help, new to this

my son (19) as lyme, all bands tested positive. I tried to post previous but think I messed, never did this before. I'll write more if this works and someone answers. thanks

thanks, is the laughing "normal". he thinks he's fine. Very angry because we won't let him drive and he's been out of work since middle of Dec. All the symptons listed for late stage he has: fogging mind, confusion, forgetful, and so on
thanks SO MUCH for answering me, my family listens but they have NO IDEA what we're going thru.

Hi frikandfrak,

Welcome to the forum!   I am sorry your son is suffering and I hope he gets the help he needs soon.  I know this is hard on the entire family.   My daughter is 19, too, and the two of us have been battling this disease for over 3 years, but have had it much longer than that.  We understand what you are going through.  The symptoms of lyme are numerous, varied, seemingly endless, and "all over the place".  You will learn a lot as you read this forum and do your own research.  Be prepared for the "long haul"---there is no guarantee of a "quick fix".

It is fortunate that your son's test proved he has lyme.  It would also be a good idea to ask the llmd to test him for other "coinfections" such as babesia, bartonella, ehrlichia, mycoplasma, rickettsia etc. and also for heavy metals and mold toxins.  These types of conditions often accompany the lyme and will have an influence on the type of treatments given.  Sometimes, the more stuff a person has to "battle", the longer recovery can take.

You can start learning about lyme by reading the topic at the top of the first page of this forum, entitled "New to Lyme, Start here".  You will find it helpful.

Learn to be your son's advocate and pay attention to his symptoms (keep track, write them down to tell doc).  Sometimes it is hard for us to know the difference between a reaction to medication vs. a disease symptom.  Lymies can become unusually sensitive to things and it will affect their behaviour and symptoms.  I'm not sure if the laughing is a response due to the disease or the meds he is on.  Let his doc know.

Our best wishes to your son, to you, and your family,    the bablymers family

Hi frikandfrak,
love your screen name :) Welcome to Healingwell!! Sorry to hear about your son.
You have recieved some very good advise already form bablymers, and CajunGrl
One thing I noticed you stated was your son is on 200mg of doxy a day, and if he's not better then it must be mental.
I would not agree with this statment. Treatment for Lyme disease, and co infections is not quick. Your LLMD should help you to better understand the difficulties in treating this disease.

Best wishes.

thank you Harleyrider. My son seems to only have the mental symptoms, but sometimes I do notice things, like when he was having trouble with his eyes, he says he feels fine otherwise. I will definitely keep everyone posted. Won't know anything really until we see the LLMD in February. Trying to get in sooner, we'll see. Take care

Hi frikandfrak,

I agree with the opinions above----the short treatment with Doxy may not get rid of all the bacteria and just because your son has not improved does NOT mean it "must be mental". The borellia and bartonella bacteria can be in the brain and cause mental and neurological symptoms. Toxins in the brain can contribute effects also. I hope your son gets all the help he needs. While psychiatrists that Understand lyme can be helpful with some meds, a llmd is Extremely important to manage the meds that treat the CAUSE ("germs") of the illness.

Best wishes to all you, bablymers mom

Hi frikandfrak,

My son (now 25) was diagnosed with Lyme when he was 13 (swollen knees), treated with 30 days IV abx and declared cured. The symptoms came back the next year and again he was treated with 30 days abx., and again said to be cured. The following year he started having tonic clonic seizures, which the doctors told me was epilepsy and started treating him accordingly with ever increasing doses of anti-seizures meds. Six years later, at age 21, he started hearing voices, he couldn't find his way home from a mile away, and he became almost catatonic. After testing for Lyme at 3 hospitals, two of which were major teaching hospitals, we were told that he absolutely did not and could not possibly still be suffering from Lyme Disease. When we got copies of the tests, we found that they were all CDC positive for Lyme and said that on the tests.
His symptoms escalated to the point that he could not get out of bed, could not tolerate noise or light, had to have ice packs surrounding his head, but had 7 blankets on the rest of his body, he was having full tonic clonic seizures every 2 days and would cry uncontrollably and scream that he was losing his mind. We were told he needed a psychiatrist. Psychiatrists were totally useless, because they had no clue what was going on --- they would shove pills at him and say "try this". Some made him worse, some didn't do anything.

Long story, short --- after 3 1/2 hears on abx, both oral and IV, he is doing a lot better. The lyme has caused a lot of problems with his immune system and he currently getting weekly infusions of immunoglobbulins, along with accupuncture and Naet for his allergies which were also caused by Lyme.

If you can get him to take the epsom salt baths, they can really help. If he won't do a full bath, try a foot bath with the eposm salts. I understand that he thinks he's fine and probably won't want to do either. Finding a lyme literate psychiatrist is also a good idea.

Please know that I understand what you are going through and if I can help in any way, or if you just want to talk to someone who's been there, please Email me by clicking on my username. I will keep you and your son in my prayers.
Take Care,
Karen