posted
I noticed the spelling post earlier and the first thing that came to mind was do other people notice when they handwrite out short letters or cards have they noticed their handwriting is more sloppy?
I use to sign my name and write things that looked neat, over the years after becoming ill my writing is sloppy. I think it has to be brain related.
Anyone else relate to this?
jar
Posts: 805 | From Utopia | Registered: Feb 2006
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posted
"Jar", Now that you mentioned it, I use to have beautiful handwriting & could spell. One of the reasons why I don't reply to alot of comments here at LymeNet Flash is that there are times I don't understand or recognise what letters or numbers are, anyway I just take day by day and try to stay Positive. "Strenght & Understanding to All", Robin
Posts: 139 | From Panama City, FL., USA | Registered: Jun 2005
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posted
Yes, my handwriting has also gone downhill. My mom was a teacher who taught the "Palmer Method" where every letter was just perfect, and I learned from her. Now I have a really hard time even my own writing! One of the main parts of my job is bookkeeper and I really have a hard time with fitting the numbers into the tiny ledger spaces now.
-------------------- "Few of us can do great things, but all of us can do small things with great love". Mother Theresa
posted
Yes - since Lyme started I have small tremor that effects everything. Sometimes it gets so bad, I spill soup from my spoon or can't drik coffee w/o dribbling.
-------------------- Pam Live well. Laugh often. Love much. Posts: 53 | From Ohio - south/southeast | Registered: Oct 2005
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klutzo
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 5701
posted
Yes, my once beautiful handwriting becomes smaller and smaller and less ledgible the longer I write. One paragraph is all I can manage before it becomes impossible to read, and painful to write it. When I had Neuropsychological testing done,the doctor said this is part of the brain damage I have. Klutzo
Posts: 1269 | From Clearwater, Florida, USA | Registered: May 2004
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posted
Years of keeping a journal and looking back at some notes I can tell how messed up neurologically those days were. Most days looked like I just scribbled.
Tremors were terrible and made it even worse.
Yes it is part of the brain that is affected. Just amazes me still how much this messes up everything I do mean everything!
Is it back to kindergarten to relearn letter formation?
Posts: 139 | From nj | Registered: Mar 2005
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hopeful123
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 3244
posted
i think i may have a slight tremor. is that a lyme stx?
-------------------- some days you're the bug, some days you're the windshield Posts: 1160 | From NY | Registered: Oct 2002
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posted
Tremor is absolutely a Lyme symptom! It was making it impossible for me to write properly, play piano, make jewelery, and on and on.
Fortunately, it's been getting much better after about 7mos of abx.
Hang in there.
Patti
Posts: 449 | From Pasadena, CA, usa | Registered: Aug 2005
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5dana8
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 7935
posted
Yep, but I don't have tremors just neuro damage.
I have noticed a big chage in my handwriting,
Not only is it sloppy like in Jr. high again but
But also everything I write slants up hill.
It can get embarrasing sending letters out.
-------------------- 5dana8 Posts: 4432 | From some where over the rainbow | Registered: Sep 2005
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bettyg
Unregistered
posted
I had hubby checked for chronic lyme last year; a few positives. He has 24/7 tremors called "essential tremers" of his non-stop hands, feet, and legs. He doesn't go out in public except for groceries, a hair cut. We do NOT go to restaurants anymore or even family gatherings.
It's not Parkinson's. He's lost 100 lbs. since I was dx with my type 2 diabetes. He's so weak.
So what is a LYME TREMOR like compared w/essential tremors or Parkinson's tremor? Anyone..please help me to understand this. Thank you.
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TheCrimeOfLyme
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 4019
posted
Yep. Me too. I used to have gorgeous handwritting. Now, I have what resembles chicken scratch.
I think its a brain thingn too, plus, my hands HURT, so writing neatly is out.
-------------------- You want your life back? Take it. Posts: 3169 | From Greensburg, Pennsylvania | Registered: Jun 2003
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Marnie
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 773
posted
Handwriting often becomes worse when someone is very ill.
Now...wanna know why?
Mg and Zn (both low in lyme)= too much glutamate. Mg and Zn block the glutamate receptors (NMDA receptors). Blocks off = Green light = "rapid firing".
Body responds by upping the other workhorse of the brain...GABA = red light = "slow down".
Up goes GABA, then what?
"A significant relationship of dopamine and GABA exists. In general GABA acts to reduce the firing of the dopaminergic neurons in the tegmentum and substantia nigra."
Now a dopamine problem...on top of an acetylcholine problem (can't make enough)...to boot.
Carbidopa (Lodosyn) for Parkinson's C10H16N2O5...
Humm...C10H16...terpene...
