My Mom Might Have Lyme

SmilingBluEyes · Dec 3, 2004

I would have her evaluated by her doctor ASAP. Lymes in early stages, is very treatable ......here are sites to give you info:

http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dvbid/lyme/

http://www.lyme.org/otherdis/ld.html

http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/lymedisease.html

Ted · Dec 3, 2004

I live in the county with THE HIGHEST rate of lyme disease in the country! :eek:

Definately, your mom should get tested soon. She'll probably receive doxyclycline. For how long I guess depends on the extent of the disease (if she's positive). What lasting effects (if any) can one expect from Lyme disease? Again, it's my understanding that what lasting effects may exist is related to how long and to what extent the person is infected.

I know way too many people who had Lyme disease. One friend suffered from some peripheral nerve problems as well as some acute short term memory loss (which no longer seems to be a problem for her). This 30-something person was on IV antibiotic therapy for a couple of months. But she also was infected for quite a long time. . . took her time to go and see the doctor, sadly. And I know a couple of people who took P.O. doxyclycline for only a couple of weeks and suffered no lasting side effects from the disease.

I know that our hospital's E.R. (which is right near the boarder to New York state and Columbia County - the county with the highest rate of this disease in the country!) sees LOTS of people who have confirmed Lyme Disease. People tend to go to their doctor or E.R. early around these parts if they suspect Lyme Disease and thus get treated early. And most people are learning to prevent getting the tick bits to begin with by wearing long light-colored pants with white socks pulled up over the buttom of the pants when the walk in the woods. Also, after walking in the woods, they do a whole body check (from head to foot) for the little critters.

And then there's people like me who don't walk in the woods at all!

Hope your mom is all right!

Ted

Soleilpie · Dec 3, 2004

In the early stages, the cure rate for Lyme is fairly high. With chronic Lyme it's a nightmare for many. It is common for those with Lyme to get flu like symptoms shortly after being bitten. In addition, there may be some neck stiffness. My mother has been "diagnosed" with multiple sclerosis, but I truly believe she has Lyme disease. I'm not going to go into the technicalities as to why I think she has Lyme, unless anyone's interested, but has anyone ever encountered a patient who is severely debilitated as a result of Lyme ("paralysis" of the legs, weakness of the arms & hands, weakened diaphragm muscle, inability to sit up on their own, tremendous pain etc.)? If so, any idea what their MRI's looked like if any were done? How long did they have Lyme before treatment began and how well did they fair at the end of their treatment? Thanks! :)

nurseygrrl, LPN · Dec 8, 2004

Thanks so much for the advice and concern. My mom got the news today that she is positive for Lyme... She is taking her Doxycycline and the doc wants her to be on it for 28 days. I am really hoping she suffers no lasting effects!

Luckily, she showed me the rash and I sent her to the doc the next day...hopefully we caught it in time!!

Thanks again