There's many here who have children that are ill with lyme, including my teenage son.
He developed symptoms in Oct.04, started to receive treatment in Dec.04 and is currently still undergoing treatment. Though he was in an acute stage, he had a very severe case of lyme, and babesia.
He missed 6 months of school, did IV abx for 5 months, and is still doing orals, though he's much improved.
I read in another post of your's that your children have symptoms as well. They need to be treated immediately, lyme is nothing to fool around with. Left untreated, the bacteria can start to affect major organs, cause arthritic conditions, etc., and other irreversible abnormalities.
The longer treatment is delayed, the longer it takes to get well.
The good news is that children are remarkably resilient, and normally rebound well from this disease, in many cases better than adults. However, they must be treated adequately, and by a doctor knowledgeable about this disease.
Here's a link of support groups in your state, who can offer excellent advice, and a doc knowledgeable about this disease. Don't delay, and good luck ! The Duluth group is very good. http://www.lymenet.org/SupportGroups/UnitedStates/Minnesota/
Okay here's the scoop! My 8 year old has lyme and has been in treatment since December 04.
She's doing better but still has off days. Like us, sometimes she's fine other times she's herxing like crazy.
It's very frustrating to watch her go through this but she is slowly improving. No she's not like she used to be but I know she'll recover long before my husband and I.
Children bounce back very quickly.
My 9 year old son's teacher called me last week to tell me my son was in a complete fog. She sent him to the board to do a math problem that she tells me she knows he could do as math is his strong subject. He stood there and then started crying. She then gave him an even easier problem a few minutes later and it happened again.
She was concerned because the behavior was so unlike him. She said " I'm afraid he may be herxing and wanted to let you know." I was so pleased that she called. It told me that she really understands and wants to help.
My son has a 504 plan and we just revised it. I had them put into the plan that his teacher must be lyme literate and that I would provide a packet of documentation (every article I could find on Lyme & children as well as other info) for her/him to read every year.
Its very important they understand or they may think your child has a learning disability when its really much worse -Lyme.
Flowersmile