LymeNet Flash: OCD and Lyme

This is topic OCD and Lyme in forum Medical Questions at LymeNet Flash.

To visit this topic, use this URL:
https://flash.lymenet.org/ubb/ultimatebb.php/topic/1/33759

Posted by zuzuu (Member # 6826) on :

Anyone experience initiation or worsening of OCD tendencies while being treated for Lyme on ABX? Has anyone gotten rid of such symptoms by continuing treatment? I experienced a number of psych symptoms (anxiety, OCD, derealization,) during treatment of ABX and stopped ABX while dealing with these symptoms. Physical symptoms are under control but Psych still a problem. Trying to decide, along with LLMD, whether it is worth trying to eradicate OCD with further treatment. He says he has seen many people who experienced similar (and worse) psych problems.

Thanks.

Posted by robi (Member # 5547) on :

mino made me somewhat ocd..... happens to me when keets in the brain are dying.... at least that what I think it is .... who really knows.... I am crazy anyway.

robi

Posted by Linda LD (Member # 6663) on :

What is ocd?

My son is having a lot of psych problems--any information or the name of a shrink that treats LD patients would be greatly appreciated.

Linda

Posted by zuzuu (Member # 6826) on :

robi
I'm crazy too but that's natural!

Linda

OCD is Obsessive Compulsive Disorder - where intrusive, unwanted thoughts cause such anxiety/fear that people do compulsive actions in order to minimize (only temporarily) the thoughts. It's not fun.
It's caused by some sort of chemical imbalance - possible serotonin levels.

What psych problems does your son have? I she currently in treatment for Lyme/or psych problems?

There is a Psychiatrist (I think there's another too) in Connecticut that treats LD patients. I'm sorry, that's all I know about. There is a pretty comprehensive article written by this Psych and another person, that I think is in the archives of Lymenet. Let me know if you're interested in it. I probably have a copy of it. Last time I read it was about 3 years ago so I hope it's been updated.

According to my LLMD, he's seen many patients who have Psych problems from Lyme, the whole spectrum of problems, and he's seen many get better. I'd like to hear from some patients who have, esp. OCD.
ILADS has a pamphlet on Lyme and Psychiatric problems (which I gave to my therapist just to help spread knowledge of this problem).

Posted by quic (Member # 5262) on :

zuzu,
I've always had minor OCD tendencies, but lyme kicked it into overdrive. I'm on treatment for 13+ months now. Occasionally still have OCD problems but they occur in the "normal" herx cycle. And when its over, there is an overall improvement. So I would agree with what robi said.

It is my experience that the psych stuff is very persistent and takes the longest to eraticate, possibly because of poor drug prenetration in the brain. They are also the hardest to deal with. I'm probably going to ask my LLMD for mino. when I see him. I just want to be done with this.

My LLMD said lyme caused such severe OCD in one of his patients that this person would stop speaking mid-sentance because he/she couldn't find anything else to visually wrap the words around to get the audible words out. Thats pretty severe.

My suggestion is to stay on treatment until you turn into the person you used to be.

My favorite word of late has been Endurance".

- Mike

Posted by Horseplay (Member # 4400) on :

OCD has been a large part of my lyme - bartonella battle. It kicks in right after my bicillin shot, it is more frantic cleaning, reorganizing - non clutter type behavoir. I have neuro-lyme and encephalitis so I take Xanax to help alleviate the anxiety etc.

Posted by zuzuu (Member # 6826) on :

Horseplay, Did you have OCD tendencies pre-Lyme or after?

I guess that minocycline is good for the blood brain barrier? My LLMD seems to really like Tetracycline for that. They're probably closely related. I really don't know that much about the various ABXs. I've read about them but can't remember all the differences without rechecking the info. Any comments? What I don't understand is, how the spiros cause something that is normally caused by a chemical imbalance and then why would it go away just because the spiros are killed? Isn't the chemical imbalance still there? Or is it because the body can heal itself?

Posted by brainless (Member # 6771) on :

My OCD temporarily stopped after EXTREMELY aggressive IV abx. It resumed 3 months after treatment stopped.

Posted by pq (Member # 6886) on :

Magnesium will help with this, but don't take the mag. with a supplement containing calcium. purpose is to restore magnesium levels; calcium may foster the intensity and duration of ocd signs and symptoms.

Posted by zuzuu (Member # 6826) on :

quote:
Originally posted by brainless:
My OCD temporarily stopped after EXTREMELY aggressive IV abx. It resumed 3 months after treatment stopped.
b

What are you doing for the OCD? Did you have it before Lyme treatment? By the way, how is it in lalaland?!