Search results
People also ask
What are the symptoms of Lyme disease?
Do Lyme disease symptoms vary from patient-to-patient?
Can Lyme disease cause recurring symptoms?
May 15, 2024 · Information on chronic symptoms and Lyme disease including symptom management and terminology.
- Overview
- Causes of post-treatment Lyme disease syndrome
- Risk factors for post-treatment Lyme disease syndrome
- Symptoms of post-treatment Lyme disease syndrome
- Complications of post-treatment Lyme disease syndrome
- Diagnosis of post-treatment Lyme disease syndrome
- Treatment of post-treatment Lyme disease syndrome
- Living with post-treatment Lyme disease syndrome
- How to prevent post-treatment Lyme disease syndrome
- GeneratedCaptionsTabForHeroSec
What is chronic Lyme disease?
Chronic Lyme disease occurs when a person who’s treated with antibiotic therapy for the disease continues to experience symptoms. The condition is also referred to as post Lyme disease syndrome or post-treatment Lyme disease syndrome.
According to the New England Journal of Medicine, approximately 10 to 20 percent of people who are treated with the recommended antibiotics will have disease symptoms that persist after they complete treatment. These symptoms can include fatigue, joint or muscle aches, and cognitive dysfunction. They may last up to six months or longer. These symptoms can interfere with a person’s normal activities and may cause emotional distress as a result. However, most people’s symptoms improve after six months to a year.
It’s not known why some people develop post-treatment Lyme disease syndrome and others don’t. It’s also unclear what exactly causes the chronic symptoms. According to the Columbia University Medical Center, doctors should treat cases on an individual basis. A person’s specific symptoms and medical history, as well as the latest research, should be used to guide treatment.
Lyme disease is a bacterial infection that’s caused by the bacteria Borrelia burgdorferi. You can become infected if you’re bitten by a tick that carries the bacteria. Typically, black-legged ticks and deer ticks spread this disease. These ticks collect the bacteria when they bite diseased mice or birds. Lyme disease is also called borreliosis or, if the symptoms are neurologic, Bannwarth syndrome.
Most people with Lyme disease are treated successfully with a course of antibiotics. People with Lyme disease typically have a rapid and complete recovery.
You’re at a greater risk for post-treatment Lyme disease syndrome if you’re infected by the bite of a diseased tick. If the infection progresses to the chronic stage, your symptoms might continue for weeks, months, or even years after the initial tick bite.
You may also be at a higher risk for these long-term symptoms if you’re not treated with the recommended antibiotics. However, even people who receive antibiotic therapy are at risk. Because the cause of post-treatment Lyme disease syndrome is unknown, there’s no way to determine whether it will progress to the chronic stage.
Typically, the symptoms of post-treatment Lyme disease syndrome resemble those that occur in earlier stages. People with persistent symptoms often experience lingering episodes of:
•fatigue
•restless sleep
•pain
•aching joints or muscles
•pain or swelling in the knees, shoulders, elbows, and other large joints
Living with persistent symptoms of Lyme disease after treatment may affect your mobility and cognitive skills. It can also cause extreme lifestyle changes and emotional stress.
Some people who experience long-term debilitating symptoms may be willing to try unproven alternative therapies. Talk to your doctor before beginning any new medications or therapies. Although they may claim to offer a cure, these potentially toxic remedies can result in further health problems.
Your doctor will diagnose Lyme disease by using a blood test that checks your level of antibodies to the disease-causing bacteria. The enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) test is the most common for Lyme disease. The Western blot test, another antibody test, can be used to confirm the ELISA results. These tests may be done at the same time.
While these tests can confirm infection, they can’t determine what’s causing your continued symptoms.
Depending on your symptoms, your doctor may recommend testing of specific affected areas to determine the level of damage or the body parts that have been affected. These tests may include:
•an electrocardiogram (EKG) or echocardiogram to examine heart function
•a spinal tap to examine cerebrospinal fluid (CSF)
•an MRI of the brain to observe neurological conditions
When diagnosed at an early stage, standard treatment for Lyme disease is a two- to three-week course of oral antibiotics. Doxycycline, amoxicillin, and cefuroxime axetil are the most commonly prescribed medications. Depending on your condition and symptoms, other antibiotics or an intravenous (IV) treatment may be necessary.
The exact cause of post-treatment Lyme disease syndrome is not known, so there’s some debate regarding appropriate treatment. Some experts advocate continued antibiotic therapy. However, there’s evidence that such long-term antibiotic therapy will not improve your chances of recovery. According to the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, prolonged use of these drugs can also cause complications.
Most people with post-treatment Lyme disease syndrome recover from persistent symptoms with time. However, it can take months, and sometimes years, before you feel completely well. According to the Mayo Clinic, a small number of people continue to experience symptoms, including fatigue and muscle aches, despite treatment. It’s unclear why some peop...
Prevent tick infestation
•When walking in wooded or grassy areas where ticks live, use insect repellant on your clothing and all exposed skin. •When hiking, walk in the center of trails to avoid high grass. •Change your clothes after walking or hiking. •When checking for ticks, thoroughly examine your skin and scalp. •Check your pets for ticks. •Treat clothing and footwear with permethrin, an insect repellant that will remain active through several washings. Was this helpful? If a tick bites you, contact your doctor. You should be observed for 30 days for signs of Lyme disease. You should also learn the signs of early Lyme disease and seek prompt treatment if you think you’re infected. Early antibiotic intervention may reduce your risk of developing chronic symptoms. The signs of early Lyme disease can occur from 3 to 30 days after a bite from an infected tick. Look for: •a red, expanding bull’s-eye rash at the site of the tick bite •fatigue, chills, and general feeling of illness •itching •headache •feeling dizzy or faint •muscle or joint pain or swelling •neck stiffness •swollen lymph nodes
Chronic Lyme disease is when symptoms persist after antibiotic treatment. Learn about the possible causes, risk factors, complications, diagnosis, and treatment options for this condition.
Learn about the common symptoms of chronic Lyme disease, such as fatigue, pain, cognitive impairment and disability, and how to document them with a symptom checklist. Find out the treatment guidelines and success rates for this condition that affects quality of life and health.
This checklist helps you document exposure to Lyme disease and common symptoms for your healthcare provider. This tool is NOT a self-diagnosis tool. A proper diagnosis can only be made by a physician. Select the Lyme disease symptoms and conditions that apply for you or your child.
Home. Diagnosis. Lyme Disease Symptoms. What are the signs and symptoms of Lyme disease? Lyme disease symptoms are wide-ranging, with more than a hundred different symptoms recorded. Symptoms can also change over time, as the bacteria spreads throughout the body.
Feb 10, 2023 · Some people with Lyme disease report symptoms that continue after treatment. These longer-lasting symptoms may include: Arthritis that begins with Lyme disease and doesn't improve. Body aches and pains. Constant or frequent tiredness. Memory complaints. These conditions are not clearly understood.
Joint pain or swelling. Joint stiffness, especially back or neck. Muscle pain or cramps. Sensitivity to light. Sore soles (esp. in morning) Shortness of breath, “air hunger” Night sweats (drenching) Unexplained chills. Heart palpitations or extra beats. Symptoms change, come and go.
