Many of you know of my (now almost 20 year old) daughter who has severe neurocog and neuropsych lyme and was misdiagnosed with a neurodegenerative disorder for the first 8 years of this ordeal.
Well, she got in a fight with her boyfriend and bit him. He called the cops. The cops arrested her for domestic violence and my wife is bailing her out as we speak. $25,000 bail for DV in CA.
Her doctor wrote a letter immediately stating her condition, that it was life threatening and that she required her meds while incarcerated. But now it looks like she will come home, and wait for her court date.
On the one hand I hope she learned her lesson. On the other, we all know how "out of control" we can be with lyme. I'll let you know what the final verdict is. I vote for incompetent to stand trial, or the insanity defense. I wonder if she can learn a lesson. The disease has destroyed her ability to think rationally at times.
I also wonder if there are other cases of Lyme vs. the Law.
Whatever happens, its a sad, sad situation, and rather overwhelming at the moment.
-------------------- Jeff Posts: 533 | From CA | Registered: Mar 2006
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Tincup
Honored Contributor (10K+ posts)
Member # 5829
posted
Some day.. too late for us know.. but this disease will be understood for what it is. I wish I had more encouraging news.. but do know I will keep you all in my heart and prayers.
I know it is hard on you all.. and I can't even imagine it.. but hang on. Be there for her.. as I know you will.
MagicAcorn
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 8786
posted
I vote for incompetent to stand trial, or the insanity defense. Your best hope is for her to take a plea deal and hope for community service.
If she is still covered by your health insurance California may view her as an infant, and therefore a stipulation may be allowed to be made by the judge that this arrest and the records be expunged if and when certain criteria are met. Ask? Each state is different.
Sometimes it pays to pay more if you get my drift.
-------------------- Posts: 1279 | From In hiding | Registered: Feb 2006
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lymemomtooo
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posted
Jeff, I am so sorry that others are going thru this Hell. We share the pain. WE would be in the same place if our lymie attacked others. So far it has only be two in the family, but I have taken many blows.
I think the insanity defense would be appropriate. Our daughter was never in control of her facilities when she was violent. She is not 100% even when calm.
Recently we had a 3 day visit to a brain damaged clinic and she has damage in almost all parts of the brain. Finally some meds and new protocols are working after almost 10 years of psychiatric help. Make sure you get records from previous psychs.
Find some good friends that you can trust to support your family thru this and know that there is hope. hugs. lymemomtooo
Posts: 2360 | From SE PA | Registered: Mar 2004
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Cobweb
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posted
Sounds like the boyfriend also does not understand or accept the impact of lyme-if he did he would drop the charges. If he doesn't-your daughter needs to drop him.
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CaliforniaLyme
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posted
Sorry to hear it!!! Hope she is ok!!!
It is important not to let this become her identity- hope she has a good therapist!!! Best wishes, Sarah
-------------------- There is no wealth but life. -John Ruskin
All truth goes through 3 stages: first it is ridiculed: then it is violently opposed: finally it is accepted as self evident. - Schopenhauer Posts: 5639 | From Aptos CA USA | Registered: Apr 2005
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yeah i will explain to the judge about lyme, bring her doctor's letter and she will probably get a plea and community service
this is the second time she has been arrested. the first was because she assaulted me. i had to set boundaries.
in CA, once domestic violence is charged, charges cannot be dropped. the system got sick of spouses (mostly women) making charges and then dropping them ... you guys know the scenario.
all i know is that i am exhausted today. after a long period of strength and hope, this feel like a serious setback for me.
her doctor suggested i take her up to orange county and get a spect scan. he thinks it is going to show massive damage, and be good "proof".
-------------------- Jeff Posts: 533 | From CA | Registered: Mar 2006
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posted
Don't know what brain scans she has already had but SPECT and MRI make a good pair. One shows structure, the other shows function. Another, more expensive, test is PET.
Posts: 8430 | From Not available | Registered: Oct 2000
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posted
Jeff, I'm so sorry to hear this!! I'll be praying for all of you.
You hang in there.
-------------------- --Lymetutu-- Opinions, not medical advice! Posts: 96239 | From Texas | Registered: Feb 2001
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Jill E.
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 9121
posted
Jeff,
I am so sorry to hear this. I was at our mutual LLMD's office this week and that made me think of you, wondering how you were doing on Buhner's herbs, etc. I am very saddened for your entire family to hear of this latest ordeal.
I wonder if there is any documentation or articles you can get from Dr. F. at Columbia regarding Lyme rage. It certainly has been written about.
There was something in the news in the last couple of years about a Florida football player who was arrested for violent behavior and it turned out it was Lyme.
Maybe some additional articles, in addition to the doctor's letter, would help educate the judge.
You, your wife and your daughter will be in my prayers.
