Chronic Lyme disease is becoming more widespread in Perth as well as Australia wide. It is a stealth infection mostly transmitted by ticks and other vectors, however many sufferers do not recall ever being bitten by a tick. At our Perth clinic of Advanced Functional Medicine, we specialize in the testing as well as treatment of Lyme disease.
Full Answer
Is there research being done on Lyme disease in Australia?
Sep 07, 2019 · At our Perth clinic of Advanced Functional Medicine, we help people from Perth and all over Australia recover from Lyme disease. If you suspect you may be suffering from Lyme disease, it is crucial to get an accurate diagnosis and treatment as soon as possible.
Can Australian ticks cause Lyme disease or Lyme like symptoms?
Researchers are investigating whether Australian ticks can cause Lyme disease or Lyme disease-like symptoms. People bitten by ticks in USA, Europe or Asia can return to Australia with Lyme disease. ... Most people with Lyme disease notice a rash that appears between 3 and 30 days after a tick bite. The rash may be tender, but it usually isn’t ...
What are the treatment options for Lyme disease?
The Lyme Disease Association of Australia is a small yet powerful registered charity and Australia’s peak patient body. We are committed to achieving universal recognition and equitable treatment for Australian Lyme and associated disease patients. Contact Us We’re here to help. Connecting with people who understand Lyme disease is important.
What is Lyme disease and how is it transmitted?
For crisis support, call Lifeline on 13 11 14 Lyme Disease Association of Australia Beyondblue website contains many useful forums and resources TREATMENT If detected early, most cases of Lyme disease can be treated successfully with antibiotics. Many factors contribute to a positive healing outcome for people with Lyme-like symptoms.
What kind of doctor do you see when you have Lyme disease?
What can you take over the counter for Lyme disease?
How much does treatment for Lyme disease cost?
Why Lyme disease is not Recognised in Australia?
Can you get rid of Lyme disease without antibiotics?
What is the strongest antibiotic for Lyme disease?
Ceftriaxone has excellent penetration of the blood-brain barrier and is one of the most effective drugs for Lyme disease.
Does Medicare pay for Lyme disease treatment?
How do I pay for Lyme disease treatment?
The Lyme Test Access Program (Lyme-TAP) reimburses up to 75% of out-of-pocket expenses for Lyme disease tests. LymeAid 4 Kids is a grant program through the Lyme Disease Association and provides those under 21 up to $1,000 toward Lyme disease diagnosis and treatment.May 4, 2021
Can you be hospitalized for Lyme disease?
Treat patients with suspected Lyme carditis with appropriate antibiotics immediately – do not wait for Lyme disease test results. Patients with suspected severe Lyme carditis require immediate hospitalization for cardiac monitoring and intravenous antibiotics.
Can I get Lyme disease in Australia?
Can I get tested for Lyme disease in Australia?
How do you know if you have Chronic Lyme disease?
Can you get lyme disease in Australia?
Lyme disease is caused by bacteria transmitted in a tick bite. The types of tick that carry the bacteria are not native to Australia and it’s not likely you can catch Lyme disease in Australia. Researchers are investigating whether Australian ticks can cause Lyme disease or Lyme disease-like symptoms. People bitten by ticks in USA, Europe ...
Can you take antibiotics for lyme disease?
If you have Lyme disease, your doctor may refer you to an expert in infectious diseases, who may prescribe antibiotics to treat the infection and minimise the chances of any long-term complications such as arthritis and memory problems. Long-term treatment with antibiotics is not recommended.
What are the symptoms of Lyme disease?
fever. chills. muscle and joint aches. swollen lymph nodes. headache. If it’s not treated, Lyme disease can spread and cause infection in the brain or the membranes around the brain and spinal cord (meningo-encephalitis) or around the heart ( endocarditis, myocarditis or pericarditis ). Later symptoms of Lyme disease, ...
What happens if you don't treat lyme disease?
muscle and joint aches. swollen lymph nodes. headache. If it’s not treated, Lyme disease can spread and cause infection in the brain or the membranes around the brain and spinal cord (meningo-encephalitis) or around the heart ( endocarditis, myocarditis or pericarditis ).
Can Lyme disease cause shortness of breath?
dizziness and shortness of breath. nerve pain (shooting pain, numbness or tingling) Lyme disease can also cause long-term problems with the joints and the brain. CHECK YOUR SYMPTOMS — Use the Symptom Checker and find out if you need to seek medical help.
Can ticks cause lyme disease?
Sometimes people think they have the symptoms of Lyme disease, but it is a different disease caused by ti cks. Diseases caused by tick bites that are known in Australia are: Sometimes there is no known diagnosis for symptoms such as fatigue, disordered thinking, disturbances of the senses, joint pain and headaches.
How do you know if you have lyme disease?
Other early symptoms of Lyme disease are: feeling tired. fever. chills. muscle and joint aches. swollen lymph nodes. headache. If it’s not treated, Lyme disease can spread and cause infection in the brain or the membranes around the brain and spinal cord (meningo-encephalitis) or around the heart ( endocarditis, myocarditis or pericarditis ). ...
