Sister May Have Lyme

Hey all, I just got a call from my sister today and she was going to the doctor to get a second blood test after the first one showed positive for Lyme. She's been experiencing nerve twitching and mental problems for about a year but no one thought to look into Lyme Disease because she never got a rash from any of the tick bites she got. (She has a dog, so she was bitten a few times but had no noticeable reaction.)

Anyhow, she's understandably a bit shook up about it and we don't really know what to expect. Everyone else in our family is super upset about and saying that people die from Lyme disease and what not. I just wanted to hear what one could expect after being diagnosed with it, perhaps having it for a long period of time before treatment. Is it really so bad that with treatment it can still be fatal? Or is it mostly that the damage done from the disease might stick around if treated too late?

Thanks, any info would be great--the sticky for the forum was helpful too.

:)

Hi Misterkatamari,

Sorry to hear that your sister has not been well. It is good news that she has a definitive diagnosis, however.

Yes, Lyme kills, yes, the treatment is dangerous but this is no time to focus on the negatives. Your sister will need support and positive reinforcement -- panic, anxiety and fear will be of no help to her.

So that you know what you are up against. Lyme can cause heart block and carditis which can be fatal. This is extremely rare. The leading cause of death related to Lyme is suicide. Again, rare. Very long term treatment (years and years) can lead to liver and kidney failure. Again, rare.

Your sister, in engaging in treatment is taking a risk, but going untreated is a bigger risk. She is looking at a marathon or a mountain climbing type undertaking to get her health again. And you know with those things you don't look back, and you don't look down!!

The "fooling around" that Lymester is referring to is about the controversy that exists in the medical community as to how Lyme should be treated. In a nutshell, the Infectious Disease Society of America and the CDC say three to four weeks of antibiotics cures Lyme Disease and its co-infections. On the other hand, the International Lyme and Associated Disease Society recommends individually-based treatment programs that continue until the cessation of symptoms and beyond. They follow the guidelines published by Dr Burrascano, as mentioned in the information sticky you have read.

So we encourage new comers to contact a Lyme Literate Doctor who follows the ILADS approach. This is especially important in a case such as your sister's where she has had the disease for a long time.

Many, many of our members, including myself, have pulled themselves back from where your sister is at the moment. We don't hear a lot from the folks that have totally gotten well, they are off living happy, healthy lives!!! Anyway, there is a lot of support and information to be had here -- we're happy to answer any of your questions. Hope you will have your sister come on the forum when she's ready.