Everything Lyme: Q&A with Dr. Kristin Reihman and Angela Pifer

Dr. Reihman’s Links:

Free Book on Lyme | Live Q&A Chat

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Join Angela Pifer and Dr. Kristin Reihman for an in-depth live Q&A on Lyme testing, biofilms, nervous system regulation and more.

This was such an interesting conversation because we didn’t approach Lyme as a simple question of finding a positive test and then chasing an infection indefinitely. Instead, we looked at why one person may be exposed and remain well, while another becomes increasingly symptomatic and struggles to recover.

One of the most important points Dr. Reihman made was that no single positive or negative Lyme test can tell us with certainty whether Lyme is what’s driving a person’s symptoms right now. Testing can provide useful pieces of the puzzle, but it still has to be interpreted alongside the person’s history, symptoms, immune function, exposures and overall terrain.

We also talked about:

• How Lyme and other stealth infections may remain quiet until something such as mold exposure, COVID, prolonged stress or disrupted sleep places a greater burden on the system
• Why a bullseye rash can help confirm Lyme, but the absence of a rash doesn’t rule it out
• The role of biofilms and why opening them too aggressively or too early can cause a significant flare in someone who is already highly reactive
• Why mast cells, detoxification, drainage, sleep and nervous system regulation may need to be stabilized before pushing harder into antimicrobial treatment
• How fear and constant symptom research can keep the nervous system in a state of threat and interfere with healing

I especially loved Dr. Reihman’s recommendation to go on a “low-information diet.” Once you have a trusted team and a thoughtful plan in place, constantly researching every possible diagnosis and treatment can become an enormous drain on your energy and reinforce the message that your body isn’t safe.

This conversation is for anyone dealing with Lyme, mold, long COVID, SIBO, chronic fatigue, fibromyalgia, mast cell symptoms or a constellation of chronic symptoms that no one has been able to fully connect.

Most importantly, Dr. Reihman shared that healing is possible. Her approach is to build the foundation first, treat the person as a whole and then address infections more directly when the body is ready.