posted
this is in the news. hartford connecticut. apparantly the chimp was being treated for lyme and mauled somebody..we all know that lyme can make you angry..poor chimp
Posts: 593 | From long island ny | Registered: Apr 2006
| IP: Logged |
Vermont_Lymie
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 9780
posted
That is really sad. From the local news,
""He's been raised almost like a child by this family," Conklin said Monday. "He rides in a car every day, he opens doors, he's a very unique animal in that aspect. We have no indication of what provoked this behavior at all."
A message seeking comment was left Monday night at Herold's home.
Conklin said the chimp has been ill from Lyme disease, "so maybe from the medications he was out of sorts. We really don't know."
Police have dealt with the animal in the past, including an incident in 2003 when he escaped from his owners' vehicle in downtown Stamford for two hours. Officers used cookies, macadamia treats and ice cream in an attempt to lure him, but subdued him only after he became too tired to resist."
Posts: 2557 | From home | Registered: Aug 2006
| IP: Logged |
Tracy9
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 7521
13 years Lyme & Co.; Small Fiber Neuropathy; Myasthenia Gravis, Adrenal Insufficiency. On chemo for 2 1/2 years as experimental treatment for MG. Posts: 4480 | From Northeastern Connecticut | Registered: Jun 2005
| IP: Logged |
adamm
Unregistered
posted
If the chimp broke the skin, the victim was likely exposed.
IP: Logged |
glm1111
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 16556
posted
I saw the newspaper account of this and also saw it on TV. There was no mention of this chimp having Lyme. Did I miss something?
Gael
-------------------- PARASITES/WORMS ARE NOW RECOGNIZED AS THE NUMBER 1 CO-INFECTION IN LYME DISEASE BY ILADS* Posts: 6418 | From philadelphia pa | Registered: Jul 2008
| IP: Logged |
quote:Originally posted by Tracy9: Is it legal to own a chimp as a pet???
It may be legal, but I can't imagine a worse pet to have. In my previous life I was a primatologist (Ph.D. and all!) and let me tell you, they don't need Lyme to be aggressive! They are amongst the most aggressive of animals, and I have at least two colleagues who have been attacked by captive chimpanzees in zoos. (One lost most of his right hand in the attack.)
-------------------- Wildlife biologist working in tropics since 1997; tick bites in Nicaragua in March 2007, started getting sick May 2007; diagnosed with Lyme based on serological testing in Jan 2009; treatment starting Feb 2009. Wish me luck! Posts: 116 | From Seattle | Registered: Feb 2009
| IP: Logged |
bettyg
Unregistered
posted
i just wrote the 1st feedback letter there ....
I'm so sorry to read about this LYME/tick disease chimp going on the war path and injuring this woman.
Please give 3 months of ANTIBIOTICS to this injured woman who was EXPOSED to lyme disease and co-infections the chimp also had since it affects the brain so much and his "behavior"!
She could PREVENT getting lyme disease by being treated long enough and with strong enough antibiotics for 3 MONTHS; NOT 21 DAYS as infectious drs. prescribe.
How horrible for this woman and those involved in this tragic event.
I was bitten by a tick 39 years ago last Christmas at age 21. I never saw it nor got the famous "bulls-eye" rash but used my daily journal to track down when this happened since it was sub-zero Iowa weather.
My roommates and I had no pets; I wasn't a gardner then, and normal ways of being bitten were eliminated!
I went 34.5 years MISDIAGNOSED by 40-50 drs until July 2004 !!
To the reporter, please send this link to the injured person so they can be treated promptly and watched for symptoms of lyme disease. Thank you.
13 years Lyme & Co.; Small Fiber Neuropathy; Myasthenia Gravis, Adrenal Insufficiency. On chemo for 2 1/2 years as experimental treatment for MG. Posts: 4480 | From Northeastern Connecticut | Registered: Jun 2005
| IP: Logged |
posted
Here in so jersey & Phila 6 ABC said he did have Lyme...
-------------------- madgen Posts: 342 | From newjersey | Registered: Oct 2007
| IP: Logged |
Vermont_Lymie
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 9780
posted
Sorry to hear about how seriously injured the woman is. I hope she can recover.
