Lyme Disease Care Near Oakland County

Lyme disease is a complex, often misdiagnosed condition that can affect multiple systems in the body, leading to chronic pain, fatigue, neurological symptoms, and immune dysfunction. Many patients go years without a proper diagnosis, being told they have fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue syndrome, autoimmune diseases, or psychiatric disorders, when in reality, a hidden infection is driving their symptoms​.

Why Early and Comprehensive Treatment Matters

Standard treatments for Lyme disease often fall short, especially for patients with chronic or recurring symptoms. Many conventional doctors rely on short courses of antibiotics, but Lyme bacteria have stealth pathogen characteristics, allowing them to hide in tissues, suppress the immune system, and persist despite treatment​.

At Restorative Medicine Center, we take a functional medicine approach to Lyme disease, identifying not just the infection, but also the immune dysfunction, toxin buildup, and nervous system imbalances that contribute to ongoing illness. By addressing the root causes, we help patients achieve lasting recovery rather than just temporary symptom relief.

Meet Dr. Teresa Birkmeier-Fredal: A Trusted Lyme Disease Specialist

Dr. Teresa Birkmeier-Fredal is a leading expert in Lyme disease care in Michigan, specializing in stealth pathogen evaluation, immune system restoration, and advanced detoxification strategies. Unlike conventional doctors who focus on symptom suppression, Dr. Birkmeier-Fredal digs deeper to uncover the root causes of chronic illness.

Her approach to Lyme disease treatment includes:
✔ Comprehensive Testing – Going beyond standard Lyme tests to detect hidden infections and immune dysfunction.
✔ Personalized Treatment Plans – Combining herbal and pharmaceutical antimicrobials with immune and detox support.
✔ Focus on Whole-Body Healing – Addressing chronic inflammation, nervous system regulation, and toxin elimination for long-term recovery.

What Is Lyme Disease?

Lyme disease is an infectious disease caused by the bacterium Borrelia burgdorferi, which is primarily transmitted through the bite of an infected black-legged tick (commonly known as a deer tick). These ticks are often found in wooded, grassy, and suburban areas, making exposure possible throughout Oakland County and beyond.

Many people assume that Lyme disease always causes a bull’s-eye rash, but this is a myth—less than 30% of patients recall seeing a rash or even a tick bite. This allows the infection to go undiagnosed and untreated, increasing the risk of chronic illness​.

Acute vs. Chronic Lyme Disease Symptoms

Lyme disease can present in two main stages—acute and chronic—each with different symptoms and complications.

🔹 Acute Lyme Disease Symptoms (Early Stage)

Symptoms typically develop days to weeks after a tick bite and may include:

• Flu-like symptoms – Fever, chills, fatigue, headaches, body aches.
• Bull’s-eye rash (erythema migrans) – Appears in some cases, but not always present.
• Joint stiffness and swelling, especially in the knees.
• Nerve pain or tingling, often in the arms and legs.

If treated early with appropriate antibiotics, Lyme disease can often be resolved in this stage. However, if the infection goes untreated or is misdiagnosed, it can progress to a chronic stage​.

🔹 Chronic Lyme Disease Symptoms (Late-Stage or Persistent Lyme)

If Lyme bacteria evade treatment, they can hide within tissues, leading to persistent, recurring, and multi-system symptoms such as:

• Severe fatigue – Unrelenting exhaustion, similar to chronic fatigue syndrome.
• Brain fog & memory issues – Difficulty concentrating, forgetfulness, and mental confusion.
• Joint & muscle pain – Can be misdiagnosed as fibromyalgia or rheumatoid arthritis.
• Neurological symptoms – Numbness, tingling, dizziness, migraines, and facial paralysis (Bell’s palsy).
• Heart problems – Irregular heartbeat (Lyme carditis), chest pain, palpitations.
• Mood disorders – Anxiety, depression, panic attacks, and irritability​.

Why Is Lyme Disease So Hard to Diagnose?

One of the biggest challenges in Lyme disease care is accurate diagnosis. Many cases go undiagnosed or misdiagnosed for years due to:

✅ Unreliable Standard Testing

• The ELISA and Western Blot tests often produce false negatives, especially in early or chronic stages​.
• These tests only detect antibodies, which may not develop in all patients, especially if the immune system is weakened​.

✅ Stealth Pathogen Behavior

• Borrelia burgdorferi can hide inside cells, suppress immune function, and shift into dormant forms, making it harder for the body to recognize and eliminate.
• The bacteria often come with co-infections (like Bartonella, Babesia, and Mycoplasma) that worsen symptoms and further complicate diagnosis​.

✅ Symptoms That Mimic Other Conditions
Lyme disease symptoms overlap with many other chronic conditions, leading to frequent misdiagnosis, including:

• Fibromyalgia
• Multiple Sclerosis (MS)
• Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS)
• Autoimmune diseases (Lupus, Rheumatoid Arthritis)
• Anxiety, Depression, and Neurological Disorders

Our Approach to Lyme Disease Treatment

At Restorative Medicine Center, we take a root-cause-focused approach to Lyme disease, moving beyond symptom suppression to uncover the deeper imbalances driving chronic illness. Lyme disease is more than just an infection—it is a stealth pathogen that disrupts the immune system, burdens the body with toxins, and triggers chronic inflammation. That’s why we follow the Root Cause Triad, a comprehensive framework designed to restore full-body health.

