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Suggest Treatment For Symptoms Of Lyme Disease

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Posted on Mon, 19 Sep 2016
Question: I have been diagnosed with Lyme disease in 2006 and have had several flare ups that have responded after a month of antibiotics. This latest attack is much more severe and is not responded to oral antibiotics
In addition I have numbness in the soles of my feet and tingling in my fingers. My heart rate seems to
Jump drastically even at rest and the depression and anxiety is war games me down. I am a fighter and
Have been healthy for the most part. Sleep has been reduced to 5 hours which causes me a great deal of fatigue but I push myself to meet my obligations. My moods swings have me crying in frustration. Help.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Alexander H. Sheppe (3 hours later)
Brief Answer:
Consultation

Detailed Answer:
Hello, and thanks for your question.

Treating the neuropsychiatric effects of Lyme disease is in effect the same as treating depression and anxiety themselves. The first step is trying an SSRI antidepressant such as sertraline or escitalopram. For fatigue and insomnia, I would augment the antidepressant with Mirtazapine 7.5mg at night. For full benefit, I would also recommend regular weekly psychotherapy with a psychiatrist or psychologist, which will work together with medication to help your depression and anxiety go away.

Please remember to rate and close this answer thread when you are finished and satisfied.

In the future, for continuity of care, I encourage you to contact me directly at my private web address below. After you ask a direct question, it would be my pleasure to be your dedicated personal physician on this website. My name is Dr. Sheppe, and I am an XXXXXXX doctor working in New York City at NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital, ranked #1 for Psychiatry in the United States (tinyurl.com/psyrank). For a personalized comprehensive evaluation, treatment recommendations, and individual therapy, ask me at HealthCareMagic at this private web address: tinyurl.com/DrSheppeAnswers
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Arnab Banerjee
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Alexander H. Sheppe (19 hours later)
I have posted a follow up question but have not received a response. The $18.00
Allowed for two follow up question within a certain period of time that is at this point running out
doctor
Answered by Dr. Alexander H. Sheppe (16 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
Followup

Detailed Answer:
Please tell me your followup question and I am happy to answer it.

The discussion closes automatically 3 days after you first view your answer. The time remaining before the discussion closes automatically is shown in the query page.

Dr. Sheppe
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Raju A.T
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Alexander H. Sheppe (5 days later)
Why are so many Lyme patients referred to psychiatrists? The symptoms I presented are not treated in this field. Numbness in the soles of my feet, tingling fingers, insomnia, hear palpitations.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Alexander H. Sheppe (4 hours later)
Brief Answer:
Followup

Detailed Answer:
In your question you mention several psychiatric symptoms:

"My heart rate seems to jump drastically even at rest and the depression and anxiety is wearing me down"

"My moods swings have me crying in frustration"

"Sleep has been reduced to 5 hours which causes me a great deal of fatigue"

Psychiatry is a field that specializes in the treatment of depression, anxiety, mood swings, frustration, insomnia, and fatigue. This is why I typed the following:

"Treating the neuropsychiatric effects of Lyme disease is in effect the same as treating depression and anxiety themselves. The first step is trying an SSRI antidepressant such as sertraline or escitalopram. For fatigue and insomnia, I would augment the antidepressant with Mirtazapine 7.5mg at night. For full benefit, I would also recommend regular weekly psychotherapy with a psychiatrist or psychologist, which will work together with medication to help your depression and anxiety go away."

Numbness, tingling fingers, and palpitations are common somatic symptoms of anxiety that would very likely benefit from the treatment suggestions presented above. You can also consider consulting with a neurologist -- it may be that the numbness and tingling represent nerve damage caused by Lyme which could be treated with gabapentin.

Please remember to rate and close this answer thread when you are finished and satisfied.

In the future, for continuity of care, I encourage you to contact me directly at my private web address below. After you ask a direct question, it would be my pleasure to be your dedicated personal physician on this website. My name is Dr. Sheppe, and I am an XXXXXXX doctor working in New York City at NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital, ranked #1 for Psychiatry in the United States (tinyurl.com/psyrank). For a personalized comprehensive evaluation, treatment recommendations, and individual therapy, ask me at HealthCareMagic at this private web address: tinyurl.com/DrSheppeAnswers

Note: For more detailed guidance, please consult an Internal Medicine Specialist, with your latest reports. Click here..

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Raju A.T
doctor
Answered by
Dr.
Dr. Alexander H. Sheppe

Psychiatrist

Practicing since :2014

Answered : 2236 Questions

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Suggest Treatment For Symptoms Of Lyme Disease

Brief Answer: Consultation Detailed Answer: Hello, and thanks for your question. Treating the neuropsychiatric effects of Lyme disease is in effect the same as treating depression and anxiety themselves. The first step is trying an SSRI antidepressant such as sertraline or escitalopram. For fatigue and insomnia, I would augment the antidepressant with Mirtazapine 7.5mg at night. For full benefit, I would also recommend regular weekly psychotherapy with a psychiatrist or psychologist, which will work together with medication to help your depression and anxiety go away. Please remember to rate and close this answer thread when you are finished and satisfied. In the future, for continuity of care, I encourage you to contact me directly at my private web address below. After you ask a direct question, it would be my pleasure to be your dedicated personal physician on this website. My name is Dr. Sheppe, and I am an XXXXXXX doctor working in New York City at NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital, ranked #1 for Psychiatry in the United States (tinyurl.com/psyrank). For a personalized comprehensive evaluation, treatment recommendations, and individual therapy, ask me at HealthCareMagic at this private web address: tinyurl.com/DrSheppeAnswers