I just learned of a woman in my community whose young husband (in 50's) has had a cognitive decline. He is declining relatively quickly and his wife is now his caregiver.
I remember reading an article about a man who had a similar decline and it turned out to be lyme disease. When he was treated with IV ABX, he started to improve and his dementia reversed.
I have looked through all of my bookmarks and have been unable to locate this article. Does anyone know which one I am referring to?
I have given this man's wife information on IgeneX testing and symptoms of lyme, etc. - but I thought the article would really inspire her.
Thanks in advance for any help on this.
Posted by TX Lyme Mom (Member # 3162) on :
If that's not what you were looking for, then here are the results of a Google search for "dementia + Lyme": http://tinyurl.com/aako9zw
You might also try searching for "Lyme + Alzheimer's": http://tinyurl.com/aa9xmdr Posted by dbpei (Member # 33574) on :
Thanks for this TX Lyme Mom. Unfortunately, the article I was trying to find is not found in the threads you offered. It is an article about a man (I think he might have lived in Maine - or New England). He was thought to have dementia or Alzheimer's disease but he was very young for this.
It turned out that after seeing MD after MD, his wife somehow learned that he had lyme disease. He was given IV antibiotics and he made an incredible recovery.
I was hoping to find something to motivate this woman to keep searching for answers and to not give up on dx of lyme disease. I will keep searching and if I find it, I will post it here.
Posted by AuntyLynn (Member # 35938) on :
dpei -
Perhaps you are thinking of Ray Kehrhahn of Connecticut? He was described as "near catatonic" until friends encouraged him to be tested for Lyme. He eventually went to Columbia University for treatment, (presumably to see our ILADS psych hero, Dr. F) and 9 mos. later ...
Thank you Aunty Lynn!! This is the article I was looking for!
Posted by AuntyLynn (Member # 35938) on :
Hope it helps.
Posted by dbpei (Member # 33574) on :
Well... in looking over this article - it did not mention dementia. It must have been a different article about a different person that I recall reading about. Thanks anyhow! This is very inspirational just the same.
The article I am trying to locate mentioned a husband and wife, who worked very hard to get to the bottom of his illness. His cognitive decline was very troubling. Lyme diagnosis and treatment turned him around. I will keep looking. If anyone finds it, please post here!
Thanks again, Aunty Lynn. I remembered reading about Ray last fall. I think the article that I am looking for came out sometime in early 2012.
Posted by AuntyLynn (Member # 35938) on :
It did describe him as "near catatonic" and that he had to quit his Professorship at UCONN and go on disability.
Eight mos on IV seems a small price to pay to get your life back. Can't wait to read his book.
Posted by Marz (Member # 3446) on :
I've wondered about Alan MacDonald from UOS.
Since the film, I heard he had alzheimer's and then got well and is fine today.