In ATP, biotin, l-limonene, AZT...does that ring a bell?
Figure out how the terpenes work!
Still...must restore the depleted nutrients even WHEN the infection is gone.
Posts: 9481 | From Sunshine State | Registered: Mar 2001
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posted
You should see the scribbles in my Lyme Log. The worse I felt the worse my writing got. hatsnscarfs
Posts: 956 | From MA | Registered: Nov 2004
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dontlikeliver
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 4749
posted
Yep. I used to be the one who got to do all the Christmas cards in the office, etc because my handwriting was so nice.
Now, it's awful and half the time I can't read it myself.
Posts: 2824 | From The Back of Beyond | Registered: Oct 2003
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Although frankly, I'm not sure it's a Lyme side effect.
The more time we spend on the computer using a keyboard, the more likely we are to lose our handwriting skills.
Posts: 159 | From CT, USA | Registered: Jan 2005
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posted
Yes, lyme has affected both my handwriting and spelling negatively. I was a valedictorian and never misspelled things, but noticed after a few months of lyme (even with early persistent abx treatment) that I was reversing letters, dropping letters, writing homonyms in lieu of correct word, etc., and my handwriting was much sloppier. If I really focus hard when writing, I can catch the errors and improve writing, but never needed to work at it before lyme. Over time it has also become increasingly difficult to recall words when I need them, and my speech occasionally garbles words.
Posts: 193 | From Virginia | Registered: Oct 2002
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LostCityAgent
Unregistered
posted
Yes, sometimes microphagia, other times just horrific unreadable such as doctors.
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posted
Yes, like a neurological patient. But it has returned to normal as I have improved. Not only dysgraphia, but transfeerring thoughts to paper, or writing down numbers -- lots of errors, like a learning disabled person. Also improving.
-------------------- Jeff Posts: 533 | From CA | Registered: Mar 2006
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posted
This is certainly an interesting question. Its also something that deserves scientific merit. Most importantly, it may actually be a "physical sign of improvement."
I have noticed a decrease in my handwriting as well. However, when my treatment is working, my handwriting is much clearer. Importantly, I put even less concentration into my writing durring these times, and still the writing is visiably different in its appearace. To me, this is a physical sign of improvement.
Also, when I'm herxing, my handwriting gets worse, but when the herx goes away......magically, without extra effort, my handwriting is visibly improved, even by skeptic accounts.
Personally, I'm skeptical regarding permenant brain damage that some here have claimed as a reason for the handwriting abnormalities. More than likely, this represents a lack of effort on your part to educate yourself regarding your illness. Remember, science is the greatist way of gaining knoweledge that man has invented. We all must keep good diaries, because the symptoms we face as we continue through our illness will have definite patterns. Only by keeping an accurate diary will you be able to discover the "law" that defines Chronic Lyme for you.
Unfortunatly, this means you need a doctor willing to experiement with you, work with you, and trust you. It also requires that you will fail quite a bit, so in that regard you must make sure that you don't allow yourself to get degressed, or to give up. Remember, we have two options, and only one of those options includes winning.
If you go back and read the Art of War, something should become clear to you. It doesn't matter how you win when you face any foe, but just that you do win. So, by experimenting with different regamines, you may not win every fight..........but you will still eventually win, because you continue to gain the science that will enable you to learn your enemies defensive capabilities. You can learn how he co-operates with his allies, and you can learn what happens when he retreats.
By taking the nessesary hits, and picking yourself up after every stumble, every loss, every fall, you not only defeat Lyme, yow win the battle against human frailty. In the end, you not only change your illness, but ultimatly, you stregnthen your character. All of us need to believe that this has happened to us for a reason. Whether you believe in God or not, which I do, but regardless, you need to believe in something. The road is tough, and if you think that your illness is just a cosmic mistake, you will likely loose the battle. But, if you believe your illness to be more than mere coincidence, you will give yourself the stregnth to fight another day. It matters not if we are decieving ourselves, it matters only that even if we end up loosing, we fought each and every day, and tried in each and every way. Look your enemy in the eye, and defy him.
Brain damage, should you believe it to be perminant for you, should be proven. Get an MRI, a Pet scan, or something that is quantifiable. IF indeed there is permenant damage, there has to be PROOF.
Even if your MRI and PET scan are bad, it doesn't mean one should give up the fight in the face of continuing symptoms. Keep trying things until you find something that works, then monthly retest yourself on the scans that showed "permanent" damage.
If there is improvment, be happy, continue to fight. If not.....and nothing helps, even when you have exhausted everything, there must still be some answer. Whether its through anti-depressants, or Adderall, there is some way to help you make it through the day.
