Lyme Science Blog

Lyme vs Long COVID: The Overlap Doctors Need to See When Lyme vs Long COVID Feels Impossible to Tell Apart “Is this Lyme… or long COVID?” Patients ask me this with a mix of fear and exhaustion. They describe the same constellation of symptoms — the brain fog that makes conversations feel slippery, the dizziness […]

Lyme Alcohol Intolerance: Why Can’t I Tolerate Alcohol Anymore? Many patients describe feeling foggy, overstimulated, shaky, or unsteady after drinking—not relaxed. This mismatch is one of the earliest signs that alcohol tolerance has changed in Lyme disease, and it reveals a nervous system struggling to operate within narrower limits. In my practice, I’ve learned to

Post-Exertional Malaise in Lyme Explained A Clinical Guide to Post-Exertional Malaise in Lyme Disease Patients often tell me they can complete a workout or a busy day without any immediate problem, only to crash hours later. This phenomenon—called post-exertional malaise Lyme patients frequently experience—is one of the most misunderstood patterns in post-infectious illness. Instead of

Black Teeth After Antibiotics in Lyme Disease: Causes and Reversible Solutions A Case That Surprised Both Patient and Clinician One of my patients recently developed black teeth after taking antibiotics for Lyme disease. The discoloration appeared suddenly and was deeply alarming to her — dark streaks and patches that looked like severe decay or even

Why Am I So Sensitive to Light and Sound? Light feels sharper. Sound feels louder. Ordinary environments suddenly become overwhelming. For some Lyme disease patients, light sensitivity in Lyme disease and sound sensitivity are among the earliest and most disruptive neurologic symptoms. The brightness of kitchen lights may feel blinding, and the sound of a

Lyme Tinnitus and Ear Fullness: Causes and Why It Won’t Stop Lyme tinnitus and ear fullness can be persistent and unsettling—especially when your hearing tests are normal, yet the ringing, pressure, or blocked sensation won’t go away. Many patients are told “everything looks fine.” But in Lyme disease, these symptoms often reflect neurologic, inflammatory, and

Why do I get brain zaps or internal vibrations in Lyme Quick Answer: Brain zaps and internal vibrations in Lyme disease are neurologic symptoms linked to central sensitization, autonomic dysfunction, and neuroinflammation. These sensations reflect altered nerve signaling—not anxiety—and often occur during flares or nervous system instability. The electrical jolts started without warning. Every few

Can Lyme Disease Cause Bladder Pain or Urgency? Many patients come to me after months of bladder discomfort that no one can explain. They describe pelvic pressure, burning, or an overwhelming urge to urinate — yet every culture, scan, and exam has been normal. They tell me things like, “My bladder feels inflamed,” or “It

When Lyme Symptoms Worsen During Your Period Many women tell me the same thing: their Lyme symptoms get worse during their period, often in the exact same window every month. Fatigue deepens. Pain sharpens. Dizziness, palpitations, and air hunger return. What should be a predictable cycle becomes a predictable crash. Many women don’t realize that

Why Lyme Disease Causes Heat and Cold Intolerance When Your Body Stops Regulating Temperature Normally Many patients with Lyme disease describe something they never struggled with before: they suddenly can’t tolerate heat or cold. They walk into a warm room and feel flushed or dizzy. A mild chill hits them and their body reacts as