Here the news this morning not only said that the chimp had lyme disease, the TV journalist said "has lyme disease which can cause panic attacks."
Only caught the end of the story, I think they were actually discussing lyme and its effects.
It seems like a teachable moment. Chimps can be naturally aggressive, but to combine that with a neurological infection that can cause aggression and panic may have led to this tragedy.
No doubt the IDSA will say that the chimp had only mild symptoms.
Posts: 2557 | From home | Registered: Aug 2006
| IP: Logged |
Leelee
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 19112
posted
So, so sad for everyone involved. Just so sad.
-------------------- The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy. Martin Luther King,Jr Posts: 1573 | From Maryland | Registered: Feb 2009
| IP: Logged |
posted
CNN Live this morning said that he had Lyme,
But they said it was the medicine that made him go nuts...
Posts: 570 | From philadelphia, pa | Registered: Dec 2008
| IP: Logged |
Abxnomore
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 18936
posted
Here is the article on Huffington Post and it mentions that the chimp had Lyme disease. You can all weight in and add your comments on this site
to help raise Lyme awareness. The chimp probably had Lyme rage.
Let's flood the site with our knowledge in the comment section.
Posts: 5191 | From Lyme Zone | Registered: Jan 2009
| IP: Logged |
btmb03
Unregistered
posted
...what? The woman is not expect to live?? How awful!
What in the world is wrong with people that they think it's OK to keep chimps (or for that matter cheetahs, tigers, boa constrictors, etc.) which belong in the WILD (HELLOOO).
lymeHerx001
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 6215
posted
I thought this was Stamford
Posts: 2905 | From New England | Registered: Sep 2004
| IP: Logged |
charlie
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 25
posted
you really shouldn't bring wild animals into your house to live like domestic pets just because they act docile for awhile....
Posts: 2804 | From Texas | Registered: Oct 2000
| IP: Logged |
Abxnomore
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 18936
posted
I posted this on the Huffington post comment page, pending approval. I wonder if it will be too political to approve but I don't it on the Huffington post.
Wow was it hard to fit it into 250 words and my last few words were left off. I had to keep revising it. Please everyone go there and post.
"This chimp was suffering, as millions of people are across the world, from the fastest tick borne
epidemic...LYME DISEASE. It is not uncommon in humans for them to have Lyme rage, as the
spirochete that causes this infection is similar to Syphilis. It is referred to as the cousin to
Syphilis. It invades the central nervous system & brain & slowly eats it away. It burrows deep into
your body & cells.In advanced neuro stages is impossible to cure. This illness is horrific.
I am not surprised that this chimp literally acted out of character & went berserk. This is
not some isolated event but most definitely had to do with the fact that he was suffering from
Lyme disease & possibly one of the many co-infections that accompany it, such as babesia,
erlichia, bartonella, tularemia, STARI & the list goes on. It is shame what happened to both the owner & the chimp but I hope this story sheds some light on
the millions of people who suffer from this illness, mostly in silence, due to the political
nature of the illness. Too many people are not taken seriously enough, are given inaccurate
information about the illness by ill informed doctors & many are misdiagnosed with chronic
illness just to name a few. let this be a WAKE UP CALL to those who are
misinformed, uneducated & unaware about how serious & prevalent Lyme disease is"
Posts: 5191 | From Lyme Zone | Registered: Jan 2009
| IP: Logged |
lymielauren28
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 13742
posted
This is now on the front page of AOL news online...it does mention Lyme disease.
Lauren
-------------------- "The only way out is through" Posts: 1434 | From mississippi | Registered: Nov 2007
| IP: Logged |
TerryK
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 8552
posted
I heard the same thing that Eric heard. NBC news said that the chimp had lyme but they think it was the medication that may have caused his behavior.
I wonder if the chimp was ever tested for bartonella? Another TBI that can cause major behavorial problems.
Terry
Posts: 6286 | From Oregon | Registered: Jan 2006
| IP: Logged |
Ofcourse they would rather blame the meds rather than the actual Lyme disease...
Instead of centering on the root cause they blame the meds.
What a shame...
Posts: 570 | From philadelphia, pa | Registered: Dec 2008
| IP: Logged |
Abxnomore
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 18936
posted
Instead of debating here what we all already know put you comments on Huff post where the vast majority of people are clueless about the illness and our plight.
