Inside Lyme Podcast with Dr. Daniel Cameron

Lyme and PANS: A Critical Connection in Teenagers

At just 16, my patient found herself facing a complex and overwhelming set of symptoms. What began as ordinary teenage stress evolved into something far more debilitating—raging outbursts, severe compulsions, motor and vocal tics, and memory problems. Her academic performance plummeted, and her social life disintegrated. Diagnosed with Pediatric Acute-onset Neuropsychiatric Syndrome (PANS), she and her family embarked on a challenging journey for answers.

PANS, a condition characterized by the sudden onset of severe neuropsychiatric symptoms, is often triggered by infections or autoimmune responses. These sy...

Chronic Lyme disease, characterized by persistent symptoms that can linger for months or even years, is a growing concern for both patients and healthcare providers. Traditionally, Lyme disease has been seen as a straightforward infection—diagnosed early, treated with antibiotics, and resolved. However, for a significant number of people, Lyme disease can evolve into a chronic condition, marked by ongoing fatigue, pain, and cognitive issues. But what if much of this chronic suffering could be prevented?

Recent insights suggest that the progression to chronic Lyme disease might be mitigated, or even prevented, by focusing on sev...

The likely reason for relapse is failure to eradicate the spirochete completely with a two-week course of intravenous ceftriaxone therapy,” wrote Drs. Logigian, Kaplan, and Steere in their seminal 1990 paper on chronic neurologic Lyme disease. This observation remains as relevant today as it was over three decades ago, highlighting a persistent challenge in the treatment of Lyme disease: the difficulty in fully eliminating the Borrelia burgdorferi bacterium, which can lead to relapse or persistent symptoms even after what is considered adequate treatment.

In chronic Lyme disease, or what is often referred to as Post-Treatment Lyme Disease Syndrome (PT...

My patient recovered from her chronic illness after receiving early aggressive treatment, a result that underscores the importance of this approach in managing Lyme disease.

Chronic illness resulting from Lyme disease is one of the most compelling reasons I advocate for early aggressive treatment. Lyme disease is not just a simple infection; if left inadequately treated, it can lead to a range of severe and persistent conditions. Chronic neurologic Lyme disease can cause debilitating symptoms such as cognitive impairments, severe headaches, and neuropathy. POTS (Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome) and PANS (Pediatric Acute-onset Neuropsychiatric Syndrome) are o...

When I first began treating Lyme disease, I adopted an “escalation” approach. This method involved starting with a standard course of doxycycline, typically lasting a month, and then observing how the patient responded. If the symptoms persisted or if I suspected that a co-infection might be present, I would escalate the treatment—adding or changing medications as needed. This approach was cautious and reactive, focusing on adjusting the treatment plan based on the patient’s progress over time.

However, through years of experience and patient outcomes, I’ve shifted my strategy to what I now call an “ea...

The treatment landscape for Lyme disease has undergone significant evolution over the years, offering a wider array of options to manage this multifaceted illness. When I first began treating Lyme disease in 1987, the primary antibiotic prescribed was doxycycline. This choice was driven by doxycycline’s effectiveness not only against Lyme disease itself but also against co-infections such as Ehrlichia and Anaplasmosis. These co-infections, often transmitted by the same ticks that carry Lyme, present additional challenges in patient management. However, when patients couldn’t tolerate doxycycline due to side effects or failed to respond to the treatment, rifampin emerged as a vi...

Since opening my Lyme disease practice in 1987, I’ve witnessed significant changes in how we diagnose and treat this complex illness. Early on, I prescribed doxycycline for Lyme disease and Ehrlichia. However, my first three patients in 1987 did not respond to doxycycline, so I referred one to Boston for further consultation. They returned with a recommendation for amoxicillin, marking the first major shift in my treatment approach.

By 1990, I had started prescribing intravenous ceftriaxone (Rocephin), based on emerging reports of its effectiveness in chronic neurologic Lyme disease. This adjustment was influenced by reports from doctors Dr...

