I have paranoid schizophrenia. I have been receiving antipsychotics and a drug for depression and drugs for high blood pressure and cholesterol. Thirty years ago I noticed a bulls eye rash on my stomach. It went away in a few days so I did not tell my doctor about it. Now I realize that this could be "Lyme" disease which went undiagnosed and untreated. I plan to tell my doctor this. What are the long term untreated symptoms of Lyme disease and how would it be detected and treated. Can you shed some advice that would help me after all these years?
Hi, Welcome to Chat Doctor. Lymes disease is caused by a spirochete called Cordelia burgdoferi which usually is spread by tick bites. The typical presentation would be a rash at the site of bite. This is the first stage. The second stage presents with fever and body pain, headaches, joint pains and lymph node swelling. This occurs after few weeks after first stage. The third stage is stage of persistent infection where there are symptoms of arthritis, dermatitis and neuropathy. Clinical diagnosis is missed as it is a slow disease. Lab diagnosis is by serological tests like ELISA and Immunofluorescence for Egg antibodies. Rising title indicates active infection. Treatment is by Doxycycline, Amoxicillin, Cefuroxime. Hope I have cleared your doubts. Thanks.