Question 1

does lymes flare up after five yrs?

Accepted Answer

It can: Lyme bacteria can hide out in all different types of tissue and undergo changes from a bacteria to a cyst form. When conditions become favorable, it may change back from cyst to active bacterial form. So, yes, it can remain dormant. By the same token, you may also have gotten reinfected 5 years later and even with a different strain of the over 100 strains of lyme bacteria.

Question 2

nerve pain in rt u/le & head. lyme disease that took 2.5yrs to dx. is there anything i can do for the horrific nerve pain/mms pain in extreme flares??

Accepted Answer

YES: It is important to consult your PCP since many new anti-inflammatory agents/pain medication, non- narcotic in nature, are now on the market and very effective for nerve pain: Lyrica, Neurontin, Savella, (milnacipran) SSRI and SNRI inhibitors are just examples.

Question 3

how lethal is lymes disease?

Accepted Answer

It can be serious: If left untreated it can cause significant cardiac, arthritic and neurologic problems. Death from untreated lyme death would be very rare.

Question 4

can you die from lymes & babesious?

Accepted Answer

Tick borne disease: Lyme disease won't kill you, but can cause serious morbidity. Babesiosis on the other hand, can prove fatal. In fact, it's often referred to as 'malaria of the North East' since it's found in the Northeastern United States. If u think you've been bitten by a tick or have questions about tick borne diseases, it's good to see an Infectious Diseases doctor who's an expert in these types of infections

Question 5

what causes lyme disease?

Accepted Answer

Borrelia burgdorferi: This spirochete bacterium is transmitted by the bite of an ixodes tick.

Question 6

may lyme disease re occur?

Accepted Answer

Yes: Lyme disease may recur in 2 ways.  It can be very difficult to fully eliminate, so even if someone has been successfully treated, the borrelia bacteria that cause lyme may be in the dormant cyst stage and may reactivate if the patient undergoes physical or emotional stress.  Even if borrelia has been eradicated, being exposed to the bacteria again via insect bite etc. Can result in recurrence.

Question 7

could i have lyme disease?

Accepted Answer

Yes: But you haven't listed any symptoms, so it's hard to give opinion. Lyme disease symptoms are similar to many others, and can be tested for by your doctor.

Question 8

do you treat lyme disease?

Accepted Answer

Yes: Usually need treatment with antibiotics

Question 9

does lyme disease go away?

Accepted Answer

Not if untreated.: Untreated Lyme disease can progress to have cardiac (heart) and neurologic (brain and nerves) complications. If left untreated too long some damage can be permanent. Lyme disease can be treated with common antibiotics. If you have symptoms, like a bullseye rash, joint pains, fevers, or headache, and have a reasonable chance of exposure, please see a doctor for testing and treatment.

Question 10

can lyme go away on its own?

Accepted Answer

Lyme disease: Lyme disease needs to be treated . A small percentage of patients may go into remission with out treatment though rare. I am not aware of any study that evaluated what happens to such untreated lyme patients . Such untreated patients may be misdiagnosed as chronic fatigue, fibromyalgia, mental illness or some forms of chronic disease.

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Doctor answers about:

Lymes flare ups

A member asked:

Does lymes flare up after five yrs?

A member asked:

Nerve pain in rt u/le & head. lyme disease that took 2.5yrs to dx. is there anything i can do for the horrific nerve pain/mms pain in extreme flares??

A member asked:

How lethal is lymes disease?

A member asked:

Can you die from lymes & babesious?

A member asked:

What causes lyme disease?

A member asked:

May lyme disease re occur?

A member asked:

Could i have lyme disease?

A member asked:

Do you treat lyme disease?

A member asked:

Does lyme disease go away?

A member asked:

Can lyme go away on its own?

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