My patient’s understanding of Lyme disease and its complexities was incomplete. Although he was familiar with nymphal ticks, he lacked awareness about adult ticks, which also play a crucial role in transmitting Lyme disease. He knew about the Bull’s-eye erythema migrans rash, a clear sign of early Lyme disease, but was unaware of the other types of rashes associated with chronic Lyme disease or different tick-borne infections.

He had heard of early Lyme disease but didn’t realize that chronic Lyme disease could develop if the infection isn’t treated adequately. While he knew abou...

Preventing Chronic Lyme Disease: Insights from 37 Years of Experience

As a Lyme disease expert, preventing chronic illness associated with Lyme disease has been a primary focus of my practice for the past 37 years. Despite early intervention and comprehensive care, some patients still find themselves battling long-term, debilitating symptoms. This post outlines the strategies and lessons I’ve learned over the years in my mission to prevent chronic Lyme disease.

Understanding the Challenges of Lyme Disease

Lyme disease is a complex and often misunderstood condition. It can manifest in a va...

My patient took a "bury-your-head-in-the-sand" viewpoint toward Lyme disease, which did not help him. He had been ill for over two years, suffering from severe fatigue, brain fog, poor sleep, headaches, poor concentration, irritability, neck pain, chest pain, palpitations, stomach pains, and joint pain. He remained ill despite having been evaluated by a number of specialists to rule out other illnesses. He was reluctant to consider Lyme disease or tick-borne infection without a positive test.

His condition significantly affected his quality of life, and he experienced increasing frustration as each specialist he consulted was unable t...

Unfortunately, there simply isn’t a one-size-fits-all treatment protocol for patients infected with Lyme disease and/or co-infections. This is why it's critical for physicians treating Lyme disease to invest time with patients, thoroughly understand their medical history, and closely monitor symptoms and treatment response.

With that in mind, there are currently two different treatment approaches for Lyme disease. The Infectious Disease Society of America (IDSA) and the International Lyme and Associated Diseases Society (ILADS) have each published their own set of evidence-based treatment guidelines. IDSA guidelines recommend a short course of antibiotics, typically 14 to 30 day...

My Lyme disease patient was afraid of seeking treatment for Lyme disease. She was not alone. She is not alone. I will explore the stigma surrounding Lyme disease, the impact on patients, and treatments. One of the main hurdles is the fear of the diagnosis itself.

Lyme disease manifests in various stages with symptoms ranging from mild to severe and can become a chronic condition if not diagnosed and treated promptly. If not diagnosed and treated promptly. 

Patients are aware that being diagnosed with Lyme disease can lead to skepticism from both the pu...

Welcome! Today, we're discussing the top causes of treatment delays for Lyme disease that I've encountered in my practice."

Case Study: An 18-Month Struggle

One of my patients was ill for 18 months. She had a tick bite and an atypical rash. Her ELISA titer was positive for Lyme disease, but she had only two IgG western blot bands. Despite multiple evaluations, Lyme disease was considered but dismissed after a negative test. She presented with Chronic Neurologic Lyme and Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS) and required extensive treatment due to these delays. Fo...

What is a common-sense approach to testing for Tick-borne infection. I focus on the most common infections that I see a Lyme disease infection. I order a Lyme disease test as well as test for infections like Ehrlichia, Anaplasmosis, and Babesia. I don’t typically order Mycoplasma or Chlamydia unless there is evidence that there’s active infection. 

I order an ELISA test, which is also called Lyme titer.  I also order a western blot and IgG and IgM test. These are test where you need two out of three bands IgM bands. You need five ou...

Welcome! Today, we'll explore the top ten symptoms of Lyme disease that I've encountered in my practice, highlighting the case of a patient who experienced them.

Case Study: A 34-Year-Old Man's Journey

He was a 34-year-old man who had been chronically ill for 14 months. He had seen his primary care physician and various specialists, but multiple conditions were ruled out. Despite some improvement with symptomatic treatments, he couldn't work and struggled to care for his family. He didn’t realize his symptoms were consistent with Lyme disease and a tick-borne co-infection.

Welcome! Today, we’re discussing the unexpected and unusual presentations of Lyme disease that I've encountered in my practice.