For the rest of you out there, and I KNOW I'M SPEAKING TO THE MAJORITITY (BECUASE WITH THE PERMINANT DAMAGE KIND OF LYME, THESE ARE THE KIND OF CASES WHERE EVEN THE SKEPTICS SUCH AS THE CDC AGREE.....THEY SAY WOW, THAT'S A HORRIBLE CASE OF LYME)........you don't have perminant damage.
So, pick yourself up by your own bootstraps, get yourself some gumption, arm youself with knowledge, and go out and fight until the last man in standing.
PS: Don't forget to keep that journal, and see if what I told you holds true......your handwriting will improve with effective therapy. But the only way you'll know for sure is to keep an extremely accurate journal. God bless to all, and keep fighting, this is a fight that can be won if you continue to keep courage:)
First, a little about the Biology of B.B. One of the reasons it can maintain a chronic infection is due to its motility, Its a fast mover. My theory is as follows, based upon extensive diary keeping. When you switch drugs against
Posts: 559 | From Cary, NC | Registered: May 2006
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posted
Sorry bout that last paragraph about B.B. biology......meant for a different post:)
Totally Embarassed.......but hey, Lyme brain:) I can count on you for support....right? Besides, we all know that everyone will probally forget my mistep anyways.....thanks Lyme:)
Posts: 559 | From Cary, NC | Registered: May 2006
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LostCityAgent
Unregistered
posted
I am a neurological patient due to LD.
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posted
My handwriting is horrendous, always has been (got Lyme before I learned to write, hmmm?). I've had teachers who have been teaching for 30 years say its the worst they've ever seen. I cannot write large amounts at one time. Usually I misspell or forget words or my hands cramp up.
I'm 25 years old and my writing looks like that of a first grader's. Its actually kind of funny.
-------------------- I was diagnosed with and treated for late stage Lyme in 1991 with 6 weeks of doxycycline. Initially felt better, but then developed health problems that last until today. Posts: 83 | From New Jersey | Registered: May 2008
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bettyg
Unregistered
posted
nj, well, you've gotten into 2 yr. old info i see!!
yes, my handwriting is the PITS NOW! so when i'm on the phone talking IMPORTANT STUFF; i'm busy typing asthey talk to me! many don't like this especially the insurance offices and state commissioner's office .....
AliG
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 9734
posted
quote:Originally posted by LYMESCIENCE:
I have noticed a decrease in my handwriting as well. However, when my treatment is working, my handwriting is much clearer. Importantly, I put even less concentration into my writing during these times, and still the writing is visibly different in its appearance. To me, this is a physical sign of improvement.
I've noticed the same thing. When Tx is helping handwriting improves, when relapsing it becomes atrocious again.
It has nothing to do with effort.
Perhaps it has to do with an area of the brain being effected or as Marnie mentioned, Glutamate receptors?
Doxy & Rocephin (I believe) block glutamate receptors. My writing was improved on both.
-------------------- Note: I'm NOT a medical professional. The information I share is from my own personal research and experience. Please do not construe anything I share as medical advice, which should only be obtained from a licensed medical practitioner. Posts: 4881 | From Middlesex County, NJ | Registered: Jul 2006
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gemofnj
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 15551
posted
My typing has gone down hill!
I constantly mis-spell words and feel dislexic while typing documents at work.
Can't get the smooth coordination I used to have before lyme.
Are these coordination problems related to a co-infections or just plain lyme?
Posts: 1127 | From atlantic city, nj | Registered: May 2008
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posted
Degraded handwriting is a SYPHILIS symptom -- I learned that when I recently read a book about historical cases of syphilis. So I'm sure it's a Lyme symptom. My handwriting looks like crap: I can barely read it myself.
Posts: 929 | From Massachusetts | Registered: Oct 2007
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posted
OMG!! I am glad I am not the only one. I used to have such good handwriting. I've noticed it get worse quite quickly. That was part of the reasons I wanted an MRI...I could have sworn I had a brain tumor or something. I realized this was happening while filling out all of the doctor's paperwork, trying to find out what was wrong with me!
-------------------- "~*~My smile hides my bite~*~." Posts: 506 | From N/A | Registered: Jun 2008
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posted
YES.. both my handwriting and my spelling and word usage have deteriorated significantly... Thanks for posting this thread!
Posts: 696 | From New York | Registered: Aug 2006
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Lauralyme
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 15021
posted
Yes! I make alot of spelling mistakes when my spelling has always been exeptional. When I am printing I notice I miss out a letter, it happens very frequently. Thanks for bringing this topic up.
-------------------- Fall down seven times, get up eight ~Japanese proverb Posts: 1146 | From west coast | Registered: Mar 2008
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