Which are the symptoms of Lyme Disease?

See the worst symptoms of affected by Lyme Disease here


Symptoms of Lyme Disease


Lyme disease is a tick-borne illness caused by the bacterium Borrelia burgdorferi and is transmitted to humans through the bite of infected black-legged ticks. The disease can affect various body systems and lead to a wide range of symptoms. Early recognition and treatment are crucial to prevent complications.



Early Symptoms


The initial symptoms of Lyme disease typically appear within 3 to 30 days after a tick bite. These early signs may vary from person to person, but the most common symptoms include:



  • Bull's-eye rash (erythema migrans): This distinctive rash often appears at the site of the tick bite and gradually expands over time. It may resemble a red ring with a clear center, resembling a bull's-eye. However, not all individuals with Lyme disease develop this rash.

  • Flu-like symptoms: Fever, chills, fatigue, headache, muscle and joint aches, and swollen lymph nodes are common flu-like symptoms that may accompany the rash.



Later Symptoms


If left untreated, Lyme disease can progress and affect various body systems, leading to more severe symptoms. These may include:



  • Joint pain and swelling: Lyme disease can cause inflammation in the joints, particularly the knees. Joint pain may come and go and can be accompanied by swelling.

  • Neurological symptoms: Some individuals may experience neurological problems, such as numbness, tingling, or shooting pains in the extremities. Facial paralysis (Bell's palsy), impaired muscle movement, and meningitis can also occur.

  • Heart problems: In rare cases, Lyme disease can affect the heart, leading to irregular heart rhythms, chest pain, and shortness of breath.

  • Eye inflammation: Lyme disease can cause conjunctivitis (pink eye) and sensitivity to light.

  • Cognitive difficulties: Some individuals may experience difficulties with memory, concentration, and thinking clearly, often referred to as "brain fog."

  • Fatigue: Persistent fatigue and a general feeling of being unwell are common symptoms of Lyme disease.



Chronic Lyme Disease


In some cases, individuals may continue to experience symptoms even after completing the recommended antibiotic treatment. This condition is often referred to as chronic Lyme disease or post-treatment Lyme disease syndrome (PTLDS). The symptoms of chronic Lyme disease can be debilitating and may include:



  • Muscle and joint pain: Chronic pain in the muscles and joints can significantly impact daily life.

  • Neurological symptoms: Persistent neurological symptoms, such as memory problems, difficulty concentrating, and sleep disturbances, may persist.

  • Fatigue: Extreme fatigue and exhaustion are common in chronic Lyme disease.

  • Mood and cognitive disturbances: Depression, anxiety, irritability, and cognitive impairments can be present.



If you suspect you have Lyme disease or experience any of the symptoms mentioned, it is important to seek medical attention promptly. Early diagnosis and treatment can help prevent the progression of the disease and alleviate symptoms.


by Diseasemaps

Brain fog. Immune system dysfunctionality. Sleep issues

by גדעון

The chronic,excruciating, migrating, wide spread pain and multiple symptoms including; severe memory loss, unrelenting fatigue, severe neck soreness, daily severe vomiting migraine headaches and psychological torture by people who don't believe you exacerbated by the medical community's denial that multi system tick born illnesses accociated with Lyme Disease exists and dismissing you as crazy and making it all up in your head.

2/26/17 by Suzy 850

fatigue pain difficulty thinking clearly

3/24/17 by Julie 350

Twitching Spasms Light sensitivity Noise sensitivity Brain fog Joint pain Memory loss Walking properly

5/9/17 by Lynn 1000

How can I really answer this? There are sooooooooooooooo many issues with Lyme. When I have to fill out medical forms about what is going on with my health the list gets so long I actually get embarrassed. Lyme mimics over 300 conditions and diseases. We seemed back to the brim with problems with co infections added on to that. So if I had to choose one thing to get rid of first it would the fatigue and dizziness . After that then the pain and stiffness that seems to be in every joint, muscle...even my teeth. Then sleep problems with my fevers, hot flashes and restless leg and arms. Then all the GI issues, then the brain fog and memory issues. Then my heart problems and air hunger. Then the lymphatic system and kidney issues.