Case Study: Unexplained Foot Pain

One of my patients experienced severe foot pain, even while walking to the bathroom. A podiatrist diagnosed him with plantar fasciitis, and he tried various treatments including icing, NSAIDs, stretching, iontophoresis, shoe inserts, and cortisone injections. Despite these efforts, his foot pain persisted.

In addition to foot pain, he suffered from exhaustion, poor sleep, impaired concentration, neck and back pain, mood disturbances, palp...

Welcome! Today, we're discussing my concerns with a single dose of doxycycline for a tick bite. 

Case Study: Ineffective Prophylactic Treatment 

I had a patient who took a single 200 mg dose of doxycycline within 24 hours of removing an engorged tick, thinking it would prevent Lyme disease. Unfortunately, seven months later, he was chronically ill with Lyme disease. He never developed a rash, and his lab tests for Lyme disease were negative. He eventually resolved his chronic illness with doxycycline followed by a combination of atovaquone and azithromycin.

 Co-Infections and Their Impact

 Tick...

Welcome! Today, we’re exploring the key milestones in Lyme disease research and treatment.

I had a 57-year-old patient who remained chronically ill after being diagnosed and treated for Lyme disease. He didn't realize that a persistent tick-borne infection could explain his chronic illness. He was treated with a combination of azithromycin and atovaquone for the persistent infection, and today, he is doing well.

He was surprised that, despite the milestones in Lyme disease research, he wasn't aware that a persistent infection could lead to his chronic illness. So, let's take a closer look at th...

Welcome! Today, we're discussing the treatment of Babesia and Lyme disease, focusing on real patient experiences and effective treatment strategies.

I had a patient who remained chronically ill six months after treating for Lyme disease. Despite exhaustive evaluations, she was still symptomatic. Her antibody tests came back positive for Babesia, although her thick smear and PCR were negative. She believed Babesia was asymptomatic since it wasn’t seen in her red blood cells, but she was very symptomatic.

 Babesia is a parasite transmitted by the same deer ticks that carry Lyme disease. Some patients have Bab...

Persistent Tick-Borne Infection

A patient came to me with Post Treatment Lyme Disease Syndrome (PTLDS) after completing a four-week course of treatment for Lyme disease. Despite the treatment, she continued to suffer from headaches, fatigue, sleep disturbances, memory problems, and joint or muscle pain. She was diagnosed with PTLDS, and her condition was largely dismissed as a chronic immune response. 

Initially, she believed that PTLDS was purely an immune response. However, she didn't know that PTLDS could also be caused by a persistent tick-borne infection. After a year of living with PTLDS, she was treated f...

Case Study 1: Missed Co-Infection

I had a patient who didn't get better after a month of doxycycline for Lyme disease. Six months later, she was still sick. It turned out that the deer tick bite also transmitted Babesia, a co-infection. After treating her with azithromycin and atovaquone, she recovered successfully.

Case Study 2: Unrecognized Transmission

Another patient unknowingly had Babesia and donated blood. The recipient of the blood transfusion developed Babesia as a result.

Rising Awareness of Babesia

As we enter another summer, it's important to recognize that Babesia is...

Lyme Disease and Your Dog

Welcome to our educational series on Lyme disease. Today, we'll discuss how to protect yourself and your loved ones, including your pets, from tick-borne diseases.

Let's start with a story. One of my patients took precautions by using DEET and wearing clothes treated with pyrethrum. He also had a dog that wore a tick collar and was checked for ticks regularly. Despite this, he woke up with a deer tick attached.

Ticks can carry several diseases, not just Lyme disease. These include Ehrlichia, Anaplasmosis, Babesia, and the Powassan...

I had a patient who was quite reluctant to consider antibiotic treatment for Lyme disease after being unabIe to tolerate his initial treatment.  He was able to tolerate treatment by starting.   with a lower dose of antibiotics.

 I have patients with issues with gastroparesis, leaky gut, diarrhea, candida, yeast, constipation, and irritable bowel that has made it difficult to tolerate antibiotics.  I have patients who have had a Herxheimer reaction after an antibiotic for another conditions. A Herxheimer reaction also known as Jarisch-Herxheimer reaction (JHR) is a transient clinical phenomenon that occurs in patients infected by spirochetes who...

