Stage 3 Lyme disease can lead to severe neurological symptoms that include nerve pain, mobility issues, and cognitive decline. Misdiagnosis is common and can lead to delayed treatment and a worsening of symptoms. Lyme-literate medical professionals can utilize the right tests to confirm the Borrelia burgdorferi infection. And, with the proper treatment, quality of life can improve.
Lyme disease comes with a lot of variations that can often be misunderstood. For some, it is a minor condition that goes away completely with a round of antibiotics. For others, it can progress long-term and have some serious, life-changing challenges. This typically occurs when patients reach Stage 3 Lyme disease and begin experiencing debilitating neurological symptoms.
Early treatment is always stressed when it comes to this condition, but those who did not receive it, struggles with nerve pain, cognitive impairment, and mobility are encountered daily. This is further compounded by the aggravation of misdiagnosis and delayed treatment.
This article explores how understanding Stage 3 Lyme disease neurological symptoms can help patients and Lyme-literate medical professionals successfully manage symptoms and improve life quality.
The Stages of Lyme Disease
Lyme disease is generally spread through tick bites. When an individual is bitten by an infected tick, it transmits the bacterium, Borrelia burgdorferi, into the unsuspecting human. From there, the disease can move through three stages.
Stage 1: Early, Localized Lyme Disease
In its earliest stages, Lyme disease symptoms begin to appear within a few days to a month or so after the tick bite. This is when most people will develop a bull’s-eye shaped rash, along with flu-like symptoms.
Checking for ticks after being in a wooded, grassy outdoor area is always recommended. Taking action and removing the tick right away can minimize the risk of spreading the bacteria. Seek the help of a medical professional at the very first symptom.
Stage 2: Early Disseminated Lyme Disease
When this infection is left untreated, it can spread through the bloodstream and wreak havoc on the body. Various new symptoms will often appear, such as joint pain, Lyme carditis (heart palpitations, facial palsy, and the like.
Treatment at this stage often becomes more difficult, especially if the Lyme disease diagnosis has been missed. Yet, it is important to get to the root cause of the symptoms to reduce the risk of moving on to the next stage.
Stage 3: Late Disseminated Lyme Disease
Lyme disease doesn’t go away if left untreated. Many reach this late stage months or years after the initial infections. The symptoms become more intense and cause many disruptions in daily life. Severe neurological and musculoskeletal symptoms make getting through the smallest of tasks seem impossible some days.
Neurological Symptoms of Stage 3 Lyme Disease: A Closer Look
Once the disease is classified as stage 3, the patient is dealing with some really severe symptoms that can impact the central nervous system and the peripheral nervous system. In other words, pain can be varied but felt throughout the entire body. This disruptive stage may also be referred to as Lyme neuroborreliosis.
Let’s take a look at a few of the most defining symptoms.
Neuropathy and Nerve Pain
Stemming from the peripheral nerves, neuropathy is a condition in which nerves found outside the brain and spinal cord become damaged. These symptoms mostly impact the feet and hands and include:
- Burning and shooting pain
- Muscle weakness
- Numbness
- Tingling
- Sensitivity to touch
Because hands and feet are needed for most tasks throughout your day, dealing with neuropathy can make the simplest actions tough, especially walking.
Cognitive Dysfunction
Cognitive impairment is also almost always found in this stage, often dubbed Lyme brain. The symptoms it causes can really take a toll on an individual’s overall sense of well-being. For instance, patients may experience:
- Confusion or disorientation
- Memory loss
- Inability to concentrate
- Mental fatigue
- Difficulty finding words or speaking
Experiencing any of these can be life-altering, impacting education, employment, and relationships.
Encephalopathy
Encephalopathy is a condition that involves inflammation of the brain. In this instance, it is caused by the Borrelia burgdorferi bacteria. Symptoms may include:
- Headaches (often severe)
- Personality changes
- Depression and/or anxiety
- Impaired motor coordination
- Sleep disturbances
This condition can significantly disrupt normal brain function and may not be experienced by all Stage 3 Lyme disease patients.
Autonomic Nervous System Dysfunction
The autonomic nervous system refers to the system within the body that controls involuntary functions, such as temperature or digestion. Lyme disease can eventually disrupt this system, causing patient to experience:
- Irregular heartbeats
- Inability to regulate temperature
- Gastrointestinal upset
- Dizziness or fainting
Diagnosing Stage 3 Lyme Disease
Unfortunately, many of these symptoms can mimic many other health conditions, including chronic fatigue syndrome, fibromyalgia, and multiple sclerosis. As a result, some medical professionals will overlook Lyme disease as a culprit.
For a proper diagnosis, it is important that all possibilities are considered. There are a few standard tests that can help medical professionals. For instance, MRIs and EEGs can be used to assess the extent of the neurological damage and rule out other possible conditions. If a doctor suspects Lyme disease or wants to rule it out, there are tests that can be done to uncover the presence of the Borrelia burgdorferi bacteria.
As soon as the right diagnosis is received, proper treatment can begin.
Treatment for Stage 3 Lyme Disease at Lyme Mexico
Are you or a loved one suffering from Stage 3 Lyme disease? Getting the right treatment is critical for living a healthy life. The doctors at Lyme Mexico specialize in advanced, science-based therapies that will target persistent Lyme infections and the neurological pain they cause. Travel outside the country, such as outside the United States, Canada, the UK, Australia, or New Zealand, and find alternate treatments that will give you the relief you have been hoping for.
Learn about personalized treatments that may help you begin to heal. Become a patient and schedule a consultation today.
Conclusion
Stage 3 Lyme disease can significantly impact one’s daily life due to the neurological impact it causes. Finding a team that can recognize the condition, properly diagnose and treat it will give you the greatest chance of regaining a level of normalcy. Help is out there— don’t give up.