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A 24-year-old member asked:
Is it typical for a person with lyme disease to have symmetrical joint pain on both sides?
2 doctor answers • 7 doctors weighed in

Dr. Edward Neilsenanswered
Family Medicine 20 years experience
Yes: Lyme disease can cause symmetric polyarthralgias - pain in numerous joints on both sides of the body. Although rare, lyme disease is usually easy to treat if identifed quickly. There are blood tests so if you and your dr have a concern, it shoud be pretty quick to rule in/out.
6.1k viewsReviewed >2 years ago

Dr. Susana Duncananswered
Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation 36 years experience
Not typical: In lyme disease, joint pain typically occurs first in one joint, then if not treated, can migrate to involve other joints, randomly. It is conceivable but not typical that in this fashion the same joint in each limb is involved.
5.5k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
Similar questions
A 40-year-old member asked:
Please explain if it is possible for a person with Lyme disease to have symmetrical joint pain on both sides?
1 doctor answer • 1 doctor weighed in

A Verified Doctoranswered
Rheumatology 53 years experience
Yes: Generalized aching is a symptom of primary lyme disease. However, swelling of multiple joints is not. If the small joints (hands and feet) are involved it is virtually never going to be lyme disease.
4.6k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 34-year-old member asked:
Can someone with Lyme disease have symmetrical joint pain on both sides?
1 doctor answer • 2 doctors weighed in

Dr. Thomas Nameyanswered
Rheumatology 49 years experience
Yes.: It occurs. But it may not be do to lyme as well. Irrespective, you should be on a 1-3 month course of doxycline 100 mg bid. Lyme arthritis is unpleasant. Late neurologic disease is unnecessary and worse.
5.6k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
Last updated Nov 26, 2013
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