

In desperate need of some hope

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petong

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Posted 3 years ago
Fri Oct 9 2009 22:59:38
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I've spent the past 3 days in total bed bug info overload. It took me 2 weeks to realize I had a problem. I'm making an appointment with a PCO ASAP, but it's looking like that may not be till Monday. Still, I think I have a reasonable idea of everything I have to do.

But it's a lot of information and there don't seem to be a lot of success stories out there. I just have the overwhelming feeling that no matter what I do I'm going to be dealing with these suckers for the rest of my life. I'm not exaggerating when I say I've come pretty close to a full-on panic attack twice in the past two days. I can't relax in my apartment, but I feel trapped because if I go anywhere I feel like I'm spreading them. I can't talk to anyone about this because I don't want my friends to know I have them. I feel like I can't be near anybody because I might spread them. And then there's the thought of all the money I'm going to have to spend to get rid of them. All the clothes and shoes I'm going to ruin trying to get rid of them.

So I'm looking for some hope. Some success stories. I really need some reassurance that these things can be beaten. Also, how to cope with this panic. Any suggestions?
Strabat

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Posted 3 years ago
Sat Oct 10 2009 0:05:08
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You've expressed just how I have been feeling. Right down to the panic attack.

I've done everything humanly possible and had a visit from a PCO. Basically, he doesn't want to get into a legal battle between the landlord and tenant. Samples didn't show him anything positive and since I had already encased the new mattresses, thrown out the couch and carpet (wrapped in plastic) it was a "relax you poor little thing".

Two days w/o bites and I thought I could finally afford to go to the store and get something to eat. Upon arrival home I realized it-new bites-they are in the car.

I wish I had something more hopeful to add other than suggest that we re-read the success stories.

The DE, JT Eaton, washing, drying are all good tools.

I do want to thank folks for their DE warnings. I scaled back and am trying to keep perspective. And, considering calling for some counseling ASAP.

Maybe I'm not helping here but, [/b]there are folks who have beaten this scourge. My thoughts are with you this evening.
persona-non-bugga

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Posted 3 years ago
Sat Oct 10 2009 0:05:18
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There are success stories. Lots. It's just that most of them aren't on the internet.

I'm guessing the overwhelming majority of forum users who become free of bedbugs don't post their success stories. They might just be sick of talking about the bugs. Superstitious feelings might have them wary of "jinxing" their success. But there are some. Click on the tag "success stories."

You're not alone. Even if you feel like you can't tell your friends right now about the situation, there are lots of fellow human beings who are starting a fight with bedbugs, and they're probably feeling everything you're feeling. I know I did when I had bedbugs a few years ago. Intense, panicky, scary feelings. But that's long passed. The distress is temporary and you'll move past it.

Imagining the worst of what's to come is almost always more painful and scarier than the reality of what actually happens.

BTW, are you certain you have bedbugs? Have you seen and IDed an actual specimen?

If there are bedbugs in your home, there are lots of things you can do that won't require destroying your clothes and shoes.

You're not alone. You can leave your house and be with other people. You can go out and burn off some of this stress.
buggyinsocal

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Posted 3 years ago
Sat Oct 10 2009 12:32:23
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People told me this when I was, emotionally, where you are right now, and I totally didn't believe them: it will get better.

Remember that the boards have a sample selection bias--people with harder to fight, more entrenched bed bug problems are overrepresented here because someone who has bed bugs, hires a PCO, and gets rid of them in one or three treatments as the PCO predicted doesn't generally need more info or support.

There are plenty of success stories. But as persona-non-bugga pointed out, most of the people who have them don't come back and hang out and talk about it.

Also, if you haven't done so already, read the FAQ on the main website about not spreading the bugs. If you take a shower and then get immediately into clothes that you just pulled out of a ziplock (into which the clothes had been put right after being removed from the dryer), you can then safely leave the house and go to a movie or a bookstore or a coffeeshop or whatever will allow you to forget about the bugs for a couple of years. Taking care of yourself emotionally through all of this is important.

And don't forget that you won't necessarily have to ruin all your stuff. Now that the Packtite is available, delicate clothes that can't be dried on hot can be run through the Packtite. It'll get items hot enough to kill the bugs but not so hot as to shrink or damage clothes that are delicates.

Finally, remember that until you've got actual 100% confirmation, you may not have bed bugs. A lot of people who think they have bed bugs turn out to have another pest that is much less difficult to treat.

Hang in there. It gets better. It totally doesn't feel that way now. If I had $5 for every time I stood in my apartment and sobbed feeling like I was never going to rid of the horror that was bed bugs, I'd have at least paid for a Packtite. But these days I put laundry baskets of clean laundry on my bed--something I never thought I'd ever do again.
watkinsnewan

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Posted 3 years ago
Sat Oct 10 2009 13:03:30
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dont worry there is a light at the end of this very long an exausting tunnel!! And Relax!! It will be okay all is not lost we will defeat them one way or another!!
buggyinsocal

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Posted 3 years ago
Sat Oct 10 2009 13:04:19
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People told me this when I was, emotionally, where you are right now, and I totally didn't believe them: it will get better.

Remember that the boards have a sample selection bias--people with harder to fight, more entrenched bed bug problems are overrepresented here because someone who has bed bugs, hires a PCO, and gets rid of them in one or three treatments as the PCO predicted doesn't generally need more info or support.

There are plenty of success stories. But as persona-non-bugga pointed out, most of the people who have them don't come back and hang out and talk about it.

Also, if you haven't done so already, read the FAQ on the main website about not spreading the bugs. If you take a shower and then get immediately into clothes that you just pulled out of a ziplock (into which the clothes had been put right after being removed from the dryer), you can then safely leave the house and go to a movie or a bookstore or a coffeeshop or whatever will allow you to forget about the bugs for a couple of years. Taking care of yourself emotionally through all of this is important.

And don't forget that you won't necessarily have to ruin all your stuff. Now that the Packtite is available, delicate clothes that can't be dried on hot can be run through the Packtite. It'll get items hot enough to kill the bugs but not so hot as to shrink or damage clothes that are delicates.

Finally, remember that until you've got actual 100% confirmation, you may not have bed bugs. A lot of people who think they have bed bugs turn out to have another pest that is much less difficult to treat.

Hang in there. It gets better. It totally doesn't feel that way now. If I had $5 for every time I stood in my apartment and sobbed feeling like I was never going to rid of the horror that was bed bugs, I'd have at least paid for a Packtite. But these days I put laundry baskets of clean laundry on my bed--something I never thought I'd ever do again.
petong

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Posted 3 years ago
Mon Oct 12 2009 1:10:21
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Thanks so much for the kind words. They helped immeasurably. My anxiety level is still pretty high but at least semi-manageable. Of course now that I've chosen a PCO and have started the prep process, I'm worried that my stoner roommate isn't going to be as thorough as he needs to be. And that my landlady isn't taking the situation as seriously as she should. Ugh, so much is out of my control here!