CHRONIC LYME DISEASE
In some patients, Lyme disease can be fairly easy to treat while in others, it can feel like a never-ending battle. Chronic Lyme disease, which is surrounded by much controversy, is a systemic, debilitating condition which persists despite antibiotic therapy. The seriousness of this condition and its resistance to treatment necessitates an individualized treatment plan not based on arbitrary insurance guidelines.Chronic Lyme disease is also unique in that it is widely misunderstood and surrounded by controversy, leading to problems with physicians, friends and family, insurance companies, disability coverage, etc. The devastating symptoms and the myriad of secondary issues Lyme disease patients face often combine to leave the patient feeling overwhelmed and discouraged.
There is no established cure for chronic Lyme disease. The response to treatment varies greatly from patient to patient. Many patients find they need to stay on antibiotics long-term (ie. years). Patients may also need antibiotic combos, coinfection treatments, symptomatic medications, and natural therapies. With these treatments some patients experience full recovery. Those who don't are left to continue the search for treatment options.
Support groups, both online and offline, are very helpful for patients suffering with chronic Lyme. These groups enable patients to learn about new treatment options and to connect with others facing the same uncertainties.
Increasing numbers of those with chronic Lyme disease are being found to have other tick-borne illnesses as well. These other illnesses contribute to the difficulty with treatment. For more infomation about coinfections, see Coinfections.html.
Chronic Lyme Disease Links
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Proof That Chronic Lyme Exists
Lyme: Plague of Ignorance Regarding the Ignorance of a Plague
Insufficient evidence to deny antibiotics for chronic Lyme
Clinical trials validate the severity of persistent Lyme
Benefit of IV Antibiotic
Real Disease or Medical Myth?
Chronic Lyme Disease and the "Axis of Evil"
Medical system is as big a pain as the bug
Lyme Induced MCS
Columbia Chronic Lyme Research Center
Lyme Disease: A Plea to Doctors
Chronic Lyme Disease
Chronic Lyme Research Center
Chronic Illness Articles
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The Spoon Theory
How to interact with the chronically ill
But you LOOK good
Invisible Illnesses, Visible Stereotypes
Lyme Prayer Group
Invisible Disabilities Advocate
Couples Facing Illness
Secondary Losses From Disabling Chronic Pain
Neurotoxins in Chronic Illness
Foods to Limit or Avoid
Writing is good medicine
The Don'ts of Chronic Illness
Kids- What is a Chronic Illness?
Guidelines for Non-Toxic Living
Rest Chronic Illness Ministries
Where is God?
Religion and Disability
Yoga and Chronic Illness
Living with Chronic Illness
Thank a doctor or health care facility