5/11/17 by Susan 1270

Migrating joint pain Chronic fatigue Syndrome Flu like/toxic feeling Twitching muscles Ear and eye sensitivity Nausea Herxheimer reactions - once in treatment Stiff neck

5/12/17 by Lorraine 1001

(skin) Rashes, EM, Fatigue, heart problems, brain fog, concentration and memory problems, muscle pain, joint pain, nerve pain, headaches, migraine, nauseous, dizziness,Hypersensitivity to light/sound, Itching, Hair loss, gain/lose weight, Paralysis symptoms, Facial paralysis, fevers, cold shivers, sweats, infections, Gland swelling, Sore throat, Tightness, cough, Shortness of breath, intolerance for alcohol (or some food), Stomach complaints, Abdominal pain, Loss of appetite, Constipation, diarrhea, Leaky gut syndrome, Chest pain, Swollen joints, Pain on muscle attachments (fibromyalgia), Tingling, dull spots, local burning or burning pain, Muscle cramps, muscular vibrations, Tremor, Inexplicable shocks, Eye/vision problems, Ear suits, woozy, Mood swings, irritability, Rage eruptions, depression, Anxiety attacks, Sleep problems (too much, or less), confusion, Orientation problems, Disturbance in Vitamin B12 balance,Talk problems, Irritated bladder, Sexual impairment, no sense in sex, Men: Pain in seedballs, woman: Milk fever from the chest, Unexplained irregular menstruation

7/19/17 by A 800

Fatigue, brain fog, joint pain.

8/16/17 by Deanna 2150

The crushing fatigue, speech and coordination issues, and heart palpitations were things I struggled with for years. It was when I started experiencing constant stomach pain and nausea that I was forced to find help. It didn't take a good doctor long to recognize that I had Lyme Disease.

8/29/17 by missy 2050

Crawling feeling Acid burning pain Dizziness and vertigo Brain fog

8/29/17 by sarah 100

The symptoms of Lyme are varied and tend to shift constantly making it difficult to pin down. The most obvious are debilitating tiredness and severe psin which often moves around the body. Other symptoms include numbness and tingling in extremities, trouble with temperature control, neorological symptoms includin anger and anxiety, headaches, distuption of menstrual cycle and digestive issues.

8/30/17 by Alex 600

Fatigue is one of the most common, and most debilitating. Other symptoms may include peripheral neuropathy, weight change, itching, memory loss, mood swings, depression, loss of libido, vision changes, balance, dental health, insomnia, tics, chest cramps/spasms, panic attacks, and so much more!

8/30/17 by S. Guthrie 2000

For me it's the nervepain, the brain fog and inability to detox and tolerate toxic substances (like sugar, alcohol, pollution). The neuropathy reacts to cold. So going outside in winter months can be a real hassle and feel like hell. It can be very debilitating, which leaves very few options.

8/31/17 by Selina 200

Fatigue is the worst symptom I have. Feel like I have slept most of my life.

8/31/17 by Susan 800

Pain, nausea, neirological symptoms

9/12/17 by Sheri 1100

Douleurs, vertiges, épuisement

9/12/17 by Marie 100

Panick attacks Deficiency of sleep Pain Hormones disfunction

9/15/17 by Gerben 100

depersonalization, especially when Im around my wife and kids or in a social setting because it makes me feel like I don't belong or fit in, often leading to thoughts of suicide. Pain, especially joint pain that keeps me awake at night. Anxiety and panic, then when I had air hunger my feelings of panic were much worse. Neorological symptoms, especially those that make it hard to function or be around other people, like Bell's palsy, trigeminal neuralgia, dizziness, vertigo, and hearing and vision disturbances. Tics that other people can see and instead of asking about it they treat you like your crazy or contagious. I have to add though over the past two years treatment has reduced the occurrence of my symptoms and I have hope for the future.

9/15/17 by Marty 300

Pure exhaustion, due to adrenal fatigue. Joint pain. Brain fog. Gastrointestinal distress. The list could go on, but those are the ones that limit me most.

9/28/17 by Lydia 300

being unable to walk brain fog pain

9/28/17 by alan 200

Seziers and loseing control of your body

9/28/17 by Darren 400

In a percentage of Lyme Disease sufferers, their autoimmune system "crashes". This, in my first hand experience, is what is erroneously referred to as "chronic" Lyme disease. Symptoms are profound fatigue, joint pain, mental confusion or inability to think and perform basic tasks, "air hunger", sun aversion, the list is long. The solutions are complex and require a specialist that works outside the medical mainstream. Self advocacy and taking control of your healing process are of utmost importance. There is no pill that will fix this.

