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1670 ROUTE 34 N. 3R FLOOR SUITE 3C WALL • NJ 07727

Lyme Disease and Post-Lyme Syndrome

Successfully diagnose and treat your Lyme disease with a personalized, root-cause approach.

Understanding Lyme Disease and Post-Lyme Syndrome

Lyme disease is an infection caused by the bacterium Borrelia burgdorferi, and other Borrelia species, transmitted through bites from infected ticks. It is the fastest-growing vector-borne infectious disease in the United States.

Diagnosis and treatment of Lyme disease can be challenging, as many of its symptoms mimic other diseases, and Borrelia can alter its form and evade your immune system. Lyme disease diagnosis and treatment may be further complicated by co-infections such as Bartonella, Ehrlichia, Babesia, and other co-infections also transmitted by ticks, and other vectors.

If left untreated, Lyme disease can result in long-term health issues that significantly affect your quality of life. Some patients also develop Post-Lyme Syndrome, characterized by persistent symptoms after treatment, even when their initial infection has cleared.

At Michael Rothman MD, we take a comprehensive, multifaceted approach to diagnosing and treating Lyme disease. Our personalized treatment plans are tailored to address the complexities and comorbidities associated with Lyme disease, ensuring that your specific health needs are met.

Ready to Take Control of Your Health?

If you are experiencing symptoms of Lyme Disease and Post-Lyme Syndrome and are seeking effective, metabolically directed treatments, contact us online or call (732) 268-7663 for a consultation with Dr. Rothman.

What are the Symptoms of Lyme Disease?

Lyme disease can present with a range of symptoms that can vary widely between individuals, but common symptoms include:

  • Bull’s-eye Rash: Often referred to as erythema migrans, this distinctive rash typically appears as a circular, red area with a clear center, resembling a target. Notably, fewer than 40% of patients with Lyme recall having this characteristic rash.
  • Headaches: Persistent or severe headaches that may vary in intensity.
  • Flu-like Symptoms: Episodes of fever, often accompanied by chills, nausea, vomiting, or muscle aches.
  • Fatigue: Unusual tiredness that doesn’t improve with rest.
  • Numbness or Tingling: Loss of sensation or “pins and needles” in certain areas.
  • Neck Stiffness: Difficulty moving your neck or discomfort when turning.
  • A more specific pattern seen in Lyme disease is pain and neurological symptoms that migrate to various locations.
  • Related Comorbidities: Mold and food sensitivities, thyroid dysfunction, adrenal dysfunction, sex hormone dysfunction, autonomic dysfunction, and other metabolic imbalances.


Because of its difficulty to diagnose, overlapping symptoms, and substantial list of comorbidities and possible co-infections, it is vital that you consult a doctor for a proper diagnosis. Both Lyme disease and Post-Lyme Syndrome can be complex to diagnose and treat. A holistic, metabolically directed treatment approach can help restore your health and improve your overall well-being.

Causes of Lyme Disease

Lyme disease is most commonly caused by the transmission of the Borrelia burgdorferi bacterium through the bite of an infected blacklegged tick, also known as a deer tick (Ixodes scapularis). The bacterium is introduced into the bloodstream when an infected tick bites a human. Many health professionals erroneously believe that ticks must be attached for a certain period of time, at least— 24 to 48 hours—to transmit Lyme disease. However, several studies reveal that the transmission time can be significantly shorter. The blacklegged tick has a four-stage life cycle: egg, larva, nymph, and adult. It can transmit Lyme disease to humans in both the nymph and adult stages.
Spotting and timely removal of ticks are crucial in preventing infection. Several factors can increase your risk of exposure to Lyme disease, including:

  • Your geographic location–Lyme disease is more prevalent in areas where blacklegged ticks are found, particularly in the northeastern, north-central, and western coastal regions of the United States. Blacklegged ticks are common throughout New Jersey.
  • Your outdoor activities—Participating in outdoor activities like hiking or camping in wooded or grassy areas significantly raises your likelihood of encountering ticks.
  • The temperature—While tick bites are most common during the warmer months (April to September) when they are most active, it’s important to remember that ticks can be active any time the temperature is above freezing.
  • Your surrounding environment—Living in or near habitats favorable for ticks, such as forests, grasslands, and areas with dense vegetation, increases tick exposure.

If you choose to engage in activities in tick-prone areas or live in conditions where your exposure risk is higher, there are preventative measures you can take to reduce your risk of tick bites. To prevent tick bites, use insect repellent containing DEET, wear protective, bright-colored clothing such as long sleeves and pants, and conduct thorough tick checks after outdoor activities. Additionally, ensure that all of your pets are up to date on their flea and tick medications, and conduct thorough tick checks whenever they spend time outside.

Our Functional and Metabolic Medicine Approach to Lyme Disease

At Michael Rothman MD, we understand the significant impact Lyme disease can have on your health and well-being. Our approach to treating Lyme disease involves a comprehensive, multifaceted strategy that aims to identify and address the root causes of your symptoms and any health issues stemming from Lyme disease, ensuring an effective path to recovery.

Diagnostic Methods Used:

Potential Treatment Options:

Why Choose Functional and Metabolic Medicine for Lyme Disease?

Functional and metabolic medicine takes a different approach compared to traditional medical practices. Instead of leaving you with only a prescription for antibiotics, this approach includes focusing on identifying and addressing the root causes of your health issues stemming from Lyme disease, helping to restore your systems affected by your infection. Our comprehensive method involves understanding the intricate interactions between your genetics, environment, and lifestyle, and how these factors influence your overall health.
With a functional and metabolic medicine approach, we create personalized treatment plans tailored to your specific needs. By focusing on dietary habits, stress management, sleep patterns, and environmental exposures, we aim to rebalance your body’s systems naturally. This holistic approach not only alleviates symptoms but also promotes long-term health and well-being, ensuring that you achieve and maintain optimal health.
Choosing functional and metabolic medicine means committing to a deeper, more personalized level of care, designed to restore and sustain your health from the inside out.

