It’s not juvenile arthritis. It’s Lyme disease. At 16, Emma’s rheumatologist told her she’d likely need lifelong medication for juvenile arthritis. Six months later, antibiotics cured her completely. The diagnosis was wrong from the start — because Lyme disease can mimic symptoms of juvenile arthritis more often than most doctors realize. Emma came to my […]
When Lyme Disease Looks Like Juvenile Arthritis Read More »
Most people worry when they find a tick, but few realize that its size can change everything. Does a smaller tick mean lower risk — or greater danger? Yes and No. The size of the tick matters for the early detection of Lyme disease. Understanding Tick Sizes Both nymph and adult ticks can transmit Lyme
Does the Size of the Tick Matter for Lyme Disease? Read More »
When a Doctor Dismissed Lyme Disease Sometimes the hardest part of Lyme disease isn’t the infection itself — it’s what happens when a doctor dismisses Lyme disease before the patient truly recovers. This is one patient’s story. But it echoes thousands I’ve heard in my practice. He sat across from me, eyes tired but steady
His Doctor Gave Up on His Lyme Disease — But He Didn’t Read More »
A Common Question After Recovery After treatment for Lyme disease, many patients ask: Can I donate blood if I’ve had Lyme disease? The short answer: Lyme disease is not known to spread through blood transfusions. However, blood donation centers recommend waiting until you’ve finished treatment and remain symptom-free for a recovery period before donating. Why
Can I Donate Blood After Lyme? Read More »
“I used to lead meetings. Now I forget why I walked into a room.” This isn’t burnout or aging — it’s brain inflammation from Lyme disease, and it’s one of the most dismissed symptoms I see in practice. Patients often describe brain fog as “thinking through mud” or “watching my own thoughts disappear.” It can
Brain Fog and Lyme Disease: The Overlooked Symptom Read More »
She came to my office exhausted after six months of fevers, sweats, and crushing fatigue. Her initial testing for Babesia was negative. It wasn’t confirmed until much later, after PCR and antibody testing was positive. But by then, treatment was delayed, and her recovery was harder. Babesia testing is essential for timely diagnosis. Ordering the
Babesia Testing Errors Can Delay Treatment Read More »
It starts the moment you stand. Your heart races — or sometimes it doesn’t — but you still feel that surge of adrenaline. Your hands tremble, your chest tightens, and your body reacts as if you’ve just run a sprint. Then, when you sit back down, the feeling slowly fades. For many patients with Lyme
Lyme, POTS, and Adrenaline Surges Explained Read More »
You stand up to walk to the bathroom at night — and wince. The soles of your feet ache like you’re stepping on broken glass. By morning, the pain fades, only to return the next night. This pattern may seem harmless, but painful feet and Lyme disease are often connected — an early warning sign
Painful Feet and Lyme Disease Read More »
You finished treatment. The antibiotics are done. Your doctor says you’re cured. So, why do you still feel terrible? For many patients, the answer may lie in Lyme persisters — dormant bacteria that survive antibiotic therapy and can reignite symptoms long after treatment ends. The Role of Lyme Persisters For many Lyme patients, fatigue creeps
Lyme Persisters: Why Some Patients Stay Sick After Treatment Read More »
He was a healthy 16-year-old, active in school and sports. Within days, he seemed unrecognizable. His story shows how Lyme and PANS can suddenly change a teenager’s life. Once outgoing and confident, he suddenly became anxious, irritable, and trapped in repetitive rituals. Teachers noticed his handwriting deteriorated, his grades plummeted, and he withdrew from friends. “It
Lyme and PANS in Teens Read More »
