CW Vol 2 Ed. 28 - Understanding Lyme Disease & Tick-Borne Co-Infections
When you spend your days working in the Maine woods or near brush and tall grasses, tick bites aren’t just a possibility—they’re a regular risk. But what you might not know is this: it only takes one bite to trigger long-lasting illness, and the old idea that a tick must be attached for 24–48 hours to cause harm? False.
According to renowned physician and researcher Dr. Neil Nathan, transmission of Lyme and other infections can begin immediately upon bite, as ticks often regurgitate their stomach contents into the skin. That means every tick bite matters.
Suspected Tick Bite? Check for These Symptoms
Don’t ignore that strange joint pain, foot discomfort, or unusual sensitivity to light or sound. These may be clues pointing toward tick-borne infections that need medical attention.
Save the tick for testing when possible.
Document symptoms.
Seek a Lyme-literate provider who understands how to test and treat these complex conditions.
Visit SoulBeing.com/cpmconstructors.com or ilads.org to locate one near you.
More Than Just Lyme: Co-Infections You Should Know
Ticks commonly transmit multiple infections at once. Here’s how to tell the difference among the three most common tick-borne illnesses:
Bartonella: anxiety, sometimes with panic attacks; depression, sometimes with feelings of hopelessness and despair; derealization; pain on the soles of the feet, especially upon waking; visual disturbances; headaches at the back of the head; increased sensitivity to light, touch, smells, foods, chemicals, or EMF; a sensation of internal vibration; pseudoseizures; dystonias; muscle twitching and paresthesias; pelvic or bladder pain.
Borrelia: bull’s-eye rash, cranial neuropathies (Bell’s palsy, double vision), peripheral neuropathy, paresthesias, cardiac pain or arrhythmias, intense joint pain that may migrate, global headache (whole head hurts).
Babesia: sweating, especially at night; headache or pressure at the front of the head; shortness of breath or “air hunger”; neurological “disconnect”; severe cognitive impairment; severe psychological symptoms.
⚠️ Why a Short Course of Antibiotics Isn't Enough
Dr. Nathan emphasizes that none of these illnesses can be reliably treated by a single antibiotic for a short duration. Here’s why:
Borrelia bacteria reproduce every 21 days, which means short courses (10–14 days) often miss active cycles.
Co-infections like Babesia and Bartonella require different classes of medications, not just doxycycline.
Many bacteria can hide inside cells or form protective biofilms, making treatment more complex.
True healing often requires at least 6 weeks of antibiotics and ongoing immune support.
“You can’t just throw one drug at this and expect it to go away.” — Dr. Neil Nathan
🦠 Gut Health Matters: Probiotics During Treatment
Long-term antibiotic use can damage gut flora. Dr. Nathan recommends:
Low-histamine probiotics (for sensitive patients)
Saccharomyces boulardii (a yeast-based probiotic not killed by antibiotics)
Prebiotics + Fulvic minerals to help restore gut balance
Take probiotics between antibiotic doses, and monitor symptoms like bloating or fatigue.
Bottom Line: If you’ve had a tick bite—even if it didn’t seem like a big deal at the time—keep an eye on your body and symptoms. Early treatment can prevent long-term illness.
Listen to Dr. Neil Nathan’s conversation with Dave Asprey on The Human Upgrade podcast here.
(Or search Dr. Neil Nathan’s name in your podcast app or on YouTube and listen to him discuss his 30 years of treating complex mold, Lyme and sensitivity-related illnesses.)
View this Newsletter here!
7/9/2025