I had to sleep on a plastic blowup mattress for 6 months simply because they couldn't crawl up it. I had to starve them of their food source, which was me, for long enough that they would exhaust their reserves of my own blood and their children would starve. It was one of the worst periods of my life.
It was years back, yet- as little as watching anything crawl on a wall gives me anxiety, I have to often go closer to take a look at what it is, I generally breathe a sigh of relief if it flies(rules them out entirely). A mosquito bite, feels nice after you see it fly away, knowing at least its not those cursed days all over again.
Sleepless nights, helpless days. Had it all during those days. I'd rather leave this earth to the heavenly abode as an option than relive those dreadful days.
Every once in a while, I smell that musty bed bug scent and start panicking. Being threatened with the presence of bed bugs is equivalent to being threatened with grave bodily harm or torture in my subconscious mind, and I'd go to great lengths to ensure I never went through that again.
I hate to admit it, but I agree with your last sentiment. They are a hell like no other.
