Lyme Disease & Tick-Borne Illness

Symptoms Associated with Lyme Disease

Symptoms associated with Lyme disease can vary depending on the stage of illness and may differ from person to person. They can include:

• Fatigue

• Headaches

• Muscle and joint aches or pain

• Joint swelling, particularly in larger joints

• Numbness, tingling, or nerve pain

• Facial weakness or facial palsy

• Dizziness or shortness of breath

• Heart palpitations or an irregular heartbeat

• Difficulty with concentration or thinking

• Fever or chills

Many of these symptoms can occur with other health conditions and do not necessarily indicate Lyme disease. Evaluation should consider your symptoms, health history, possible tick exposure, previous testing and treatment, and other potential causes.

Some people continue to experience symptoms after being diagnosed or treated for Lyme disease. Others come to us with ongoing symptoms and questions about previous testing, possible tick-borne illness, or other factors that may be contributing to how they feel.

A comprehensive evaluation can help review what has already been investigated, identify areas that may need further evaluation, and develop an individualized plan based on your health history and current concerns.

Understanding Lyme Disease and Other Tick-Borne Illnesses

Lyme disease is caused by Borrelia bacteria transmitted through the bite of infected blacklegged ticks (commonly called deer ticks). Symptoms and clinical presentation can vary depending on the stage of illness, and some people may continue to experience symptoms even after treatment.

Blacklegged ticks can also transmit other infections, including babesiosis, anaplasmosis, hard tick relapsing fever, and Powassan virus. In some cases, a person may be infected with more than one tick-borne pathogen at the same time.

Why Lyme and Tick-Borne Illness Can Be Complex

Co-infections complicate recovery — Bartonella, Babesia, and other tick-borne infections can cause overlapping and fluctuating symptoms.

Immune system impact — Chronic infections can weaken the immune system, making fatigue, brain fog, and pain persist.

Hidden triggers — Environmental toxins, gut imbalances, hormonal disruptions, or past infections can worsen symptoms How Dr. Foss Helps Patientsand slow healing.

Explore Our Lyme Disease Resources

Our Approach

Dr. Sean Foss, ND, LAc, works with patients experiencing Lyme disease, other tick-borne illnesses, and persistent symptoms following Lyme disease. Many patients come to our practice after previous testing or treatment with ongoing symptoms and unanswered questions.

Care begins with a detailed review of your health history, symptoms, possible tick exposure, previous testing and treatment, and other health factors that may be relevant to how you are feeling.

How Dr. Foss Helps Patients

Comprehensive Evaluation — Dr. Foss reviews your symptoms, health history, possible tick exposure, previous laboratory results, treatments, and response to prior care to develop a more complete picture of your health.

Testing When Appropriate — Laboratory testing may be recommended based on your symptoms, health history, exposure risk, and previous testing. Results are considered alongside your clinical history rather than interpreted in isolation.

Individualized Treatment — Recommendations are tailored to the individual patient and may include nutrition, lifestyle changes, botanical medicine, supplements, acupuncture, and other therapies when appropriate.

Collaborative Care — When treatment falls outside Dr. Foss's scope of practice, he can work alongside your primary care physician or other medical specialists as part of your healthcare team.

Ongoing Follow-Up — Follow-up visits provide an opportunity to review your progress, address changes in symptoms, and adjust recommendations based on your needs and response to care.

Coordinated Care When Prescription Treatment Is Needed

When prescription treatment is appropriate, Dr. Foss can collaborate with prescribing practitioners within Functional Medicine Collaborative as part of a coordinated approach to care. Our team can also work with your primary care physician, infectious disease specialist, or other healthcare providers when needed.

Dr. Foss does not personally prescribe prescription antibiotics in Massachusetts, but patients who require antibiotic treatment may be able to receive that care from an appropriately licensed prescribing practitioner within our practice.

Common Questions About Lyme Disease

Can Lyme disease tests be negative even if I have Lyme disease?

Yes. Lyme disease antibody tests may be negative during the first several weeks after infection because the body has not yet produced enough antibodies to be detected. Testing becomes more reliable as the immune response develops. Lyme disease evaluation should consider symptoms, possible tick exposure, physical findings, and appropriate laboratory testing when indicated.

Can Lyme disease cause symptoms after treatment?

Yes. Some people experience prolonged symptoms such as fatigue, body aches, or difficulty thinking after completing recommended treatment for Lyme disease. The cause of these persistent symptoms is not fully understood, so continued symptoms should be evaluated carefully rather than automatically assumed to represent an ongoing infection.

Does Lyme disease always cause a bull's-eye rash?

No. Lyme disease does not always cause the classic bull's-eye appearance. An erythema migrans rash occurs in many people with Lyme disease, but its appearance can vary considerably, and some people do not develop a recognized rash.

Can ticks transmit infections other than Lyme disease?

Yes. Blacklegged ticks, commonly called deer ticks, can transmit several pathogens in addition to the bacteria that cause Lyme disease. Depending on a patient's symptoms and exposure history, evaluation for other tick-borne illnesses may sometimes be appropriate.

Do you prescribe antibiotics for Lyme disease?

When antibiotic treatment is clinically appropriate, patients may be able to receive prescription treatment from an appropriately licensed prescribing practitioner within Functional Medicine Collaborative. Dr. Sean Foss, ND, LAc, does not personally prescribe prescription antibiotics in Massachusetts but can collaborate with prescribing practitioners within our practice and with other members of a patient's healthcare team.