Lyme Science Blog

Sciatic pain vs SI joint dysfunction is one of the most frequent—and most challenging—comparisons in patients with low back, buttock, and leg pain. Many patients are told they have sciatica simply because pain travels into the leg. But pain location alone does not define the diagnosis. In clinical practice, SI joint dysfunction is often confused

When this family brought their son to me, they were facing a decision many parents encounter when delaying pediatric Lyme treatment—whether fear of antibiotics might outweigh the risk of waiting. They were not opposed to treating Lyme disease. But fear stood in the way. Not fear of Lyme disease itself, but fear of the treatment.

Patients sometimes come to my office using the phrase “end-stage Lyme disease.” It is a powerful term, and it reflects how profoundly ill they feel. However, late-stage Lyme disease is not a formal medical diagnosis. Most often, patients are using this language to describe severe, persistent illness consistent with post-treatment Lyme disease syndrome (PTLDS) or

What Is Alpha-gal Syndrome? Alpha-gal red meat allergy is a tick-borne food allergy that can cause serious reactions to mammalian meat. Many patients diagnosed with this condition immediately worry they have developed another chronic illness. That fear is understandable—especially for individuals with a history of tick exposure or Lyme disease. But when managed correctly, alpha-gal

Shania Twain, the global country-pop icon known for hits like “Man! I Feel Like a Woman” and “You’re Still the One,” faced a deeply personal and unexpected challenge that nearly ended her singing career: Lyme disease. Her story is one of resilience, heartbreak, and adaptation—and it sheds light on how Lyme disease can manifest in

The ethical challenges of post-treatment Lyme disease syndrome (PTLDS) often begin at the moment symptoms persist after treatment. Patients may do everything right—receive a timely diagnosis, complete recommended antibiotics, and follow medical advice—yet continue to worsen. This is not simply a clinical dilemma. It is an ethical one. Why This Matters Clinically These ethical challenges

If your digestion has slowed and nothing seems to help, you’re not alone. Many patients with Lyme disease develop gastrointestinal symptoms that persist despite dietary changes, fiber supplementation, hydration, or normal testing. These symptoms may include constipation, bloating, early satiety, nausea, abdominal discomfort, or a constant sense that digestion is not moving forward properly. In

When Pain Persists Beyond Infection Some patients with Lyme disease experience pain that spreads, fluctuates, or intensifies long after the acute infection has been treated. Symptoms may worsen with stress, sleep disruption, or physical exertion and often seem disproportionate to findings on examination or testing. When conventional explanations fall short, it becomes necessary to consider

Patients with Lyme disease sleep disorders often describe the same experience: they sleep through the night yet wake feeling depleted. This is not about sleep duration—it is about biologic fatigue and impaired recovery. Many patients with Lyme disease experience what clinicians describe as non-restorative sleep, a state in which sleep occurs but the body does