The Root Cause Triad: Addressing the Hidden Drivers of Lyme Disease

✅ Microbes (Infections & Co-Infections)
Lyme disease is rarely an isolated infection. Most patients also have co-infections, which complicate treatment and worsen symptoms, including:

• Bartonella – Causes neurological symptoms, anxiety, vascular inflammation, and immune suppression.
• Babesia – A malaria-like parasite that leads to extreme fatigue, night sweats, and breathing difficulties.
• Mycoplasma & Chlamydia pneumoniae – Persistent infections that trigger chronic inflammation and autoimmune-like symptoms​.

These stealth pathogens suppress the immune system, making it difficult for the body to clear infections on its own.

✅ Toxins (Biotoxins & Environmental Burdens)

• Lyme bacteria (Borrelia burgdorferi) and its co-infections release biotoxins, leading to:
  
  • Brain fog & cognitive dysfunction
  • Chronic inflammation & immune dysfunction
  • Detoxification impairments & chemical sensitivities
• Many patients also have mold exposure, heavy metals, or other toxic burdens, which worsen immune suppression​.

✅ Stress Response (Nervous System Dysfunction)
Chronic infections and toxins place the body in a constant fight-or-flight state, leading to:

• Adrenal exhaustion and hormonal imbalances
• Sleep disturbances and anxiety
• Poor gut function and nutrient absorption

Regulating the autonomic nervous system is key to long-term healing​.

Advanced Testing Methods for Precise Lyme Diagnosis

Lyme disease is often misdiagnosed because standard tests fail to detect chronic infections. At Restorative Medicine Center, we use specialized diagnostic methods to accurately identify Lyme disease and its co-infections, including:

✔ Expanded Lyme Disease Panels – Detects Borrelia and co-infections with better accuracy.
✔ Immune & Inflammatory Biomarkers – Identifies chronic inflammation and immune suppression (VEGF, MMP-9, C4a, TGFB1)​.
✔ Biotoxin & Heavy Metal Testing – Screens for mold exposure, chemical sensitivities, and heavy metal toxicity.

Comprehensive Lyme Disease Treatment Plans

✔ Herbal & Pharmaceutical Antimicrobials
We tailor treatment to the specific microbial burdens each patient has, using:

• Herbal antimicrobials (Japanese Knotweed, Cryptolepis, Artemisinin) for targeted bacterial and parasitic support.
• Pharmaceutical antibiotics (when appropriate), used strategically to prevent resistance.
• Antiparasitic & antifungal protocols to eliminate secondary infections.

✔ Immune System Modulation
Lyme disrupts immune function, so we restore balance by:

• Immune-modulating therapies (Low-Dose Immunotherapy, Transfer Factors).
• Nutrient optimization (Vitamin D, zinc, glutathione, mitochondrial support).
• Reducing chronic inflammation to restore immune resilience.

✔ Detoxification & Mold/Mycotoxin Evaluation
Since toxin buildup fuels chronic illness, we integrate:

• Far infrared sauna therapy for deep detox support.
• Liver detox protocols (glutathione, NAC, binders) to clear Lyme biotoxins.
• Mold and mycotoxin testing to eliminate hidden environmental triggers.

✔ Nervous System Regulation for Long-Term Healing
Lyme overactivates the autonomic nervous system, keeping the body in a state of chronic inflammation. Our strategies include:

• Vagus nerve stimulation & breathwork exercises to reset the nervous system.
• Red light & near-infrared therapy for pain relief and mitochondrial support.
• Adrenal support protocols to restore sleep, energy, and hormonal balance.

How to Get Started with Lyme Disease Treatment

If you’ve been struggling with chronic symptoms, unexplained health issues, or a possible Lyme disease diagnosis, it’s time to take control of your health. Dr. Teresa Birkmeier-Fredal and the team at Restorative Medicine Center are here to provide comprehensive, root-cause-focused care to help you heal.

📅 Steps to Book an Appointment

✅ Step 1: Contact Our Office
📞 Call us at 248-289-6349 or visit Restorative Medicine Center to schedule your consultation.

✅ Step 2: Complete New Patient Forms
After scheduling, you’ll receive intake forms to provide details about your health history, symptoms, and previous treatments.

✅ Step 3: Prepare for Your Appointment

• Track your symptoms and any changes over time.
• Gather past lab results and medical records for review.
• Write down questions or concerns to discuss with Dr. Birkmeier-Fredal.

✅ Step 4: Choose Telemedicine or In-Person Care
We offer both in-office visits in Rochester Hills, MI and virtual consultations for patients in Oakland County and beyond.

💡 Take Control of Your Health Today

Lyme disease is a complex, often misdiagnosed condition, but with the right diagnostic approach and targeted treatment, you can reclaim your health. At Restorative Medicine Center, we go beyond conventional medicine to find and treat the root causes of illness, ensuring a personalized path to recovery.

📢 Contact Restorative Medicine Center Today to Start Your Healing Journey!

📞 Call 248-289-6349 or visit our website to schedule your consultation with Dr. Teresa Birkmeier-Fredal today. You deserve answers, real solutions, and lasting recovery.