Stage : Late Disseminated Lyme Disease
Stage 3 or late disseminated Lyme disease is the final stage of the disease. A person may enter this stage if they did not receive treatment for Lyme disease in the early stages, or if their symptoms persisted despite treatment. As such, doctors sometimes refer to this stage as chronic or post-treatment Lyme disease .
Stage 3 Lyme disease can occur after an infected tick bites a person.
A person with stage 3 Lyme disease may experience additional symptoms, including:
- severe joint pain and swelling, known as chronic Lyme arthritis
- heart palpitations or irregular heartbeat, due to Lyme carditis
- inflammation of the brain and spinal cord
- mental fogginess
Treatment Starts With Accurate Diagnosis
The only way to get the proper treatment for your tick-borne disease is to get the right diagnosis in the first place and one of the best ways to do that is, if possible, to see a physician whos experienced with tick-borne diseases. Accurate diagnosis also requires high quality testing at a reputable lab. Learn more about why doctors and patients trust the tests offered by IGeneX.
Our Approach To Lyme Disease
Research shows that an array of health variables may confound Lyme disease treatment.39 While the conventional medical model largely ignores the role of these variables, the functional medicine model thoroughly understands the importance of these variables in the context of Lyme disease treatment and recovery.
Our approach to Lyme disease stands apart from others because we focus not only on supporting your recovery from Lyme disease but on helping you create a strong foundation for sustainable, long-term health.
Gut Health
Over 70 percent of the human immune system is located in the gut,40 making gut health an essential element of Lyme disease recovery. Gut support is particularly crucial when antibiotics are being utilized as a component of Lyme treatment. We use a variety of gut-focused testing modalities to assess each patients gut health and identify areas for improvement. Strategies for improving gut health may include individualized nutrition and diet interventions, herbal and natural antimicrobial botanicals, probiotics, and prebiotics, and prescription antibiotics when appropriate.
Hormonal Balance
Detoxification
Nutrition for Lyme Recovery
Stress Management
Antimicrobial Treatments
Interested in learning more about the antimicrobial treatment options available for Lyme disease? Check out our article Antimicrobial Treatments for more information on antimicrobial treatment for Lyme disease and coinfections.
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When Should I See My Healthcare Provider
If you feel sick after having spent time in areas where ticks might live, you should make an appointment with your healthcare provider.
If you received a Lyme disease diagnosis and you dont feel well after taking all of your antibiotics, contact your provider. This is especially true if you have symptoms like a stiff neck or mental confusion.
Where Are Ticks Found
Ticks are found throughout the UK and in other parts of Europe and North America. There are a high number of ticks in the Scottish Highlands.
They can be found in any areas with deep or overgrown plants where they have access to animals to feed on.
They’re common in woodland and moorland areas, but can also be found in gardens or parks.
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Testing For Lyme Disease
About a month after the initial infection, blood tests may be administered to check for antibodies to the bacteria that cause Lyme disease. Still, Dr. Friedstrom stresses, “the diagnosis remains controversial and here’s the reason: We don’t have great blood tests for it and we have to use a blood test to diagnose it … We have to rely on immune tests tests that detect antibodies.”
These tests do not detect the presence of the disease itself, but test to determine whether the individual’s body has developed antibodies to fight the bacteria associated with the disease.
Another issue with blood tests is that they could draw false positive or false negative results, and therefore should not be used to diagnose Lyme disease in individuals who do not have obvious symptoms or other reasons to believe they have been infected with Lyme.
They Treat Lyme Disease Holistically
Lyme literate physicians approach their patients with a holistic understanding of their health and lifestyle. In their Lyme disease screenings, Lyme literate physicians ask patients if they partake in any activities which make them at greater risk for contracting Lyme such as gardening, hiking, and travelling to remote areas where there are other types of ticks. They also consider whether the patient lives in a Lyme epicenter such as upstate New York or Connecticut. As with conventional doctors, their screening process involves ruling out any other possible conditions.
