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Son with Lyme Disease

My son has late lyme disease with arthritis.  He is on doxycycline for 8 weeks.  Is there anything else I should do to make sure this is cured?
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Avatar universal
First of all, keep in mind that I am unable to diagnose you because I am unable to examine you, this forum is for educational purposes.  
    Doxycycline is a good antibiotic for Lyme disease. Additional treatment would depend on whether there is persistent symptoms after your course of antibiotics is completed.  Late complications of Lyme include, arthritis, numbness/tingling and psychiatric disease.  I would ensure that your son has close follow up to evaluate for these symptoms.  An MRI/MRA of the brain and a SPECT scan of the brain can evaluate for the neuro complications of lyme if they arise.
I hope this has been helpful.
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Ask your MD about testing for other tick born co-infections. Babesia Bartonella etc.
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For the past year, he has been to the orthopedist about four or five times with swollen joints and he never remembers what he did to cause injury.  In November, a lyme disease test was done when he couldn't walk due to his knee being swollen without any apparent injury.  As far as if there are any neurological issues, I don't know.  He does have a hard time concentrating on his school work, but I don't know if that is related.  He can sit and concentrate for a long time if he's reading a book he enjoys.
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Avatar universal
Dear, "Neever"

    I am sorry to hear about your son's Lyme disease. Please keep in mind that the information that I provide here is not professional, is not meant to challenge or to replace that of a physician that you see or receive advice him. It is purely educational.
     With that said-I am assuming that this course of 8 weeks of Doxycycline is the first course of drugs that your son has had? If this is the case and he has late stage LD I would sincerely doubt that the buck stops here. For example, Doxycycline is only considered the tip of the ice berg in treating LD. Let me give you an example of a person with neurological manifestations such as the Multiple Sclerosis LD presentation and how the course may go:

Doxycycline: 12 Months (400 mg daily)
Azithromycine: 6 Months (500 mg daily)
Omnicef" 6 months (500 mg daily)
-> Yes, all of these drugs together daily (as directed)

The course may then turn to IV antibiotics or to intramuscular injections of say, penicilin.

If your son has Late stage LD-he needs to be in the best care and most likely will need and strong and long course with antibiotics. I suggest that you make a visit to lymenet.org.

Good Luck!
JCmcc
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Avatar universal
Please describe his symptoms. Thank you.
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