What does a Lyme flare-up feel like? Ask the Lyme Doc.

Feb 3, 2021

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When a Lyme disease flare occurs, patients will notice a return of the symptoms they have experienced before or a worsening of existing symptoms. Some patients may also develop new symptoms. A flare-up can come and go and vary in intensity. What does a Lyme flare-up feel like? The symptoms of a flare-up can include:

an increase in fatigue
problems with memory and concentration, sometimes referred to as ‘brain fog’
extreme sensitivity to bright lights, heat, cold, and noise
muscle stiffness
mood changes (including irritability)
poor quality sleep
dizziness
numbness or tingling in hands and feet
widespread muscle pain
blurred vision
general body pain

What triggers a flare-up?

One of the best ways to prevent a flare is to determine what might be causing it in the first place. These causes are called triggers. Triggers for Lyme disease vary by person, but they can include:

emotional stress (such as a divorce, death in the family, or accidents)
physical stress to the body (i.e., surgery, physical harm, concussion)
life stress or stressful events
infections, colds or viral illnesses
exhaustion
diets including processed sugars and alcohol
menstrual period
lack of sleep
traveling and/or changes in schedule
changes in treatment

How do you prevent a flare-up?

There are ways to help prevent a flare-up but most importantly, patients need to listen to their bodies and identify triggers that set off a flare in symptoms. Following are several ways to prevent a flare-up:

Treat your Lyme disease
Reduce your stress
Get enough rest and sleep
Stay away from foods that make you feel worse, including alcohol and processed sugars
Learn to pace yourself to avoid doing too much when you are feeling well
Keep up your health
Stay hydrated
Work with your doctor to get your symptoms under control
Some people find ‘positive thinking’ helpful
Try focusing on the things you can do, rather than those you can’t
You might find a mental health provider helpful

Editor’s note. What does a Lyme flare-up feel like? Ask the Lyme doc sponsored by Dr. Cameron

Herxheimer reaction in 13-year-old boy with Lyme disease

Can I consume simple sugar or alcohol if I have Lyme disease?

Clinical judgment leads to successful Lyme disease treatment in young child

Comments

233 responses to “What does a Lyme flare-up feel like? Ask the Lyme Doc.”

Rhonda Howdyshell

09/05/2023

I was so happy to feel amazing after taking the protocol prescribed by my LLMD. I enjoyed nearly 5 years of remission? cure? Then last spring, I experienced debilitating symptoms of Lyme again. After visiting my Lyme Literate Medical Doctor – and doing the Western Blot.. I had very high positives (all) in the IgM and only 3 in the IgG (Negative by CDC?) confusing, but I think it indicates I was rebitten? I was so happy to be Lyme symptom free for 5 years. Thank you LLMD and the protocol that was so cheap and non-herxing!

Reply
1. Dr. Daniel Cameron
  
  09/12/2023
  
  I have had patients whose IgM western blot have been positive during Lyme disease exacerbations without evidence of a new infection. I have had to approach them a a new infection while considering the IgM may be related to a previous infection.
  
  Reply
Tamara

08/27/2023

You should address this question with my office at 914 666 4665 in New York. You should also work with your primary doctor to rule out other conditions.

Reply
1. Dr. Daniel Cameron
  
  08/28/2023
  
  You should address this question with my office at 914 666 4665 in New York. You should also work with your primary doctor to rule out other condidtions.
  
  Reply
Kelly-Anne

07/11/2023

Have you ever heard of tickborne illness flare ups that occur 4 or 5 times every day? (I’ve had Lyme since 1978, dx 2010, tx 9 yrs. Borrelia burgdorferi, babesia microti, bartonella henselae, multiple other likely reactivated infections. Prior to tx and during, I had afternoon flares in symptoms. Moderate improvement after 5 mos IV abx (for meningitis) followed by herbal/supplement regime to quell inflammation). Now flu symptoms for 6 mos, every day, about every 4 hours. I had a Lone Star tick bite a few days before this new illness. The tick tested negative for any pathogens, but I’ve read that a bite can mobilize existing residual Lyme. Some symptoms may be from LPR, as Lyme has affected my gut. But the periodicty of it, not meal-related, has me stumped.

Reply
1. Dr. Daniel Cameron
  
  07/12/2023
  
  I have patients with periodicity but the pattern differs from person to person. It is unclear why.
  
  Reply
Shelley L Skogen

06/29/2023

I had Lyme disease @ 20 years ago with the classic symptoms and was treated for it at that time. Thirteen years ago I acquired an insect bite and ended up in the hospital for 14 days with a developed bacterial meningitis. The report that I read basically said that the insect bite triggered dormant lymes in my system resulting in the reaction. Just recently, probably the last 2 weeks, I am experiencing the same symptoms that I had thirteen years ago with stiffness of joints, limited mobility, fatigue and a mild headache. I spend a lot of time outdoors and have acquired several mosquito bites in the last month. I am wondering if there is any connection with mosquito bites and dormant lyme disease.

Reply
1. Dr. Daniel Cameron
  
  06/29/2023
  
  I have not seen any good information on mosquitoes. I would advise my patient to include a Lyme disease evaluation rather than focus on the mosquito.
  
  Reply
2. Dr. Daniel Cameron
  
  07/03/2023
  
  They have not done many studies on Mosquitoes. Most of my patients never saw the tick. I advise my patients with a return of symptoms to include a doctor with experience treating Lyme disease in their list of doctors.
  
  Reply
Jason

06/27/2023

I am to the point of ending it all so sick of being sick … decades of it

Reply
1. Dr. Daniel Cameron
  
  06/28/2023
  
  Suicidal tendencies have been described in Lyme disease. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5546819/ You should see a doctor or the ER. You could also call the suicide hotline https://988lifeline.org/?utm_source=google&utm_medium=web&utm_campaign=onebox
  
  Reply