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What Causes Cold Sensitivity, Loss Of Appetite, Sleep Disorder And Memory Loss?

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Posted on Thu, 12 May 2016
Question: My husband was bit by a tick in October while we were out walking a trail in Gannoquie, XXXXXXX Canada. He was treated with two levels of antibiotics within 72 hours. He did display the bulls eye within 24 hours. The first med was a one shot deal, the second med was for 14 days. Within the third day of taking meds, he started having episodes, which include trembling lips, watery eyes, jerking on the left side of his body. He is conscious the whole time, is able to talk and hold my hand throughout the episode. Then he started experiencing heat and cold sensitivities, loss over 20 lbs in three weeks, lost his appetite, is now experiencing sleeping issues (this is a man you could previously march a band around and he never woke up he was a sound sleeper always), rashes and HUGE memory problems. He became what I termed like a full blown Alzheimer's like patient by week three. Since this time I've taken him to a round of doctors from our GP to a neurologist, cardiologist and I now have us booked to see a homeopath end of this month. EVERY test comes back normal. He has had two Lyme test, both negative. However his personality continues to change, his memory for the simplest of tasks is gone, but his high-level cognitive skills are still 100% intact. His episodes are increasing, changing and now happening throughout the night. I am growing every more concerned and desperate. I've arranged to have his blood tested by a lab that specializes in all things related to lyme bit (Ignex in Palo Alto) and waiting to hear back. His B12 was down and he is now taking B12 2500 mgs a day and that has 'helped' with his memory but hasn't stopped the memory loss. His weight is coming back along with his appetite. However, his personality is now changing before my eyes, he cries now if watching a movie that has an emotional scene (I've seen my husband cry twice in 12 years - when we had a series issue with his daughter and when is father passed). He never cried before, now even the simplest of cards or compliments from me makes him emotional. He can quickly become angry/annoyed at me and then be so very, very gentle. Any help would be so appreciated. He is 67 years old, very active, great shape and I am a make-it-fresh-foodie type person, so we eat very well, and as I said, every blood, heart (including heart harness), and neurological (EEG, EKG and CT and MRI) test shows nothing. I am so scared for him. Please help.
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Answered by Dr. Tushar Kanti Biswas (9 hours later)
Brief Answer:
Tick-borne viral encephalitis possibly

Detailed Answer:
Hi,

Thank you for your query. I can understand your concerns.
There are a host of tick borne viuses e.g Flaviviruses (tickborne),Nairoviruses,Phleboviruses,Quaranjaviruses,Thogoto virus etc.
All of these can cause variety of symptoms including encephalitis etc.

In view of neurological problems affecting higher mental function,rashes,involuntary movements(trembling of lips) your husband's illness points towards viral etiology.
The proportions and severity of these manifestations may vary with the infecting virus.Involvement of deeper brain structures in less severe cases may be signaled by lethargy, intellectual deficit (as disclosed by the mental status examination). Tremors and frontal lobe signs (emotional outburst-crying on trivia) are also common. CT and MRI brain may be normal.

In patients with suspected viral infection,a history of tick bite is more diagnostically useful. Laboratory diagnosis is required in all cases, although clinical and epidemiologic clues for a presumptive etiologic diagnosis.
Please wait for the results from lab in Palo Alto.
A PET scan of brain would be most useful to locate the subtle neurological involvement .
Most of these viral infections are self-limited and he is likely to improve in due course of time.






Regards

Dr. T.K. Biswas M.D. XXXXXXX
Note: For more detailed guidance, please consult an Internal Medicine Specialist, with your latest reports. Click here..

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Raju A.T
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Answered by
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Dr. Tushar Kanti Biswas

Internal Medicine Specialist

Practicing since :1975

Answered : 1920 Questions

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What Causes Cold Sensitivity, Loss Of Appetite, Sleep Disorder And Memory Loss?

Brief Answer: Tick-borne viral encephalitis possibly Detailed Answer: Hi, Thank you for your query. I can understand your concerns. There are a host of tick borne viuses e.g Flaviviruses (tickborne),Nairoviruses,Phleboviruses,Quaranjaviruses,Thogoto virus etc. All of these can cause variety of symptoms including encephalitis etc. In view of neurological problems affecting higher mental function,rashes,involuntary movements(trembling of lips) your husband's illness points towards viral etiology. The proportions and severity of these manifestations may vary with the infecting virus.Involvement of deeper brain structures in less severe cases may be signaled by lethargy, intellectual deficit (as disclosed by the mental status examination). Tremors and frontal lobe signs (emotional outburst-crying on trivia) are also common. CT and MRI brain may be normal. In patients with suspected viral infection,a history of tick bite is more diagnostically useful. Laboratory diagnosis is required in all cases, although clinical and epidemiologic clues for a presumptive etiologic diagnosis. Please wait for the results from lab in Palo Alto. A PET scan of brain would be most useful to locate the subtle neurological involvement . Most of these viral infections are self-limited and he is likely to improve in due course of time. Regards Dr. T.K. Biswas M.D. XXXXXXX