Let the public know what we know and what we are up against. It's a perfect opportunity for the Lyme cause and to raise awareness. Most of the folks
there are blaming it on the fact that you shouldn't have a wild animal in the house. We know it was most probably from the chimp having Lyme, possibly Lyme rage. It's a perfect forum to get some attention for our cause.
posted
Sorry, the owner of the chimp needs his head examined...."...[the chimp} sat at the table, drank wine from a stemmed glass.."?? WINE?? to a chimp?? That's healthy.
Wasn't there just a thread about bananas being super food?
Turns out, maybe not.
Posts: 845 | From Eastern USA | Registered: Jul 2006
| IP: Logged |
charlie
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 25
posted
...every year or so we have an incident around here involving somebody that smuggles in a tiger or bear or something thru Mexico and attempts to make a pet out of it (successfully till it maims or kills somebody)...
People tend to regard chimps as near humans, though they are just dumb wild animals (although you could likely pass one off as a lawyer or politician and get away with it indefinitely).
A chimp at the table with a glass of wine...fine for movies but that's all.
Charlie
Posts: 2804 | From Texas | Registered: Oct 2000
| IP: Logged |
disturbedme
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 12346
posted
Yeah, this story was very sad and made me very angry.
If people weren't so stupid by thinking that bringing a wild animal to a home is a good idea, this never would have happened. When you are with a wild animal or around one at all, you've got to have it in the back of your mind that they are dangerous and can revert back to their natural instincts any time... it doesn't matter how 'wonderful' they have been treated by the owners, etc. They don't think of it in those terms like humans do.
The one news story said that they don't think Ms. Nash (the one who was attacked) will be filing any lawsuit. I think her family should. I know that she was really good friends with the owner of the monkey, but seriously.... this lady should not get away with having that monkey as a pet. It was WRONG and if not against the law, should definitely be, so she should be charged with something. Arggg, just gets me so angry.
-------------------- One can never consent to creep when one feels an impulse to soar. ~ Helen Keller
My Lyme Story Posts: 2965 | From Land of Confusion (bitten in KS, moved to PA, now living in MD) | Registered: Jun 2007
| IP: Logged |
disturbedme
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 12346
posted
Oh, the one article also said that they think the monkey attacked Ms. Nash because he didn't recognize her due to her just having her hair cut.... I don't think that really had much to do with it.
Animals don't use their eyes as much as they use their nose/ears first. Humans use their eyes predominantly, but animals mainly use their other senses before their eyes. I am sure the chimp knew who she was by smell recognition.
-------------------- One can never consent to creep when one feels an impulse to soar. ~ Helen Keller
My Lyme Story Posts: 2965 | From Land of Confusion (bitten in KS, moved to PA, now living in MD) | Registered: Jun 2007
| IP: Logged |
posted
charlie on chimps: "although you could likely pass one off as a ..politician and get away with it indefinitely"
well, not indefinitely, but eight years was a pretty long run.
seriously, this poor animal. he would have been safer exposed to jungle diseases as opposed to suburban connecticut.
this is the kind of rage lyme produced in my son (tho he never mauled anyone). there was that guy in sullivan county, ny who shot a police officer and himself, who was very sick with lyme. definitely post at huffington and any other media sources regarding the tbd's in this case. the human effects are so horribly misunderstood, if a chimp makes the news on this, we should jump on any media coverage.
i hope the victim will recover!
mo
[ 02-17-2009, 08:17 PM: Message edited by: Mo ]
-------------------- life shrinks and expands in proportion to one's courage -- anais nin Posts: 8337 | From the other shore | Registered: Jul 2002
| IP: Logged |
Abxnomore
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 18936
posted
I'm getting replies to my post on Huffington Post and posted another one. We are getting exposure.
Wish you guys would post,too, instead of just debating here. It's our chance to get the facts out there and educated the public.
"Here is the key sentence of the entire article."One thing that we're looking into is that we understand the chimpanzee has Lyme
disease and has been ill". Lyme disease is a very serious illness that due to a political controversy in the medical community, has left many suffering and without the proper diagnosis.
