Diagnosis and Treatments for Lyme Disease

4. Diagnosis in Stage 3

Stage 3 is called late disseminated Lyme disease and occurs months to years after the initial tick bite. In this stage, the condition has continued to spread, and symptoms may be severe. For diagnosis, doctors will likely order blood testing and look for arthritis with swelling, warmth, and pain; concentration and memory issues; nerve pain, numbness, tingling, stabbing, or burning in the feet and hands; mental health changes, like anxiety, depression, or mood swings; and sleep disturbances.