You found the tick, or the bull’s-eye rash, or maybe neither. You took the antibiotics. Your doctor said the infection was treated. But months later, you are still exhausted, your joints ache, your thinking feels slow, and you are wondering if you will ever feel like yourself again.
If you live in Connecticut, you are not alone. Lyme disease takes its name from Lyme, Connecticut, where it was first identified in the 1970s, and our state remains one of the highest-risk areas in the country.
What Is Lyme Disease?
Lyme disease is a bacterial infection caused mainly by Borrelia burgdorferi and spread by the bite of an infected blacklegged (deer) tick. Ticks in Connecticut can also carry other infections, sometimes at the same time, including Babesia, Anaplasma and Ehrlichia.
Early symptoms can include:
- An expanding red rash, often but not always with a bull’s-eye pattern
- Fever, chills, headache and fatigue
- Muscle and joint aches
Many people never notice the tick bite, and not everyone gets the rash.
Early Treatment Matters
When caught early, Lyme disease usually responds well to a standard course of antibiotics. If you suspect a tick-borne infection, see your doctor promptly. Early treatment is the most important step. A root-cause approach supports, but never replaces, appropriate antibiotic care.
Why Some People Don’t Fully Recover
A portion of people treated for Lyme continue to have symptoms for six months or longer. Mainstream medicine calls this post-treatment Lyme disease syndrome (PTLDS). Symptoms often include:
- Fatigue and post-exertional crashes
- Widespread pain or joint aches
- Brain fog, memory and concentration problems
- Poor sleep
- Mood changes, anxiety or depression
- Numbness, tingling or nerve pain
Researchers are still debating why this happens. Leading explanations include lingering immune activation, inflammation, nervous system changes and tissue damage from the original infection. Long-term antibiotic therapy has not been shown to help PTLDS in clinical trials, and major guidelines advise against it.
The Functional Medicine Question: What Else Is Going On?
In my experience, people who do not recover often have more than one thing weighing on their system. The infection may have been the trigger, but other factors may be keeping the body stuck:
- Co-infections that were not tested or treated
- Mold exposure or other toxic burden adding to inflammation
- Reactivated viruses such as Epstein-Barr virus
- Gut damage from antibiotics, contributing to inflammation and poor nutrient absorption
- Mitochondrial strain, leaving cells short on energy
- Hormone and cortisol disruption from months of chronic illness
- Nervous system sensitization, similar to what we see in fibromyalgia
How I Investigate at Good News Naturopathic Clinic
I choose each test from the specialty lab best suited to your situation, so the exact panels vary from patient to patient.
I work alongside your primary care doctor or infectious disease specialist. My evaluation may include:
- Review of prior Lyme and co-infection testing, and recommending further testing where appropriate
- Inflammatory markers, CBC and metabolic panel
- EBV antibody panel
- Urine mycotoxin testing if mold exposure is possible
- Comprehensive stool testing (such as the GI-MAP) to assess the gut after antibiotics
- Organic acids testing for mitochondrial and nutrient markers
- Cortisol rhythm and thyroid testing
Supporting Recovery
Recovery is usually layered rather than quick. Common building blocks include:
- Anti-inflammatory nutrition and steady blood sugar
- Gut repair after antibiotics
- Mitochondrial support such as CoQ10, magnesium and B vitamins, based on testing
- Omega-3 fatty acids for inflammation
- Gentle, paced movement that does not trigger crashes
- Sleep restoration and nervous system calming practices
- Removing additional burdens such as mold exposure
Preventing the Next Bite
Connecticut tick season peaks in late spring and summer, but ticks are active whenever temperatures are above freezing.
- Check yourself, your children and pets daily after time outdoors.
- Shower within two hours of coming inside.
- Wear long sleeves and pants tucked into socks in wooded or grassy areas.
- Remove ticks promptly with fine-tipped tweezers.
Ready to Find Out What’s Keeping You Stuck?
If you were treated for Lyme and never fully bounced back, a deeper look may help. I see patients in person in Norwalk, CT, serving Fairfield County, Westchester and the NYC metro area, and by telehealth for Connecticut residents.
Book your consultation with Dr. Jamie Ahn today.
Related Reading
- Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
- Fibromyalgia
- Mystery Neurological Symptoms
- Mold Illness: Why Your House May Be Making You Sick
Frequently Asked Questions
Is “chronic Lyme” the same as PTLDS?
The terms are used differently. PTLDS refers to symptoms that persist after documented, treated Lyme disease. “Chronic Lyme” is a broader term without an agreed medical definition.
Should I take long-term antibiotics?
Clinical trials have not shown benefit from prolonged antibiotics for post-treatment symptoms, and they carry risks. Discuss options with your treating physician.
Can Lyme cause neurological symptoms?
Yes. Lyme can affect the nervous system, causing facial palsy, nerve pain, headaches and cognitive symptoms. Seek medical care promptly for new neurological symptoms.
Can I get Lyme in winter in Connecticut?
Yes. Adult ticks can be active on days above freezing, so continue tick checks year-round.
References
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Lyme Disease. https://www.cdc.gov/lyme/
- Lantos PM, et al. Clinical Practice Guidelines by IDSA, AAN and ACR: 2020 Guidelines for the Prevention, Diagnosis and Treatment of Lyme Disease. Clinical Infectious Diseases, 2021. https://academic.oup.com/cid/article/72/1/e1/5899116
This article is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for individual medical advice.