Lyme disease and it's many co infections can cause severe anxiety and rage in humans and severe mental illness as well as a whole range of
other horrific neurological symptoms. According the the article, the chimp has been domesticated for 15 years. I would say that with out a doubt
his violent behavior can be traced directly to having Lyme disease. I pray for the woman who was mauled and that she pulls thru OK but let this be a wake up call to the medical community and to
the public to start taking this illness seriously. It is silently affecting millions of people in the U.S. and around the world many of whom have the wrong diagnosis, ie. chronic
fatigue, fibromyalgia, ALS, Alzheimers, mental illness, MS, Parkinsons and the list goes on. The research is out there but the medical community
refuses to acknowledge it."
Reply 01:59 PM on 02/17/2009
Lyme disease is also very painful.... If you've ever lived with any kind of chronic pain, you will know that this alone is likely drive anyone to the brink....
AND
YES. Well said ABXNOMORE. My mother has Lyme disease and though she is starting to finally make a slow recovery, it's been over a two year
ordeal, with doctors who don't know what they're dealing with, insurance companies that refuse to "experimental" treatments (ie. anything they
don't feel like paying for anymore), and inability to work for days at a time.
And guess where I'm from? Stamford, CT of course.
Posts: 5191 | From Lyme Zone | Registered: Jan 2009
| IP: Logged |
Keebler
Honored Contributor (25K+ posts)
Member # 12673
Owner stabs 200-pound pet with butcher knife after woman badly injured
Excerpts:
. . .
Victim not recognized due to hair?_Herold and two officers also received minor injuries, police said. Conklin said police don't know what triggered the attack.
"There was no provocation that we know of. One thing that we're looking into is that we understand the chimpanzee has Lyme disease and has been ill from that, so maybe from the medications he was out of sorts. We really don't know," Conklin said.
Conklin also suggested the animal may have attacked Nash because she was wearing her hair differently and perhaps wasn't recognized.
posted
I just had some words with my State Rep John Perzel,
he did take the time and wrote me an interesting thorough reply...
posted it in the General area for all to read,
and I contacted Fox news, and had alot to say, Contacted Glenn Beck, John Oreilly, Greta, and the Morning News Team...
Explained the horrible politics of this disease and its coinfections, as well as the horrible testing and undestanding and undertreating it by the entire medical community, and that Bills must be passed ASAP, and the immediate need for LLMDs and much much more...
Who knows, at least the words are out and hopefully so is their attention...
[ 02-17-2009, 04:20 PM: Message edited by: eric555 ]
Posts: 570 | From philadelphia, pa | Registered: Dec 2008
| IP: Logged |
btmb03
Unregistered
posted
Personally this isn't the kind of story where I'd want the world to learn about Lyme dx.
"Chimp on the rampage" says nothing of neuropathy, damage to the nervous system, cardiac probs, memory probs, word recall/retrieval probs, brain fog, joint/muscle pain, severe fatigue, etc...and that's only before seeing the medical community....
It just gives the "unbelieving" side more ammunition that "it's all in our heads", a mental disorder" and that Lyme pts as a whole are..or could be as potentially dangerous as the chimp??
The info/videos of this chimp's actions describes nothing about the subtleties and not-so-subtleties of the struggle each one of us faces on a daily basis just to get out of bed and deal with our myriad of health and functional issues.
Time to look for another Lyme advocate...
IP: Logged |
well in any case, rage can too be attributed to Lyme,
though we will never know about him not being able to get out of bed...
still ofcourse not the best way to get our attention...
but in the end this chimp will surely get us all some sort of recognition as the Lyme disease itself.
Posts: 570 | From philadelphia, pa | Registered: Dec 2008
| IP: Logged |
posted
I live in stratford, ct about 30 minutes north of stamford, same county.
All news reports here said the chimp had lyme.
The chimp was apparently somewhat aggressive when it felt threatened. There was an incident last year with it too.
I know how Lyme makes me feel and I can understand the disease.
Primates and humans being so closely linked genetically, we can all sympathize with the chimp.
I feel so badly for the woman who was attacked too. She was a friend who was called over to help retrieve the chimp b/c he had escaped.
I hope she is ok and also gets treated for Lyme.
