Women with chronic Lyme disease may suffer from a severe immune response triggered by the disease
Women with chronic manifestations of Lyme disease (LD) are often told they suffer from a variety of other illnesses including depression, rheumatoid arthritis, fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue syndrome or unexplained medical symptoms.
According to a study by Wormser and colleagues, from New York Medical College, “Patients with chronic Lyme disease were significantly more likely to be female than were patients diagnosed with either Lyme disease or with post-Lyme disease syndrome.”
“This finding,” says Wormser, “suggests that illnesses with a female preponderance, such as fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue syndrome, or depression, may be misdiagnosed as chronic Lyme disease.” [1]
However, it may be that women with chronic symptoms of Lyme Disease suffer instead from a severe immune response brought on by the illness.
A study by Aucott and colleagues from Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine states, “Individuals with ideally treated early Lyme disease have a greater than 12-fold higher risk of developing PTLDS [Post-Treatment Lyme Disease Syndrome] by six or twelve months post-treatment if their CCL19 [chemokine] level is higher than 111.67 pg/ml at one month post-treatment.” [2]
High CCL19 chemokine elevations have been reported in immune illnesses. “Based on this, we speculate that elevated CCL19 levels may reflect an ongoing, immune-driven reaction at sites distal to secondary lymphoid tissue,” says Aucott.
Such high CCL19 chemokine levels may be the result of a persistent infection. “Studies using rodent and primate models,” states Aucott, “have suggested that the persistence of bacteria and/or spirochetal antigens after antibiotic therapy may drive disease.” [2]
The article entitled CCL19 as a Chemokine Risk Factor for Post-Treatment Lyme Disease Syndrome: A Prospective Clinical Cohort Study suggests several approaches to managing the elevated levels of CCL19 chemokine. Aucott points out that some physicians are electing to re-treat patients who are still symptomatic. “The use of short-term antibiotic retreatment in the early, post-treatment phase of Lyme disease has yet to be formally tested, although it may be widely applied in clinical practice.”
Other approaches included prescribing medications used to treat depression in an effort to decrease cytokine levels, behavioral interventions to help cope with pain and fatigue and cognitive rehabilitation.
References:
- Wormser GP, Shapiro ED. Implications of gender in chronic Lyme disease. J Womens Health (Larchmt), 18(6), 831-834 (2009).
- Aucott JN, Soloski MJ, Rebman AW et al. CCL19 as a Chemokine Risk Factor for Post-Treatment Lyme Disease Syndrome: A Prospective Clinical Cohort Study. Clin Vaccine Immunol, (2016).
Briana N Jamshidi
01/04/2021 (9:17 am)
“This finding,” says Wormser, “suggests that illnesses with a female preponderance, such as fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue syndrome, or depression, may be misdiagnosed as chronic Lyme disease.” [1]
This is wrong and reversed. LYME DISEASE is misdiagnosed as fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue syndrome, and depression. DO NOT devalue the damage that Lyme disease can cause. There is a way to heal from Lyme disease, the other conditions are idiopathic.
Sue
06/23/2020 (10:35 pm)
I had to be on doxy for 9 months. Make sure you have a Lyme literate doc.https://www.lymedisease.org/find-lyme-literate-doctors/
I had to wait 4 months to see my dr but it was worth it. It was a tough road. But I made it. Don’t give up.
Haley
04/26/2022 (7:38 am)
I’ve been on antibiotics 20 years..now my liver is messing up. Any ideas on safe things to take to kill bartonella babesia and lyme?
Dr. Daniel Cameron
04/26/2022 (8:04 am)
Sorry to hear you are still ill. It can be difficult for all doctors involved.
Raven
04/29/2022 (11:52 pm)
Yes, look up Dr. Marty Ross can help you. He has safe protocols, lots of videos, or remote appointments if you don’t live in his area. martyrossmd.com
Dolly Carfi
04/02/2020 (12:53 pm)
So sorry to hear all that are suffering.i had Lyme Disease in 1989-90-91.
Luckily, I was under the care of Dr Derek Desilva. A specialist in NJ.
He put me on 4500mg of Amoxicillin,and 1500mg of Probenicid daily, for 91 days. It knocked out most of the symptoms, and then I continued to heal for another 2 1/2 years. I was active and extremely healthy for many years.However he did warn of a complication, which was Arthritis, in my later years. He was so right. No arthritis in my large extended family on either side, but I’ve got it. And it’s almost debilitating. The Rheumatologist that I go to put me on Prednisone and that has been giving me great relief. I can’t even walk without it. I’m not big on meds, but if it helps me to function, I will take them. Use them if you must. It’s better than being half alive.
Joe Joseph
10/24/2017 (9:20 am)
Hi
Can it trigger scleroderma,systemic?
Dr. Daniel Cameron
10/26/2017 (6:34 pm)
There are overlapping findings for most rheumatologic conditions. There has not been much written on the scleroderma.
Johanna
03/22/2023 (6:46 pm)
In my experience Lyme and Co is the main trigger of autoimmune response, in my case it tries to trigger scleroderma, but Im treating Lyme and it keeps autoimmunity at bay. I plan to win Lyme with essential oils (natural antibiotics). Antibiotics didnt do much for my chronic and advanced Lyme.