Lyme literate doctors know how to manage each patients immune system throughout the treatment. They monitor the immune system to see that it responds properly to treatment protocols. Depending on the patients needs, they can prescribe customized pharmaceutical and herbal treatments. In this way Lyme disease specialists help patients to adjust to medical interventions at their own pace. This approach to chronic Lyme treatment is only possible with a Lyme literate doctor.
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Herbal Treatment For Lyme Disease Symptoms Popular Home
Herbs for Lyme disease symptoms help treat Lyme disease, an infectious bacterial disease caused by Borrelia Burgdorferi, a spirochete organism. Usually, it is introduced into the system through a tick bite.
More people in the northeastern US appear to be prone to Lyme disease, although cases have been reported in all of the lower states. In the early stages, it can be treated with antibiotics, but often it is not detected in time. A rash is a characteristic of Lyme disease, but many patients never develop it. Because there are so many symptoms in the later stages, its difficult to properly diagnose them. Medical tests are often still imprecise.
Herbs for Lyme disease symptoms work as a natural treatment for Lyme disease. They are generally less toxic than drugs. Some of the most effective herbal treatment for Lyme disease symptoms are:
Cats Claw :
- Cats claw without the tetracyclic alkaloid oxindole has strong antibiotic properties. In a 10-week study, patients with Lyme disease showed significant improvement in symptoms after using Cats Claw without T.O.A.
Natural Biotic Silver:
- The effectiveness of this non-pharmaceutical antibiotic has been the subject of much research in the treatment of Lyme disease. The natural biotic silver mineral has antibacterial, antiviral, and antifungal properties. It also helps reduce inflammation in the gastrointestinal tract, supports healthy bowel function, and makes any detoxification process effective.
Stephen Buhner Lyme Protocol:
Who’s At Risk Of Lyme Disease
The risk of getting Lyme disease is higher:
- for people who spend time in woodland or moorland areas
- from March to October because more people take part in outdoor activities
It’s thought only a small proportion of ticks carry the bacteria that cause Lyme disease. Being bitten doesn’t mean you’ll definitely be infected. However, it’s important to be aware of the risk and speak to a GP if you start to feel unwell.
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What Type Of Doctor Should I See For My Morgellons Disease
If you suspect you may have Morgellons disease, first make an appointment with your primary care or family physician. The doctor may take a medical history, examine you, and ask you questions about your symptoms. They may also refer you to a specialist, such as a dermatologist or a psychiatrist, for further treatment.
Are There Lyme Disease Home Remedies
Health departments in areas with high rates of infection have undertaken campaigns to raise public awareness and educate the public on facts about Lyme disease.
- It is known that certain outdoor areas are highly infested with deer ticks and should be avoided if possible these include woods and brush areas.
- Generally, the tick counts on suburban lawns are much lower.
Lyme disease should never be treated with home remedies alone. Antibiotics are needed to cure the illness, however, some home remedies may help ease symptoms as you recover. Consult a doctor before taking an herbal supplement or natural remedy as they may interact with medications you already take or may cause unwanted side effects.
- Doctors will treat primary or early Lyme disease with oral antibiotics, including doxycycline , cefuroxime , penicillins, amoxicillin , or erythromycin . In early stages, the disease can be curable with just this antibiotic treatment.
- Pregnant women are usually treated with penicillins or erythromycin. Doxycycline is generally avoided as it may affect the development of the fetus.
- Doctors may treat late-stage cases of neurological, heart, or arthritic Lyme disease with intravenous antibiotics in the hospital or as an outpatient.
- Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs such as ibuprofen or naproxen may be recommended to help relieve pain and inflammation.
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Do Doctors Prescribe Amoxicillin For Lyme
A doctor will prescribe oral antibiotics during the early stages of Lyme disease. For adults and children over 8 years of age, a doctor may prescribe a 10-21-day course of doxycycline. For younger children, and pregnant or women who are breastfeeding, a doctor may prescribe a 14-21-day course of amoxicillin or cefuroxime.
