Advanced Lyme disease presents symptoms that mimic many other diseases. In the absence of known exposure to a deer tick bite, obtaining an accurate diagnosis requires specific testing and symptom evaluation. The Lyme Association of Greater Kansas City reports Lyme disease as a multisystem disease that affects the muscles, bones, cartilage, brain, skin, eyes, ears, head, neck, face, digestion, respiratory, circulatory, reproductive and nervous systems.
Muscles and Skeletal System
Advanced Lyme disease symptoms of the muscles and skeletal system include joint pain, swelling, tenderness and stiffness. The presence of bone pain, muscle cramps, a stiff back or neck and a feeling of heaviness in one or more extremity are recognized symptoms of chronic Lyme disease. The University of Maryland Medical Center reports recurring attacks of arthritis in 60 percent of the people with Lyme disease not treated with antibiotics.
Neurological System
Neurological symptoms of advanced Lyme disease include tremors, burning sensations, weakness, numbness, dizziness, difficulty walking, lightheadedness, sudden jerking and spinal column pain. Facial paralysis such as Bell's palsy, increased motion sickness and restless leg syndrome appear in some cases of chronic Lyme disease.
Eyes and Ears
Expect eye floaters, double or blurry vision, painful eyes, light sensitivity, dry eyes and optic neuritis as possible symptoms of advanced Lyme disease. Changes in the ears include buzzing or clicking noises, pain, tinnitus (ringing), pressure, increased sound sensitivity and decreased hearing.
Other Body Systems
Advanced Lyme disease carries the potential for digestive problems including diarrhea, constipation, nausea and stomach pain. Respiratory and circulatory difficulties include shortness of breath, cough, chest pain, heart palpitations, night sweats, heart blockage, murmurs and heart attack.
Mental and Psychological
The National Institutes of Health reports mood changes, short-term memory loss, confusion and sleep disorders as possible symptoms of advanced Lyme disease. Other symptoms include difficulty thinking, brain "fog" and depression.
Head and Neck
Symptoms of advanced Lyme disease that affect the head and neck include unexplained hair loss, jaw pain or stiffness, sore throat, hoarseness, headaches, jaw spasms, difficulty swallowing and a loss of taste sensation.
Overall Symptoms
With advanced Lyme disease, expect overall body symptoms to include extreme fatigue, unexplained changes in weight, pain that moves from one part of the body to another, symptoms that come and go, repeated infections and increased allergen sensitivity. Symptoms of advanced Lyme disease manifest in some people within a few months following the initial tick bite with or without antibiotic treatment at onset. For other people, symptoms lay dormant for years and manifest for no apparent reason.