This ebook is available on Dr.  Daniel Cameron's website at https://danielcameronmd.com/lyme-books/ 

His print book, ebook and audio book are available on Amazon.  https://www.amazon.com/Experts-Guide-Navigating-Lyme-disease-ebook/dp/B0C6H3T542?ref_=ast_author_mpb

Call his office at 914-666-4665 if you would like to make an appointment.

You can also follow his Lyme disease science blogs on his website https://danielcameronmd.com/lyme-science-blog/

This ebook is available on Dr.  Daniel Cameron's website at https://danielcameronmd.com/lyme-books/ 

His print book, ebook and audio book are available on Amazon.  https://www.amazon.com/Experts-Guide-Navigating-Lyme-disease-ebook/dp/B0C6H3T542?ref_=ast_author_mpb

Call his office at 914-666-4665 if you would like to make an appointment.

You can also follow his Lyme disease science blogs on his website https://danielcameronmd.com/lyme-science-blog/

This ebook is available on Dr.  Daniel Cameron's website at https://danielcameronmd.com/lyme-books/ 

His print book, ebook and audio book are available on Amazon.  https://www.amazon.com/Experts-Guide-Navigating-Lyme-disease-ebook/dp/B0C6H3T542?ref_=ast_author_mpb

Call his office at 914-666-4665 if you would like to make an appointment.

You can also follow his Lyme disease science blogs on his website https://danielcameronmd.com/lyme-science-blog/

This ebook is available on Dr.  Daniel Cameron's website at https://danielcameronmd.com/lyme-books/ 

His print book, ebook and audio book are available on Amazon.  https://www.amazon.com/Experts-Guide-Navigating-Lyme-disease-ebook/dp/B0C6H3T542?ref_=ast_author_mpb

Call his office at 914-666-4665 if you would like to make an appointment.

You can also follow his Lyme disease science blogs on his website https://danielcameronmd.com/lyme-science-blog/

The 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, available by simply dialing 988, is a 24-hour, toll-free, confidential suicide prevention helpline available to anyone in suicidal crisis or emotional distress. When someone calls the helpline, his or her call is routed to the nearest crisis center. The Lifeline’s national network, consisting of more than 250 local crisis centers, provides crisis counseling and mental health referrals day and night.

This ebook is available on Dr.  Daniel Cameron's website at https://danielcameronmd.com/lyme-books/ 

His print book, ebook and audio book are available on Amazon.  https://www.amazon.com/Experts-Guide-Navigating-Lyme-disease-ebook/dp/B0C6H3T...

This ebook is available on Dr.  Daniel Cameron's website at https://danielcameronmd.com/lyme-books/ 

His print book, ebook and audio book are available on Amazon.  https://www.amazon.com/Experts-Guide-Navigating-Lyme-disease-ebook/dp/B0C6H3T542?ref_=ast_author_mpb

Call his office at 914-666-4665 if you would like to make an appointment.

You can also follow his Lyme disease science blogs on his website https://danielcameronmd.com/lyme-science-blog/

This ebook is available on Dr.  Daniel Cameron's website at https://danielcameronmd.com/lyme-books/ 

His print book, ebook and audio book are available on Amazon.  https://www.amazon.com/Experts-Guide-Navigating-Lyme-disease-ebook/dp/B0C6H3T542?ref_=ast_author_mpb

Call his office at 914-666-4665 if you would like to make an appointment.

You can also follow his Lyme disease science blogs on his website https://danielcameronmd.com/lyme-science-blog/

This ebook is available on Dr.  Daniel Cameron's website at https://danielcameronmd.com/lyme-books/ 

His print book, ebook and audio book are available on Amazon.  https://www.amazon.com/Experts-Guide-Navigating-Lyme-disease-ebook/dp/B0C6H3T542?ref_=ast_author_mpb

Call his office at 914-666-4665 if you would like to make an appointment.

