What is Lyme disease?

Lyme disease is a bacterial infection primarily caused by the bacterium Borrelia burgdorferi, which is transmitted to humans through the bite of infected black-legged ticks (also known as deer ticks). It is the most common vector-borne disease in the United States. 

Do I have Lyme?

Diagnosing Lyme disease poses a significant challenge. The commonly used serology (a simple blood test that looks for antibodies against Lyme) often yields negative results - due to low sensitivity testing, timing of when the test is done in relation to exposure, and the stringent criteria required by the CDC to be considered “positive”.  A negative result does not necessarily rule out Lyme infection.  Current estimates suggest that approximately 476,000 individuals are diagnosed and treated for Lyme disease annually in the United States.

At Fresh Start Lyme, we believe clinical judgment is paramount in your diagnosis.  We consider various factors, including serology and lab tests, risk factors, tick exposure, symptoms, and medical history, but most importantly, we listen to your unique health story. Our approach pairs clinical judgment with testing to support a diagnosis. In some cases, a carefully monitored trial of antibiotics can also be very informative while considering this diagnosis. 

What are the symptoms of Lyme and its associated co-infections?

Lyme disease is often referred to as "The Great Imitator" due to the extraordinary variety of its presentations.  Listed below are some of the more common symptoms of Lyme.  Symptoms may present acutely- or suddenly, or may develop more slowly and insidiously over time.  Symptoms may vary from mild to severe.  

Early Lyme symptoms often include

• Fever

• Chills

• Headache

• Fatigue

• Muscle and joint aches

• Swollen lymph nodes

• Bullseye Rash (Erythema migrans, or EM)

Later symptoms (days to months after a tick bite), may include, but are not limited to: 

• Severe headaches and neck stiffness

• Additional rashes (EM or others)

• Facial palsy (loss of muscle tone or droop on one or both sides of the face)

• Arthritis with severe joint pain and swelling, particularly the knees and other large joints.

• Intermittent pain in tendons, muscles, joints, and bones

• Heart palpitations or an irregular heartbeat

• Episodes of dizziness or shortness of breath

• Inflammation of the brain and spinal cord

• Nerve pain

• Shooting pains, numbness, or tingling in the hands or feet

• Cognitive changes like brain fog, word finding and memory loss

• Sensitivities to light, sound and smell

• Psychiatric problems like anxiety, depression, irritability and mood changes

• Chronic, debilitating fatigue. 

• Immune dysfunction- heightened or new allergies to food, chemicals or environment

What are my treatment options?

At Fresh Start Lyme, we believe that effective treatment for Lyme disease requires a highly comprehensive and personalized approach. Our treatment options are designed to address the complexity of the illness and are highly individualized based on your unique health profile, symptoms, and medical history.

Key components of a customized treatment plan may include:

• Antibiotic Therapy: Depending on the stage and severity of your Lyme disease, a course of antibiotics may be recommended to target the Borrelia bacteria. We carefully select the appropriate type and duration of antibiotic treatment, monitoring your response closely.

• Herbal Supplements:  We utilize a variety of high-quality herbal supplements and nutraceuticals known for their potential anti-microbial, anti-inflammatory, and immune-supporting properties. These are chosen to complement the primary treatment, support detoxification, and address co-infections or related symptoms.

• Lifestyle Modifications: A foundational element of recovery involves making strategic changes to your daily life. This includes guidance on a supportive, anti-inflammatory diet, stress reduction techniques, sleep optimization, and appropriate levels of physical activity. These changes are crucial for enhancing the body's natural healing capabilities.

A Patient-Centered Approach: 

Every treatment plan is the result of a collaborative process. We place a high value on curating a plan together with the patient, ensuring it respects your individual needs, preferences, and overall well-being. We understand that adhering to a treatment protocol is easier when you feel fully involved and understood. Your treatment journey is unique, and our goal is to provide compassionate, customized care that paves the way for a fresh start.

What are co-infections?

When addressing Lyme disease, it is crucial to recognize that the presence of co-infections is an extremely common, if not almost ubiquitous, occurrence. These co-infections are pathogenic organisms—viruses, bacteria, or parasites—that are transmitted alongside Borrelia burgdorferi, the causative agent of Lyme disease, often by the same tick bite or through the same vector.

As a fundamental component of your initial diagnostic workup, comprehensive co-infection testing will be rigorously performed. This testing is essential to ensure that a proper, multi-faceted treatment protocol can be formulated and offered. Treating Lyme disease in isolation, without addressing the underlying co-infections, is often incomplete and destined for failure.

Types of Co-infections

There are numerous different co-infections that can complicate a Lyme disease diagnosis and recovery, including, but certainly not limited to, the following well-known groups:

• Anaplasma (HGA): Caused by Anaplasma phagocytophilum, this bacterial infection targets white blood cells and can lead to symptoms like high fever, headache, malaise, and muscle aches.

• Ehrlichia (HME/HGE): Similar to Anaplasma, Ehrlichiosis can present with flu-like symptoms. It is caused by bacteria such as Ehrlichia chaffeensis and Ehrlichia ewingii, which also infect white blood cells.

• Babesia: This is a parasitic infection of red blood cells, similar to malaria, and is caused by species like Babesia microti. It can cause severe fatigue, night sweats, chills, shortness of breath, and hemolytic anemia, and is often one of the most common co-infections to treat.

• Bartonella: Caused by Bartonella species (e.g., B. henselae, B. quintana), this group of bacteria can be associated with a wide range of debilitating symptoms, including inflammatory conditions, neurological issues, psychiatric issues, migratory joint pain, lymph node swelling, skin rashes (especially stretch-mark-like lesions), and eye problems.

• Relapsing Fever Group: This group includes spirochetes distinct from B. burgdorferi, such as Borrelia miyamotoi, which is transmitted by the same Ixodes tick. It can cause recurring episodes of fever, headache, and muscle pain.

The Impact on Treatment Success

The presence of additional co-infections significantly complicates the clinical picture and often poses a substantially higher risk of treatment failure. The reasons for this increased risk are multi-fold:

• Symptom Overlap and Intensity: Co-infections exacerbate symptoms, leading to a more severe and complex overall presentation that requires a more aggressive and targeted approach.

• Organism Resistance: Different organisms require different classes of antimicrobials. A protocol that successfully targets Borrelia may be completely ineffective against Babesia or Bartonella, requiring a simultaneous, multi-drug strategy.

• Immune System Overload: Each co-infection places a compounding burden on the patient's immune system, hindering its ability to clear the pathogens and making recovery a more prolonged process.

Achieving sustainable and comprehensive recovery from Lyme disease and co-infections requires an individually tailored treatment regimen that systematically addresses every identified issue. If you have been diagnosed with Lyme disease or a co-infection, or suspect that you may, you have arrived at the right place. Click below to schedule an appointment and allow us to provide you with a Fresh Start on your journey toward health and wellness.