Hi, I was just wondering if anybody else had AD(H)D before Lyme, and now has Lyme+ADHD. If anybody does, care to share with me how Lyme has affected them in conjunction w/their ADHD?
Posted by Truthfinder (Member # 8512) on :
Well, I can't say that I had Adult ADD BEFORE Lyme, but I was diagnosed with ADD before I found out I had Lyme.
I think I've had Lyme since I was a kid, and I was definately an ADHD kid, but nobody knew about such things then.
You are aware that Lyme can mimic the symptoms of ADD, ADHD, Bi-polar, and every psychological disorder listed in the Diganostic and Statistical Manual IV (psychiatric reference book)?
So, if you are not sure how long you have had Lyme, there could be a connection.
Tracy
[ 18. March 2007, 10:52 AM: Message edited by: Truthfinder ]
Posted by clairenotes (Member # 10392) on :
My daughter has a similar situation as Tracy. She had ADHD before she was diagnosed with LD. In addition, she had a lot of emotional extremes in recent years. All of this does make one wonder.
Claire
Posted by Truthfinder (Member # 8512) on :
I know what you mean, Claire. I can only assume that in my case, the two go together.
I made an error in my first post. I'll go back and edit it. Lyme can "mimic" the symptoms of ADD, Bi-polar, etc., not necessarily "cause" it. I'll go change that. It is a bit misleading, as written.
Tracy
Posted by MommaK (Member # 10376) on :
Hi folks!
My daughter was dx with ADHD at age 6. She took many different medicines while growing up as well as worked with professionals. They enabled her to develope study and learning skills. She was an excellent student and had come off all medicines after going through puberty and evolved to more ADD than ADHD.
Actually I had almost forgotten but I would definately have to say the "first" lyme symptom she noticed was the brain fog! (and she began having headaches) We had actually been to the peditriacian and she started taking non-stimulant ADD meds not long before being hit with the flu-like illness!
She didn't take the ADD meds very long because after the flu-like illness my daughter got a migraine that basically has never gone away! Being able to concentrate in school was a moot point!
I think I will go check my records and see how long after the tick bite she said she couldn't concentrate or read her school work and thought she might need to be back on ADD meds!
Anybody else have this symptom first?
MommaK
My daughter was 16 when this started and is 18 now.
Posted by jedibelle (Member # 3794) on :
heya! I am ADHD (dx at age 6, now 27) and I have been dealing with Lyme for a good 7 years now (diagnosed about 4 years in).
My symptoms are primarily neuro and many make the ADHD increase. I get brain fog, in fact I have it right now so please forgive me if things come out strangely. I also have a drastic loss in my ability to focus, even on the stimulant medication. My processing abilities get slowed down as well to where I have to read something simple (heat the oven to 400 and cook for 25 minutes) countless times before I understand it.
It basically feels like someone has turned up the knob in my brain labeled "ADHD" to HIGH.
Oh, the ADHD is without a doubt NOT caused by the Lyme, if anyone is wondering about that Posted by Lymeindunkirk (Member # 7118) on :
I have read and even heard Dr. J state that neuro lyme mimics ADD/ADHD as well as other learning disabilities. I would say he is 100% accurate.
My son was diagnosed with inattentive ADD and executive dysfunction before I figured out he had lyme and coinfections.
MY son started fifth grade after being on ABX for a year for lyme. We took him off ABX for two weeks and the teacher couldn't believe my son was the same child. She told me she had read everything I gave her about Lyme but it didn't hit home until she saw this change right in front of her. She was shocked! My son's behavior became silly, he was unable to focus, inattentive and talked at inappropriate times. Of course we put him back on the ABX and ADD symtoms were minimized. Not completely gone but not as bad as they had gotten while off the ABX.
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