Favorite Blogs

New research into Lyme arthritis (joint pain due to an infection with Borrelia burgdorferi) is challenging long-standing assumptions about what causes persistent symptoms after treatment. For years, many clinicians believed that when patients continued to experience swollen joints, even after treatment with antibiotics, the inflammation was simply due to an overactive immune system. The body’s […]

🧠 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

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

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

Babesia is increasingly recognized as a serious and sometimes overlooked tick-borne infection. While many patients and providers are aware of Lyme disease, they may not consider co-infections like Babesia—especially when symptoms persist after Lyme treatment. Here’s what you need to know. Case Study 1: Missed Co-Infection I had a patient who didn’t get better after

How a Shower Can Help Taking a shower after being outdoors is a smart habit, especially during tick season. It can help reduce your chances of getting bitten by a tick, but it’s important to know that a shower won’t remove a tick that has already attached to your skin. Once a tick bites, it

A Patient’s Story Worth Sharing Today, I want to share a story that has stayed with me—a story about one of my teenage patients who faced overwhelming challenges after getting Lyme disease. His journey isn’t just about physical illness; it’s about resilience, emotional pain, and the life-changing power of support. Already Struggling—Before Lyme Even before

My patient had a long-standing history of Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) that had been well-controlled for years. However, after being diagnosed with Lyme disease and completing a standard course of antibiotics, he began experiencing a significant resurgence of obsessive rumination. His mental health declined as he fixated on every symptom, convinced he would never recover. Post-Treatment

Lyme disease, if left untreated, can infiltrate the nervous system, leading to a range of cognitive, neurological, and psychiatric complications. When Lyme bacteria invade the brain and spinal cord, the condition is known as neuroborreliosis—and its effects can be profound. Cognitive Dysfunction: A Mind in Fog One of the most common neurological effects of Lyme

Case Study: Unexplained Foot Pain One of my patients experienced severe foot pain, even while walking to the bathroom. A podiatrist diagnosed him with plantar fasciitis, and he tried various treatments including icing, NSAIDs, stretching, iontophoresis, shoe inserts, and cortisone injections. Despite these efforts, his foot pain persisted. In addition to foot pain, he suffered