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I have witnessed the ravages of Lyme on countless occasions. I see patients who have been sick with Lyme disease for more than two years without a positive test. I also have patients who have been sick for more than six months because they were not aware that fatigue, poor memory, irritability and poor sleep could be symptoms of neurologic Lyme disease. I have treated teenagers who were too sick to attend school leaving them with home tutoring as the only way to complete their education.
Hope For A Cure
Lyme disease recurrence is commonplace, and often a source of worry. Months to years after the first diagnosis and treatment, it's possible to have a recurrence of symptoms. LymeProject has created a Lyme disease surveillance database and Lyme Disease Retreatment Study to focus on recurrent Lyme disease, dedicated to the elimination of the chronic Lyme disease epidemic.
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From preliminary studies, detecting Lyme disease at the time
of a rash can reduce the risk of a recurrence.
However, despite over 6,000 peer review articles
on Lyme disease, there always is a risk of a relapse.
If Lyme disease recurs, the treatment can still
be effective.
Lyme Disease Recurrence
When you were first diagnosed you
may have felt optimistic, determined to face the
treatments head-on. If your physician tells you
that you may be facing a recurrence, you will
need to address the emotions that come with the
diagnosis. A recurrence can shatter your sense
of optimism and well-being and leave you feeling
vulnerable and insecure about the future. Maintaining
a positive outlook in the face of bad news can
be very difficult.
A recurrence will challenge you to approach your disease in
a new way. Don’t be afraid to share these feelings
with people around you. Allowing people to show
you how much they love and care for you may give
you the strength you need to keep fighting.
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