How to Live With Chronic Lyme Disease

Learning to live with chronic Lyme disease is an ongoing process. The disease changes through the years, therefore, the way to cope involves adjusting to its presence. Some days or weeks may be free of symptoms, others may be unrelenting. A regimen of antibiotic therapy may become a way of life when the disease is active. Read on to learn how to live with chronic Lyme disease.

Instructions

• 1

  Understand the importance of obtaining an accurate diagnosis. Lyme disease has manifestations that are common with many other illnesses and diseases. Once a determination is made that you definitely have Lyme disease, your doctor can more accurately treat your symptoms and help you manage the disease.

• 2

  Find a doctor who understands what it is to live with chronic Lyme disease and aggressively treats the symptoms. This is probably the most important part of coping with the ups and downs of this disease process. If your doctor listens to your symptoms, he can help you stay ahead of the major obstacles of Lyme disease.

• 3

  Understand you may need to depend on family and friends when the Lyme disease is highly active. In advanced chronic Lyme disease, there may be times of memory loss and inability to concentrate. Trust those around you to be your support during these difficult times.

• 4

  Realize that it will be necessary to have long-term antibiotic treatment every time you have a relapse of Lyme disease. Without the proper antibiotics, the disease can progress to extensive neurological or physical deterioration.

• 5

  Maintain hope that there will be a cure for chronic Lyme disease. Research is ongoing as more doctors recognize the devastation this disease has on patients and their families.

• 6

  Consider starting a local support group. Chronic Lyme disease is not as publicized as many other diseases, and you may have trouble locating other patients. Discuss the idea with your health care provider to see if she can assist in getting other Lyme disease sufferers to form a local group.