My friend who has Lyme just started seeing a LLMD. She has had Lyme for 6 years and in the last few years, a lot of brain issues have come up (reduced cognition, memory loss).
LLMD ordered lots of blood tests and a neuro consult with MRI of brain. Results of tests and MRI indicate a toxoplasmosis infection of brain, on top of assorted tick borne diseases.
LLMD is treating Toxoplasmosis first. Started her immediately on Mepron and Clindamycin.
I read that Toxoplasmosis only affects the brains of the severely immuno-compromised (most often HIV patients). Have any of you heard of Toxoplasmosis ever being a big problem for chronic Lyme patients? Can Lyme disease actually cause severely compromised immune system?
Thanks! Red
Posted by merrygirl (Member # 12041) on :
I had a hard time with it. I felt awful. I dont think it showed in my brain.
Was your friend tested for hiv?
Posted by lymenow (Member # 36175) on :
I tested + for it and I don't have HIV, just Lyme and co's
Posted by merrygirl (Member # 12041) on :
A majority of people test pos but do not get toxo brain masses or whatever. Are they sure the spots are not lyme?
Posted by red100 (Member # 33653) on :
My friend has a follow-up appt with LLMD next week, and I'm sure dr will explain everything then. LLMD chose not to wait until the appt to start the treatment, so we are left with a lot of questions, and I tend to overanalyze!
Was just curious whether Toxo was something others had experienced, sounds like it's not that common, even in the Lyme community.
Posted by baileypup (Member # 22824) on :
I was diagnosed with toxoplasmosis by PCR, when tested for mycoplasma and other pathogens, prior to my official lyme diagnosis.
My LLMD started me on Daraprim and Zithromax, and took it for six weeks. Afterward I began babesia/lyme treatment.
I think if we were all tested for toxo, it would be more common. Who knows if Daraprim and other anti-malarial drugs are all hitting different strains of parasites and/or protozoas?
Posted by TerryK (Member # 8552) on :