Hello,
In answering your question, I will make reference to the latest published scientific papers addressing persistent or
chronic Lyme disease. In summary, literature data suggest that:
1. 10-20% of people being treated for Lyme disease will develop ongoing symptoms, including
fatigue,
muscle pain,
depression, and other mental or thinking disturbances. This occurs despite receiving the right antibiotic treatment.
2. There is yet no evidence that the causative agent of Lyme disease (
Borrelia burgdorferi) persists in human organism after appropriate treatment with antibiotics. This means that probably any future episode of Lyme disease could be a new infection rather than a "relapse" or "recurrent infection".
3. Experts have tried to treat chronic or repeated episodes of Lyme disease using long-term antibiotic regimes. However, randomized controlled trials have shown that prolonged antibiotic therapy has no additional benefits over placebo in terms of mental and physical aspects, and therefore it is not advised.
4. Lastly, a long follow-up study of patients affected by Lyme concluded that many years after primary infection their mental and physical health scores were similar to those of the general population.
In conclusion, you have to address and treat your symptoms when they appear as there is no definite cure for your condition. I guess that your doctor is doing just that, and I have to agree that this is the only appropriate way!
It is important to keep enthusiasm and hope because with the passing of time most mental and physical symptoms will very likely resolve.
Hope I have answered your query. Let me know if I can assist you further.
Regards,
Dr. Ervin Toçi