What is lyme disease?
Lyme disease manifests as a multi-systemic illness that can result in symptoms affecting random parts of the body including the muscles, joints, organs, brain, gastro-intestinal and neurological systems. Lyme disease is generally categorised into acute (early) and chronic (late) stages of disease, each with varying symptoms.
Is every dollar donated to Lyme Disease tax deductible?
It will support and possibly save the lives of very sick Australians. All donations over $2 are tax deductible.
How is lyme disease transmitted?
The bacteria, a spirochete, is transmitted when an individual is bitten by a vector, usually a tick. Lyme disease can impact many bodily systems and organs and can, in some cases, mimic other illnesses (e.g. lupus). Read more.
What is the disease caused by a tick?
Lyme disease is an infectious illness caused by the bacterium known as Borrelia, which creates a condition more correctly known as Borreliosis or Lyme Borreliosis. The bacteria, a spirochete, is transmitted when an individual is bitten by a vector, usually a tick.
Does lyme disease exist in Australia?
Medical authorities dismiss locally-acquired Lyme disease as they believe it doesn’t exist in Australia. This is slowly changing as the sheer number of people affected by the debilitating symptoms of Lyme are proving that tick/vector-borne diseases most certainly do exist in Australia.
Does Australia have lyme?
This is slowly changing as the sheer number of people affected by the debilitating symptoms of Lyme are proving that tick/vector-borne diseases most certainly do exist in Australia. Perhaps Australia has its own particular vector-borne disease which manifests with Lyme-like symptoms, but regardless, we know many people are suffering greatly ...
What is the lyme disease?
Lyme disease is a tick-borne infection caused by the Borrelia bacteria that causes a characteristic skin rash and a range of debilitating symptoms. People are often unaware that the symptoms they’re experiencing are related to a previous bite from a tick.
Can lyme disease cause disability?
If left untreated, Lyme disease can cause severe disability as the infection can spread through the bloodstream and cause infection in the brain and membranes surrounding the brain, infection in or around the heart, joint pain and inflammation, and long-term neurological symptoms. As early-stage diagnosis in Australia is difficult, ...
Can lyme disease be treated with antibiotics?
TREATMENT. If detected early, most cases of Lyme disease can be treated successfully with antibiotics. Many factors contribute to a positive healing outcome for people with Lyme-like symptoms. These factors help you begin or continue your journey of recovery:
Can Lyme disease cause brain damage?
If left untreated, Lyme disease can cause severe disability as the infection can spread through the bloodstream and cause infection in the brain and membranes surrounding the brain, infection in or around the heart, joint pain and inflammation, and long-term neurological symptoms.
Is lyme disease in Australia?
Australian Lyme. Lyme disease, and whether or not it exists in Australia, is highly controversial. An increasing number of Australians are becoming chronically ill after a tick bite. But the current stance of the Australian Government is that classical Lyme disease cannot be contracted in Australia. This is due to the belief that the bacteria ...
Can lyme disease be contracted in Australia?
But the current stance of the Australian Government is that classical Lyme disease cannot be contracted in Australia. This is due to the belief that the bacteria (Borrelia) that causes Lyme does not exist here. This perspective is based on 1994 research that failed to find Borrelia in Australian ticks ...
Can you test for lyme disease if you have travelled overseas?
The Department of Health will not entertain the possibility that they have Lyme disease unless those patients have travelled overseas. If not, their advice to doctors is “Do not test for Lyme disease”, regardless of the symptoms observed. If the patient has travelled overseas and has Lyme symptoms, they will be referred to an infectious disease ...
Can you test for lyme disease?
If not, their advice to doctors is “Do not test for Lyme disease”, regardless of the symptoms observed. If the patient has travelled overseas and has Lyme symptoms, they will be referred to an infectious disease specialist with the possibility of an official Lyme diagnosis. If a recognised tick-borne disease is suspected, ...
Does the LDAA dispute lyme disease?
The LDAA strongly disputes these conclusions around Australian Lyme disease). There is a very wide gap between the government’s perspective, and the LDAA’s anecdotal evidence from hundreds of patients; many of whom have positive Lyme tests from laboratories outside Australia.
Is there any official data on the lyme disease in Australia?
Due to the Government ’s “Lyme denial” there is no official data that may help to quantify the size of the Lyme problem in Australia. There has been no epidemiological study or surveillance mechanism established. No investment into research on Lyme disease, its causative agent or its aetiology occurred in Australia for twenty years.
Is lyme disease hard to get?
Lyme is controversial internationally as well. It is considered to be “hard to get and easy to treat” with chronic Lyme being widely denied. There are two opposing views on the length and type of treatment and research can support either side of the argument. Australian authorities have imported this controversy.
Setting Up Your Appointment
We have implemented an online scheduling system that we think will make scheduling more efficient and convenient for you. On our home page click on the “Schedule Now” tab on the right hand side of the page. You will be prompted to register and you can then choose your own appointment time.
