When a patient walks into my office after a tick bite, they often ask: “Isn’t one dose of doxycycline enough to prevent Lyme disease?” That belief traces back to a 2001 study that has, unfortunately, shaped Lyme disease treatment guidelines. But what most people don’t realize is that the study only found that the single […]
Can one doxycycline dose really stop Lyme disease? Read More »
He was ready to quit treatment. The antibiotics were making him feel worse, not better—nausea, fatigue, and a sense that his body was shutting down. He told me, “Doc, I don’t think I can keep doing this.” I knew we needed a new approach—but not necessarily a new medication. Instead, I asked:What if we adjusted
My Lyme Disease Patient Got Worse on Antibiotics—Until We Adjusted the Dose Read More »
🧠 When a Patient Hears “Spinal Tap,” They Often Ask: “Do I really need one just to check for Lyme disease?” It’s a reasonable question. A spinal tap—more formally, a lumbar puncture—is invasive, uncomfortable, and not without risks. But the conversation around spinal taps and Lyme disease is often oversimplified. So today, let’s unpack the
Can you have neurologic Lyme disease even if your spinal tap is normal? Read More »
Patients Deserve an Explanation One of the most common—and most important—questions I hear from patients is: “If my Lyme test is negative, why are you still treating me?” It’s a fair question. And if you’re asking it, you deserve a clear and compassionate answer. The truth is, when it comes to Lyme disease, test results
Why I Treated Him for Lyme—Even When His Test Was Negative Read More »
Allodynia is a neurological condition where non-painful stimuli—like a breeze, the pressure of clothing, or even light touch—cause pain. It’s often associated with central sensitization, where the brain and spinal cord become overly responsive to nerve signals. But sometimes, the trigger is more than just misfiring nerves. Sometimes, it’s caused by an infection, such as
Unexpected Relief from Allodynia: Lyme Disease Treatment Worked! Read More »
A recent study published in Science Translational Medicine by researchers at Northwestern University has generated cautious optimism in the Lyme disease community. The study found that an older antibiotic—piperacillin—was able to clear Borrelia burgdorferi, the bacteria that causes Lyme disease, in mice at doses 100 times lower than doxycycline. This is noteworthy. Doxycycline has long
Could Piperacillin Be the Lyme Disease Breakthrough We Need? Read More »
Have you ever felt like your gut was in chaos—like nothing you eat sits right, no doctor can find a clear cause, and your symptoms don’t seem to make sense? You’re not alone. I’ve had many patients tell me they’ve tried everything—probiotics, elimination diets, GI scopes—only to come back with normal labs and no answers.
Could Lyme Disease Be Wrecking Your Gut Without You Knowing It? Read More »
A Tale of Three Outcomes “I thought I was better… until I wasn’t.” That’s what one of my patients told me after completing a standard course of antibiotics for Lyme disease. At first, she felt relief—less pain, more energy. But weeks later, the fatigue crept back in. Then the brain fog. Then the joint pain
The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly of Lyme Disease Read More »
