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Symptoms Attributed to Chronic Lyme - Like Disease

Diagnosis
Symptoms Attributed to Chronic Lyme - Like Disease

There is no agreed upon definition or diagnostic criteria for diagnosing chronic Lyme disease (CLD). There is significant overlap between the symptoms attributed to CLD and those of ME/CFS (Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome), FM (Fibromyalgia), and other Central Sensitivity Syndromes (CSS). A study by the Complex Chronic Diseases Study Group could find no difference between patients with symptoms attributed to CLD and those with ME/CFS. ME/CFS is often triggered by an infection. For those with a history of serologically proven (antibody test by a reference lab) Lyme disease, persistent symptoms may be due to the acute Lyme infection triggering the onset of ME/CFS. This population is said to have Post-Lyme disease syndrome. Other patients without serologic evidence of prior infection by a reference lab (e.g., BCCDC) have a positive test by private non-reference lab. These patients likely have ME/CFS, FM, or related disorder with a false positive test.

 

Internet search results would have one think that testing for Lyme disease is controversial. There is a lot of misinformation about Lyme testing. False negative tests are common only in early acute Lyme but not in late Lyme disease. Of note, late Lyme disease is not the same as CLD and represents specific syndromes associated with persistent infection. Click here for a Fact Sheet on testing for Lyme disease.

 

 
As mentioned, there is no agreed upon definition or diagnostic criteria for diagnosing chronic Lyme disease (CLD). Symptoms attributed to CLD include:

  • Fatigue
  • Pain
  • Cognitive symptoms ("brain fog)
  • Sleep disturbance
  • Other unexplained symptoms (e.g., gut, brain, or autonomic (adrenaline) system)
Lyme disease itself is described as having 2 different stages. There are the early and late stages of Lyme disease. Of note, late Lyme disease is not the same as CLD and represents specific syndromes associated with persistent infection.

 
(occurring 3 to 30 days after the tick bite) include:
  • Flu-like symptoms (often in the summer months) such as:
  • Chills and fever
  • Swollen lymph nodes
  • Stiff neck
  • Headaches
  • Fatigue
  • Muscle and joint pain
  • A large, expanding skin rash (erythema migraines), located around the area of the tick bite (in approximately 40% of affected people). This rash may be circular, triangular, or oval, and may resemble a bull's eye.
Antibiotics are used to cure early Lyme disease and to prevent further complications of the infection when used early.

 
(months-to-years post-tick bite)
Approximately 60% of patients who were infected with Borrelia (the agent that causes Lyme Disease), but were not treated with antibiotics, go on to develop arthritis, neurologic symptoms (brain or nerves), and skin manifestations.

Antibiotics are also used for late Lyme disease and are usually curative.

As mentioned, CLD is not the same as late Lyme as evidence of persistent infection is lacking. Although there are many anecdotal reports of symptom improvement with antibiotics, high quality randomized placebo-controlled trials have consistently shown a lack of benefit. In fact, there is strong evidence showing potential harm in the use of antibiotics for symptoms attributed to CLD.

The CCDP does not see patients with acute or late Lyme disease. As mentioned, we will treat patients with symptoms attributed to CLD who have positive serology and have not had prior adequate antibiotic treatment. Otherwise, our policy is not to use antibiotics for patients with symptoms attributed to CDL.

For more information, go to BC Centre for Disease Control.

Clinical Protocols

Treatment Protocol

Clinical Protocol: "Chronic Lyme Disease" or "Post-Lyme Syndrome"

Medication Handouts
Please find more information on different medication protocols here.


Resources
Articles 
Websites
Patient and Provider Resources and Education
For more Patient and Provider Resources, useful links and Self-management Resources please visit here. 




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SOURCE: Symptoms Attributed to Chronic Lyme - Like Disease ( )
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