Given that we're all individuals, are there many members who had cognitive improvements (mental clarity, concentration, attention span) early in treatment that carried through for years?
Or is it more likely that cognitive abilities would ebb & flow like other symptoms that flare under treatment or other situations?
Would like to believe I get to keep the progress I've made!
Hesitant Smile
Posted by Consuelachacha (Member # 26538) on :
Hi Smile;
I haven't had any cognitive improvement yet. If and when I'll let you know.
I wanted to say hi and thank you again for all of your support.
I got yelled at on here for a remark I made.
Oh well, life goes on.
Love You, Con STL
Posted by JR (Member # 16898) on :
Can't answer your question for sure because I have only been off antibiotics for a couple of years. I had severe cognitive difficulties which cleared, for the most part, with treatment. My LLMD told me that all the patients who relapsed were the ones who stopped doing what's necessary for continued immune support-like taking certain supplements and living a healthy lifestyle, good sleep, bit of exercising, etc.
Posted by Wonko (Member # 18318) on :
All of my symptoms ebb and flow, including mental clarity and cognitive issues.
I've been treating for more than 20 months, and it took about 9 months before I had what I consider real and lasting overall improvement.
But it is still the case that I Herx/flare, and my brain fog can return in an instant.
I don't think my Herxing/flares take me back to "square one," that is, while I can go significantly downhill, I don't get as bad as I used to be.
I also seem to recover faster.
So, just an individual's experience, but my cognitive symptoms can come back, but never as bad and never for as long as before. I have further to go, but it is progress.
Hope you fare well.
Posted by nefferdun (Member # 20157) on :
My cognitive problems are the first to surface when I begin to relapse.
Posted by Remember to Smile (Member # 25481) on :
Thx for the replies. Interesting that i should ask this a.m., then got foggy again this afternoon!
- I drive to the wrong doctor's office for my appt. (They both have parking garages, and lobbies decorated in sage green.) So, showed up 10 min late.
- I got confused about how elevator worked. (What does that arrow mean? Was it going up or down? Did I want to go up or down? What floor am I on now? ). Breathless by the time I got on.
- Took their bathroom key with me, instead of returning it.
- Left my stuff in their office!
- And yes, appt was with a neuro duck letting me know that my EEG and MRI results were all normal.
Guess I'm fine now! Posted by Remember to Smile (Member # 25481) on :
Is there consensus that if a patient sticks to LLMD/LLDO or LL naturopath protocol and healthy lifestyle, odds favor cognitive improvements can be maintained?
Posted by Consuelachacha (Member # 26538) on :
Dear Smile;
Reading your post about going to the wrong doctor's appt. broke my heart.
I have been there and what a horrible feeling.
I get in my car to go to the Doctor and honestly cannot remember how to get there, even when I have been there many, many times.
Being in the elevator sends me in to a panic attack. I take the stairs, as much as it hurts when I can.
My EEG and MRI were normal also. I see my GP this morning and I have written in my notes what you suggested I ask her about my MRI and who read it and what they were looking for. Hopefully, I will remember this. I also have the pages you suggested I print to give her from ILADS site.
Still think of you each and every day. I said I wasn't going to post for awhile because everything is coming out wrong.
I certainly do not mean to come across as being sarcastic in any way.
God Bless You. I hope things get better.
Love Ya.
Posted by Remember to Smile (Member # 25481) on :
Dear Consuela, You're a sweetheart! Thanks for all your kind thoughts & words...
After being REFUSED abx treatment for decades after bullseye EM rash, Lyme neuroborreliosis basically gave me "brain damage" (some autistic traits & Alzheimer's symptoms) by 2010. Scary! But as my brain is clearing, i can laugh about some things. Gives me lots of new insights on people I've known with "autism" and "Alzheimer's" labels. (Both are primarily caused by LD & co's, you know.)
Not sure if i'm getting fewer panics, or just staying home much more. Probably the latter.
Stairs are too tough on my knees so I avoid them. Lookin' forward to the years ahead when i can run up & down steps for exercise again...
Escalators are scary! So hard to judge when it's safe to get on, and i have perception problems trying to see the edges of the steps, too. Major tripping hazard! (Escalators should be painted bright lyme green instead of caution yellow. )
There are two technical terms for getting lost in familiar settings: topographical disorientation or environmental agnosia. I want those symptoms gone! The late & great Dr. Bleiweiss of NJ (RIP) wrote about this in his excellent, comprehensive 1994 essay:
![[dizzy]](graemlins/dizzy.gif)
). Breathless by the time I got on.![[Roll Eyes]](rolleyes.gif)
![[shake]](graemlins/shake.gif)
![[kiss]](graemlins/kissing.gif)
Thanks for all your kind thoughts & words...![[Razz]](tongue.gif)
)