Lyme disease
Not too long ago, Lyme disease was in the news quite a bit, but now you don’t hear too much about it. Unfortunately, that’s not good because Lyme disease is still present and causing problems for the people who become infected.
The long-lasting effects of untreated Lyme disease include chronic pain in the joints and muscles, as well as nerve problems. It can become debilitating and can even cause death. So, the best thing is to know how to prevent it and what to watch for.
What causes Lyme disease?
A tick like this spreads the bacteria Borrelia burgdorferi, which causes the disease. In the United States, Lyme disease is most common in rural and suburban areas in the northeastern and midwestern states. It is also found in other parts of the United States, as well as in Europe, Asia and Australia.
Image: Newscom
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Tags: borrelia burgdorferi, Chronic Pain, chronic pain blog, lyme disease, pain blog, preventing lyme disease, treatment for lyme diseaseRelated Stories
POSTED IN: Education, Emergencies & safety
14 opinions for Lyme disease
Chris
Jul 6, 2008 at 10:31 pm
I got a series of shots some years ago to protect against Lyme disease. It must have worked as I have had numerous small deer-tick bites over the years and have not gotten the disease. Why are these shots not more commenly given to people?
Stephen
Jul 6, 2008 at 11:01 pm
The vaccine was expensive, caused joint problems in some recipients, and it interfered with the ability to use Lyme tests. As a result, there was low demand for it and its production was discontinued.
Marijke Durning, RN
Jul 6, 2008 at 11:05 pm
Chris, I was just about to research the vaccine when Stephen’s comment came through. Thanks Stephen. I have a vague memory of hearing something about a vaccine, but nothing more. I’ll see what I can find when I have a chance but I do appreciate you stepping in and letting us know what you know.
Marijke
Monica
Jul 6, 2008 at 11:30 pm
I have struggled for many years with Chronic Lyme. I am 29 years old and have had to be incredibly creative with how I pay my bills. I just moved out 6 months ago for the first time, from my parents’ house. I am still unable to work full time. I have been in treatment for 8 years, 5 years with antibiotics and 3 years with alternative medicine. Everything I have ever done has brought me further and further along.
I do not regret taking antibiotics for 5 years. It took a full year of being on antibiotics for my health to even start to turn around. Being on antibiotics was my decision and it was the only choice I had… and you know what? They saved my life.
Jane Reed
Jul 7, 2008 at 12:37 am
I suffered for years with CFIDS-Chronic Fatigue Immune Disorder Syndrome. Lyme seems to mimic many of the same symptoms. For patients who suffer long term with what they think is Lyme, could this be confused with other disorders like CFIDS?
Al Briggs
Jul 7, 2008 at 1:16 am
Amazing to see such similarities.
After a trip to India last October, I returned to the US and had a few good days. Then, I came down with a terrible fever that would not break. After a few days, I went to see a Dr.
I was sent to a hospital for observation after telling the Doctor that I had been to India–malaria and dengue fever endemic (and epidemic at that time of the year) to the area.
Infectious disease experts were called in and immediately dismissed anything I had to offer.
After tens of thousands of dollars of unnecessary tests and aver a week in the hospital, I was sent home.
The test, after days of my insistance that the test be run, for Dengue Fever came back positive.
One “expert” Dr. argued with me that I didn’t know what I was talking about–that I didn’t need to exhibit all of the symptoms of something to have it (he was insisting that I had Mono). I asked him why, when I had all of the symptoms–in the symptomatic timeline–of Dengue, would he not check to see if that was the cause of my sickness?
I empathise with your story of Lyme Disease and urge doctors to take a few moments to “listen” to the patient.
D.
Jul 7, 2008 at 1:18 am
Often doctors interfere with the proper procedure in an illness they do not understand. They like diabetes and heart disease for which they do not have to think. (and even then they screw up). Most non compliant patients get better faster if they research and learn on their own. Access to drugs is way too controlled in this country. If doctors are going to be deaf, dumb and blind to chronic illness, then people have to take action on their own.
Marijke Durning, RN
Jul 7, 2008 at 7:35 am
D., you seem to be very angry towards doctors. While I agree that not all doctors are as competent as they should be, I also feel that many are doing a great job and many lives have been saved because of their skill and knowledge.
Marijke Durning, RN
Jul 7, 2008 at 7:38 am
Monica - had you been sick for a while before you were diagnosed? How did you find out that it was Lyme disease?
Thanks for sharing your story - it’s the one of the best ways to help people learn.
Marijke Durning, RN
Jul 7, 2008 at 7:42 am
Jane, I think that many of these diseases can often be mistaken for one another, depending on the symptoms that show. Unlike diseases like diabetes or hypertension, for some diseases like chronic fatigue don’t have tests that can help you say: “this test is positive for the disease.”
Marijke Durning, RN
Jul 7, 2008 at 7:44 am
Al, wow, what a horror show you went through. Yes, you’re right, there are times when doctors don’t listen and it is very frustrating.
I think listening to others is a skill that many in many professions, not just medicine, are lacking.
Monica
Jul 14, 2008 at 10:18 pm
I was sick for many many years before I was diagnosed. But I did my research and decided that if I was to even survive, I would have to be my own health advocate, demand treatment and find the right doctor who would treat me. If I hadn’t been my own advocate, I would have died. I am sure of that…
I had a brain Spect that showed damage, plus all of the symptoms. To this day I have never had a positive western blot. Neither has anyone in my family, and most of us have Chronic Lyme. Thankfully I found a good LLMD!!
Ev
Jul 16, 2008 at 5:21 pm
Hi all,
I highly recommend the Lyme disease research database for accurate and timely information on Lyme. They have helped thousands heal from Lyme. It was started by my girlfriend that is beating Lyme. http://www.lyme-disease-research-database.com
ILADS is another great site and canlyme too, if you live in Canada.
Good fortune.
Marijke Durning, RN
Jul 17, 2008 at 12:47 am
Thank you Ev. It’s always helpful to get more resources.
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