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Neurological Manifestations Of Babesiosis
Individuals with babesiosis can experience fevers, chills, myalgias, anorexia, headache, nausea, and vomiting. According to the authors, The least common are shortness of breath, sore throat, neck stiffness, emotional lability, photophobia, and dark urine. In their study entitled Atypical Presentation of Babesiosis With Neurological Manifestations as Well as Hematological Manifestations, the authors summarize two cases which presented with stroke-like/transient ischemic attack -like signs and symptoms. Both patients were in their
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What Kinds Of Neurological Problems Are Caused By Lyme Disease
Typically, three main neurological complications develop in people with untreated Lyme disease.
- Cranial neuropathy: If the infection affects nerves of the face, some patients might experience cranial neuropathyor dysfunction of the peripheral nervescausing drooping or swelling. The most common form of cranial neuropathy is Bells palsy, which is muscle drooping on one side of the face.
- Meningitis: If the bacterial infection reaches the meninges, or the tissue lining the brain and spinal column, it may cause inflammation and tissue damage. Patients with meningitis are likely to experience fevers, headache, fatigue, and stiff neck.
- Radiculoneuritis: If the bacterial infection reaches the nerve root, or the part of the nerve cells that attaches to the central nervous system , it can cause severe pain, numbness, and other abnormal sensations.
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Can You Ever Be Cured Of Lyme Disease
At Bock Integrative Medicine, weve designed a comprehensive model of individualized care that maximizes the chances for a positive clinical response that can restore your health. We use the most recent breakthroughs in medical science and technology to create an evidence-based treatment regimen highly personalized to your needs, including individualized combination therapy treatments that are supported by research. We prioritize your safety, avoiding the use of medications when possible, and combining them with supplements, herbs, and dietary modification to protect your liver and digestive tract when pharmaceuticals, such as antibiotics, are necessary to treat infections. If you want highly trained, experienced and compassionate medical providers dedicated to determining the root cause of your illness, depend on the tick-borne illness experts at Bock Integrative.
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When Should I See A Doctor For Back Pain
When your back first starts to hurt, try taking an over-the-counter pain reliever and applying ice in the first 48 hours. You may apply heat after 48 hours. You may need to take it easy for a while, but its best to stay as active as tolerated, and to avoid absolute bed rest, said Dr. Guo.
If your back pain lasts more than two weeks and keeps you from participating in normal, daily activities, see your family doctor. If your pain is severe, you should see a doctor sooner. You should seek urgent medical care if you have:
- Fever associated with back pain
- Back pain after trauma
- Loss of bladder or bowel control
- Loss of strength in your arms and legs
- Unexplained weight loss associated with back pain
Also, always be more cautious if you have special risk factors for cancer, infection, or fractures that may affect the spine.
The Chance Of Getting Lyme Disease
Not all ticks in England carry the bacteria that causes Lyme disease.
But it’s still important to be aware of ticks and to safely remove them as soon as possible, just in case.
Ticks that may cause Lyme disease are found all over the UK, but high-risk places include grassy and wooded areas in southern and northern England and the Scottish Highlands.
SINCLAIR STAMMERS/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY https://www.sciencephoto.com/media/263611/view
Ticks are tiny spider-like creatures that live in woods, areas with long grass, and sometimes in urban parks and gardens. They’re found all over the UK.
Ticks do not jump or fly. They attach to the skin of animals or humans that brush past them.
Once a tick bites into the skin, it feeds on blood for a few days before dropping off.
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Why You Might Need To See A Llmd:
- Your Lyme disease test results were negative, but you still have symptoms of Lyme disease.
- Youve been treated for Lyme disease in the past but still have symptoms, which could indicate chronic Lyme disease.
