Since symptoms of Lyme disease can change daily, it’s vitally important to work with a Lyme Literate Doctor who knows exactly what to look for. Be forewarned that diagnosing Lyme disease can be a process and not immediate. Since the disease and its co-infections mirror so many other diagnoses, it can take time to understand your unique case and eliminate other issues before determining that you are, indeed, suffering with Lyme disease.
Conventional local blood tests are notoriously insensitive for finding Lyme disease as well as the common co-infections and fail to test many of the known markers, so outside specialty labs are frequently needed. Unfortunately, since the disease presents in three different ways, plus it morphs and changes to prevent immune detection meaning a test can be performed one week that comes back negative, then it may come back positive weeks or months later. Our Lyme Literate Doctors, Dr. Ken Mitchell and Dr. Paul Despres, can stay on top of your case and know how to best test and interpret results for a true diagnosis.
How to Know if You May Have Lyme
Naturally, if you remember being exposed to a tick bite and have any of the mentioned symptoms, it’s a good idea to check in with your doctor. Also, if you have experienced chronic conditions that seem to keep changing locations or categories, you may have Lyme disease. Too often, untrained physicians get frustrated by the changing nature of Lyme disease and think their patients are making it all up, which can lead to a prescription for psychotic drugs.
Remember, you are not crazy! Let Dr. Ken Mitchell or Dr. Paul Despres, your Lyme Literate Doctors, determine if you have Lyme disease and get you on a treatment plan.