posted
I'm new to this; my 7 year old son with Autism was recently diagnosed with lyme, and is on Ceftin. He now has nearly constant tantrums/screaming/rage episodes, and seems to be in severe pain (physical or psych.?) His speech is so limited that I don't know what he might be going thru. Can anyone fill me in on what he might be experiencing? Thank you!
[ 26. February 2006, 09:01 PM: Message edited by: wolfbelv ]
Posts: 10 | From midwest | Registered: Feb 2006
| IP: Logged |
trueblue
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 7348
posted
wolfbelv, I know relatively little about autism and have never taken Ceftin. It could be either or both physical and psychological, I'd think.
Is there any thing you can do that helps soothe him? My heart goes out to you both.
May I suggest clicking on the pencil and paper icon at the top of your post and editing the word "Autism" into your topic heading? (I think that will alert the parent's that have dealt with a simailar situation to your topic.)
-------------------- more light, more love more truth and more innovation Posts: 3783 | From somewhere other than here | Registered: May 2005
| IP: Logged |
shazdancer
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 1436
posted
It could be anything from headache, to joint pains, to sensitivity to light, sound, and touch. Others still might be respond emotionally.
Since some autistics are already hyper- or hypo-sensitive, the change may be disturbing. If it is sensitivities, try darkening the room and keeping the sounds down. Will he tolerate wearing earmuffs or a headband? Does holding or being wrapped calm him?
Joint aches respond well to warmth, so dress him warm or try a warm bath, if he likes that. But if they are nerve pains, your doctor might suggest something for him.
You are his best advocate, I am sure, because you have been "reading" him all these years. Hopefully, you will get some clues from him now.
Take care, Shaz
Posts: 1558 | From the Berkshires | Registered: Jul 2001
| IP: Logged |
posted
My son has autism also and has been treating his lyme since Jun 05....He has had the same HERX as your son is having....It is a HERX as when we take a break between the different abx's these behaviors stop...
My guy is 21 and gets pretty violent. We had to stop Meron/Zith after 5 weeks...He ended up having violent aggessive behavior the likes of which we have never seen...It was scary....
His liver enzymes were slightly elevated also so that just made the decision for us...
Mixed emotions about taking the break but I do feel that his body was under terrific stress...
After each of these outbursts he sobbed with headache and one of his arms hurt....
We were very consistent with detox baths and have been giving him magnesium....He seems to have alot of sensitivies to supplements that we try.
We give probiotics out the whaazoo to keep his bowles moving correctly.
He is HLA DR4 and from what I can understand his lyme may be resistant to abx's and he may have a real problem eliminating toxins because of this..
So far his body DOES have a huge problem eliminating toxins and it is too soon to tell if he will be abx resistant.
I think I got this right....
Since starting treatment he has OCD that he never had before....He has always had hyperacusis and light sensitivity...The light sensitivity has gotten better.
He has lost 15 lbs he needed to loose and most of his headaches have stopped.
Have you tried anything for HERX yet....I have used on and off the following:
Activated Charcoal Alka Seltza Gold Chitopower Detox Baths using the Red Clay talked about on Reversing Autism web site. Lemon Water and Olive Oil
Sometimes these help and sometimes they dont.
I know for sure that my son was in horrible pain but could not express it the way others can.
I hope I have helped in some way.
Eileen
Posts: 127 | From Rock Tavern, New York | Registered: May 2005
| IP: Logged |
My son does not have autism, however both he and my daughter (and myself) experienced severe neuropsychiatric Herxheimer reactions sililar to what you describe, especially upon initiation of drugs that targeted infection organisms.
The die off, debris, toxins all play a part in increased hypoperfusion (vascular issues with blood flow) to the brain, causing all kinds of symtoms in various centers there.
The brain is an enclosed cavity and therefore often difficult to clear of this debris.
Here us a piece from a paper on this:
The Neuropsychiatric Manifestations of Lyme Borreliosis
Reprinted from: Psychiatric Quarterly, Vol63, No 1, Spring 1992
Worsening of Symptoms During Antibiotic Treatment
Nearly half of the patients in our sample reported a transient worsening of neuropsychiatric symptoms during the first few days of antibiotic treatment. The worsening of symptoms during initiation of antibiotic treatment is thought to be a variant of the Herxheimer reaction as seen in the treatment of syphilis (33). In Lyme disease, however, this Herxheimer-like reaction can be quite prolonged-lasting a few days or longer-and can be frightening to patients who are expecting a resolution, not a worsening, of their symptoms. The reaction can sometimes be difficult to distinguish from an allergic reaction to the medicine, a distinction with obvious and crucial treatment implications.