Jill
-------------------- If laughter is the best medicine, why hasn't stand-up comedy cured me? Posts: 1773 | From San Diego | Registered: Apr 2006
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LisaS
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Member # 10581
posted
Sorry you're going through this Jeff. Hope everything works out okay for your daughter!! And hope she gets rid of the boyfriend who doesn't seem like he understands what this disease does to her!
lymednva
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Member # 9098
posted
Sorry to hear you are going through this However, I want to make sure people are aware that an insanity defense is NOT a good idea.
It can end up meaning the person is institutionalized until the state decides they are no longer mentally ill, which can be years. In the meantime they are often over-drugged, and definitely not treated for Lyme.
I know this because I have a son with Bipolar Disorder and he wanted to use this defense, but his attorney finally got him to understand that despite the fact it was true, he would not come out better off with it.
Good luck with this!
-------------------- Lymednva Posts: 2407 | From over the river and through the woods | Registered: Apr 2006
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5dana8
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posted
Hi Jeff
Sorry to hear about your daughter
I will keep you both in my prayers
Hang in there
Dana
-------------------- 5dana8 Posts: 4432 | From some where over the rainbow | Registered: Sep 2005
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quote:Originally posted by lymednva: Sorry to hear you are going through this However, I want to make sure people are aware that an insanity defense is NOT a good idea.
It can end up meaning the person is institutionalized until the state decides they are no longer mentally ill, which can be years. In the meantime they are often over-drugged, and definitely not treated for Lyme.
I know this because I have a son with Bipolar Disorder and he wanted to use this defense, but his attorney finally got him to understand that despite the fact it was true, he would not come out better off with it.
Good luck with this!
Somebody in the news recently used the "insanity plea." She was institutionalized and every couple years, the courts evaluate her. When she gets "better," she'll be put on trial for her crimes.
I believe it was Andrea Yates, but don't quote me on that.
Doesn't seem like the thing to do; spend all that time in a hospital and then be sent to trial.
I do sympathize with your family. I know it can be very tough sometimes.
-------------------- Sometimes when I say �Oh, I�m fine� I want someone to look me in the eyes & say �tell the truth�
CaliforniaLyme
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
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posted
An insanity defense is one thing- and showing that a person is under a great deal of stress due to illness is another- and important- my brother and sister in law are both LA public defenders- no, she is not insane, but the illness is contributing to her making bad choices!! Best wishes, Sarah
-------------------- There is no wealth but life. -John Ruskin
All truth goes through 3 stages: first it is ridiculed: then it is violently opposed: finally it is accepted as self evident. - Schopenhauer Posts: 5639 | From Aptos CA USA | Registered: Apr 2005
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The detective from the D.A.'s office called yesterday. All charges (by the state -- the boyfriend can't drop Domestic Violence charges once they have been made -- it's CA law) were dropped. "This case is going nowhere."
She and the boyfriend made up (go figure).
The jail was super aware of her medical needs, but I think also did not want a medically fragile person in there.
As for me, I am just getting over the stress. I was really sick yesterday. She would never have a shot at recovery if she went into jail.
Also, I am doing a combo Buhner / Cowden protocol and it is kicking me on my *** . That's after two years of abx, including 7 months of rocephin. Man, this bug is tenacious.
-------------------- Jeff Posts: 533 | From CA | Registered: Mar 2006
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bettyg
Unregistered
posted
jeff, just got a chance to read your story, and HAPPY to hear the charges WERE DROPPED on your duaghter!
then you get all your money back, right? i don't know a thing about the law, etc.
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She paid $2500 for her release. There may be other court costs. It is important for her to accept responsiblity for this, even with Lyme. At the same time, as a parent, it makes you feel helpless. I am sure many of you can relate.
-------------------- Jeff Posts: 533 | From CA | Registered: Mar 2006
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lymednva
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posted
I can certainly relate. We've expected our son to pay for his expenses due to going off his meds for his BP disorder. It's really hard to watch them do things that you know will not have a good outcome.
-------------------- Lymednva Posts: 2407 | From over the river and through the woods | Registered: Apr 2006
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pmerv
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posted
as a mom of 5, 3 of them sons, I've always said I'd rather get a call from the police than from the hospital. And I've had both.
Sorry you, Jeff, or anyone, has to go through this. I know the stress. Phyllis
-------------------- Phyllis Mervine LymeDisease.org Posts: 1808 | From Ukiah, California, USA | Registered: Aug 2001
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severe chronic neuro lyme + jail = no good outcome for anyone
we've had calls from the hospital too. we have had hospice here twice because of her "neurodegenerative disorder".
which turned out to be lyme
as my llmd said, lyme doesn't want to kill you, it just wants to live off you and make you suffer
-------------------- Jeff Posts: 533 | From CA | Registered: Mar 2006
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hopeful123
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posted
sorry it's such a hard time for you and yours
-------------------- some days you're the bug, some days you're the windshield Posts: 1160 | From NY | Registered: Oct 2002
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char
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posted
Jeff,
Your daughter is extremely fortunate to have such loving, educated, and wise parents.
I have a strong feeling that with all your support and the treatment that things will come together for her as she matures.
Posts: 1230 | From US | Registered: Nov 2005
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