Is Chronic Fatigue A Symptom Of Lyme's Disease?

Posted on Fri, 6 Jan 2017

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Fri, 6 Jan 2017 Answered on

Mon, 23 Jan 2017 Last reviewed on

Question : My daughter, who is 38, has recurring problems with fatigue. The fatigue usually comes and goes, with the most debilitating occurrences in the fall. By February, it usually starts to ease. This has been going on for several years. I'm wondering if she might have untreated Lyme disease with symptoms triggered by some allergen. What do you think?

Answered by Dr. salah saad shoman (48 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Yes it could be chronic Lyme disease

Detailed Answer:
Dear XXXX, Welcome to HCM,
I've gone through your query and understand your concern for your daughter,

As you must be knowing, Lyme disease is caused by the bite of an insect/tick. If not diagnosed and treated probably in its early stages, it may lead to chronic Lyme disease

It is possible that chronic Lyme disease is the cause of the symptoms that your daughter is experiencing.. Symptoms of chronic Lyme disease include fatigue, joint pain, muscle pain, sleep problems, neuropathy, even depression and headaches.. I've seen many patients with chronic Lyme disease become profoundly debilitated if untreated .

Hence to confirm the diagnosis, she should get an ELISA blood test done to detect antibodies against Lyme bacteria or western blot assay antibody test. Once the diagnosis is confirmed, the treatment should be started right away with a long course of antibiotics (eg. Amoxicillin, Doxycycline, or Cefuroxime).

I hope I answered your question and I'll be glad to answer any further questions regarding.

Best Wishes

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Arnab Banerjee

Follow up: Dr. salah saad shoman (18 hours later)

Dr. XXXXXXX
Thanks so much for your response. I do have a few follow ups. One: What is neuropathy? Two: If she had chronic Lyme disease, would she experience all of those symptoms or just some of them? You say she should have a ELISA blood test of a western blot assay antibody test. Are those two different tests. She should get both or will just one do? Which one is better? Can chronic Lyme disease occur seasonally. She usually experiences the fatigue in the fall and early winter and it dissipates in the spring and summer. If she had chronic Lyme disease, would the symptoms last year round or come and go? Thanks so much for your attention to this.
XXXX

Answered by Dr. salah saad shoman (19 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
I clarified below

Detailed Answer:

Dear Miadam,

Neuropathy is tingling sensation due to nerve irritation. If she has chronic Lyme she usually experiences some of the symptoms and not all of them. These are 2 tests but only one of them should be done as they serve the same purpose but western blot is more accurate so it's better and yes Lyme disease can be worse in cold weather

Do let me know if there's any further queries.
Regards

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Yogesh D

Follow up: Dr. salah saad shoman (30 minutes later)

Dr. Showman,
Thanks again for your prompt reply. Could the symptoms fluctuate with seasonal light and darkness? Her symptoms seem to get worse as the days shorten and begin easing as they start to get longer.
XXXX

Answered by Dr. salah saad shoman (36 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
No

Detailed Answer:
Dear Madam, Lyme disease symptoms seem to get worse by cold weather but not by the length of the days.

If you don't have any other clarifications you may please rate the answer.. I hope I answered your question and I will be happy to answer any further questions.

Kind Regards

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Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Raju A.T