I had lyme for over 2 years before getting it correctly diagnosed. 3 weeks of antibiotics did nothing for me. Went to new doctor and have been on different antibiotics and supplements for 6 months. I am finally starting to feel almost normal. My arthritis is mostly gone - and it was quite painful.

OP, I know my anecdote doesn't make me an expert but if I were you I wouldn't worry too much if there are no other symptoms. It sounds like you probably caught it on the early side. If the short term antibiotics helped, I wouldn't do more. BUT, if symptoms return/new symptoms emerge I would consider a longer course of antibiotics. Good luck with dismissive doctors though.

OP here...No other symptoms other than a swollen knee, warm to touch, docs diagnosed with tests and since this is lyme arthritis, its obviously late stage. How late? I have no idea. Was it even related to a rash she developed three weeks earlier on the beach trip (not ring kind). No idea. Never saw a tick on her,or the round ring form of rash that is a telltale sign. So all I can do now is pray and hope she is not one of those small percentage of people whose lyme goes on to be chronic.
But until then,I am grateful to some of the above answers which give me some hope that we are done with it.

Anonymous wrote:You need to stay away form anything having to do with lyme on the internet because there is a movement of crazies who have conspiracy theories about lyme. The one month course is standard and works. In very rare cases they need to do more. Extended courses of antibiotics have health effects of their own, so be glad your DC was cured with the typical course.

And take this as a lesson in avoiding the internet. You have clearly ratcheted up your anxiety going to the baseless lyme sites. Its much better to take your concerns and worries directly to the doctor.

What is your agenda/experience with chronic Lyme? Are you in the health field?

My daughter had Lyme about ten years ago. She took antibiotics for three weeks. Never had another problem.

Yes, my dh had a month course of antibiotics and is fine. I think many of the Chronic Lyme disease cases were caught late...? But anyway, dh had Lyme Disease in 2001 and has had no problems since. He only has a deep seated fear of ticks now!

I had lyme 23 years ago when 10 days of antibiotics was the standard treatment. I think they caught it early -- I had been symptomatic for about a week. The antibiotics cleared up the symptoms. It was a miracle my doc thought to test me for lyme all those years ago. I am forever grateful to him.

OP, did your DC just contract Lyme? If so, 4-6 weeks of antibiotics will likely clear it. Chronic Lyme absolutely exists, but I would also stay away from Internet research. Instead, find a Dr you trust.

Anonymous wrote:It all depends on when the lyme was caught. In advanced cases of undetected lyme, no. It can be a lifetime issue. Read Amy Tan's story. Google Amy Tan Lyme. She ran the gauntlet of doctors on her Lyme and no one caught it. Permanently affected.

This.

It all depends on when the lyme was caught. In advanced cases of undetected lyme, no. It can be a lifetime issue. Read Amy Tan's story. Google Amy Tan Lyme. She ran the gauntlet of doctors on her Lyme and no one caught it. Permanently affected.

My child seems fine after a 3 week course, and he experienced the leg/joint pain you mention. This was months ago.

Read this - http://mobile.slate.com/articles/health_and_science/medical_examiner/2013/07/the_new_york_times_chronic_lyme_disease_placebo_effects_and_misleading_anecdotes.html

Yes, everyone I know was cured by 1 month on antibiotics. If you are still concerned, go back to doctor in a week or two.

You need to stay away form anything having to do with lyme on the internet because there is a movement of crazies who have conspiracy theories about lyme. The one month course is standard and works. In very rare cases they need to do more. Extended courses of antibiotics have health effects of their own, so be glad your DC was cured with the typical course.

And take this as a lesson in avoiding the internet. You have clearly ratcheted up your anxiety going to the baseless lyme sites. Its much better to take your concerns and worries directly to the doctor.

My dad was cured with abx; I don't know how long he took them, it was years ago.

Four randomized controled trials found no evidence that more than one month of antibiotics does any good in treating Lyme disease. It is unfortunately one of those conditions where, in a small number of people, there is no effective treatment for the auto-immune reactions that may be triggered, which opens the door to all kinds of crazies. Trust your doctor. If you don't, ask for a second opinion. But don't go reading everything on the web as if it was gospel. And as for your original question, the plural of anecdote is not data.

Klempner MS, Hu LT, Evans J, et al. Two controlled trials of antibiotic treatment in patients with persistent symptoms and a history of Lyme disease. N Engl J Med. 2001;345 (2):85–92.

Krupp LB, Hyman LG, Grimson R, et al. Study and treatment of post Lyme disease (STOP-LD): a randomized double masked clinical trial. Neurology. 2003;60(12):1923–1930.

Fallon BA, Keilp JG, Corbera KM, et al. A randomized, placebo-controlled trial of repeated IV antibiotic therapy for Lyme encephalopathy. Neurology. 2008;70(13):992–1003.

DC had lyme arthritis two months ago in one knee, and though the knee is not 100% back to normal, docs believe that the one month of antibiotics was good enough to have killed the bacteria, and the symptoms will just go away ina few months. Going online and reading random experiences about chronic lyme is just freaking me out. I want to know and hear about cases where a month of antibiotics actually worked. If you or anyone you know was completely cured within a month of antibiotics with no recurring symptoms please please please chime in.