The clinical symptoms of Lyme disease vary among individuals at initial presentation and during the course of the infection, ranging from a relatively benign skin rash to severe arthritic and neurological disabilities. Lyme disease occurs in stages, with remissions, exacerbations, and different clinical manifestations at each stage. Any organ system can be involved, but the bacteria commonly attack skin, joint, heart, and nerve tissue— including the brain.

Early Stage Symptoms:

Early in the disease process, patients may present with flu-like symptoms including headache, stiff neck, fever, muscle aches, fatigue, and partial facial paralysis (Bell’s palsy). A skin rash called erythema migrans may develop at the site of the bite, but not all people will develop the rash.

Antibiotic treatment can be effective if started early in the disease process. Delayed or inadequate treatment can lead to more serious symptoms, which may be chronic, disabling, and difficult to treat.

Late Stage Symptoms:

Late symptoms may include: “Lyme arthritis” with joint pain and swelling, heart complications, motor and peripheral neuropathies, dizziness, irritability, ADHD-like symptoms, memory and concentration impairment, and migratory muscle, tendon, and bone pain.

Lyme disease is often called “the great imitator” because its symptoms imitate other diseases such as chronic fatigue, fibromyalgia, lupus, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson’s, Lou Gehrig’s (ALS), Alzheimer’s, and autism.

FIRST WARNING SIGNS

• Tick bite
• Rash – either circular, spreading, or “bulls-eye” – may appear around the bite site; rash does not occur in all cases
• Flu-like symptoms, followed by intermittent illness
• Extreme fatigue

JOINTS AND MUSCULOSKELETAL SYMPTOMS

• Joint pain and/or swelling
• Stiffness of joints, back, neck
• Muscle pain, twitching, cramps and weakness
• Heel pain/plantar fasciitis
• Tendinitis
• Jaw pain

NEUROLOGICAL SYMPTOMS

• Persistent and severe headache
• Twitching of facial or other muscles
• Cranial nerve dysfunction/numbness and tingling
• Peripheral neuropathy
• Bell’s palsy or partial paralysis
• Light-headedness or dizziness
• Poor balance or difficulty walking
• Burning and stabbing pains
• Restless legs
• Memory loss (short or long term)
• Confusion (difficulty with processing thought)
• Speech difficulty (slurred or slow, word-finding problems)
• Seizures/stroke symptoms
• Blurry or double vision, sight change
• Sensitivity to light and flashing lights
• Sound sensitivity
• Tinnitus (ringing in ears)

PSYCHOLOGICAL SYMPTOMS

• Mood swings, irritability
• Unusual depression
• Panic/anxiety attacks
• Aggression/rage
• Obsessive-compulsive behavior
• Paranoia
• Suicidal thoughts
• New onset ADHD

RESPIRATORY / CIRCULATORY SYMPTOMS

• Recurring bronchial infections
• Shortness of breath
• Chest pain/rib soreness
• Heart palpitations, murmurs, valve prolapse, heart attack

OTHER SYMPTOMS

• Insomnia or oversleeping
• Night sweats and/or chills
• Swollen/painful lymph glands
• Loss of sex drive
• Chemical sensitivity/increased allergic reactions
• Sore throat
• Weight gain/loss
• Skin changes/nodules under the skin, dryness