I'm looking for some input here. My son was treated for lyme and company for several years when in junior high. After several years of treatment he seemed good.
About 3 years ago he suffered a concussion, then a year and a half ago he had mono that needed to be treated with steroids. A year ago he suffered another concussion.
Now he is telling me that he's finding it harder to concentrate in college, he's depressed, fatigued, has body aches, and frustration. He said it started a few years ago but has gotten worse over the last year.
Is that enough to suspect lyme again? I'm being retreated for a recurrance and getting much better.
Any moms with kids who have had to be retreated since the origonal treatment? What would you do as his mom?
I'm having his bloodwork tested. He was on thyroid meds back then and hasn't been since then. I'll get him to a counselor too.
Thanks for your input.
Posted by trimom (Member # 25843) on :
I don't know the answer.
I had a bad concussion in 2007 went head first into metal street sign in a bike race.
In doing a MRI and spec scan this year, my issues are in the side of my brain that was impacted in my bike crash.
I spoke to my Lyme specialist who said often Lyme goes to our weak points.
Posted by TF (Member # 14183) on :
Well, from what you have described, your son has had lyme symptoms for the last few years.
Then, a year and a half ago, he got treated with steroids. That made the lyme worse, evidently as he said the symptoms are getting worse.
Steroids allow the lyme free reign in the body. They stop the immune system from attacking the lyme.
So, based on the symptoms he has and the medical history, if it were me, I would want to try a course of lyme meds to see if I improved.
If they don't help him, then I would want to find out if 2 concussions could be causing the symptoms he is describing. But, honestly, I would look to a return of lyme first. I think that is the most likely cause because I don't see a concussion causing body aches and fatigue.
Even getting mono is an indication to me that the lyme is returning. So many with lyme have mono in their history or a concurrent mono infection along with the lyme.
I got rid of lyme over 7 1/2 years ago. Then, about 3-4 years ago I was bitten again and got the bulls eye rash. I was treated for 1 month within a week of the bite and I have been fine ever since.
But, I always test positive for lyme. So, I would not put any stock in blood tests for your son. Once you have had lyme, you can carry the lyme antibodies in your bloodstream for years and years.
I am not sure there is any blood test that can actually tell you if he needs treatment now or not, based on the various ones I have had done recently.
So, my lyme doc says you treat based on symptoms. If he is listing a number of lyme symptoms (which he is), then it is time to try a course of lyme treatment. Hopefully, within a month, he will notice an improvement! Then, you know you are on the right track, and he can get on with college without this terrible struggle.
Posted by Lymetoo (Member # 743) on :
Definitely re-treat!!
I can't imagine why a dr would give someone steroids for a VIRAL infection!! (mono)
As TF mentioned, the steroids make the Lyme go deep. So get him to a good LLMD ASAP!
Thank you for your replies. My son has a high tolerance for pain and doesn't complain much. He's 21 and has just recently shared how he feels because things have become too overwhelming.
I just found out about the first concussion recently. I'm having him blood tested for levels since he was on thyroid before by Dr F in Kennet Square.
I've also wathced other friends of his struggle with college and I myself am dyslexic, so I didn't know where to start.
Thank you again for your input.
Posted by Razzle (Member # 30398) on :
Thyroid tests would also be good, because hypothyroid can cause fatigue, muscle & joint pain, difficulty concentrating, etc.
And yes, a trial treatment for Lyme may also be needed - in addition to thyroid treatment, if the thyroid tests show a need for thyroid support.
Could also be adrenal insufficiency.
A functional medicine specialist may be able to sort all this out...preferably a Lyme-Literate one!
Posted by Catgirl (Member # 31149) on :
Ditto what everyone here has said. Plus, lyme messes with the thyroid.
Posted by WPinVA (Member # 33581) on :
Hi B4LYME - I don't know about the Lyme recurrence but it sounds reasonable to check it out based on the symptoms you describe.
Re: the concussions, if you want to get that checked out, I absolutely recommend the Concussion Clinic at Kennedy Krieger in Baltimore. There is a lot of conflicting info out there on concussions and the people in the clinic at KK are top notch.