Lyme disease is not only evolving, but increasing dramatically in the United States. Especially in the Northeast.
New manifestations of Lyme's later stages and new post infectious sequelae are evolving. One of these is the arthritic symptoms associated with Lyme that can occur a few months to several years after infection.
We see hundreds of patients with acute and chronic Lyme and co-infections. We have successfully reversed multiple symptoms and eliminated active disease with I.V. Ozone MAH, German biologics, UVBI ultraviolet blood irradiation, peptides and offer other novel therapeutics - methylene blue, Bouluke and SOT treatment. We offer advanced Lyme/co-infection and Toxic mold testing.
We see patients who have unsuccessfully done years of antibiotics which caused more damage than the disease itself. Some have been seen by the very best "Lyme literate doctors and clinics" and their labs reveal direct damage from the drugs prescribed. They have spent tens of thousands of dollars and are in worse shape than before they started treatment. Instead of building a permanent sustainable immune system, the providers focused on heavy treatments even after the pathogen was eliminated leaving the patient more vulnerable and with new autoimmune expressions and tissue damage.
Published in a recent issue of Arthritis and Rheumatology, doctors reported that systemic autoimminue joint diseases may follow Lyme infection.
"Genetics is the smoking gun, environment pulls the trigger." Lyme as well as other infections turn genes on. Did you know that CMV CytoMegalovirus can trigger Rheumatoid Arthritis?
In a recent issue of Arthritis and Rheumatology, Dr. Steere and colleagues reported that systemic autoimmune joint diseases may follow Lyme infection.The team of doctors at Massachusetts General Hospital study patient records from over 13 years finding and identifying a group of patients with new-onset autoimmune joint disorder that developing a median of 4 months after Lyme disease infection, usually manifested by erthema migrans.
The need for different treatment approaches highlights the importance of distinguishing between 3 possibilities when patients present with frank joint swelling, in the context of Lyme disease -- Lyme arthritis (active B. burgdorferi infection in joints), post infectious Lyme arthritis (also known as antibiotic-refractory Lyme synovitis), and another form of inflammatory arthritis following Lyme disease.
B. burdorferi infection triggers autoimmune arthritis syndrome, and often occurs in the same time frame that Lyme arthritis may occur. Lyme arthritis is sometimes followed by antibiotic-refractory Lyme arthritis in which autoimmunity is thought to play a role according to Dr. Steere.
The spirochetes create a biofilm which is antibiotic resistant over time from treatment.
Clues to the differential diagnosis in a patient with joint swelling, according to Dr. Steere:
- “A systemic autoimmune joint disorder related to Lyme disease usually follows antibiotic-treated erythema migrans, which would ordinarily prevent the occurrence of Lyme arthritis."
- "The autoimmune joint disorders are usually polyarticular, whereas Lyme arthritis and antibiotic-refractory Lyme synovitis are almost always monoarticular or oligoarticular and usually involve a large joint, most often a knee.”
- We offer prolozone injections into large joints to stop progression of disease and to rebuild damaged cartilage.
Treatment of Lyme arthritis typically consists of a 28-day course of an oral antibiotic. “On the other hand, patients who have persistent proliferative synovitis, for months or years after that therapy (called post infectious antibiotic-refractory Lyme arthritis), and those with a post treatment new-onset systemic autoimmune disorder require anti-inflammatory treatment, usually DMARDs.”
Lyme-infected ticks transmit Lyme and a host of co-infections that keep patients chronically ill long after initial treatments. Drugs used for Lyme are not as effective for co-infections long-term. We test and treat Lyme and co-infections. Ozone Therapy is a safe and effective treatment for Lyme and co-infections. Let's discuss which Lyme test is the best test for you. You have testing choices and treatment options. We have specialized medicines from Germany for Lyme disease and co-infections.
If you have been bitten by a tick and/or believe you may have Lyme disease we can offer free screening for Lyme disease if you have insurance. Lyme screenings can typically run you several hundred dollars. If you have insurance, please call us to find out if you are eligible for a full Lyme panel of blood labs covered by insurance.
Rickettsia and Tickborne Infections
Fight Chronic Lyme and Co-Infections with Ozone Therapy
References:
Arvikar SL, Crowley JT, Sulka KB, et al. Autoimmune arthritides, rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, or peripheral spondyloarthritis following Lyme disease. Arthritis & Rheumatology. 2017; 69:194-202. Steere AC, Strie F, Wormser GP, et al. Primer: Lyme borreliosis. Nat Rev Dis Primers. 2016;2:1-18.
Berende A, ter Hofstede HJM, Vos FJ, et al. Randomized trial of longer-term therapy for symptoms attributed to Lyme disease. N Engl J Med. 2016;374:1209-1220. Klempner MS, Hu LT, Evans J, et al. Two controlled trials of antibiotic treatment in patients with persistent symptoms and a history of Lyme disease. N Engl J Med. 2001;345:85-92.
