Lyme disease is caused when a tick carrying the bacterium Borrelia burgdorferi bites you. The best defense against this condition is to take preventive measures during tick season. Lyme disease can be easily treated with antibiotics if it is caught early. However, additional treatments for Lyme disease may be required, depending on when it is diagnosed and other health problems that may be present.
Antibiotics
The antibiotics doxycycline, amoxicillin and cefuroxime axetil can be taken orally in cases where Lyme disease is caught in the early stages. Seeking medical care if a tick is removed from the body or if a rash appears is crucial. Look for early stage symptoms such as swollen glands, generalized fatigue and muscle and joint aches. Blood tests along with these symptoms can confirm a diagnosis. The American Lyme Disease Foundation states that antibiotics usually need to be taken for a few weeks but can lead to a quick and complete recovery if started early enough. In later stages of the disease, a second dose of antibiotics may be necessary. In cases where neurological symptoms are present, antibiotics may need to be given intravenously.
Arthritis Medications
According to the Arthritis Foundation, the symptoms of Lyme disease may last for weeks or months even after treatment. In rare cases, post-Lyme disease syndrome can develop, which leads to ongoing joint and muscle pain, fatigue, numbness and sleep disorders. In either case, taking anti-inflammatory drugs or having steroid injections may ease joint and muscle pain and stiffness.
Pain Management Techniques
In many cases, complications such as numbness, mood swings, confusion and headaches resolve within one year, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center. In addition, there appears to be no benefit to long-term antibiotic use and it can be dangerous. Patients that still have symptoms six months after receiving antibiotic therapy, may find relief through learning pain-management coping skills. This can include learning to pace activities, the use of modalities such as ice, heat and splinting, or practicing a relaxation technique.
