Did a search and the last entry on Pick's disease was 2/2009. Does anyone have any new info on whether this could be a misdiagnosis for Lyme?
Talked with a friend yesterday and her husband has Pick's disease (a form of dementia). His symptoms and behavior were so similar to what we experienced with my father who had Lyme but was misdiagnosed with Alzheimer's.
She was sure it's Pick's because she said he has the "Pick's spots" in the brain and has frontal lobe shrinkage. The biggest question I have is whether the "Pick's spots" in the brain are distinctly different from the plaque found in Alzheimer's.
Not sure I'm remembering correctly, but... In 1992, a LLMD in NJ told me that he found LD patients with dementia also had plaque in the brain and I believe he said the deposits of plaque improved when LD was treated.
Since this is a very rare disease, I was wondering if he should be evaluated for Lyme. Lyme is rarely considered as a diagnosis here.
Should I offer info about Lyme and testing for LD? Is there a LLMD that his neurologist could call for an opinion?
Posted by lou (Member # 81) on :
You might contact ILADS and ask if they can recommend a lyme literate neurologist who could be called.
Not everything is lyme and I think dementia can be caused by multiple things, but certainly lyme is one of them and it would be worth checking into.
Pick's is rare. Lyme isn't, in a number of states anyway. You know what they tell medical students about diagnosing: If you hear hoofbeats, look for a horse. Not something exotic and rare. Of course, many people think lyme is rare, when it isn't.
Posted by chootik (Member # 11221) on :
My mom has Parkinson's and I think it could be related to Lyme. I'm going to test her with an Igenex Test in a few weeks.
The Lyme Disease Conference I went to earlier this year, Dr. Brescono mentinoned that if Parkinson's symptoms are a-typical then the patient could have lyme and should be tested.
My mom has a lot of stiffness and anxiety.
Posted by Lymetoo (Member # 743) on :
cbb.. I think it is worth a shot!!!
chootik ... My father had Parkinson's and I fully believe he also had Lyme.
I probably should also call and see if I can get a Lyme literate Neuro. Her symptoms started after mine so maybe when I got sick I gave it to her since I live with her. Who knows, it's all so complicated.
Posted by ihavelyme (Member # 30170) on :
cbb- My mom was diagnosed with Picks (frontal temporal lobe dementia) on 11 Sept. 2001. She died three years later on 11 Sept 2004.
The progression of her disease was fast and furious. In the end, she was mute and all her body systems just shut down. it was heart breaking for us and must have been terrifying to her
I have no knowledge of mom having a tick bite. However, we lived in a rural north eastern farming community. It would not at all surprise me if she was bitten.
Do I think all dementia stems from lyme...no, I don't. But i do know that lyme (and Bart) can cause dementia type symptoms. I believe that it is absolutely possible to be mis-diagnosed with Pick's , alzheimers and other forms of dementia when in fact it is lyme and co.
I will keep your friend, her husband and all of his care-givers in my prayers. Pick's patients tend to decline quite rapidly. Your friend will need you to be rock solid as her life will be turned inside out and upside down.
You will need to walk a very thin line if you bring up the lyme angle with your friend. As people living with lyme, I believe part of what we need to do is bring "lyme awareness" to others. Your friend may or may not be receptive to possible lyme connection. IMO maintaining a friendship is more important than making a point.
Proceed with care...either way, this is not an easy situation. My prayers are with you.
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