Lyme Disease Support Group

retired military family. in jersey for 4 years (2000 - 2004) then to TX. (2004 - now) in sept/2007 had LASIK and it started a auto-immune issue.

April/2008 DX with Undifferentiated Spondyloarthropathy (USpA) Main sympton (other than blood work) SI joint involvment. started on Humira Nov/2008. on and off steroids for flares and rib involvement flare.

Also have other issues...high anxiety, skin problems, bursitis, headaches.

every year in June we go to Jersey to visit family and friends. This year after 2 weeks in Jersey, returned home. had sour throat, low grade fever, thought it was just allergies/change is humidity.

Found 3 nickle size bullseye rashes 4th day home. Thought ringworm, went to PCM said no, possible lyme, did blood test ( not sure what one yet, will find out tomorrow) test came back positive!

My question... HOW can I find out if this is acute (just got a tick bite after this years visit) OR if it is chronic and I have had it for years and it is causing all other issues.

Is there a specific test or clinical way to find out if this is causing all my health problems?

The idea that all my joint problems could be from Lyme is just insane to me, but I know it is possible. HOW DO I FIND OUT!!??

again, is there a way to tell if lyme is acute or chronic?

thank you.

Joint pain is a very common lyme symptom, it loves to go to the joints, especially the knees.

"World English Dictionary

chronic (ˈkrɒnɪk) [Click for IPA pronunciation guide]

— adj

1. continuing for a long time; constantly recurring

2. Compare acute (of a disease) developing slowly, or of long duration

3. inveterate; habitual: a chronic smoker

4. informal

a. very bad: the play was chronic

b. very serious: he left her in a chronic condition

[C15: from Latin chronicus relating to time, from Greek khronikos, from khronos time] "

I think chronic Lyme Disease would be evaluated on two fronts; how long you've had it, and how severe it is.

At this point, though, most alphabet agencies (CDC, etc) don't acknowledge chronic Lyme, so I don't think there is a solid protocol in place to go on.

There is no accurate test for Lyme Disease, let alone for how long you've had it. Sorry, Roquefort.

Lyme Disease does cause joint pain, severe joint pain at that. I thought I was crazy too, attributing this huge variety of symptoms to this itty-bitty bug. But it can alter you in ways that you won't even realize until you are treating. It's a weird SOB.