6 Reasons for Delayed Treatment of Lyme Disease
Delayed treatment of Lyme disease can lead to more severe symptoms and prolonged illness—yet many delays are preventable.
Patients with recurrent Lyme disease and Lyme encephalopathy have reported waiting an average of two years before receiving treatment.
A qualitative study by Hirsch and colleagues identified key reasons why diagnosis and treatment are often delayed.
1. Intermittent Symptoms Delay Recognition
Symptoms may come and go, making it difficult for patients to recognize a pattern of illness.
“It just rotated… one joint at a time.”
Inconsistent symptoms can delay both patient awareness and medical evaluation.
2. Symptoms Are Attributed to Other Conditions
Patients often attribute symptoms to common conditions such as influenza, minor injuries, or chronic illnesses.
“I also have fibromyalgia, so it’s hard to differentiate.”
This overlap can delay consideration of Lyme disease.
3. Absence of a Bull’s-Eye Rash
Many patients rule out Lyme disease if they do not see a classic bull’s-eye rash.
However, only a minority of rashes have this appearance—many are atypical.
Misunderstanding rash patterns contributes significantly to delayed treatment.
4. Lack of Health Insurance
Some patients delay seeking care due to cost concerns or lack of insurance.
“I didn’t have insurance… so I didn’t go to the doctor.”
This barrier has been well documented in other conditions but is often overlooked in Lyme disease.
5. Misdiagnosis at Initial Visit
Approximately 35% of patients were not diagnosed with Lyme disease at their first medical visit.
Common misdiagnoses included conditions such as cellulitis or musculoskeletal injuries.
Misdiagnosis remains one of the most important causes of delayed treatment.
6. Type of Medical Facility Matters
Patients evaluated in urgent care or emergency settings often receive faster access—but may face a higher risk of misdiagnosis.
“They told me it was bursitis… and to come back if it got worse.”
Speed of access does not always translate into diagnostic accuracy.
Why Delayed Treatment Matters
Once Borrelia burgdorferi infection disseminates, symptoms can become more complex and more difficult to treat.
Delays may increase the risk of neurologic involvement and persistent symptoms.
Clinical Takeaway
Delayed treatment of Lyme disease is often preventable. Improving awareness—among both patients and clinicians—can reduce missed diagnoses and improve outcomes.
Dr. Daniel Cameron, MD, MPH
Lyme disease clinician with over 30 years of experience and past president of ILADS.
Symptoms • Testing • Coinfections • Recovery • Pediatric • Prevention
I am totally pissed about this!
I was a geisinger patient and did not receive prompt treatment nor was I followed up on correctly even according to the CDC suggestions!
They suggest further testing for other common tick-borne diseases and I just received one or two after I assisting this past year and waited over 5. Testing positive for q-fever at this time.
Then again absolutely no follow up!
I’m still battling with my doctor after getting a positive Elisa test but a negative western blot test a year ago. After all my research my symptoms started aprox 10yrs ago. I’m seeing a natural pathic doctor that specializes in Lyme because she also had Lyme. She and several other people have stated that they believe I have Lyme as well. Also with a live blood analysis it showed I have babesia in my red blood cells. I get bit by ticks every year atleast once but never thought about Lyme being where we live. I cannot afford to get tested in the US and cannot afford to get treatment in the US. I’m hoping my natural pathic doctor can help me rid of this as my family doctor surely won’t help
It can be difficult to find a doctor with experience treating Lyme disease. Doctors differ in their approach to tick borne illnesses. You also need to other doctors to rule out other illnesses.
Stephen Buhners book Healing Lyme ( must be SecondEdition) is amazing . His protocol of herbs can be used with antibiotics if you must use them . Please read it…. It’s the most interesting book on Lyme I’ve read. Hope it helps .Good luck
This book has literally been saving my life…. I haven’t found more facts ANYWHERE else!! I’m glad someone else is on the same page! I’ve already finished 9 months of the Cowden protocol and now stayed Buhner.
So sorry to hear sadly I understand 110% I know I have Lyme & co infection as well as my mother meets CDC requirements and still no one will sign off on us paying out of pocket for co infection pannel. May I ask whom your doctor is we are willing to try anything at this point and what state do you live in ? I was a vet tech and know way more than many doctors about Lyme & co infections sadly it’s cause of IDSA big pharma & CDC (shame on all them ) USA created Lyme as bio weapon against the Russians in the 1980s and now we all USA are dying or close to it . Hence the cover ups with standard tests
This happened to me as well. Everyone with bad symptoms has to advocate for themselves. I had to get myself out of the wheelchair that Lyme put me in.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/1717713475
Seit den Zwanziger Jahren ist in Europa bereits bekannt, dass ein Zeckenstich Nervenerkrankungen verursachen kann. In den Fünfzigern wusste man in Deutschland, dass Bakterien und nicht Viren die Ursache ist, da Antibiotika helfen. Beim Steinzeitmenschen ÖTZI wurde Borreliose nachgewiesen!
Borrelien und andere Mikroben leben auf unserem Planeten bevor wir Menschen aufgetreten sind.
Warum man so schwer eine Diagnose bzw. Behandlung erhält, liegt daran, dass die Mediziner diese Erkrankung während des Studiums nicht vermittelt erhalten. Weiters, dass es keine chem. Medikamente gibt, die rasch zu einer Heilung führen. Die Behandlungen bei chron. LB sind langwierig und kostenintensiv.
Es liegt an der Regierung, die Mediziner auszubilden und die Pharmaindustrie anzuregen, wirksame Medikamente zu erfinden.
In Europa gibt es die gleichen Probleme wie in USA!
Beste Grüße aus Österreich.
Elisabeth.
✅ English Response
Thank you, Elisabeth. Your message is thoughtful and absolutely correct—these challenges with diagnosis, education, and access to treatment are seen in both Europe and the United States. Thank you for sharing your perspective from Austria.
✅ German Response
Danke, Elisabeth. Ihre Nachricht ist sehr durchdacht und völlig richtig — diese Schwierigkeiten bei Diagnose, Ausbildung und Behandlung finden wir sowohl in Europa als auch in den USA. Vielen Dank für Ihre Perspektive aus Österreich.