Finding a Doctor who Treats Chronic Lyme Can Change Everything

In my clinical experience, one decision often makes the biggest difference in a patient’s outcome:

Choosing a doctor who knows how to treat chronic Lyme disease.

Patients come to me after months—or even years—of fatigue, brain fog, pain, and frustration. Many have been told their tests are normal. Others were told their symptoms were “just stress” or “part of aging.” But what they often have are chronic manifestations of Lyme disease—and they’ve never been evaluated by a doctor who knows how to recognize them.

What Makes Chronic Lyme So Hard to Catch?

Lyme disease is most commonly known for early signs like rash, fever, or joint pain. But when those signs are missed—or when treatment is too short—the infection can persist and evolve into something much more complex.

These chronic manifestations of Lyme disease can include:

1. 1. Fatigue that doesn’t improve with rest
   2. Migratory joint or muscle pain
   3. Brain fog or memory issues
   4. Numbness, tingling, or burning
   5. Mood changes, anxiety, or depression
   6. Dizziness or heart palpitations

These symptoms often overlap with conditions like fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue syndrome, autoimmune disorders, or depression—which is why so many patients are misdiagnosed or dismissed.

Not All Doctors Treat Chronic Lyme the Same Way

Standard protocols often focus only on early Lyme disease—usually a 2–4 week course of antibiotics. But when symptoms persist or relapse, a different approach is needed. A doctor who treats chronic Lyme knows how to:

1. 1. Make a clinical diagnosis, even when labs are negative
   2. Recognize common co-infections like Babesia or Bartonella
   3. Tailor antibiotic or anti-parasitic treatment over time
   4. Support neurologic, cardiac, and autonomic symptoms holistically

This kind of care is based on experience—not just textbooks.

What About PTLDS? Don’t Overlook a Persistent Infection

Some patients are diagnosed with Post-Treatment Lyme Disease Syndrome (PTLDS)—a term used when symptoms continue after completing standard treatment. But in my experience, many of these patients are still battling an active, persistent tick-borne infection that hasn’t been fully recognized or treated.

PTLDS does not rule out the possibility of:

1. 1. Ongoing Borrelia infection
   2. Untreated co-infections like Babesia or Bartonella
   3. Antibiotic-resistant or biofilm-protected forms of the disease

Instead of assuming the illness is “post-treatment,” a doctor who treats chronic Lyme will re-evaluate, re-test, and consider further treatment when symptoms persist.

Diagnoses That Mimic Lyme—And How to Tell the Difference

Because Lyme disease affects multiple systems, it’s often confused with:

1. 1. Fibromyalgia
   2. Chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS)
   3. Multiple sclerosis (MS)
   4. Rheumatoid arthritis or lupus
   5. Anxiety, depression, or panic disorder
   6. POTS and other autonomic dysfunctions

The difference? Chronic Lyme symptoms tend to migrate, fluctuate, and overlap across systems. If you’re experiencing fatigue and nerve pain and cognitive issues—with a history of tick exposure—a tick-borne infection should stay on the diagnostic radar.

An experienced Lyme doctor won’t just rule out other conditions—they’ll connect the dots others may have missed.

When Tick Bite Symptoms Don’t Go Away

It’s common to hear:

“I was bitten by ticks for years—but never got a rash.”

“I took antibiotics once, but my symptoms came back.”

“My doctor said it couldn’t be Lyme because my test was negative.”

If this sounds familiar, you’re not alone. Many of my patients have similar stories—until they’re finally treated by someone who understands chronic manifestations of Lyme disease.

What to Look for in a Doctor Who Treats Chronic Lyme

Ask yourself:

1. 1. Does this doctor treat patients with persistent symptoms?
   2. Are they familiar with co-infections and neurologic Lyme?
   3. Do they treat beyond the 30-day antibiotic rule when warranted?
   4. Are they willing to listen, investigate, and individualize care?

If not, it may be time to find someone who will.

How to Start Finding a Doctor With Experience in Chronic Lyme

If your primary care doctor or specialist says there’s nothing more they can do—or insists your symptoms don’t “fit”—you’re not alone.

Here’s how to begin your search for someone who is equipped to help:

1. Look for Experience, Not Just Titles

There’s no official “Lyme specialist” certification. What matters is clinical experience. Look for doctors who:

1. 1. Treat chronic Lyme and tick-borne infections regularly
   2. Understand Babesia, Bartonella, and other co-infections
   3. Use clinical judgment—not just test results
   4. Offer treatment beyond a rigid 30-day antibiotic course.

Ask the clinician:

1. 1. “Do you take a clinical approach even if tests are negative?”
   2. “Are you open to retesting or retreating if symptoms persist?”
   3. “Do you screen for and treat co-infections like Babesia, Bartonella, or Anaplasma?”
   4. “How do you handle cases of Post-Treatment Lyme Disease Syndrome (PTLDS)?”
   5. “Are you willing to individualize treatment based on symptom progression, not just timelines?”
   6. “Do you have experience treating neurologic or psychiatric symptoms in Lyme disease, including PANS and POTS?”

2. Use Trusted Referral Resources

Start with these reputable organizations:

1. Lymedisease.org – Find a Lyme-Literate Doctor
   A patient-centered advocacy network with provider listings.
2. Global Lyme Alliance – Physician Referrals
   Connects patients with experienced clinicians through a referral request.
3. ILADS – International Lyme and Associated Diseases Society
   Provides a provider referral tool and educational resources.
4. LivLyme Foundation – Resources and Referrals
   Especially helpful for families and pediatric Lyme cases.
5. Local Lyme support groups
   Online communities and in-person groups often maintain informal lists of trusted doctors.

You Deserve a Doctor Who Will Keep Looking

Too many patients are told to accept their symptoms as normal aging, anxiety, or something they “just have to live with.”

But I’ve seen firsthand: When patients finally find a doctor who treats chronic Lyme, everything changes.

You deserve a real evaluation. A real diagnosis. And a real shot at recovery.

Related Articles:

1. 1. Fatigue Can Be an Overlooked Sign of Lyme Disease
   2. Babesia and Lyme — it’s worse than you think
   3. Signs and Symptoms of Untreated Lyme Disease