Lyme People

Latest studies and articles for lyme disease treatments and symptom of lyme disease

Call: (805) 497-2205

  • Home
  • About
  • Resources
    • PEMF
    • Valuable Resources
    • Treatment Options
    • Testing Options
    • Meridian Tooth Chart
  • Blog
  • Community
    • Community Forum
  • Gallery
  • Contact Us
You are here: Home / Blog / Lyme Disease and MS: Similar or Same?

June 13, 2013 By Dr. Miguel Gonzalez, MD 3 Comments

Lyme Disease and MS: Similar or Same?

There has been much debate in the medical community about whether MS and Lyme disease are the same disease or are two different diseases that have similar symptoms. We will look at both theories and you can decide for yourself.

Theory: MS is just a manifestation of Lyme disease

In the 2006 issue of “Medical Hypothesis”, Alan B. MacDonald M.D (Pathologist) strongly supports the fact that Lyme disease is responsible for the development of MS (Multiple Sclerosis) and other diseases. According to MacDonald and several other leading researchers in this field, Borrelia infection is a “unifying concept to explain diverse neurodegenerative diseases”, including Lewy body from Parkinson‘s disease, Alzheimer plaque and MS.

Why do the majority of doctors not believe in this theory? Because they fail to understand that Borrelia infection should not be diagnosed only when the corkscrew shaped bacteria are found in the diseased tissue (as it happens in Lyme disease), but also in other patients where the pathologist can detect (with a microscope) the small, cyst form of Borrelia in the tissues. Some doctors deny the existence of these cyst forms of Borrelia even though they are aware of it. Other researchers accept the concept but have been persecuted academically by their peers, says MacDonald.

Biopsies of the brain have discovered living Borrelia bacteria in people diagnosed with MS.

Dr. MacDonald also believes that Big Pharma does not want the public to know the real cause of MS so that they can sell drugs that may relieve some symptoms, but don’t address the root cause of MS (which is the Borrelia infection).

Theory: MS and Lyme are different diseases, but share some symptoms

Lyme disease and MS can manifest identical symptoms such as optic neuritis (the inflammation of the optic nerve), motor and sensory loss, vertigo, weakness, memory and mood changes, as well as other neurological symptoms. Both Lyme disease and MS have an autoimmune component, being associated with auto-reactive T cells and auto-antibodies directed against myelin, the protective sheath that covers the nerve fibers. Both diseases can be triggered or aggravated by infections.

However, the promoters of this theory also found enough evidence to believe that these two diseases are different and simply share similar symptoms. Here are the main differences:

MS has a relapsing–remitting form where symptoms wax and wane, where in Lyme the symptoms tend to be progressive.
Neurological abnormalities in MS involve the central nervous system, whereas in Lyme disease, a wide spectrum of the nervous system (not just the central nervous system) is affected.
MS is a typical autoimmune disease where the neurological symptoms of Lyme are only partially mediated by the immune system.
MS is linked with infections. The Epstein-Barr virus and chlamydia pneumonia are a few of the trigger micro-organisms for these MS infections, not Borrelia, which is responsible for the development of Lyme disease.
Until further research confirms either of these two theories, it is worthwhile to test for both diseases, since the treatments are very different. If a Borrelia infection is found, a course of antibiotic therapy is needed, while MS is managed with immuno-suppressant drugs.

References:
http://owndoc.com/lyme/multiple-sclerosis-is-lyme-disease-anatomy-of-a-cover-up
http://lymemd.blogspot.com/2009/01/doctor-do-i-have-lyme-or-ms.html
http://www.vitamindcouncil.org/health-conditions/neurological-conditions/multiple-sclerosis

Filed Under: Blog, featured 12 Tagged With: Lyme, Lyme disease, lyme disease symptoms, Multiple Sclerosis

Comments

  1. Share says

    January 31, 2014 at 12:07 am

    I was diagnosed with MS 14 years ago. The symptoms which were mentioned were my symptoms. I had flare ups then recesses (relapsing/remitting)then it developed into secondary progressive. Last October I was tested for Lyme disease. My results showed a double positive IgG and a double positive IgM amoung other things. I have chronic Lyme (most likely bitten/ infected as a child) and active Lyme (bitten/ infected in the last couple of years)disease. I also have Babesiosis and Bartonella co infections. I can trace my symptoms back to my childhood. I am on a specific protocol now for Lyme. If I am “cured” then it was Lyme. If not then who knows.
    http://www.lyme-ms-pathology.com

    Reply
  2. neil horneman says

    February 22, 2014 at 4:28 am

    I have spotted fever – have been on antibotics for over 12 months it does not work

    Reply
  3. shathi says

    August 7, 2015 at 5:35 pm

    I’ve heard about a new ultraviolet machine called the UVLRx that’s being used for Lyme patients. It uses a fiber optic thread which is inserted directly into the vein and the treatment lasts for an hour, so all the blood is treated. Has anyone tried this?

    Reply

Leave a Reply to shathi Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Lyme People Twitter Feed

Tweets by @lymepeople

Visit Dr. G’s Supplement Store

Visit Supplement Store

Lyme People Social

Suggested Supplements

  • Banderol 1oz
  • Samento
  • Boluoke
  • Burbur
  • Houttuynia
  • Pinella
  • BPP

Copyright © 2022 Lyme People. All Rights Reserved. Site By CB