LymeNet Flash: what do you know about Biopolar and Lyme has anyone been diagnosis and realize it was

This is topic what do you know about Biopolar and Lyme has anyone been diagnosis and realize it was in forum Medical Questions at LymeNet Flash.

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Posted by DeniseBunty (Member # 6559) on :

I believe it has a connection, cause no drugs have helped these people I have family and friends who have this and are up and down with medicines

Posted by mikken (Member # 2276) on :

I think that some tick borne illnesses can *look* like bipolar disorder, definitely.

My sister thought that she was bipolar. Doc put her on psych meds and it did not help (may have made it worse, even).

We found out that she has Lyme (very high Bowen titer - 1:128) and is dealing with systemic yeast overgrowth as well - a very bad combination that can make you "go off" in directions that you end up apologizing for later.

I think that with proper treatment, a lot of crazy people wouldn't be so crazy, you know?

Posted by lymesux (Member # 6248) on :

lyme and coinfections can also make bi-polar symptoms worse - hence making meds no longer seem effective or as effective.

Its also hard to dx completely as i'm finding out with both of my children - meds are definitely helping and lyme meds help with alot too.

Genetics seems to be playing a part in our condition too.

good luck

Posted by bg (Member # 46416) on :

Denise, go to Treepatrol's newbie link and look at 300 OTHER illnesses mimic lyme. Look for bipolar & click on it for links galore from NIH & citations.

bettyg

Posted by Lymetoo (Member # 743) on :

I would say the answer is YES. I don't know much about it, but I'm sure there is a connection at least in some cases.

here's treepatrol's link:
http://flash.lymenet.org/ubb/Forum5/HTML/000614.html

Welcome!

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oops!
Lymetutu

Posted by perplexed (Member # 1913) on :

Bipolar and Lyme...very interesting combo. I am bipolar and have Lyme. My therapist and I have decided to stop psych meds until I see Dr C in July as Lyme can cause psych symptoms. I have tried many psych meds for bi-polar, and they make me sick and worse. I am so thankful that my therapist is learning about this Lyme and how it effects the brain. I say that in my case Lyme does effect the bi-polar, panic and anxiety attacks..most definietely. It has been a long journey for me.

Posted by pq (Member # 6886) on :

If you developed this AFTER you contracted lyme, and/or other co-infections, then the mood swings, at least in part, could be related to thyroid dysfunction caused by lyme.

Posted by docdave130 on :

was dx and treated last week for bipolar from chronic lyme disease. my genral depression took a turn to severe mood swings and the psychiatist but me on meds for bipolar. don't know if they work only been on for sevral days but seem calmer, without any undue side effects.
chronic neuro lyme can go into bipolar disorder and is not uncommon.
think about the old kings that died of syphillus the other spirocete, guess what they all went chronic stage 3 and went crazy many killed themselves.
this is not to scare you but treatment is necessary, and nobody goes to stage 3 syphillus anymore due to abx.

Posted by treepatrol (Member # 4117) on :

quote:
Originally posted by docdave130:
was dx and treated last week for bipolar from chronic lyme disease. my genral depression took a turn to severe mood swings and the psychiatist but me on meds for bipolar. don't know if they work only been on for sevral days but seem calmer, without any undue side effects.
chronic neuro lyme can go into bipolar disorder and is not uncommon.
think about the old kings that died of syphillus the other spirocete, guess what they all went chronic stage 3 and went crazy many killed themselves.
this is not to scare you but treatment is necessary, and nobody goes to stage 3 syphillus anymore due to abx.

up for some understanding????

Posted by BJG (Member # 4723) on :

Hi DocDav,

There is a very specific criteria to meet the diagnosis of Bipolar, otherwise known as manic/depressive.
The reason the criteria is specific is the modality of treatment.

Treatment for Bipolar is NOTTTT the same as it is for depression, infact putting someone on an antidepressant for depression can trigger Bipolar episodes.

Example: there are no manic episodes with Clinical Depression, there is with Bipolar.
Mania deals with lessened sleep, less eating and a state of hyperimportance. Many times sensitivity to light. {far more than us with Lyme}

I have no doubt that Lyme has the potential to do almost anything to our bodies and minds, but be very careful with your dianosis and treatment.

Hope this helps and does not confuse.

Good Luck
Peace,
BJG

Posted by Lymetoo (Member # 743) on :

Thanks, tree. I understand a bit more now. Perhaps there are some adjustments that need to be made to calm things down a bit.

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Do not take anything I say as medical advice. I am not a doctor, but I DID stay at a Holiday Inn Express!
oops!
Lymetutu

Posted by treepatrol (Member # 4117) on :

I brought this topic so that people trolling and causeing problems would find there heart and quit pestering people with lyme.

Theres more than one way to exhibit lyme manifestations.

This is a sad thing when people taunt the sick and God does see it.

Whether you believe that or not.

Posted by Lymetoo (Member # 743) on :

quote:
Originally posted by BJG:
and a state of hyperimportance.

That sounds really familiar.

Posted by Lymester (Member # 5848) on :

I think the difference is that we (lymies) are aware that this behavior or mood swing disturbs us. We are bothered by it and are able to see that this is completely out of character. I am not certain that someone with b-p is fully aware of the change and the behavior and affect on others or themselves.

If lyme has this effect on a person--not previously diagnosed with b-p or with a genetic pre-disposition b-p, I would imagine that this flux in mood and personality is increased on someone previously diagnosed with bi-polar or manic/depression. I know that docs frequently have to monitor people with b-p for medication and toxicity.

The toxins from any drug will make you feel out of it.

Posted by BJG (Member # 4723) on :

Lymster,
You are correct.

Those with BP do not recognize that they are in a depressive or manic stage, especially the later, manic.

They see the world thru a lens of selfimportance during that time. Only after, do they see [and not totally} how out of character their behavior and thoughts have been. Durinmg a manic phase everything they do feels OK.

Bipolar affacts the brain differently than does depression. That is why it is so important to have the correct diagnosis and not treat BP with SSRI's/antidepressants.

Good Luck,
BJG

Posted by seibertneurolyme (Member # 6416) on :

Have not read it, but there is a book called, "Too Good to be True? Nutrients Quiet the Unquiet Brain: A Four Generation Bipolar Odyssey"

I think either the author or his father or the son (I'm a little confused today myself) had both Bipolar and Lyme disease. The author is David Moyer and the ISBN is 0971799008

You can do a search inside the book at Amazon.com

Hope this helps

Bea Seibert

I think LymeInfo.net has a link to this book on their booklist.