9/28/17 by 300

neck pain , brain fog and achs

9/29/17 by Sarah 2550

Neurological and heart

9/29/17 by Katrina 2000

Neurological deficit Head pain Migrating joint aches

10/1/17 by Sonya 2000

Flu like symptoms, Muscle Pain, Joint pain, Headache, Neck stiffness, Loss of short-term memory, Thinking and concentration problems, skipping Heart-beat, Spine pain, Burning and tingling in exteremities, Foot Pain, Eye Pain, Blurry vision, Brain Fog, Long-term fever, EM is not necessary, EM is just a proof there is Borellia burgoferi certainly in the body but less than 20% patients have it.

10/9/17 by Jessie 1600

Leg pain bone and muscle insomnia, joint pain, sensitivity to light and sound, knee pain. Flu like symptoms, brain fog memory issues if I could get rid of any it would be bone and nerve pain

10/25/17 by Andrea 2120

Lyme disease affects every part of the body. There's not a part that is not affected by this horrific disease. Neurological symptoms (memory loss, cognitive loss, brain fog, dizzy, headaches, etc.) Joint pain (Lyme arthritis) - my fingers and toes are crooked and inflamed and very painful. It takes me often 10 minutes to tie my shoes. Every joint in my body has pain. Muscle pain/cramps/contractures - most of us do not absorb the nutrients we need to feel calm and to have minerals/vitamins be absorbed to keep muscles relaxed. Every muscle and the connective tissue (fascia) surrounding the muscles is so tight that I feel bound all my waking hours. High anxiety/panic attacks - again, this is caused by malabsorption of nutrients that keep healthy people calm Eyes - my eyes have trouble focusing for a few hours every morning and they burn and itch Gastrointestinal pain due to destruction of gut lining by antibiotics for many of us, so we must eat a highly restrictive diet that limits probably 90% of what healthy people eat. I have hundreds of symptoms, like most people with chronic Lyme disease. I cannot possibly list them all, so I've listed just a few. Getting rid of symptoms: #1: abdominal pain and bloating due to destruction of gut lining from antibiotics #2: get rid of all anxiety/panic attacks #3: get rid of all arthritic pain in joints #4: get rid of all muscle problems as listed above #5: get rid of all neurological symptoms as listed above

11/4/17 by Lisa 500

Flu like symptoms, brain fog, panic attacks, POTS, seizures, neuropathy, nausea, joint pain, neuro issues including lesions, pain can be constant and severe, neck and back issues from spirochetes eating soft tissue, leaky gut syndrome, Bell’s palsy, erythema Migrans (bullseye at bite location), blood clots, tick paralysis, depersonalization, inability to shower due to increased pain, involuntary movements, blurred vision, tingling and numb fingers and hands, an uncontrollable need to lay down, possible strokes, low blood pressure, high blood pressure, thyroid issues like Hashimotos, Lyme carditis (inflaming the heart), diabetes or hypoglycemic, low Vit D, magnesium, and anemia especially with co-infection Babesia. Always get tested for co-infections and viruses since Lyme can reactivated many old viruses you once had especially any in the herpes group.

3/9/18 by Niki 8100

More accurately what aren’t the symptoms. Symptoms vary from each person, but here are the more common ones: hip pain, brain fog, neck and back pain, arthritis, seizures, flu like symptoms, loss of words, depersonalization, tremors, POTS, diabetes, hypoglycemia, endometriosis, miscarriages, migraines, strokes, lesions in brain and spine, neuropathy, nausea, chronic pain constantly, sore throats, ringing ears, blood clots, bone loss, low vitamin D, Low Manganese, low magnesium, anemic, Raynaud’s Syndrome, EDS, CRPS, fibromyalgia and tons more

3/14/18 by Nikolettie 2700

Wow, big answer for me symptoms of lyme happen to have given me major preload failure and autonomic failure. So my heart isn’t pumping properly due to my nervous system not working properly because of Lyme. That is the biggest symptom of lyme not underfull control without pharmaceuticals drugs.

5/26/18 by Bethany Wing 2100

There are literally hundreds of possible symptoms with Lyme. Many start with flu-like symptoms: fever, aches, weird rash(es). I had 87 symptoms by the time I was properly diagnosed.

2/1/20 by Lori 2550

Extreme fatigue, joint and muscle pain, headache, short-term memory loss, poor concentration, stomach problems, etc.