Posts: 59 | From stratford, CT | Registered: Feb 2008
| IP: Logged |
glm1111
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 16556
posted
It doesn't matter if we think that a chimp is not a worthwile Lyme advocate.
At the very least it can make people more aware hearing the words Lyme Disease.
Like we have so many televised Lyme advocates getting the word out.
I think we need to take what we can get and launch it from there on avenues such as the Huffington Post.
I pray that this poor woman pulls through this horrible attack.
I gaurantee you she is being given some major antibiotics with all of the terrible wounds she received.
-------------------- PARASITES/WORMS ARE NOW RECOGNIZED AS THE NUMBER 1 CO-INFECTION IN LYME DISEASE BY ILADS* Posts: 6418 | From philadelphia pa | Registered: Jul 2008
| IP: Logged |
btmb03
Unregistered
posted
Lyme rage is only *one* of a huge number of symptoms that can be attributed to Lyme.
This tragedy may not elicit any empathy from the general public/media toward those who have to live with this disease, in fact it may elicit exactly the opposite response.
IP: Logged |
posted
I agree with Kimwg. Chimps by nature can be very aggresive, Lyme or no Lyme.
Perhaps I missed this in the prior posts, but who and how is a chimp able to receive long term abx for Lyme, but many of us can't???? Perhaps we should use this as an example of how we are treated worse than animals.
Don't get me wrong, I am an animal lover and have been involved with various animal rights groups.
I just can't beleive that animals are getting medicines that many of us aren't. I do feel badly for the chimp, however he should have been in the care of a facility that specializes in dealing with chimps.
I think it was irresponsible of the owner to call in a friend to help secure the chimp. This was reckless. How sad to think that she could die from this and or has been exposed to Lyme because of it.
-------------------- aka: Lyme Warrior
In order to do "real" science, you have to have a "real" conversation with nature.
Well Behaved Women Rarely Make History!
"Just Demand your Rights" Posts: 869 | From nor - cal | Registered: Apr 2008
| IP: Logged |
Abxnomore
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 18936
posted
I disagree but we are all entitled to our own opinion and approach. Any place we can get exposure, especially outside of the Lyme
community, is a good thing. The Huffington post is a liberal progressive site that has a huge readership.
There have been favorable responses already, thou I do not know who they are. Some have mentioned the suffering this illness brings, not just the rage, but the neglect, the struggle with getting care, etc.
Even if just ONE person is enlightened about what is lurking out there and in terms of the disease
how this illness has been swept under the carpet for years......to me that is a victory.
Remaining silent, IMO is a bigger crime when there is an opportunity to educate.
Pointing out the facts about this illness does not make us look like crazies.
Posts: 5191 | From Lyme Zone | Registered: Jan 2009
| IP: Logged |
posted
Oh, I did not mention, but I do agree that we should take advantage of any oppurtunites to promote awareness of our disease and since this situation is out there as Abxnomore points out, than we should respond and educate.
I bring up Lyme all the time to educate however and wherever I can.
-------------------- aka: Lyme Warrior
In order to do "real" science, you have to have a "real" conversation with nature.
Well Behaved Women Rarely Make History!
"Just Demand your Rights" Posts: 869 | From nor - cal | Registered: Apr 2008
| IP: Logged |
Abxnomore
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 18936
posted
Well the article has moved from the center of the page to the side. That means it will be off the first page by tonight. Get your two cents in now, if you wish.
There is a nice thread going on page one, and two others on pages further in.
posted
Dr. Charles R. Jones weighs in. Dr. Jones was the lyme specialist consulted on TV for the news here tonight. The video listed to the right isn't working for me right now.
the thing is, this chimp had 14+ years of very passive behavior, i assume prior to contracting tbd's.
also -- this line in the above posted article:
"Police said experts may study the chimp's brain tissue to help determine what caused its aggressive behavior."
if they would actually do this, there's a good chance they would find spirochetes. that would be something.
not like we can get that done as easily on a human............
mo
-------------------- life shrinks and expands in proportion to one's courage -- anais nin Posts: 8337 | From the other shore | Registered: Jul 2002
| IP: Logged |
Geneal
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 10375
posted
Didn't they say this chimp weighed in around 200lbs?
That is what we heard here.
I wouldn't have a 200lb dog in my house.