Could Biotoxin Exposure Be Causing Causing Your Health Struggles?

Meet Dr. Michael Rothman:
Holistic Health and Metabolic
Medicine Expert

Dr. Michael Rothman is a Functional and Metabolic Medicine Specialist with over two decades of holistic practice. Drawing on his personal experience with Crohn’s disease, he is passionate about utilizing metabolically directed functional medicine to address complex health conditions, like Lyme disease and Post-Lyme Syndrome. Dr. Rothman’s comprehensive method considers exposure risks, dietary habits, genetic predispositions, and environmental factors to identify and treat the metabolic imbalances at the root of health issues.

Certified by the National Board of Medical Examiners and the New Jersey State Board of Medical Examiners, he also holds board certifications in Internal Medicine and previously in Emergency Medicine. Dr. Rothman is a member of ILADS, the International Lyme and Associated Disease Society.

His unique approach integrates knowledge from nutrition, biochemistry, physiology, and physics, alongside extensive training in environmental illness, medical acupuncture, naturopathy, Reiki, qigong, and oriental martial arts. Patients can expect a thorough, individualized approach aimed at restoring and maintaining lasting well-being.

Ready to Take Control of Your Health?

If you are experiencing symptoms of Lyme Disease and Post-Lyme Syndrome and are seeking effective, metabolically directed treatments, contact us online or call (732) 268-7663 for a consultation with Dr. Rothman.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Lyme disease for life?
Lyme disease is not necessarily for life if you receive the appropriate treatment early in your illness. However, if there is a delay in your treatment or your course of treatment is not long enough, you may have Lyme in your system for the rest of your life. Fortunately, if your immune system is functioning properly, you can live with Lyme and not experience any symptoms.  Unfortunately, many individuals experience lingering symptoms after their initial treatment, which is referred to as Post-Lyme Syndrome. This condition can persist for months or even years and is often a consequence of resistant organisms, unrecognized co-infections, mold exposure, and other immune system complications.
Can Lyme disease cause long-term effects?
Yes, Lyme disease can cause long-term effects, especially if inappropriately treated or other health-sapping factors exist, e.g., poor diet, mold exposure, heavy metals, metabolic imbalances). Some individuals may experience chronic symptoms such as joint pain, fatigue, cognitive difficulties, and neurological issues. These lingering effects can significantly impact your quality of life and may require ongoing management.
Are there different types of Lyme disease?
While Lyme disease is primarily caused by the bacterium Borrelia burgdorferi, there are variations in how it can manifest. The disease can also result in different co-infections transmitted by ticks, such as Bartonella, Ehrlichia, and Babesia.
Does Lyme disease make your teeth fall out?
Lyme disease can contribute to any symptom or problem that you are experiencing and has been called “the great masquerader”. So yes, chronic inflammation, a weakened immune system leading to oral infections and distorted body chemistry contributing to weakened connective tissue could make your teeth fall out.
How long does it take for Lyme disease symptoms to appear?
Lyme disease symptoms may appear 3 to 30 days after a tick bite, with an average onset of 7 to 14 days. The timing can vary based on individual factors and the specific type of tick that bites you have incurred. However, you may not have any obvious symptoms, only to suffer from “unexplainable” symptoms later in life.
Is the bull’s-eye rash always present with Lyme disease?
No, the bull’s-eye rash (erythema migrans) is not always present with Lyme disease. While it is a characteristic sign, fewer than 40% of individuals infected with Lyme recall seeing the rash. You may not exhibit any rash at all.
What foods should be avoided with Lyme disease?

While there are no specific foods that everyone with Lyme disease should avoid, you may benefit from avoiding inflammatory foods such as processed sugars, refined carbohydrates, and vegetable oils (soy, canola, corn…) and possibly dairy, and gluten.

At Michael Rothman MD, we will provide personalized dietary recommendations for your unique needs.

Can you get Lyme disease without a tick bite?
Possibly, Lyme disease is almost always transmitted through the bite of infected ticks, specifically blacklegged ticks. However, there is some data suggesting that Lyme can be transmitted from a pregnant mother to her baby and through sexual intercourse with an infected individual.
What preventative measures can be taken to avoid Lyme disease?

To prevent Lyme disease, you can take the following measures:

  • Use insect repellent containing DEET on your skin and clothing.
  • Wear protective, bright-colored clothing, such as long sleeves and long pants, when in tick-prone areas.
  • Conduct thorough tick checks on yourself, pets, and children after spending time outdoors.
  • Shower within two hours of outdoor activities to wash off any potential ticks.
  • Avoid walking through tall grass and dense brush where ticks are commonly found.
  • Keep your pets up to date on flea and tick prevention medications.
Can Lyme disease come back years later?
If you get bit by a tick and are treated appropriately and rapidly enough, then you can be cured of Lyme. However, if your treatment is delayed or inappropriate, then you will most likely have Lyme organisms in your body for the rest of your life. Thankfully, if your immune system is functioning well enough, you may not have any symptoms at all and be completely healthy. Unfortunately, if your body has been stressed by other factors like poor diet, mold exposure, a car accident, surgery, or other life stressors, your Lyme can be reactivated. Therefore, your Lyme did not “come back”, it was always there hiding and waiting for an opportunity to reappear.
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