Symptoms of Lyme Disease & Co-Infections
Please keep in mind that Lyme disease affects each person differently. Each
patient may experience a different combination of symptoms at differing times
during the illness. A patient may have co-infections which may also cause
differing symptoms.
We would like to stress to patients the importance of providing a comprehensive
history of symptoms to your health care providers. We would also like to stress
to the health care providers the importance of gathering your patient’s history
and paying adequate attention to a clinical evaluation and diagnosis of Lyme
disease.
We would also like to stress to physicians the importance of remaining
open-minded by accepting the fact that there is more than one standard of care
for treating patients. This is an infectious disease of epidemic proportions. Patients
desperately need the help of their physicians. Patients want to look to their
physicians for answers and treatment. It is exhausting to be forced into playing
the role of health care provider and patient at the same time. Patients are ill
and suffering with debilitating cognitive dysfunction, pain and fatigue.
Patients need help NOW, not five or ten years from now. Patients can lose their
jobs, homes, marriages, families and self-esteem. It is cruel to turn a blind
eye to patients who are suffering in this manner by refusing diagnosis and
treatment.
L.E.A.P. Arizona urges physicians and patients to avail themselves of all the research available. To read published
abstracts on our website, click
on
Published
Research and
PHYSICIAN INFO. In fact, you will see that much of what Lyme patients are
learning on the Internet and presenting to their physicians is based upon
research published as far back as 1990, such as a paper co-written by Alan C.
Steere in the New England Journal of Medicine, Nov 22; 323(21):1438-44, which
states:
“These chronic neurologic abnormalities began months to years after the onset of
infection, sometimes after long periods of latency, as in neurosyphilis…The
typical response of our patients to antibiotic therapy supports the role of
spirochetal infection in the pathogenesis of each of the syndromes described
here…The likely reason for relapse is failure to eradicate the spirochete…This
last article is one of many studies that show continuing symptoms are most
likely due to persistence of the spirochete.”
I have been told by more than one specialist that six and one-half weeks of IM
Bicillin injections were enough to “kill any bug in your body.” That is contrary
to what is published in various medical journals, as shown above and by the
articles listed in the Published Research and Physician Info sections of our website. Knowing that
this research has been available since 1990, places a grave responsibility upon
physicians and insurance companies in properly addressing the facts that CHRONIC LYME DISEASE EXISTS, IS AN EPIDEMIC OF GREAT PROPORTIONS BECAUSE IT IS NOT BEING
DIAGNOSED AND TREATED ADEQUATELY, DOCUMENTED RELAPSES OCCUR REPEATEDLY, AND IT
IS NOT ERADICATED IN ONE SHORT COURSE OF ANTIBIOTIC TREATMENT!
Early Stage Symptoms
Tick bite
Erythema Migrans (Bull’s-eye Rash – not reported in all cases)
Flu-like illness with Fever, Chills and Malaise
Headache and Fatigue
Muscle and Joint Pains
Late Stage Symptoms
Debilitating Migratory Joint Pain
Central Nervous System Abnormalities
Bell’s Palsy (Facial Paralysis)
Encephalopathy
Meningitis
Cognitive Dysfunction
Neuropathy
Cardiac Irregularities
More Specific Late Stage Symptoms
This is a Symptom Check List from ILADS (International Lyme and Associated
Diseases Society).
1. Unexplained fevers, sweats, chills, or flushing
2. Unexplained weight change (loss or gain)
3. Fatigue, tiredness, poor stamina
4. Unexplained hair loss
5. Swollen glands
6. Sore throat
7. Testicular pain/pelvic pain
8. Unexplained menstrual irregularity
9. Unexplained milk production; breast pain
10. Irritable bladder or bladder dysfunction
11. Sexual dysfunction or loss of libido
12. Upset stomach or abdominal pain
13. Change in bowel function – (constipation, diarrhea)
14. Chest pain or rib soreness
15. Shortness of breath, cough
16. Heart palpitations, pulse skips, heart block
17. Any history of a heart murmur or valve prolapse?
18. Joint pain or swelling
19. Stiffness of the joints or back
20. Muscle pain or cramps
21. Twitching of the face or other muscles
22. Headaches
23. Neck creaks and cracks, neck stiffness, neck pain
24. Tingling, numbness, burning or stabbing sensations, shooting pains, skin
hypersensitivity
25. Facial paralysis (Bell’s Palsy)
26. Eyes/Vision: double, blurry, increased floaters, light sensitivity
27. Ears/Hearing: buzzing, ringing, ear pain, sound sensitivity
28. Increased motion sickness, vertigo, poor balance
29. Lightheadedness, wooziness, unavoidable need to sit or lie down
30. Tremor
31. Confusion, difficulty in thinking
32. Difficulty with concentration, reading
33. forgetfulness, poor short term memory, poor attention, problem absorbing new
information
34. Disorientation: getting lost, going to wrong places
35. Difficulty with speech or writing; word or name block
36. Mood swings, irritability, depression
37. Disturbed sleep – too much, too little, fractionated, early awakening
38. Exaggerated symptoms or worse hangover from alcohol
ADVANCED
TOPICS IN LYME DISEASE
DIAGNOSTIC HINTS AND TREATMENT GUIDELINES
FOR LYME AND OTHER TICK BORNE ILLNESSES
By Joseph J.
Burrascano, Jr., M.D.