They are domesticated.....however, continue and will be instinctive creatures.
Dogs kill people all the time.
Wonder how many of them were tested for Lyme disease.
I think that the situation is horrible.
Lyme or not.
Prayers to the woman who may die from the mauling.
Prayers also to the people who mistakenly thought
That an animal, no matter how "human" they act and are treated,
Continue to revert to instinctive types of behavior.
They must be besides themselves.
Lyme may have been a factor.
I guess it is just.......sad.
Hugs,
Geneal
Posts: 6250 | From Louisiana | Registered: Oct 2006
| IP: Logged |
Geneal
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 10375
posted
Forgot to add that if they found bb in the chimps brain,
Do you think they would generalize the "chimps" out of control behavior,
To those of us with Lyme?
Wait......wouldn't 21 days of antibiotics "cure" the Lyme?
Can't wait for the IDSA to weigh in on this one.
Hugs,
Geneal
Posts: 6250 | From Louisiana | Registered: Oct 2006
| IP: Logged |
posted
Someone mentions that on pg 11 of the blog!!!!
Check it out as I copied this comment that a poster made.
This is very sad indeed. For everyone involved a true tradgedy. I am suprised that more of the people in that area of Connecticut are not really concerned about the LYME aspect that Travis had to live with daily.
Many people are completely unaware that Lyme Disease can turn to Chronic Lyme and affect multiple systems in the body i/e the heart, brain, eye, etc.... Travis may have been experiencing what is known in the Lyme world as "Lyme Rage". The xanax probably didn't cause this attack. Considering he had Chronic Lyme Disease, than this was probably what happened.
I hope that they do indeed autopsy his brain to see if Travis had Spirochetes in it. If he did, this should be a lesson to the IDSA that short courses of abx don't cure Lyme Disease like they would like us to believe.
You peopl in Connecticut live in a Lyme ifested part of the country(though it is also in all fifty states now). Perhpas you should use this story to your advantage and make sure the IDSA Changes their bogus guidelines on how to diagnose and treat Lyme Disease. They are currently in the process of putting together a supposed unbiased panel(rumor has it that it's anything but). Get involved in Lyme. Check out Lymenet.org or the LDA. This could easily happen to you or a loved one.
Please educate yourself about this disease. It's now in all of our backyards. I know, because I have it.
-------------------- aka: Lyme Warrior
In order to do "real" science, you have to have a "real" conversation with nature.
Well Behaved Women Rarely Make History!
"Just Demand your Rights" Posts: 869 | From nor - cal | Registered: Apr 2008
| IP: Logged |
2. Don't mess with us Lymies, just give us what we want, cuz we can snap at any moment (hear that Wormser?)
Seriously, like someone said before, dogs kill people all the time, and they've been domesticated for thousands of years. My neighbor's 2 yr old grandson was attacked by their pet pitt bull. The dog actually bit off the child's nose, and it could not be reattached. This chimp, by all accounts, was mischievous but not aggressive throughout his life, and seemed well-adapted to living wth a human family. I say it HAD to be the Lyme. Lyme rage is real. I've seen it in myself over the years.
Now, I understand they may examine the chimp's brain. I'm sure the chimp has already been treated with antibiotics for the Lyme. Wouldn't it be something if they do find live spirochetes in the brain tissue even after treatment - this would be HUGE. It could only benefit our cause, since it will show the organism survives antibiotic treatment, thus proving in a very dramatic way the existence of chronic Lyme in primates, which is US.
I personally believe that there is so much unexplained human illness, both physical and psychiatric, that is caused by tick-borne pathogens. It may take decades to get a handle on it. Perhaps some good will come of of this tragedy.
-------------------- Sick since at least age 6, now 67. Decades of misdiagnosis. Numerous arthritic, neuro, psych, vision, cardiac symptoms. Been treating for 7 years, incl 8 mos on IV. Bart was missed so now treating that. Posts: 765 | From nw ct | Registered: Sep 2008
| IP: Logged |
Abxnomore
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 18936
posted
Don't forget about the severe anxiety that many of us suffer from and sometimes confusion and
irrational fear. Travis could not talk like we can and express what he was feeling. No one will
ever know what he was feeling but living thru this illness I can only image that he was frightened to
death with fear, overcome with anxiety and snapped.
