Comprehensive Care for

Lyme Disease and Co-Infections

What is Lyme Disease?

Lyme disease is an infection spread mainly by the Borrelia species of bacteria.  It predominantly infects humans through tick bites (deer tick, dog tick & wood tick). Lyme disease is a challenge to diagnose and can be even tougher to treat.

Lyme disease is easiest to treat in the early stages, so it’s crucial to seek immediate attention if you suspect you may be infected.

Visit canlyme.com & lymedoc.net for more information.

SYMPTOMS OF LYME DISEASE

    • Unexplained hair loss

    • Headache, mild or severe, seizures

    • Pressure in head, white matter lesions in brain (MRI)

    • Twitching of facial or other muscles

    • Facial paralysis (Bell’s Palsy, Horner’s syndrome)

    • Tingling of nose, (tip of) tongue, cheek or facial flushing

    • Stiff or painful neck

    • Jaw pain or stiffness

    • Dental problems

    • Sore throat, clearing throat a lot, phlegm, hoarseness, runny nose

    • Double or blurry vision

    • Increased floating spots

    • Pain in eyes, or swelling around eyes

    • Oversensitivity to light

    • Flashing lights, peripheral waves or phantom images in corner of eyes

    • Decreased hearing in one or both ears, plugged ears

    • Buzzing in ears

    • Pain in ears, oversensitivity to sounds

    • Ringing in one or both ears

    • Diarrhea

    • Constipation

    • Irritable bladder (trouble starting, stopping) or interstitial cystitis

    • Upset stomach (nausea or pain) or GERD (gastroesophageal reflux disease)

    • Bone pain, joint pain or swelling, carpal tunnel syndrome

    • Stiffness of joints, back, neck, tennis elbow

    • Muscle pain or cramps, Fibromyalgia

    • Shortness of breath, can’t get full/satisfying breath, cough

    • Chest pain or rib soreness

    • Night sweats or unexplained chills

    • Heart palpitations or extra beats

    • Endocarditis, heart blockage

    • Tremors or unexplained shaking

    • Burning or stabbing sensations in the body

    • Fatigue, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, weakness, peripheral neuropathy or partial paralysis

    • Pressure in the head

    • Numbness in body, tingling, pinpricks

    • Poor balance, dizziness, difficulty walking

    • Increased motion sickness

    • Light-headedness, wooziness

    • Mood swings, irritability, bi-polar disorder

    • Unusual depression

    • Disorientation (getting or feeling lost)

    • Feeling as if you are losing your mind

    • Over-emotional reactions, crying easily

    • Too much sleep, or insomnia

    • Difficulty falling or staying asleep

    • Narcolepsy, sleep apnea

    • Panic attacks, anxiety

    • Memory loss (short or long term)

    • Confusion, difficulty thinking

    • Difficulty with concentration or reading

    • Going to the wrong place

    • Speech difficulty (slurred or slow)

    • Difficulty finding commonly used words

    • Stammering speech

    • Forgetting how to perform simple tasks

    • Loss of sex drive

    • Sexual dysfunction

    • Unexplained menstrual pain, irregularity

    • Unexplained breast pain, discharge

    • Testicular or pelvic pain

    • Phantom smells

    • Unexplained weight gain or loss

    • Extreme fatigue

    • Swollen glands or lymph nodes

    • Unexplained fevers (high or low grade)

    • Continual infections (sinus, kidney, eye, etc.)

    • Symptoms seem to change, come and go

    • Pain migrates (moves) to different body parts

    • Early on, experienced a “flu-like” illness, after which you have not since felt well

    • Low body temperature

    • Allergies or chemical sensitivities

    • Increased effect from alcohol and possible worse hangover

While many patients do not remember the bite or having a rash, most suffer from one or more of the above symptoms.  It is often called the great mimicker with many patients being diagnosed with

Fibromyalgia – Chronic Fatigue – Multiple Sclerosis – Schizophrenia

Lyme & Co-Infections Testing

Testing for Lyme disease in Canada can be a bit of a hit-or-miss since it often only checks for a few of the known strains. But here’s the catch—there are over 20 strains that can cause Lyme symptoms.

At The Nature Doctors, we utilize lab testing from Germany that specializes in the latest procedures.  While not inexpensive, it is important to get the right testing to rule out the disease. Costs for testing ranges from $700 to $2,500 depending on how many organisms you are tested for.

In the complexity of tick-borne and opportunistic infections, Armin Labs is specialized in testing for several bacterial, viral, parasitic, and fungal infections. The best-known tick-borne infection is named Lyme disease, an infection after tick or insect bites. Diagnostic tests for co-infections play an increasingly important role in the diagnosis and treatment of patients after tick-bites.

  • Initial Lyme Consult -1 hr 15 mins $350

    These appointments are available on Mondays and Tuesdays.

    It will consist of a comprehensive health and symptom review. Based on this information, you and your ND will discuss testing options, as well as the cost.

  • Copies of bloodwork and any medication you are currently taking.

  • Usually 2-3 weeks. We advise patients to book their follow-up at the time of testing.

  • Your individualized treatment plan could include the following:

    • dietary changes

    • herbs - nutraceuticals

    • IV therapy

    • immune stimulative therapies

    • massage or acupuncture

    • counselling

    • referral to MD or NP that can prescribe appropriate drugs

    LEARN MORE ABOUT LYME TREATMENT OPTIONS

  • It depends on the individual, severity of symptoms, and amount of time since infection.

  • Costs can range from $200 per month to $5000 per month on average depending on insurance coverage, cooperation from a local MD, and the completeness of the treatment protocol you choose.

  • Duration of treatment can be as short as 3 weeks and sometimes can be a year or more depending on the stage and severity of the disease.

  • Just like when you see your family doctor or infectious disease specialist, there are no guarantees of cure. We will use the latest in scientific advancements, coordination of allied health care professionals, traditional remedies and the most up to date protocols based on years of experience and research to give you the best treatments available.

What to expect

We are here to support you.

Dr. Jason Bachewich, ND
NATUROPATHIC DOCTOR

Dr. Hayley Warren, ND
NATUROPATHIC DOCTOR