Lyme Science Blog

Why I Don’t Start with IV Rocephin for Chronic Lyme Intravenous (IV) Rocephin, or ceftriaxone, is often viewed as the gold standard for late-stage Lyme disease. And yes, it has an important role. But in my practice, I don’t routinely start with IV treatment—even for patients with chronic manifestations like fatigue, brain fog, nerve pain, […]

Should I Be Taking Probiotics While I’m on Antibiotics for Lyme? As part of their treatment for Lyme disease, many patients are prescribed multiple rounds or combinations of antibiotics. At some point, they ask: “Will these antibiotics hurt my gut? Should I be taking probiotics too?” It’s a common question—and a smart one. The short

Forget the Rash: These Are the First Symptoms of Lyme Disease What are the first symptoms of Lyme disease? Early Lyme disease symptoms often include severe fatigue, flu-like illness, brain fog, and migratory joint or muscle pain—frequently without a rash or known tick bite. Quick Answer: The first symptoms of Lyme disease may include fatigue,

Lyme disease triggers herxheimer reaction in infant When a 21-day-old infant developed a fever and rapid heartbeat just hours after receiving antibiotics for Lyme disease, doctors were faced with a critical question: Was it sepsis—or something else? Could it possibly be a Herxheimer reaction? This case highlights a rare but important phenomenon: a Herxheimer reaction

She Was Told To Wait. Then Told It Was PTLDS. But Her Lyme Infection Never Left. Lyme disease triggers herxheimer reaction in infantA “wait and see” approach in managing Lyme disease can have long-lasting consequences, sometimes resulting in months or even years of unnecessary suffering. In this case, a woman was diagnosed with Post-Treatment Lyme

Mold Treatment and Lyme Disease: My Common-Sense Take It’s a fair concern. Mold toxicity has received growing attention, and some patients with chronic Lyme disease are told that mold is the real issue—or that detoxing from mold is the missing link. But in my experience, treating mold without addressing a persistent tick-borne infection seldom leads

A Patient’s Story from the South My patient from Florida looked me straight in the eye and said, “But Lyme doesn’t exist down here, right?” That’s what she’d been told—by more than one doctor. She had a rash. Fatigue. Joint pain. Classic signs of Lyme disease. But instead of being tested or treated, she was

The Question I Hear Most Often For a complete overview of Babesia symptoms, testing, and treatment, visit our Babesia and Lyme disease guide. Babesia negative tests are one of the most common reasons patients go untreated. When a patient asks why I treat Babesia even if the tests are negative, they often say: “But my

What Happens if a Tick’s Mouthparts Stay in Your Skin? Quick Answer: If a tick’s mouthparts stay in your skin, it usually does not increase the risk of Lyme disease. In most cases, the body will naturally push the material out over time without complications. It’s not uncommon for the mouthparts of a tick to

Fear of a Herxheimer Reaction: What Patients Need to Know Fear of a Herxheimer reaction is common among patients beginning Lyme disease treatment. Many worry that worsening symptoms mean the treatment is harmful rather than part of the healing process. Understanding what a Herxheimer reaction is—and what it is not—can help reduce anxiety and support