LYME DISEASE AND COVID-19 SURVEY
We need to understand the Burden Of Lyme Disease and other tick-borne illnesses (BOLD) on individuals who have been ill with COVID-19, have taken the COVID-19 vaccine, or have been hesitant to take the COVID-19 vaccine. Below is a short video explaining the BOLD survey.
You are invited to share your experience with Lyme disease if you are at least 12 years of age and if:
- You have had COVID-19
- You have had the COVID-19 vaccine
- You have had neither COVID-19 nor the COVID-19 vaccine
Your experience will help others living with Lyme disease in a COVID-19 Pandemic.
Note: The survey closed as of April 10, 2023. I am grateful for the outpouring of support and to those participants who completed the survey. Here is a link for the first published paper. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10044022/
Please contact Dr. Daniel Cameron with any questions or concerns at: dcameron@danielcameronmd.com
Dr Cameron,
I hope you are taking new patients!! Im moving to CT as I am in desperate need of a good Lyme Dr. I thought I was in the clear 12 plus years remission then I got that stupid vaccine and right back to square one!!
I am taking new patients. Call my office at 914 666 4665 to make arrangements.
Dr. Cameron,
I chose the J&J (Jansen) vaccine primarily because it uses relatively established technology that has been tested for years with the flu vaccines. On the plus side was the one and done injection, as I anecdotally noted by crunching some CDC numbers, that the mRNA vaccines had increased probability of adverse reaction, with both shots greater than or equal to that of the one J&J. I decided the J&J would be a lower risk, especially as I was not in the demographic that experienced the greatest number of adverse reactions. Additionally, the government eye was on Jansen to correct a manufacturing issue. So I waited.
I had no injection site pain, no immediate issues at all. A week later, I experienced what I thought was a Herxheimer reaction like I had during Lyme treatment, as my forearms started getting red spots, but with no fever, pain or other symptoms. The spots itched, my skin became very dry, and the red spots crusted up, in raised callus like patches, even with moisturizer. GP said this wasn’t a Herxheimer.
We are now in the process of trying to figure out what is happening. For the time being, I am treating with a cortisone cream and I have an upcoming dermatological appointment.
I will mention is that I had a DNA test done for genetic disease, and it came up with markers for psoriasis. The worst skin issue in the past sixty years has been occasional mild dandruff in a dry winter. My concern is the triggering of dormant and non-expressive genes.
I am replying to Allen A. , I had a rash that I think was the same as you described. I tired everything. My husband came home with GOLD Bond Medicated Powder. It really really helped me. I covered my stomach every night before bedtime. If I woke up it would itch so much I would scratch it until bled, it would drive me crazy! I would put more of the powder on again so I could fall back to sleep. Next day soak in tub. Then use a little powder. At bedtime repeat…this went on for a few weeks maybe more, but that GOLD Bond worked so well for the itching and night sweats I couldn’t believe it. Maybe by now your doctor has helped you. The powder comes in ugly mustared color yellow. Just like mustard. I hope you are feeling better by now.
Thanks Dr. Cameron! I am going to take the survey and share it with others. I took the Pfizer vaccine doses in March/April. My side effects were relatively mild and my anxiety was greatly reduced after the shots. So far so good. Masks, on the other hand, have caused me illness over and over again, and that worries me much more than the vaccine because every time I have to treat a new sinus infection brought on my wearing the mask for long periods I worry about what it might be doing to my PTLD … in fact, I am pretty sure I am either herxing or in a babesia flare as a result of doxy followed by z-pack. I’m not even sure if that’s possible, but it sure is coincidental. Is it possible? Have you seen this?
I am happy you tolerated the vaccine. Your survey will be helpful to our understanding of the vaccines. I still wear a mask to protect my patients. I find them uncomfortable. Any antibiotic can lead to a flareup. So can stress, diet, alcohol and a concussion.
Got 50% through the survey just now, and the website gave an error: ” CRITICAL ERROR: REDCap server is offline!
For unknown reasons, REDCap cannot communicate with its database server, which may be offline. Please contact your local REDCap administrator to inform them of this issue immediately. If you are a REDCap administrator, then please see this additional information. We are sorry for any inconvenience. “
Thanks for sharing. I understand that Redcap sometimes works on their system on Friday evening on some occasions. I will be watching.
Dr Cameron,
I wonder if you can help me. I have Lymes Disease with co infections. I live in Australia where Lymes is not recognised by the government. ( Doctors who treat it are deregistered) I work with a naturopath who is very supportive but I do need to do a great deal of research myself then take it to him for evaluation. The Australian government is pushing vaccination particularly because of the Delta variant. I am in the age group that can only get Astra Zeneca and I am very concerned about that particular vaccine as well as the other MrNA vaccines. After reading your blogs, it is clear to me that the risks for Lymes and the other MnRA vaccines is too great. I would like to know if you have any thoughts on the Astra Zeneca? The pressure to vaccinate is very strong here. From what I have read, I would prefer the Novax.I would be very grateful for your opinion and suggestions.
Thank you.
Joan Grounds
I have walked my patients one on one through the risk and benefits of the vaccine. I have favored the vaccine despite the risks because of my concern with an acute COVID-19 illness or potential for chronic illness. I have seen flare ups. I have readers who have described flare ups. I would appreciate it if you and friends you know complete my Lyme disease and COVID-19 survey so we can better understand the risks from each other. The link to the survey is at https://danielcameronmd.com/lyme-disease-covid-survey/ Most appreciated. I do not have enough information to answer your question on the best vaccine. Perhaps the Survey will help.
Wow. I didn’t expect to see another Australian here. I live in Brisbane and contracted Lyme’s in Germany 2019. I am having so much trouble getting help and treatment. My excellent GP keeps referring me to Rheumatologists for help, but they either ignore or refuse the referral. Even with my scans and bloods. The past year I’ve gotten reeeeally sick and am finally being treated with Doxycycline. I am terrified of getting Covid. I am terrified of the unapproved vaccines. I idea of getting sicker than I’ve already been terrifies me. My mental health is suffering greatly. I hate that our government is allowed to push us into unapproved vaccines like this.