Lyme Disease
The great imitator. Lyme disease is caused by Borrelia burgdorferi bacteria transmitted by tick bites. Early treatment is usually effective, but missed or inadequate treatment can lead to persistent infection. Borrelia's ability to change forms and evade immunity makes chronic Lyme challenging to treat.
Stages of Lyme Disease
Stage 1: Early Localized
Days to weeks post-bite. Bull's-eye rash (only ~50% get it). Flu-like symptoms. Best time to treat.
Stage 2: Early Disseminated
Weeks to months. Spreads through body. Multiple rashes, Bell's palsy, heart block, joint pain, neuro symptoms.
Stage 3: Late/Chronic
Months to years. Arthritis (especially large joints), cognitive issues, neuropathy, fatigue. Hardest to treat.
Why Lyme Can Persist
Borrelia's Survival Tactics
- Form-shifting: Spirochete → cyst → L-form → biofilm
- Tissue invasion: Hides in collagen, cartilage, brain
- Antigen variation: Changes surface proteins to evade immunity
- Biofilms: Forms protective colonies resistant to antibiotics
- Intracellular hiding: Gets inside cells away from immune system
Complicating Factors
- Co-infections: Babesia, Bartonella, Ehrlichia often present
- Delayed diagnosis: Often missed early when most treatable
- Inadequate treatment: Short antibiotic courses may not clear it
- Immune dysfunction: Borrelia suppresses immune response
- Mold overlap: Many also have mold illness (CIRS)
Testing Challenges
Standard CDC Testing
Two-tier: ELISA → Western Blot. Designed for surveillance, not diagnosis. Misses ~50% of cases.
IGeneX Testing
More bands, species-specific. ImmunoBlot tests for multiple Borrelia species. More sensitive.
Vibrant Labs Tick-Borne Panel
Newer technology. Tests for co-infections. Uses multiple antigen detection.
Clinical Diagnosis
Lyme is a clinical diagnosis. Negative tests don't rule it out. History and symptoms matter most.
Treatment Considerations
Early Treatment
Doxycycline for 2-4 weeks. Treat empirically if tick bite with symptoms. Don't wait for tests.
Combination Antibiotics
Chronic Lyme often requires multiple agents. Address different forms. Longer courses controversial.
Herxheimer Reactions
Die-off symptoms common. Indicates killing but also toxin release. Support detox.
Herbal Protocols
Buhner protocol, Zhang herbs, Cat's claw, Japanese knotweed. Used alone or with antibiotics.
Biofilm Disruption
Enzymes, NAC, stevia extract. Break up protective biofilms before antimicrobials.
Immune Support
Low-dose immunotherapy, thymic peptides, vitamin D, zinc. Restore immune competence.