By skyforbes - Fatigue. This symptom is universal in children with Lyme disease. Fatigue can be intermittent or ongoing. Or a child may suddenly have poor stamina, unable to perform physical activities they once enjoyed. A child can be energetic and then collapse or ‘wilt’ from exhaustion, or they can be completely bedridden with fatigue.
For example: A 4-year-old patient would run on the playground with other kids but needed to sit down after only a few minutes. This patient wasn’t sleeping all day but, he did not have the stamina that a healthy 4-year-old should have.
Another 14-year-old patient experienced fatigue so extreme that spending a few hours out with his friends after school would land him in bed for several days just recuperating.
- Joint pain. Migratory joint pain is a hallmark of Lyme disease. The pain can travel between different joints or the intensity of pain may vary for the affected joints. Typically more than one joint is involved. Larger joints are usually impacted, including the knees, hips, shoulders, and elbows. The knee joints may be painful but do not have to be swollen. Pain can also occur in smaller joints, like the fingers, wrists, hands, ankles and feet. There may also be pain in the child’s neck and back.
A young child can have difficulty describing their pain. Continuously rubbing and massaging an affected joint may be an indication that the child is having joint pain. The pain can also stop a child from doing a particular activity.
For example: A patient would become oppositional when asked to cross his legs while sitting on the floor during reading hour in his Pre-K class. The teacher complained to the parents. When questioned, the patient explained that his knees felt better when his legs were straight.
- Muscle pain and weakness. Muscle pain is often generalized and usually does not have a trigger point location. Children may have morning stiffness, and muscle weakness that will impact their ability to play sports or physical activities. They may experience muscle stiffness and pain in their neck and upper back. Some patients are unable to walk or stand due to muscle weakness.
For example: Some children are unable to walk or stand due to extreme muscle weakness. One young patient had difficulty walking. The parents were told their child needed to see a psychiatrist. I diagnosed him with Lyme disease. He was treated and today is running around with his other siblings.
- Migraine and non-migraine headaches. Young children often describe their headaches as a general soreness or pressure on their head.
For example: Young patients have described headaches by saying their “hair hurts” or by holding their head. Some patients will gently press their head up against an object or person, trying to relieve the pain.
- Fevers and night sweats. Fevers are usually low grade and can be associated with chills. A low-grade fever for a young child can be anywhere between 99ºF and 101ºF.
- Sleep disturbances. A child may be sleeping too much or they may have difficulty falling asleep. They may have night terrors, bedtime fears and anxiety.
- Gastrointestinal pain. Stomach pain, including nausea and other digestive issues, may be present.
- Urinary problems. A child may have pain when urinating or urinate more frequently. They may develop urinary incontinence.
- Irritability and impulsivity. Children may have a low frustration tolerance and difficulty focusing. School work can suffer.
For example: Patients have been misdiagnosed with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) or oppositional defiant disorder (ODD). When treated appropriately with antibiotics these behaviors disappeared.
- Mood swings, emotional liability. Children may exhibit uncharacteristic and/or abrupt personality changes. They may appear depressed or anxious.
- Obsessive compulsive behaviors. OCD-type behaviors may be present. Compulsions might be hard to recognize in toddlers and young children. Compulsions can be subtle.
For example: A patient may have a compulsion with chewing or touching things. Turning on and off light switches, continuously touching objects around them.
A 3-year-old patient would chew on his shirt collar incessantly but the mother didn’t recognize something was wrong until he chewed a hole through a young girl’s stockings while they were resting during nap time.
- Bursts of aggression/rage. Parents will say their child changed overnight and became a different kid. They’ll display behavior outbursts or mood swings that are uncharacteristic. This behavioral change is also described in patients diagnosed with PANS or PANDAS.
- Brain fog. This is frequently reported. Children may suddenly be more forgetful. Their short-term memory may be poor or they can have difficulty in processing information. They don’t think as fast as they used to.
For example: A child, who is having trouble processing information, may have difficulty with word finding. They will repeat the same word several times, while searching to retrieve the next word. This may be confused with stuttering.
- Light, sound, touch and taste sensitivity. A child may be extremely sensitive to lights, sounds, touch or tastes. They may need to wear sunglasses indoors. Everyday sounds, like noise from a television or sounds in the school cafeteria, can make them uncomfortable. They may become angry when touched. This sensitivity is more than being fussy. It will interfere with the child’s daily life.
For example: One patient was so sensitive to touch that she couldn’t hug her parents. Another patient had to wear sunglasses inside the house, even when all the blinds and curtains were closed.