This Herxheimer-like reaction may be experienced as a worsening of psychiatric symptoms: some patients in our sample experienced panic attacks for the first and only time when starting on antibiotics. Others have reported an intensification of depressive symptoms, suicidality or anxiety. Many reported an increased startle response and photophobia during the first few days of antibiotic treatment.
Posts: 8337 | From the other shore | Registered: Jul 2002
| IP: Logged |
posted
Big thanks to all the advice offered! I thought I had researched this pretty well, but you folks have turned up some info. I have never seen. Thanks so much for helping!
Posts: 10 | From midwest | Registered: Feb 2006
| IP: Logged |
GiGi
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 259
posted
Per the recent Neurotoxin/Lyme Mediated Illnesses Seminar taught by Dr. K., Some Common Treatments Used for Children with Autism : (per Dr. A.D.'s presentation)
Lyme: Every autistic child tested so far through IgenX has been positive! PC-Samento, PC-Noni, SprioNil, Cumanda, PhytoLymex
Fungal: Diflucan, Nystatin, Yeast/Fungal Defense
Tonsils: Pleo Not and/or Pleo San Pseu. Full ENT evaluation for chronic enlarged tonsils since this backs up drainage from brain
Viruses: Vitamin A, Monolaurin, Olive leaf, Read Algae, Mycophyto Complex as tea, Yasko RNA remedies, Viral Detox, Trifal
Kidneys: This organ is an absolute must to support if you are clearing metals!!!! Renelix, Matrix Electrolutes, Burdock, Acupuncture neural therapy, K Drain, Emergen C
Liver: Hepatica, Dandelion Root, Burdock, Ultrathistle, Castor Oil Packs, Coffee enemas (not on very young)
Metals: TD-DMPS, TD-DMSA, BioPure Chlorella prenoidosa or CGF Chlorella, BioPure CGF liquid, Biopure Cilantro tincture, NDF, Heavy Metal Detox by Transformation, multi-minerals (liquid forms seem easiest for kids to tolerate
General Detox Support: Glutathione (nebulized, IV or lipoceutical), B12/folic acid from AMT (go to www.defeatautismyesterday.com for Dr. Vinitsky's protocol or Dr. Neubrander's protocol for methylcobalamin s.c.injections), Epsom salt and baking soda baths, Thorne Calcium Magnesium Citrate powder to keep bowels moving, Fibercleanse for toxin binding (www.newsundhealth.com), Cod Liver Oil by Carlsons or Nordic Naturals (DHA Junior by Nordic Naturals.
Please note the children are always ART (Autonomic Response Testing) to determine the correct order of treatment, i.e. what is most urgent to treat first, etc., and tested for the compatibility with the different products. That way many of problems over excessive reactions are avoided.
Hope this helps.
Take care.
[ 12. May 2006, 07:09 PM: Message edited by: GiGi ]
Posts: 9834 | From Washington State | Registered: Oct 2000
| IP: Logged |
posted
I have a friend with Lyme and her 3 year old son was diagnosed with Autism in November. He also tested positive for Lyme but getting a treatment here for kids is not so easy, so up to now he hasn't gotten any abx.
and since December she has put her son on a strict gluten- and casein-free diet. After three weeks of hell with him being very agressive he is now making remarkable progress.
He starts talking, is interested in everything, helps in cooking, is happy and singing - he has completely changed.
Lyme can cause leaky gut and when you have a leaky gut, particles of the gluten and casein can get inside your body and work like drugs in the brains of some kids - that's why they show autistic behaviour.
Maybe you want to have a look into this - it might help you kid, too. I wouldn't have believed it myself, if I wouldn't see it with my own eyes.
The son of my friend will hopefully get abx treatment soon as both approaches, diet and abx, will be necessary.
Gabrielle
Posts: 767 | From Germany | Registered: Feb 2004
| IP: Logged |
The Lyme Disease Network is a non-profit organization funded by individual donations. If you would like to support the Network and the LymeNet system of Web services, please send your donations to:
The
Lyme Disease Network of New Jersey 907 Pebble Creek Court,
Pennington,
NJ08534USA http://www.lymenet.org/
UBBFriend: Email this page to someone!
![[group hug]](graemlins/grouphug.gif)
Printer-friendly view of this topic