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Phantom bugs

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Psycho phantom crawlies

familybugged

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Posted 5 years ago
Thu Oct 18 2007 1:08:08
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I found a bed bug and couple of molts this week after a week of about 25 bites. The landlord has a exterminator on the way in a couple of days. I am sad that my two kids are freaked out and we often feel "phantom crawlies" now scratching at nothing, but just creaped out by all of this. My 9 year old son awoke from two nighmares about bugs crawling all over him, last night so more sleep was lost. Does anyone have psychlogical and emotional support/ stuff to share and "bugged" family support?
Thanks all
poorBugger

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Posted 5 years ago
Thu Oct 18 2007 14:06:25
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my 10 yr old son was up every hour the first night after i told him, but has slept well for the most part since...i'm grateful he's one of those who doesn't react to the bites...and i feel guilty for leading him to believe i'm just 'tastier' than him...but at least he can sleep in peace, and still sleep in his bed without moving elsewhere...i'm not sure bald truth is the appropriate way to go given his other issues...sigh...i'll have to cross that bridge when i get to it...

but we both definitely have the phantom crawlies...i've washed and bagged all our clothes according to the faqs...and i get out of the tub and put clean clothes on, and don't sit down anywhere, and still feel like i'm just 'crawling' with bugs...it's really unnerving, and it's difficult to have confidence in these tried and true methods when this happens...i still do these things because it's the way to successful elimination but it's still hard...

i also have bedbug nightmares...and i've had many deja vu sorts of experiences in the past, where i dream something in detail, then later in real life the dreamed experience plays out in the same exacting detail...it's always been interesting, but freaky...i read something here on bedbugger that was posted a couple days ago...i remembered reading the exact same words, seeing the page, even the ads on the page in a dream...months ago...it was vivid...so i'm just freaked out now on several fronts!...

in the past, when faced with my own moments of irrational, mental craziness and perceived 'insanity', i ask myself, 'do we really need the padded room and straight jacket for this?'...just my personal way of staying 'grounded' and dealing with the situation at hand with practicality, resolve, and sanity...i've come a long way from some very dark days psychologically...and i've no wish to go back there...bedbugs do really mess with your head, induce panic, hysteria, self-doubt, isolation, etc...my former mental 'shake' to stay grounded has now been tarnished by bedbugs...padded room?!...straight jacket?!...being utterly subdued and helpless, whilst surrounded by upholstery?!...ack!...psychosis here we come! :)...i kid...

i'm relying heavily on my sense of humor here...for me, the best weapon in my mental arsenal...i also have a live prisoner in a ziploc that i like to flick when i'm feeling angry

i find the more i talk to my son about his fears and concerns, and present information to him to alay those fears, the better he's handled it, and the more cooperative he has become with what needs to be done...he's really surprised me too...some definite packrat tendencies there, but he's re-evaluated and gotten rid of quite a few things i thought he'd cling to for dear life...arm yourself with knowlege, then you can be the confident authority for your kids...vent your fears, frustrations, etc away from them if you can...
lieutenantdan

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Posted 5 years ago
Thu Oct 18 2007 15:37:04
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My infestation was a year ago and I thankfully have not seen a bug since mid January and it was dead. I still feel crawling sensations.
Nobugsonme

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Posted 5 years ago
Fri Oct 19 2007 0:42:37
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I am really glad that parents here are talking about the trials and also strategies for dealing with this with kids. It is a total other ballgame from what those of us without kids go through. I don't have any (yet) and I can only imagine how much harder it is.

Parakeets, if I remember rightly, once reminded us to think of kids and parents who live in places where people don't get treatment for bed bugs. Such places do exist. As awful as this is, it won't be forever.

And we're here for you when you need to vent.
TorontoBugged

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Posted 5 years ago
Sat Oct 20 2007 21:38:40
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I think that as a parent, you need to put up a brave front for your kids no matter what the crisis. They will take their cue from you.

There are much worse things than bed bugs. Don't let it get you down. Life's too short.
paulaw0919

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Posted 5 years ago
Mon Oct 22 2007 1:56:26
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Poorbugger,familybugged. I'm soo sorry that you're here but for the 1st time I feel I'm not alone. Nobugs, you're soo right that it's a whole other ballgame with family.
My children are all very small. A three year old and twins of 15 months. We LIVE on the floor crawling around everywhere. I myself have thought about being in a padded room..but ya know what? I'd be checking the buttons on the walls for bugs.
My twins aren't affected much by this ordeal, but my three year old definately was. I never explained to her for I know she wouldn't understand but she knew something was very wrong. The only thing I could do was try in someway to tell her that it's not her fault (they think everything is their fault at this age..like she was a bad girl and that's why such and such toys are gone...or why we haven't seen grandma in so long)
But this much I know. Our scarrs are much more deeper than the childrens as long as we hold strong for them. That's our job.
I'm sure with older children comes different difficulties in this. But onthe bright side, he/she is aware, able to understand what this is all about. They are stronger, smarter and more aware. Just be sure that when this is over to allow them to live their dreams and not let this stop them. (that's what I'm having a hard time dealing with right now)
It may take us longer and more treatments due to the amount of activity in a house with a family for sure. But we'll all come out on top.
Once my houe is back in order, I plan to go to the school board in town and make sure they are aware of how easy it is to get this bugs. My kids are not in school yet, but will be next year. I fear that it will be spread to the schools by then. We have no control of what goes on in there during the day. I have nightmares of seeing my daughters backpack and coat smushed in a crowded closet with everyone elses coats etc..possibly next to a bookbag with bugs on it.
SO, in saying THAT. I don't want to go thru this again and I could care less about the "social stgma" I want what's best for my family and right now, that's staying bug free.
I still cry but able to hide it from the kids better. Now I'm focusing all the anger toward protection, prevention, awareness and doing the best I can to give my kids back their life !
Nobugsonme

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Posted 5 years ago
Mon Oct 22 2007 2:35:04
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Familybugged, did you see you did get replies after all?