What does a Lyme flare-up feel like? Ask the Lyme Doc.
Lyme disease is a tick-borne illness that can lead to unpredictable disease flare-ups and remissions. The best know flare-up is called a Herxheimer reaction. A Herxheimer reaction was first identified in patients with syphilis and occurs when the body reacts to endotoxin-like products released by the death of bacteria in the body after starting an antibiotic. A flare-up may occur following a trigger or as part of the illness.
When a Lyme disease flare occurs, patients will notice a return of the symptoms they have experienced before or a worsening of existing symptoms. Some patients may also develop new symptoms. A flare-up can come and go and vary in intensity. What does a Lyme flare-up feel like? The symptoms of a flare-up can include:
- an increase in fatigue
- problems with memory and concentration, sometimes referred to as ‘brain fog’
- extreme sensitivity to bright lights, heat, cold, and noise
- muscle stiffness
- mood changes (including irritability)
- poor quality sleep
- dizziness
- numbness or tingling in hands and feet
- widespread muscle pain
- blurred vision
- general body pain
What triggers a flare-up?
One of the best ways to prevent a flare is to determine what might be causing it in the first place. These causes are called triggers. Triggers for Lyme disease vary by person, but they can include:
- emotional stress (such as a divorce, death in the family, or accidents)
- physical stress to the body (i.e., surgery, physical harm, concussion)
- life stress or stressful events
- infections, colds or viral illnesses
- exhaustion
- diets including processed sugars and alcohol
- menstrual period
- lack of sleep
- traveling and/or changes in schedule
- changes in treatment
How do you prevent a flare-up?
There are ways to help prevent a flare-up but most importantly, patients need to listen to their bodies and identify triggers that set off a flare in symptoms. Following are several ways to prevent a flare-up:
- Treat your Lyme disease
- Reduce your stress
- Get enough rest and sleep
- Stay away from foods that make you feel worse, including alcohol and processed sugars
- Learn to pace yourself to avoid doing too much when you are feeling well
- Keep up your health
- Stay hydrated
- Work with your doctor to get your symptoms under control
- Some people find ‘positive thinking’ helpful
- Try focusing on the things you can do, rather than those you can’t
- You might find a mental health provider helpful
Editor’s note. What does a Lyme flare-up feel like? Ask the Lyme doc sponsored by Dr. Cameron
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Diana Darcy
02/18/2023 (8:56 pm)
Has any one gotten histamine intolerance from Lyme?
Diana Darcy
02/18/2023 (8:49 pm)
I got sick with a virus and ended up with severe joint pain.. unfortunately I had kaiser at the time and they did some routine tests that showed up negative. They wouldn’t refer me to Stanford or another specialty doctor. Fast forward 7 years and I no longer have Kaiser and have been diagnosed by a functional medicine doctor as Lyme. He had to do a lot of non traditional blood tests. Im sure a lot of damage has been done in those 7 years.
Dr. Daniel Cameron
02/19/2023 (9:39 am)
I always encourage my patients to include an antibiotic as part of the approach.
Diana Darcy
02/18/2023 (8:41 pm)
Accupuncture has really helped with the pain but you have to find someone who knows what they are doing. I find Chinese accupuncture works the best.
And you should feel a lot of energy in your body during sessions.
Tammy
12/18/2022 (2:05 pm)
How do to prevent Lyme flare when in a stressful situation that you can not help? And why is it that when you go through a stressful situation it’s seems days or weeks later the flare starts?
Dr. Daniel Cameron
12/19/2022 (3:07 pm)
I find it can be difficult to determine the cause of a flareup.
Camille
12/12/2022 (1:08 pm)
Hi,
I am so grateful for this conversation!
I had the Covid vaccine and Flu vaccine compounded by exposure to a virus two months ago.
I have had all the symptoms of Lyme flareup but did not realize it could be that. I was treated by Dr. Cameron and Dr. Phillips years ago.
I am now living in Seattle…..not sure if I should restart Doxy.
Any info would help. There are no Lyme specialists in the Seattle area.
Dr. Daniel Cameron
12/14/2022 (7:10 am)
I am sorry to hear you are having problems again. You may find doctors in your area through networking with other doctors or checking directors including Global Lyme Alliance and LymeDisease.org
Michelle
12/14/2022 (12:20 pm)
Dr Susan Marra