This is a very sad tragedy for all concerned.
Posts: 5191 | From Lyme Zone | Registered: Jan 2009
| IP: Logged |
posted
The poor woman basically had her face torn off and is in extremely critical condition.
I have no clue about how aggressive chimpanzees can be, I didn't even know they could get to 200 lbs. Whatever, they should not, of course, be household pets.
I am sure that if they continue to pursue the Lyme connection the powers-that-be will make sure they blame the treatment in some way, rather than the illness.
I wouldn't be surprised at all however if this was a case of Lyme rage. The monkey probably felt lousy and had no idea why or what to expect. Tragic.
Posts: 459 | From Connecticut - just across the river from the Lymes (Old Lyme, Hadlyme, East Lyme, South Lyme & Lyme) | Registered: Oct 2000
| IP: Logged |
Tracy9
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 7521
posted
quote:Originally posted by charlie: you really shouldn't bring wild animals into your house to live like domestic pets just because they act docile for awhile....
13 years Lyme & Co.; Small Fiber Neuropathy; Myasthenia Gravis, Adrenal Insufficiency. On chemo for 2 1/2 years as experimental treatment for MG. Posts: 4480 | From Northeastern Connecticut | Registered: Jun 2005
| IP: Logged |
Cass A
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 11134
posted
The chimp was ALSO ON XANAX, which is known to cause homicidal rages, among other nasty side effects.
Best,
Cass A
Posts: 1245 | From Thousand Oaks, CA | Registered: Feb 2007
| IP: Logged |
posted
I thought that Xanax was intended to supress the anxiety, and actually make you sleepy rather than cause the rage ???
Posts: 570 | From philadelphia, pa | Registered: Dec 2008
| IP: Logged |
Keebler
Honored Contributor (25K+ posts)
Member # 12673
posted
-
If the liver is stressed all circuits can blow.
Xanax can be very hard on the liver - and I doubt it's intended for a chimp's neuro-circuitry.
Even if the xanax had been relaxing, the Chimp's genes and instinct went to work - if surprised - or startled - instinct was triggered to mount a full defense. To him, it might well have been an enemy and once the switch goes off in the brain, there is no return.
When I tried xanax years ago, that is when my ears went kaboom, literally.
EVERY THING was loud. I'd startle when a rubber band fell on the carpet. That is when the sound-trigger seizures began for me. Then another drug, effexor, just sealed the deal and my ears have never returned to normal.
Now, part of this could have been because (as I later learned) my liver was too toxic (part from lyme that had gone undiagnosed; part from my liver not processing the C P-450 drugs).
Xanax is extensively metabolized in humans, primarily by cytochrome P450 3A4 (CYP3A4). I don't know how chimps would process this. But, if lyme and liver stress, bad combination.
If a liver can't metabolize effectively, that liver stress can lead to rage, partly due to the build-up of excess porphyrins that are neurotoxic.
Serious infection can create a secondary porphryia in humans and my guess is that the same can happen in other mammals.
Especially with lyme toxins - and in a chimp who has had WINE, too?! - that creates a more toxic soup in the liver and a fuse to the nervous system. Any spark could light that.
And, many chimps at that age have become too aggressive. It's a common pattern for chimp-pets even in the best circumstances and the best cared-for chimps.
disturbedme
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 12346
posted
I agree with Cass.
The chimp owner was on Good Morning America yesterday (I think it was Good Morning America) and she was at that time trying to take back what she had formerly said about giving the monkey Xanax. At first she had no qualms about coming out and saying that she had given the monkey Xanax, but after it came out that Xanax could have caused the rage/attack to happen in the first place, she then started totally taking it back that she ever gave the monkey Xanax, that she would never do something like that, blah, blah, blah. Can we say liar?! Not to mention she gave the monkey people food as well as WINE.
This lady gives ME lyme rage!!!! She really needs to be reprimanded BIG TIME for having a monkey as a pet and causing her friend to almost die.
I know a lot of people think this is such good news for the lyme community, but I don't even think that's the big issue in this at all. The big issue is that this lady is extremely stupid (like most of the population, unfortunately) and took in a chimp that weighs more than she probably does and expected it to live humanely.... It's a WILD animal... that means it should STAY in the wild. Argggg!
