Coping with spring fever and Lyme disease symptoms can be challenging. Discover tips for managing seasonal changes and tick-borne illnesses effectively.
As days grow longer, birds start chirping, and kids are outside riding bikes and playing after school, the seasonal excitement is palpable. “Spring fever,” as it’s often coined, is a time of renewed and even restless energy, when people are itching to come out of winter “hibernation” to socialize, be active, and soak up that elusive Vitamin D. When I was a college student in Vermont, the first sunny day—which sometimes didn’t break 50 degrees Fahrenheit—would herald students onto the quad in shorts and sandals. The air was abuzz with chatter, laughter, and hope.
Indeed, spring is traditionally a revelatory time. From prom and wedding season to spring break trips, people of all ages see spring as a time to rejoice. Nature shows us the way as trees blossom and crocus, daffodils, and tulips pop up in a delightful celebration of color. Trees bloom to life, some so beautifully that people travel from all over the world to see their blossoms. Our human inclination to blossom in spring—whether that’s enjoying outdoor activities or starting a new romance—is also quite natural. Longer days and increased sunlight change our circadian rhythms and even our hormones.
Despite a general atmosphere of positive “fever,” not everyone feels jubilant come spring. Some people react as if they have an actual fever, experiencing malaise, fatigue, and difficulty adjusting to a new rhythm. I experienced this mildly as a child and much more seriously as a patient of Lyme disease, babesiosis, ehrlichiosis, Epstein-Barr virus, and possible bartonella. Particularly during acute periods of illness and even during remission, spring has sprung an increase in fatigue, sleep disturbances, achiness, and sometimes an actual low-grade fever. Even my relapse happened in spring.
Negative symptoms of spring fever can also mimic actual symptoms of Lyme or other tick-borne diseases. If you usually weather the seasonal change and are suddenly stricken with malaise, achiness, or an actual fever, it may be time to talk to your doctor about the possibility of Lyme or other tick-borne illness. Ticks are out in force right now, hungry for a blood meal after the winter. They’re also nearly impossible to see in their current nymphal stage. Remember, too, that tick bites are painless, and don’t always cause an Erythema Migrans (EM) rash. You can easily get a tick bite and not know it.
For those who already have tick-borne illness and are struggling with spring fever, I’m here to assure you that it is normal and you are not alone. Relapse notwithstanding, I’ve usually been able to shake off the negative effects of spring fever within a few weeks as my body adjusts to a new schedule and rhythm. As I’ve gotten better and better, the shift in seasons doesn’t affect me nearly as much as it used to. I’ve hardly noticed the change at all this year.
If you’re a Lyme or other tick-borne disease patient struggling with spring fever, here are some tips:
- Know that this, too, shall pass. Lyme is not a linear disease. Symptoms and healing both ebb and flow. You can go through terrible periods of Herxheimer reactions and then enjoy periods of feeling relatively good. Like Herxes, spring flare-ups should eventually even out.
- As your circadian rhythm adjusts, your body may need more sleep. If you’re feeling more sluggish or tired than usual, listen to your body and don’t push it just because you can usually do X, Y, or Z. Your will tell you when it’s ready to do those things again.
- Nourish yourself. Eating healthy, well-rounded meals, keeping your blood sugar stable with little snacks, and hydrating can all help your body heal. If you’d been following the “Lyme Disease Diet” and slipped off during the winter, this could be a good time to get back on.
- Practice self-care. Flare-ups are a good time to re-up your self-care and be kind and gentle to yourself.
- Talk to your Lyme Literate Medical Doctor (LLMD). If spring fever persists for more than a few weeks, talk to your doctor to see if making a shift in your protocol might help.
Every year, April showers always do bring May flowers. I’m hopeful that before long, we all will be outside enjoying the sunshine (just be sure to take proper tick prevention measures!).
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