Costs
The initial appointment will be one hour in duration. Follow-ups are 30 minutes, or 15 minutes for brief follow ups.
Supplements
Supplements will be shipped from RestorMedicine San Diego and are sent regular U.S. postal service. If you would like expedited Express shipping or courier shipping such as Fedex or UPS, please specify this. These options will incur higher charges.
Medications
Dr. Nicola is not licensed to practice medicine in Australia, therefore she is not able to prescribe medications. However, she draws on her years of experience treating Lyme disease, and will make recommendations on what medications she would suggest. Your local MD may be willing to follow those recommendations.
Lab Work
Dr. Nicola can order labs through IGeneX, a specialist Lyme lab in the US. She will provide you with a signed requisition and advise which tests are appropriate and necessary to do. It is your responsibility to contact IGeneX directly and request a kit be sent to you. Their website is www.igenex.com There is no fee to have the kit sent to you. Dr.
Clinics
Dr. Nicola holds clinics in Sydney twice yearly and in Noosa once yearly. Her goal is to hold quarterly clinics in the future. Appointments are also made through Adriana or via the online scheduling system. They are one hour long (initial and follow up), and cost AUD 400 (cash only).
Is lyme disease common in Australia?
Chronic Lyme disease is becoming more widespread in Perth as well as Australia wide . It is a stealth infection mostly transmitted by ticks and other vectors, however many sufferers do not recall ever being bitten by a tick.
How many people in Australia have lyme disease?
Considering the estimate by the Lyme disease association of Australia, over 200,000 people in Australia are suffering from chronic Lyme disease without a diagnosis.
Is lyme disease a stealth infection?
Chronic Lyme disease is becoming more widespread in Perth as well as Australia wide. It is a stealth infection mostly transmitted by ticks and other vectors , however many sufferers do not recall ever being bitten by a tick.
Is chronic lyme disease treated differently from acute lyme disease?
The treatment greatly depends on the stage of a patient. Chronic Lyme will be treated differently to acute Lyme infections. Chronic Lyme patients will more than likely have many other health issues that need addressing at the same time, these include gut issues, methylation imbalances, vitamin and mineral deficiencies and impaired detoxification.
Can antibiotics cure lyme disease?
Antibiotics are effective initially in acute cases of Lyme disease, however, effective in shorter-term applications only. Long term use of antibiotics damages the body and further cause the Lyme spirochete to change form to evade treatment.
Can antibiotics cause lyme spirochetes to change?
Long term use of antibiotics damages the body and further cause the Lyme spirochete to change form to evade treatment. Ongoing treatment of chronic Lyme is furthermore achievable with antimicrobial and immune-boosting herbs in conjunction with high dose vitamins and minerals.
Evidence of Lyme in Australia
- Compilation of evidence, 2019. Black Dot Project.
- Evidence of Lyme disease in Australia. Article from the Sydney Morning Herald, 1989.
- Lyme Borreliosis: An Australian Perspective. (Abstract). This is the 1995 thesis of Dr Michelle Wills.
- Analysis of Lyme Borreliosis: An Australian Perspective. The LDAA published this document i…
- Compilation of evidence, 2019. Black Dot Project.
- Evidence of Lyme disease in Australia. Article from the Sydney Morning Herald, 1989.
- Lyme Borreliosis: An Australian Perspective. (Abstract). This is the 1995 thesis of Dr Michelle Wills.
- Analysis of Lyme Borreliosis: An Australian Perspective. The LDAA published this document in 2017, after Dr Wills’ thesis was made publicly available.
How Big Is The Problem?
- Due to the Government’s “Lyme denial” there is no official data that may help to quantify the size of the Lyme problem in Australia. The Lyme Disease Association of Australia has been collecting anecdotal information from patients identifying with Lyme disease. These patients have a confirmed diagnosis of Lyme by a doctor. Our data indicates that Lyme is non-discriminatory. It …
Diagnostic Protocols and Testing
- Generally, the diagnostic protocols, processes and tests used in Australia, that are recommended by mainstream practitioners, are inappropriate. Some Australian laboratories produce discordant test results.* Independently, or with assistance from a Lyme-literate practitioner, patients routinely send their blood overseas for testing in specialist laboratories at significant expense. (See Lym…
Lack of Education
- The Australian medical community and the general public are under-educated on emerging illnesses that can follow a tick, or other vector bite. Doctors need better support, contemporary research and unambiguous guidelines that keep pace with emerging research. Our communities need information and education about the prevention of tick-borne disease with advice on prote…
How You Can Help
- Join the Patients First #aussielymefight campaign. The LDAA is more committed than ever to supporting the Australian Lyme and associated diseases community. You can help by becoming a member or making a donation. Talk to friends and family about Lyme, and Like and Share posts from our Facebook page. * Loh, S. M., Gofton, A. W., Lo, N., Gillett, A., Ryan, U. M., Irwin, P. J., & O…