New research may reveal why Lyme disease causes chronic symptoms for some

According to a new CDC study, a particular immune system marker may be why some people experience lingering symptoms after being diagnosed with Lyme disease. NBC News’ Dr. Natalie Azar explains what researchers know about the protein interferon alpha and the challenges behind diagnosing Lyme disease.

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[meagiesmuse]

I was misdiagnosed for 21 years, first with MS, then with fibromyalgia. I lost my ability to work, lost my partner, and lost my home to foreclosure. I'm still suffering the damage to my body and brain, since it is no longer curable at this point. I am so glad to see this finally being discussed!

[tcvgzrl]

I’m so sick of media and online sites completely downplaying Lyme. At my worst I had over 100 symptoms. It was horrific for 5-6yrs and no drs helped me.

[runabq]

I had Lyme in the 90's when I lived in Western New York, after a trip to Eastern New York where I did some hiking in the woods. I had the flu-like illness for a few days. I had the bullseye rash. My primary symptom was severe heartburn about a month later. My doctor started treating me for an ulcer. While I was in the waiting room for a follow-up appointment I read an article in a magazine about Lyme showing a picture of the rash. I took the magazine to the consultation, showed the Dr the picture and told him that I had had this rash just before I had the flu-like episode. Long story short, he refused to believe that I had Lyme Disease. He said that because *he* didn't see the rash, he couldn't accept it as a symptom and he said, "There is no Lyme Disease in New York State". At the time, blood tests were very unreliable so even though I had a positive test he still didn't think that was what I had. I finally found a Lyme specialist north of New York City who agreed to see me. I drove 5 hours each way to see him. After telling him my story and taking a blood sample and examining me he told me to call him in a few days. I went home and called him a few days later after he had my blood test back. He said that he couldn't be sure that I had Lyme Disease, but neither could he be sure that I *didn't* have Lyme disease. He treated me with a long course of antibiotics and my symptoms completely resolved. I was fortunate that I had taken the time and effort to track down a specialist who was open minded enough to listen to the patient and to recognize that he didn't have all the answers. I wish I could remember his name, although that was almost 30 years ago.

[pakababy]

My sister was misdiagnosed for MONTHS before finally being diagnosed with Lyme. After 2 years of antibiotics it appears the Lyme is eradicated but she has multiple residual symptoms. Not everyone gets the bullseye around the bite.

[KathrynMccarthy-th]

I had chronic Lyme Disease for 4 years. Every few months I had flu symptoms and the pain would settle in a different joint. American doctors and insurance companies WILL NOT recongnize chronic Lyme disease, as the insurance companies do not want to be liable for paying for it. I was on a waiting list for 2 years to see a specialist at Tufts. My doctor refused to give me more antibiotics. The only time to truly test for Lyme disease is in the middle of the night, as that is when it is most active in your blood. All other tests come out negative for Lyme. I did all of my research in Europe. In the meantime, I started taking oregano pills (a natural antibotic). I took 9 per day for the first few days and then gradually went down to 2 a day. I took them for about a year, and It finally went away.

[Eastsid]

I had an ex who had Lyme. No one supported her or believed her. She was always dizzy, had migraines and just other bad symptoms.

[RJam]

I’ve had a terrible case of Lyme my whole life and I pray for everyone else who has it because it’s ruined me and I hope I live to see the day a cure is discovered. Most people don’t understand how bad it can be…

[raqueltorres]

I had Lyme disease at 5 years and I ended up being paralyzed. I couldn’t walk, I was taken to the ER and they gave me antibiotics so I was able to walk again! Thank God!!!🙏🏽❤️

[ashleylala]

It’s nice to see that mainstream Drs are becoming more Lyme literate and finally taking it seriously. They’ve dismissed chronic Lyme and gaslit sufferers for far too long. Better late than never. Now if only they could get informed on the role of environmental toxins in the role of diseases...

[wesedmiston]

Yes, an inflammatory marker stays high, but why? It is great to see Lyme finally being taken more seriously and getting discussed in the mainstream, but there’s still a long way to go.
For instance, why don’t bands 31 and 34 count toward a positive test per the CDC? Because 3, 000 people in the 90’s got it in a vaccine? That’s ridiculous. That is one of the biggest reasons people go misdiagnosed, and we need the proper authorities to take action and change this flaw in the medical system.

[branthomas]

I was diagnosed with Lyme disease just yesterday, I work in the woods and have had symptoms for more than a year. I didn't have the typical rash or even the typical symptoms. If it wasn't for researching into it myself using google scholar I wouldn't have had any treatment. I have been having symptoms similar to Schizoeffective disorder, lots of sleep paralysis, depression and anxiety. Lyme disease can imitate many disorders and syndromes.

[zeusjackson]

Thank you for reporting this news. We need to train more doctors to take this more seriously. It took months to find a doctor to treat me and then it took 6 months to cure me. Lyme disease Can impact someone daily lives in the worst ways.I don't wish it on anyone.

[rosemarywessel]

Tick pics or not, this info could be a game changer for those of us stuck in this situation. Thanks for reporting! Links to original study and sources would be REALLY helpful. Please consider including in description.

[CyberBeep_kenshi]

It is unfortunate American news always pushes for too short segments. These subjects deserve a bit more time to explain. Forcing to 'wrap it up' just causes for the message to NOT come across.

[WhiskeyTango]

I was infected around 1987, a harsh learning disability was the worst symptom at the time. In 2008 heart palpitations and panic disorder started, misdiagnosed by many specialists until 2021.

My brain MRI results come in soon, I’m anticipating the worst being late for so long. It’s taken everything from me, our government has ignored this and taken everything from me. 💚

[sallybaillie]

Misdiagnosed for 30 years . A slow unforgiving death

[FluxyMiniscus]

Oh so they’re finally agreeing that Chronic Lyme actually DOES EXIST!

[ApartmentPrepping]

Lyme disease is a spirochete like syphilis. The body really hates spirochetes and reacts to them in weird ways, like chankres and in yawyaw it makes weird growths. Spirochetes are normally life long infections so it would make sense the body would continue reacting to Lyme long term

[Starfish]

Read the book “ Bitten: The secret history of Lyme disease and biological weapons”

[justinpaquette]

Lyme specialists have been talking about this for years, but nobody cares what Lyme specialists have to say about Lyme.