Has Lyme lowered my IQ ?!?!

Hi Leah,

Lyme can definetely mess with our congnitive abilities. It can definetely do the things you described. It sure messed with my brain. I had a neuropsych work up (with is testing for cogitive function) and it was not good - IQ down 30 points and really severe issues. It all got a lot better for my with treatment.

I used to teach computer courses to adults and I was self taught. I had to pass examinations to become Microsoft certified. When I became ill one of the things I became very aware of was that my cognitive skills were declining. I changed jobs because I didn't have the stamina to teach any longer (you are on stage if you know what I mean). My next job still involved computers and some technical things but I had to eventually quite altogether because I was really noticing changes and when I asked my boss about it she agreed that she had noticed it also. So you are validated that what you sense is correct, but also very upsetting.

Like Kandinsky, I also had neuro-psych testing done, partly because I had to go on disability. (In other words I am not recommending that you do it since you know that you are struggling.)
I had trouble following conversations, word recall, organizing things and a lot of frustration with all these things.

I have been through long and agrgressive treatment and it has all improved dramatically. I feel like myself again to the extent it is possible - accounting for just plain being a little older and going through such an ordeal that really did a number on my body, mind, and yes, spirit. So hang in there - with treatment it will get better and remember that your kids love you because you are Mom. Any strategies that you can use to help yourself show that you are compensating for the situation you are in now. It will get better with treatment.
bcaring

We with this disease may benefit from EFA -- fish oil -- as it has been shown to improve folks with impaired function!

Neffer,
I hear you. Before I got well. I forgot how to drive on day while getting onto the freeway.
I could not remember anything, faces, places, and forget helping my kids with homework...I hired a tutor and could not even remember her name...lol
But the information that you know is still in your brain. It has not been errased, it is just not able to be accesed with the disease in the way.
You will get it all back when you recover. It is still there.

I saw this post the other day when it was first up.  I suddenly remembered that I used to play the "SIMON" handheld game of my son's.  I used to be pretty good at it with up to 12 steps sequenced successfully.  When I found the game the other day, I only sequenced THREE! AND that was challenging!  My dear son said "What happened mom, you used to be so good?"  I told him "that's okay, I'm just good at other things now".

I am post Lyme but current with babesia.  I have good clear days and then not so clear.  When the phone rings and I pick up the tv remote, I know I shouldn't drive or do much "challenging" activities.

I DO play some form of computer game everyday if even for a few minutes.  My neurologist RX'd 20 minutes of cognitive therapy everyday.  My favorite is "Brain Age" on my DS.  When I first started my brain age was 87!  I'm 52 years young!!! Now I'm at 64 yrs of age!  Games or activities with 'recall" was what he suggested. 

Fish oil and magnesium has helped too.

Good luck

maggie