Is lyme disease chronic

What is “chronic Lyme disease”?

http://www3.niaid.nih.gov/topics/lymeDisease/understanding/chronic.htm

Lyme disease is an infection caused by the bacterium Borrelia burgdorferi . In the majority of cases, it is successfully treated with oral antibiotics.

Is lyme disease acute or chronic?

http://wiki.answers.com/Q/Is_lyme_disease_acute_or_chronic

It can go from acute to chronic depending on the antibodies in a persons body and lyme disease mutates

How to Cope with Chronic Lyme Disease

http://www.ehow.com/tag/lyme/

Living with lyme disease, especially if it has persisted for a long time, can be difficult, both physically and emotionally. This article will give you a few basic tips on how to cope.

Related Questions Answered on Y!Answers

Has anyone heard of an association between chronic lyme disease and geographic tongue?

Q: I have been diagnosed with chronic lyme disease, which I have had since childhood. I have also been experiencing geographic tongue since about the same time. Has anyone experienced this correlation, or know of a link between the two? Thanks.

A: If you’ve had chronic Lyme for years, it has had a huge impact on your immune system. An impaired immune system can allow all kinds of other problems–parasites, viruses, yeast, etc–to move in and set up housekeeping. Even if the Lyme didn’t “cause” the tongue condition, it may well have contributed to it by battering down the immune system.People with long-term Lyme often benefit from detoxification protocols and immune system support, in addition to whatever antibiotics you may be taking. Good sources of info about Lyme disease:http://www.lymedisease.orghttp://www.ilads.orghttp://www.canlyme.comhttp://www.lymenet.orghttp://www.lymeinfo.nethttp://www.lymediseaseassociation.orghttp://www.lymedoctor.comhttp://www.touchedbylyme.org

What are the symptoms of Chronic Lyme Disease, and how long can someone go without signs before they reappear?

Q: I had lyme disease, a very bad case of lyme disease almost 15 years ago while I was in high school. I had been misdiagnosed for several months, until I was finally treated with IV antibiotics, two different courses over a year in duration total. I had not had any symtoms I would have attributed to lyme in years, but recently, my joints are really sore and swollen. I am only in my early thirties, and I dont think that this is a normal symptom of aging at this point. Can lymes lay dormant in the body that long with no symtoms and then return?

A: Your symptoms can be a result of Lymes Disease. The organism is certainly gone, but the immune response is what can cause chronic arthritis in people. Approximately 10% of people who experience arthritis as part of Lymes Disease will end up with a long-term, chronic arthritis. The arthritis is most commonly found in the knees. How long can this go on? No telling; there have certainly been no studies going for 15 years or more.All that being said, swollen joints is not a normal part of aging for a 30-something (still very young as far as adults go). In addition, there are a *lot* of things that can cause swollen joints and, if you have no clue why they’re swollen, you should see a doctor.Swollen joints with no apparent cause are usually immunologic in nature (lupus or, less likely at your age, rheumatoid arthritis) or infectious (gonorrhea can cause this). But then it could be the Lymes.

I have Lyme disease (chronic lyme now) for 3 years now and was finally diagnosed and put?

Q: on antibiotics 3 months ago. I immediately felt about 40% better and all of my horrible symptoms were improving. Now after 3 mo. of being on treatment I am suddenly feeling worse and having new symptoms as well! Also my brain fog and nuerological symptoms are worse than they’ve ever been. Is this common, or could this be from something else?

A: 1st, how do you know you’ve had Lyme “for 3 years now”?Do you recall a small tick bite? Initial symptoms? There’s no test to determine how LONG the spirochettes have been in your system. Did you test + on the IgM & IgG blots for Lyme specific bands? (The IgM antibodies revert to IgG after about two months.) As far as “immediately feeling” better, I’m suspicious- since if you HAD Lyme, you would begin to immediately feel much WORSE [approx a day] after starting on the appropriate abx.This is due to the Jarch-Herxheimer reaction. You should get a 2nd opinion by another doctor, even an experienced naturopath, FAMILIAR with the disease. Also, remember the possibility of an intestinal imbalance after taking antibiotics for this long. WERE you taking daily “probiotics” as you should have been, AWAY from the abx? Yeast & other more ‘difficult’ creatures can get the upper hand in your gut w/o the proper “reintroduction” of good bacteria daily. You NEED to have been on/ BE on a seriously restricted diet that’s Very LO in simple carbohydrates and high in protein & fiber. See any of numerous dietary guides, such as can be found in Dr. Burrascano’s Guidelines.Also, be aware that your abx protocol will likely need to be changed after 3-6 months as the remaining Lyme bugs would have built up a defense/ taken evasive measures to avoid being lysed (killed) by what you’re on now. In conclusion… No, this is not “common” in Lyme recovery & should be addressed by a properly informed medical professional right away. Good luck!