You can also follow his Lyme disease science blogs on his website https://danielcameronmd.com/lyme-science-blog/

This girl with Lyme disease contracted COVID-19.  She subsequently developed long COVID.  She was a participant in Survey of more than 900 individuals with a history of Lyme disease.  The first published paper can be found at
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10044022/

Dr. Cameron discusses Babesia in his new ebook "An Expert's Guide on Navigating Lyme disease."  This book summarizes his understanding of Lyme disease based on his first 600 Lyme disease science blogs and 35+ years of treating Lyme disease patients. The book includes over 200 published Lyme disease cases. 
Support his work by buying a copy of his ebook. His  ebook is only available on his website at https://danielcameronmd.com/store-navigating-lyme-disease/

Or call Dr. Cameron's office at 914-666-4665.

This is a free audio addressing clinical presentations from Dr. Cameron's e-book. "An Expert's Guide on Navigating Lyme disease."  This book summarizes his understanding of Lyme disease based on his first 600 Lyme disease science blogs and 35+ years of treating Lyme disease patients. The book includes over 200 published Lyme disease cases. 
Support his work by buying a copy of his ebook. His  ebook is only available on his website at https://danielcameronmd.com/store-navigating-lyme-disease/

Or call Dr. Cameron's office at 914-666-4665.

Dr. Cameron discusses Pediatric Lyme disease in his new ebook "An Expert's Guide on Navigating Lyme disease."  This book summarizes his understanding of Lyme disease based on his first 600 Lyme disease science blogs and 35+ years of treating Lyme disease patients. The book includes over 200 published Lyme disease cases. 
Support his work by buying a copy of his ebook. His  ebook is only available on his website at https://danielcameronmd.com/store-navigating-lyme-disease/

Or call Dr. Cameron's office at 914-666-4665.

Dr. Cameron discusses Babesia in his new ebook "An Expert's Guide on Navigating Lyme disease."  This book summarizes his understanding of Lyme disease based on his first 600 Lyme disease science blogs and 35+ years of treating Lyme disease patients. The book includes over 200 published Lyme disease cases. 
Support his work by buying a copy of his ebook. His  ebook is only available on his website at https://danielcameronmd.com/store-navigating-lyme-disease/

Or call Dr. Cameron's office at 914-666-4665.

Dr. Cameron recorded a meet the author discussion of his new ebook "A Expert's Guide on Navigating Lyme disease."   This book summarizes his understanding of Lyme disease based on his first 600 Lyme disease science blogs and 35+ years of treating Lyme disease patients. The book includes over 200 published Lyme disease cases. 
Support his work by buying a copy of his ebook. His  ebook is only available on his website at https://danielcameronmd.com/store-navigating-lyme-disease/

Or call Dr. Cameron's office at 914-666-4665.

Dr. Cameron discusses Neuropsychiatric Lyme disease in his new ebook "An Expert's Guide on Navigating Lyme disease."  This book summarizes his understanding of Lyme disease based on his first 600 Lyme disease science blogs and 35+ years of treating Lyme disease patients. The book includes over 200 published Lyme disease cases. 
Support his work by buying a copy of his ebook. His  ebook is only available on his website at https://danielcameronmd.com/store-navigating-lyme-disease/

Or call Dr. Cameron's office at 914-666-4665.

Dr. Daniel Cameron released his e-book January 13, 2023. This book summarizes Dr. Cameron’s understanding of Lyme disease based on his first 600 Lyme disease science blogs and 35+ years of treating Lyme disease patients. The book includes over 200 published Lyme disease cases. There is also space at the end of this book to share readers comments and engage with Dr. Daniel Cameron. His ebook is available only his website at www.DanielCameronMD.com.

This is a free audio addressing pain from Dr. Cameron's e-book. "An Expert's Guide on Navigating Lyme disease."  This book summarizes his understanding of Lyme disease based on his first 600 Lyme disease science blogs and 35+ years of treating Lyme disease patients. The book includes over 200 published Lyme disease cases. 
Support his work by buying a copy of his ebook. His  ebook is only available on his website at https://danielcameronmd.com/store-navigating-lyme-disease/

Or call Dr. Cameron's office at 914-666-4665.