My mother (age 50) has just been diagnosed with syphilis this afternoon. After doing some brief research on-line, it seems that it's a simple treatment with pennicilin. (forgive me for most likely mispelling that one) maybe not "simple," but it just doesn't seem like that big of a deal. Her doctor has given her opinion of treating it with three times the usual dosage of some kind of medication as well as 2 - 3 shots per week for an unknown amount of time.

My mother is also an alcoholic who used to binge badly 1 - 3 times annually while keeping it in check the rest of the time. Lately she has been unable to control her drinking on a monthly basis like she used to. She fears that she has become "crazier" than normal and is unable to keep any sort of attention span. She is having more and more anxiety attacks - even before she got the news today. Her doctor seemed concerned that this may be additional symptoms of the syphilis, even signs of late stages of syphilis.

Does anyone have any ideas? My mom does not have access to the internet and has asked me to help her find more information. She is understandably frightened and intimidated by what is happening to her.

Thank you for any information any of you may be able to provide!