Don’t wait for a positive Lyme disease test
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends two-tier testing for Lyme disease, which includes a screening test with the ELISA (enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay) and confirmation with the Western Blot. However, studies have found that these tests can miss more than 50% of patients with Lyme disease. In my practice, I treat patients based on clinical symptoms and medical history.
My patient took a “bury-your-head-in-the-sand” approach towards Lyme disease, which did not help him.
He had been ill for more than 2 years, suffering from severe fatigue, brain fog, poor sleep, headaches, poor concentration, irritability, neck pain, chest pain, palpitations, stomach pains, and joint pain.
He remained ill despite having been evaluated by several specialists to rule out other illnesses.
He was reluctant to consider Lyme disease or tick-borne infection without a positive test.
His condition significantly affected his quality of life, and he experienced increasing frustration as each specialist he consulted was unable to identify the cause of his symptoms. Despite his worsening condition, he was hesitant to pursue a diagnosis of Lyme disease due to a lack of definitive test results and a belief that Lyme disease was an unlikely diagnosis since he did not have a positive test or a known tick bite.
His family, concerned about his deteriorating health, encouraged him to reconsider his reluctance and seek treatment for Lyme disease. After much persuasion, he agreed to undergo treatment.
He was successfully treated with doxycycline followed by a combination of Zithromax and Malarone for Lyme disease with Babesia coinfection.
The improvement in his symptoms was remarkable; his fatigue, brain fog, and other symptoms began to resolve.
He is now kicking himself for taking that “bury-your-head-in-the-sand” viewpoint and not considering Lyme disease earlier.
His experience underscores the importance of considering Lyme disease as a potential diagnosis in patients with persistent, unexplained symptoms, even in the absence of a positive test or known tick bite. Early intervention and treatment can prevent prolonged suffering and lead to significant improvements in health.
Related Articles:
Lyme disease can trigger a cascade of costly unnecessary tests
Teresa
08/26/2024 (2:54 pm)
Even with a positive test and visits to LLMDs there is no guarantee that treatments will work, that the LLMD’s are knowledgeable or simply “costly”, and perhaps one’s genetic makeup does not correspond favorably to the treatment. Many folks know they have TBD but don’t have a LLMD. There is a burgeoning business model online with coaching, supplements, etc all with the qualification that medical treatment and advice is not offered, but folks may be desperate for health and lean into these online protocols, webinars and coaching. There are no guardrails.