Cranial Nerve Palsy-Lyme.

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Dear Gang,

I am re-sending this as I'm not sure if it went through. The information

below describes the neurological symptoms which can occur with Lyme. It is

a good medical explanation for those of you who don't know how to explain

your symptoms. You might want to take this to your doctor if you have these

symptoms and are having trouble getting a diagnosis.

Regards,

Rosemary.

CRANIAL NERVE PALSY.

Twelve pairs of nerves, which branch out from the lower surface of the brain

extend around the body, are each associated with a different brain function.

At any stage of disseminated Lyme disease, any of these nerves may lose

their ability to conduct electrical impulses properly, leading to cranial

nerve palsy, commonly called paralysis in areas controlled by that pair of

nerves. Cranial nerve palsy is the second most common Lyme neurological

condition. Here is what may go wrong with the twelve pairs of cranial

nerves.

I. OLFACTORY: There may be loss of smell, or smells may be overly intense or

noxious.

II. OPTIC: Partial or total loss of vision may occur.

III. OCULOMOTOR: The eyelids may droop, the eyeball may deviate outwards, or

the pupils may become dilated. Some patients with a malfunctioning

oculomotor nerve may squint involuntarily or see double images.

IV. TROCHLEAR: The eyeball may rotate upwards, and outwards or double vision

may occur when looking down.

V. TRIGEMINAL: Pain or numbness in parts of the face, scalp, forehead,

temple, jaw, eye or teeth has been reported. The muscles used for eating may

become paralyzed or dysfunctional, making it difficult to chew, and the jaw

may deviate toward the paralyzed side.

VI. ABDUCENS: The eye may deviate outwards, and excessive squinting or

double vision may occur.

VII. FACIAL: The improper functioning of these nerves can result in Bell's

Palsy on one or both sides of the face. Characteristic problems include

facial numbness or pain and paralysis of the muscles, sometimes leading to

difficulties in chewing or a tendency to dribble food. Patients are unable

to wrinkle their foreheads, the lines on the forehead and nose may become

abnormally smooth, and the eye droops. An inability to make tears has also

been reported. In addition, the jaw deviates to the paralyzed side, and

hearing loss can occur on the affected side. Tooth, ear, and jaw pain has

been reported. Disruptions of the mucous membrane in the front two-thirds of

the tongue result in loss of taste.

VIII. VESTIBULOCOCHLEAR: Hearing disturbances such as ringing in the ear or

full or partial hearing loss may occur. Equilibrium disturbances such as

dizziness, vomiting, or reeling are also associated with nerve dysfunction.

IX. GLOSSOPHARYNGEAL: Problems can occur with the mucous membranes in the

back one-third of the tongue, leading to abnormal taste sensations, such as

excessive sourness or bitterness, in that region. Improper functioning may

also result in difficulty swallowing and paralysis of the glottis, a piece

of tissue that ordinarily prevents you from inhaling food into your lungs or

swallowing air.

X. VAGUS: Dysfunction of the muscles in the throat, shoulders, and back may

create difficulty in swallowing or talking. Drooping shoulders and an

inability to rotate the head away from the dysfunctional side may also

occur. Malfunctions within other branches of this nerve may cause heart

problems (including palpitations and a rapid pulse); breathing difficulties

(including slow respiration and a sense of suffocation); a persistent cough;

paralysis of the glottis; vocal cord spasms or paralysis (possibly resulting

in an unusually deep voice, hoarseness, or a weak voice); and

gastrointestinal disturbances (typically, constant vomiting). These nerves

also affect the liver, spleen, kidney, thyroid, testes or ovaries.

XI. SPINAL ACCESSORY: This nerve pair can be associated with disrupted

function or paralysis of the upper back and neck. Back spasms and the

inability to tilt the head to the shoulder or to rotate the head in either

direction can also occur.

XII. HYPOGLOSSAL: One side of the tongue may be partially or fully

paralyzed, and the tongue or larynx may deviate toward the paralyzed side,

with a resulting slowed articulation, thick speech, and difficulty

swallowing.

Other nerve-related symptoms that can occur at any time during the course of

the disease include:

· Diminished reflexes.

· Sharp, shooting pains that radiate down the arms, legs or back.

· Areas of numbness, tingling, prickling or heightened sensitivity.

· Poor muscle coordination, muscle weakness or paralysis, involuntary muscle

twitching, progressive muscle weakness, and movement disorders, including

abnormal movements of the arms and legs and gait problems.