12/16/21 by José 7770
Translated from spanish Improve translation

Neurologic and artriticos

2/26/17 by achita. Translated
Translated from spanish Improve translation

Neurologic and arthralgia.

2/26/17 by Achita. Translated
Translated from spanish Improve translation

The chronic pain and the neuropatias, are what upsets more functional life. To be the bacteria on the nervous system, there is irritability and depreciation which becomes a vicious circle of not poderte lift and the deprecion that cause. Bring the feeling of body aches all the time.

2/28/17 by Leva Méndez. Translated
Translated from french Improve translation

joint pain brain in the fog

3/6/17 by laurence. Translated
Translated from spanish Improve translation

The fatigue of chronic Loss of sleep Lessons in the body

3/10/17 by Erika. Translated
Translated from spanish Improve translation

Pain in joint inflammation . Fevers . Tiredness. Fatigue . Neuropathies . Bell's palsy .Candidas . Coeinfecciones associated with the lyme . There you go eliminating symptoms in as they affect the patient . Without a doubt solve the most urgent , if there is neurological involvement this would be the first thing .

3/23/17 by Fátima Marrero campos. Translated
Translated from spanish Improve translation

Joint pain, neuropathy, fatigue, and chronic fatigue, foggy brain, dizziness, nausea, changes in blood pressure, vivid dreams, insomnia, anxiety, depression, headaches, stomach problems, mood swings, paranoia, cardiovascular problems, numbness of extremities, etc

4/29/17 by Andrea Díaz. Translated
Translated from spanish Improve translation

Lyme disease has many symptoms, mainly: -extreme fatigue, disabling -weakness and tremor -cognitive problems, and of understanding -memory problems, -speech problems -sensitivity to light, sound and heat. Vision and hearing blurred and distorted. -dizziness and imbalance -stomach pain and numerous food intolerances -insomnia -sore joints and constant cramps in the upper area of the back -sores and canker sores in the mouth -fungi -anxiety and depression

8/23/17 by Cecilia. Translated
Translated from spanish Improve translation

Fatigue, joint pain, memory loss, muscle aches, moodiness, depression, cardiovascular abnormalities, paralysis, loss of speech momentary, etc.......

9/12/17 by N6. Translated
Translated from spanish Improve translation

It is a disease that produces different symptoms, the most frequent are neurological manifestations and the type osteoarthritic.

9/13/17 by mora de La Plata. Translated
Translated from spanish Improve translation

tiredness arthritis (pain, stiffness) neuropatias paralysis paresthesias sleep problems

9/15/17 by Emiliano Ignacio Rodriguez. Translated
Translated from spanish Improve translation

Tiredness Fatigue Muscle aches Loss of memory

9/27/17 by Amparochiqui. Translated
Translated from french Improve translation

Joint pain, burning feet,headache, abdominal pain, leg crippled,Pain in the knees,nausea,

10/1/17 by . Translated
Translated from french Improve translation

The neuropathies and the major fatigue.. And joint pain stiffness morning

10/1/17 by Goncalves. Translated
Translated from french Improve translation

Evil in the body as if one was pouring acid in my veins, sore joints (feet, inches, knees), headache.

10/1/17 by Marie-Pierre. Translated
Translated from french Improve translation

Brain fog Disorder concentration Disorder of motor function /forms of motor disabilities Intense pain and diffuse Various disorders of the digestion Chronic Fatigue intence Pain in the brain and cervical Skin reactions Tetany muscle Stiffness and joint pain Chilliness intence without fever Impatience of the legs Nausea

10/1/17 by Linda. Translated
Translated from french Improve translation

- Chronic pain (joint and muscle) migrant. - Physical fatigue (and moral caused by the denial of medical) - The symptoms in cognitive and neurodegenerative (loss of balance, headache, sensitivity to light, difficulty in concentration, loss of memory.

10/2/17 by Aurore. Translated
Translated from french Improve translation

Rheumatoid Arthritis, Lymphadenopathy bilateral jugulo-carotid, Asthenia, And pain neurological....

10/2/17 by Yas. Translated

Top questions

What is the life expectancy of someone with Lyme Disease?

Celebrities with Lyme Disease

Is Lyme Disease hereditary?

Is Lyme Disease contagious?

Is there any natural treatment for Lyme Disease?

View more questions of Lyme Disease

World map of Lyme Disease


Find people with Lyme Disease through the map. Connect with them and share experiences. Join the Lyme Disease community.

There are 2053 people in the map. View Map of Lyme Disease