Symptoms

Photo Credit: Dr. Jennifer Morrow

Is it just me?

Symptoms can range greatly and span across several systems. Most Lyme sufferers have been to multiple specialists without much success. The most common treatment that provides relief is immunosuppression, such as prednisone. Once infected, the immune system is triggered which decreases inflammation and pain. Unfortunately, if the immune system does not clear the infection, it will continue to spread and grow causing worsening or new symptoms months to years later.

Source

Systems affected:

Gastric: Chronic diarrhea caused by constant gastric irritation is the first symptom. Patients are often diagnosed as IBS or Chrons. Many feel that certain foods cause more problems than others, and most people will be tested for celiacs. Reduction in starch and sugar diets can help symptoms for awhile. Long term effects are malabsorption issues.

Arthritic: Joint stiffness and swelling. Spinal issues including vertebral microfractures, ankylosing spondylitis. Finger and toe swelling resembling a “sausage digit” often misdiagnosed as psoriatic arthritis. Knees, ankles and feet are most often affected in those with possible bite sites on the lower extremities

Photo Credit: Jersey Beef - MT Ranch

Meat Allergy

Considered to be very rare, Alpha-gal syndrome is a type of food allergy to red meat. While most common in the Southwest United States, the condition is spreading in New York, New Jersey, Europe, Australia and Asia. It most often begins when a Lone Star tick bite transmits alpha-gal (a sugar molecule) into a person. It is not clear why some develop an immune system reaction that later produces allergic reactions when they eat red meat.

The condition appears to be spreading farther north and west, however, as ticks are carried by deer, mice, birds and other vectors to new parts of the United States. Other types of ticks carry alpha-gal molecules, so this not exclusive to the Lone Star Tick.

There's no treatment other than avoiding red meat. Alpha-gal syndrome is life long for most affected.

Different Kinds of Symptoms

General: Fatigue, swelling of lymph nodes, fever.
Head: conjunctivitis (pink eye)
Skin: The classic skin finding for someone with Lyme is erythema migrans. This can occur within one month of a tick bite, but is usually found between 7-14 days. They can be anywhere, but typically are found in the armpit, groin, behind the knee and at the belt line. They are usually not painful, but can itch or burn and be solid or can look lighter in the center.
Gastric: Chronic diarrhea is a common symptom early on. Other gastrointestinal symptoms are abdominal pain and loss of appetite. Patients are often diagnosed as IBS or Crohn’s. Many feel that certain foods cause more problems than others, and most people will be tested for Celiac disease. Reduction in starch and sugar diets can help symptoms for a while. Long term side effects can develop from poor absorption.
Musculoskeletal: Common findings are pain and stiffness of the muscles and joints. Knees, ankles and feet are most often affected in those with possible bite sites on the lower extremities. Finger and toe swelling resembling a “sausage digit” can be found and are often misdiagnosed as psoriatic arthritis. Spinal issues including tiny fractures, and chronic changes to the structure of the spine (ankylosing spondylitis). Children often present with a limp.
Neurologic: Headache, nerve pain and numbness can be common and found in as many has 42% of those with Lyme disease. A common neurologic symptom, which is often misdiagnosed as caused by Lyme, is Bell’s palsy. This is a partial paralysis of the facial nerve and causes a facial droop and difficultly closing one eye.

Page updated

Report abuse