- Youve been treated or are being treated for common misdiagnoses of Lyme disease, such as Rheumatoid Arthritis or Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, but your symptoms havent gone away.
- Your physician doesnt believe in Lyme disease, chronic Lyme disease, or Post-Treatment Lyme Disease Syndrome.
Even patients who dont fall into the above categories may simply feel safer in the hands of a LLMD who is familiar with the various ways Lyme and other tick-borne diseases present themselves.
Chronic Lyme Dos And Donts
Chronic Lyme disease is an ongoing Borrelia burgdorferi infection that can involve any body system or tissue. The infection produces a wide range of symptoms and signs, which can be debilitating for some patients. Common symptoms include severe fatigue, migratory musculoskeletal pain, headaches, and impaired memory. Unfortunately, chronic Lyme disease is complex and often misunderstood, which means that many patients will struggle to obtain the care they need to regain their health. Every patient concerned about Lyme disease and tick-borne illness should know the following.
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How Is Neuropathic Pain Treated
The goals of treatment are to:
- Treat the underlying disease .
Multimodal therapy is usually required to treat neuropathic pain.
Medicines commonly prescribed for neuropathic pain include anti-seizure drugs such as:
Doctors also prescribe antidepressants such as
- Amitriptyline .
Getting a prescription from your pain specialist for anti-seizure drugs or antidepressants does not mean you have seizures or are depressed. However, its true that chronic pain can be made worse by anxiety or depression.
Topical treatments like lidocaine or capsaicinpatches, creams or ointmentscan be used on the painful area. Opioid analgesics are less effective in treating neuropathic pain, and negative effects may prevent their long-term use.
The pain can also be treated with nerve blocks given by pain specialists, including injections of steroids, local anesthetics, or other medicines into the affected nerves.
Neuropathic pain that has not responded to the therapies mentioned above can be treated with spinal cord stimulation, peripheral nerve stimulation and brain stimulation.
Infectious Disease Physicians & Wound Care Specialists Located In Ocala Fl
Lyme disease is an infection carried by ticks that, if left untreated, can lead to chronic health issues. At Ocala Infectious Disease and Wound Center, Haris Mirza, MD, specializes in the treatment and management of Lyme disease. If you live around The Villages, Citrus County, Lake County, and Sumter County and have Lyme disease or are exhibiting symptoms of Lyme disease, call the office in Ocala, Florida, today or book an appointment online.
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Health Woes Lead To Self
Oppenheimer said Freitas, once wildly independent, increasingly depends on him as she struggles with her health. The two met when she was a single mom driving a Madison Metro bus and juggling classes at the UW-Madison. Oppenheimer had overheard her speaking in Portuguese, and he tried to put together a phrase that he could speak in the same language. That led to a first date and in 2011, marriage.
But these days, Oppenheimer said, his wife is very drained.
And even friends and family members question whether the symptoms Freitas describes are real.
When everybody is saying that it is not Lyme, Freitas said, you start to question yourself.
She tried a four-week course of doxycycline, the first-line antibiotics therapy for treating Lyme disease, prescribed by another rheumatologist. She began to feel better, with less pain and less brain fog. However, the symptoms returned once she completed the treatment. She even found herself starting to stutter.
Oppenheimer himself was diagnosed with Lyme disease as a 19-year-old. At the time, he was living less than 50 miles from Lyme, Connecticut, the community for which the disease was named.
He described an arrogant unwillingness by the medical establishment to recognize what he believes are his wifes ongoing symptoms of Lyme disease.
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Lyme Disease: What Is It
Make an Appointment:Scott R. Friedstrom MD
Lyme disease is an infection caused by a bacteria-like organism that is spread to people through the bite of one of several types of ticks. It is most commonly spread through the bite of a deer tick.
Now, the bite alone isnt necessary, Dr. Friedstrom explains. We think the tick has to be attached for more than 24 hours in order to transmit Lyme disease.
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