What are the symptoms of Chronic Lyme Disease, and how long can someone go without signs before they reappear?

Question

I had lyme disease, a very bad case of lyme disease almost 15 years ago while I was in high school. I had been misdiagnosed for several months, until I was finally treated with IV antibiotics, two different courses over a year in duration total.

I had not had any symtoms I would have attributed to lyme in years, but recently, my joints are really sore and swollen. I am only in my early thirties, and I dont think that this is a normal symptom of aging at this point.

Can lymes lay dormant in the body that long with no symtoms and then return?

Answer 1

Your symptoms can be a result of Lymes Disease. The organism is certainly gone, but the immune response is what can cause chronic arthritis in people. Approximately 10% of people who experience arthritis as part of Lymes Disease will end up with a long-term, chronic arthritis. The arthritis is most commonly found in the knees. How long can this go on? No telling; there have certainly been no studies going for 15 years or more.

All that being said, swollen joints is not a normal part of aging for a 30-something (still very young as far as adults go). In addition, there are a *lot* of things that can cause swollen joints and, if you have no clue why they're swollen, you should see a doctor.

Swollen joints with no apparent cause are usually immunologic in nature (lupus or, less likely at your age, rheumatoid arthritis) or infectious (gonorrhea can cause this). But then it could be the Lymes.

Answer 2

Lyme disease is an infection that derives from a tick bite. Chronic lyme disease will lead to some complications with variable signs and symptoms such as swelling , bluish or reddish discoloration of the skin around the tick bite which may take for years. In a very rare condition,there might be inflammation of the joints which causes pain and swelling which occurs years after the bite.This condition needs immediate attention so you better see your doctor. For more details you can check out this link: http://www.netdoctor.co.uk/diseases/facts/lymedisease.htm

Answer 3

I was attacked by a Tick in 2006 , I had the Bulls-Eye rash and I was sick as a dog for 5 days. Went to 4 Dr.s before getting diagnosed with Lyme. The tick was also carrying a co-infection of Babesia or Babesiosis , that directly affects the cerebellum . I had to suffer from these diseases for a year before getting treatment for the latter. The Lyme D. was treated in 2011 . The damage is done and not reversible , nor curable .
If anyone thinks that they've been bitten ? Get to an " internal-medicine Dr. " ASAP ! Good luck .

Answer 4

Both= it can do heart muscle damage and other muscle damage that takes time to show up. The culprit also is smart and mutating as it hides by encasing itself in muscle tissue.......then when your immune system is down or it thinks it is safe it becomes active. I have had it since 92 and recurred 5 times and got reinfected 4 times......it is not fun and I must use Doxicycline in first couple days it returns and then it goes in hiding again. I'm taking natural Oragonol Liquid drops in water to drink which is reported to kill germs and bacteria and parasites...?? not taken long enough to know if it has helped. Find a doctor who will work with you on it.

Answer 5

You might want to look up mongolians syndrome. people who test positive for it also test positive for lyme disease. Most say its orgin is unknown, i think its due to the cot worm which was genetically engineered to make silk/cotton better for the clothing industry.

Second case senerio is its completely unrelated and you could have lupus.

Answer 6

it varies. you must find a lyme literate dr. who knows---not just believes ---lyme is real!