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Lyme Disease affects each person differently. Below is a list of common symptoms which may appear 48 hours to weeks after
an infected tick bite. Since no currently available test is definitive in ruling in or ruling out Lyme disease, Physicians must make a
clinical diagnosis reviewing patient history and symptoms. However, having one or more of these symptoms does not ensure that
you have Lyme Disease!
A typical pattern of disease onset occurs several days, weeks, or months after an infected tick bite. A person usually
experiences "flu like" symptoms such as muscle and joint aches and pains, a low-grade fever, and/or fatigue. Many will notice a
rash form around the location of the bite, however Lyme may still be present even if no rash forms. If a rash does form, it will
usually appear within the first week, however it can take up to a month to appear. The rash may be circular in shape and will often
continue to grow, taking on the appearance of a "bulls-eye". However, there may be multiple rashes, or of different shapes. It is
often diagnosed as spider bites, or poison ivy.
As Lyme Disease progresses, a person may experience unrelenting fatigue, fibromyalgia -like symptoms, facial paralysis
(Bell's Palsy), liver and/or spleen enlargement, severe headaches (migraines) and abnormalities in heart rate and rhythm. In the
latest stages of Lyme Disease severe cognitive impairment can occur with continued fatigue (chronic fatigue), joint pain or swelling,
stabbing and/or burning sensations, Tourettes, seizures, persistent backache, stiff neck, degenerative muscle and nerve disease
as well as permanent disability. Lyme disease can be passed congenitally from mother to child, causing miscarriages, stillbirths
and birth defects. It can be fatal.
- Fatigue
- Muscle and Joint pain
- Headache
- Fever, chills
- Swollen glands
- Migratory pain
- Sore throat
- Stiff neck
- Rash - bullseye, or other shape, or multiple
rashes
Body
- Migratory pain
- Continual flu-like symptoms'
- Low-grade temperatures
- Muscle weakness and pain
- Numbness
- Stiff, crunchy neck
- Sore throat, swollen glands
- Stomach pain
- Diarrhea
- Nausea, vomiting
- Abdominal cramps
- Anorexia
- Unexplained, weight gain
Neurological
- Migraines
- Balance problems
- Dizziness
- Poor coordination
- Paralysis
- Meningitis
- Loss of reflexes
- Tingling in the extremities
- Seizures
- Motor dysfunction
- Bell's Palsy
- Tremors
- Tourettes
- Links
These will take you directly to sites
with excellent information and
resources.
- * Lyme Disease Association
Dedicated to educating about Lyme Disease, and
supporting research into treatment. Publications
available at no or low cost, online or by ordering.
Provides a physician list for patients seeking a
lyme literate doctor.
* Lyme Disease Network
Includes best general online support and
information sharing message board, excellent set
of links. Includes section to help find Lyme literate
physicians and file area. Sponsored by Lyme
Disease Association.
* Diagnostic Hints and Treatment Guidelines for
Lyme
By Joseph J. Burrascano, M.D.
Print this out and provide a copy to your primary
care providers Dr. Burrascano is a prominant
Lyme specialist on the many factors involved in
diagnosing and treating Chronic Lyme Disease
and other tick-borne diseases. This is not the only
approach, but gives an excellent systematic
approach to diagnosis and treatment options.
Updated September 2005. The paper is available
in pdf format for offline reading and printing.