-------------------- One can never consent to creep when one feels an impulse to soar. ~ Helen Keller
My Lyme Story Posts: 2965 | From Land of Confusion (bitten in KS, moved to PA, now living in MD) | Registered: Jun 2007
| IP: Logged |
Keebler
Honored Contributor (25K+ posts)
Member # 12673
posted
-
I, too, think this is not such good news for lyme patients. It rather paints it in a bad light.
This violent attack is not going to be understood in an academic sense and this actually could make all lyme patients be perceived as ready to pop their cork - an unfair comparison.
Lyme patients have long been perceived as having psychiatric problems. If the comparison to the chimp's behavior is made, that could create a huge set-back for a full understanding of lyme, as the media is likely to interpret it.
posted
But maybe it would make them look at Lyme from a different perspective, or at least look at it as a whole... ???
Ofcourse I feel very bad for the lady who suffered the attack, but if Lyme was the reason, then Lyme surely needs to be addressed and researched much much more.
There will never come any good of any sick individual or animal from doing something harmful which is contributed to any illness,
but if a disease caused this to happen, then that disease definitely needs to be paid much more attention to.
And the entire medical community needs to step up.
Posts: 570 | From philadelphia, pa | Registered: Dec 2008
| IP: Logged |
tdtid
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 10276
posted
Has there been any update on how the woman is doing that had been attacked?
I know depending on which news article I read... some would say she was in serious condition, one even said she wasn't expected to live and all sorts of speculation.
I was just wondering if anyone has seen an update on her.
Cathy
-------------------- "To Dream The Impossible Dream" Man of La Mancha Posts: 2638 | From New Hampshire | Registered: Oct 2006
| IP: Logged |
randibear
Honored Contributor (10K+ posts)
Member # 11290
posted
i understand from fox news that she "had her face torn off and both hands"....
how horrible for her. i can't imagine her pain....
and that little animal...well not little but you get the point.
chimps are fine when small but any idiot knows that a full grown chimp is a very dangerous animal. just watch any animal planet story on chimps. they are aggressive and dangerous when full grown....
this whole thing could have been avoided by laws stating you can't own ANY wild animal....period...and making sure people follow them.
-------------------- do not look back when the only course is forward Posts: 12262 | From texas | Registered: Mar 2007
| IP: Logged |
JRWagner
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 3229
We are too quick to blame Lyme...a 200 lb chimp is 7 times stronger than an adult human...and should never be a pet. Wild animals belong in the wild. Period.
Why do stupid humans insist on "owning" whatever animal that suits them, no matter what harm could come to the animal or to other humans. Pet Cougars? Elephants? Grizzly Bears? Stupid fools...
Now this poor lady has lost her eyes, her entire face, etc.
When are we going to learn?
Peace, Love, and Wellness, JRW
Posts: 1414 | From Ny, Ny | Registered: Oct 2002
| IP: Logged |
disturbedme
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 12346
posted
JR - AMEN! I agree with what you said 100 times over.
-------------------- One can never consent to creep when one feels an impulse to soar. ~ Helen Keller
My Lyme Story Posts: 2965 | From Land of Confusion (bitten in KS, moved to PA, now living in MD) | Registered: Jun 2007
| IP: Logged |
sometimesdilly
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 9982
posted
The owner-woman was lonely, the chimpanzee ate lobster and ice-cream and as her "son" was never held to any human boundaries, much less those warranted by having a 200 pound aggressive beast in one's home.
I hope Lyme isn't mentioned in follow-ups. The whole story is so whacked out and horrible and sad and pointless.
Humans with Lyme make for better teaching moments.
Posts: 2507 | From lost in the maze | Registered: Aug 2006
| IP: Logged |
bettyg
Unregistered
posted
posted just now 2-20-09; LYME is mentioned again!
The Lyme Disease Network is a non-profit organization funded by individual donations. If you would like to support the Network and the LymeNet system of Web services, please send your donations to:
The
Lyme Disease Network of New Jersey 907 Pebble Creek Court,
Pennington,
NJ08534USA http://www.lymenet.org/
UBBFriend: Email this page to someone!
![[Wink]](wink.gif)
Printer-friendly view of this topic