Lyme Disease Symptoms in Atlanta, GA
Understanding symptom patterns that are often missed - and why they matter
Why Lyme Disease Is Often Missed
And My Personal Journey to Real Answers
Lyme disease symptoms can be confusing, inconsistent, frustrating, and easy to dismiss—especially when standard tests come back normal.
Many people search symptoms for months or even years before realizing Lyme disease may be part of the picture.
This page explains common Lyme disease symptom patterns, why Lyme is frequently overlooked, and shares my personal journey so you can better understand what may be happening in your body and what next steps may help bring clarity.
Common Lyme Disease Symptoms
Lyme disease can affect multiple systems throughout the body, which is why symptoms often feel unrelated or scattered.
Common symptom patterns may include:
• persistent fatigue or low stamina
• joint or muscle discomfort
• headaches or pressure sensations
• brain fog, memory lapses, or poor concentration
• sleep disruption or feeling wired but tired
• mood changes, anxiety, or irritability
• tingling, numbness, dizziness, or sensitivity to light and sound
• digestive changes or new food sensitivities
Symptoms often fluctuate and may worsen during periods of:
• stress
• illness
• hormonal change
• poor sleep
• increased inflammation
Why Lyme Symptoms Are Often Missed
Lyme disease is frequently missed because symptoms overlap with many other conditions.
People are often told symptoms may be related to:
• stress
• aging
• hormone changes
• autoimmune patterns
• anxiety
without anyone stepping back to look at the full picture.
Another challenge is timing.
Symptoms may appear long after exposure, and many people never remember a tick bite or rash.
When symptoms persist or evolve, it often becomes important to look deeper rather than dismiss what the body is showing.
My Lyme Story - How it All Began
I understand how frustrating and isolating this journey can be because I have lived it myself.
My story began in 1982 in Oswego, New York, while I was attending college and studying graphic art.
Life felt carefree then. I spent my days in class, walking along the lake, and enjoying summer with friends.
Around July 4th, everything changed.
A neighbor’s dog spent the day in my bed while I was out.
When I returned home and fell asleep, I woke up a few hours later screaming—my legs felt like they were on fire.
Fleas and ticks were everywhere.
We threw the sheets out the window, and I ran straight to the shower, shaken but unaware that moment would affect my life for years to come.
The following weekend, I noticed a rash on my leg.
I had a fever, but I pushed through and thought little of it.
The Symptoms That Did Not Make Sense
By the fall semester, I felt unusually tired.
My stomach felt off, but I ignored it.
Over time:
• fatigue worsened
• stomach pain increased
• neurological symptoms began
One night at work, my legs suddenly felt weak.
Later, they gave out completely.
Soon after, my feet became ice cold, as if circulation had disappeared.
I wore wool socks constantly and soaked my feet in hot water just to feel relief.
At the time, I had no idea these were early signs of Lyme disease affecting my nervous system.
Years of Being Dismissed
I saw doctor after doctor.
One prescribed medication for pain.
Another saw inflammation but had no explanation.
No one connected the full picture.
By December 1985, the pain was so severe that I crawled up stairs to my final college exam.
A professor carried me into class so I could finish.
Shortly after graduation, I could barely walk.
I spent most days in bed.
I could not work, cook, clean, or function normally.
I experienced:
• pain
• fatigue
• stomach symptoms
• infections
• neurological symptoms
and I was losing hope.
When Everything Fell Apart
Eventually I was diagnosed with RSD and underwent treatments that only helped temporarily.
I even underwent a major surgery—an abdominal bilateral sympathectomy—which I believed was my last hope.
It did not help.
After surgery I felt worse than ever:
• exhausted
• depressed
• overwhelmed by pain
I reached a breaking point.
In June 1988, unable to stand without support, I pulled myself up using my kitchen counter and cried out to God for help.
The Answer No One Had Found
Two weeks later, a physical therapist urged me to see an orthopedic surgeon she trusted.
He listened carefully.
He asked one question no one else had asked:
Had I ever had a strange rash?
Immediately I remembered:
• the dog
• the ticks
• the rash in Oswego
Testing confirmed what no one had recognized:
Lyme disease.
Finally, I had an explanation.
I felt relief, grief, anger, and gratitude all at once.
Healing, Food, and a New Path
Treatment options were limited then, but something unexpected helped:
• chiropractic care
• dietary changes
As I adjusted my spine and changed how I ate, my legs and circulation improved.
That experience showed me how deeply food and inflammation affected symptoms.
That curiosity eventually became my life’s work.
From Survivor to Practitioner
After moving to Atlanta, I returned to school and completed training in:
• holistic nutrition
• naturopathy
• autoimmunity
• nervous system health
• hormones
• toxin exposure
• Lyme disease education
• functional testing
I also pursued ongoing training through International Lyme and Associated Diseases Society.
I kept my promise to help people who felt dismissed, confused, or stuck.
Here I Am Today
It has now been more than 30 years since my Lyme disease symptoms were finally recognized.
Today my life is active and mostly pain-free.
When symptoms try to resurface, I understand how to respond.
At Nutritionally Yours I help individuals:
• explore root causes
• calm inflammation
• support the nervous system
• rebuild health thoughtfully
If my story feels familiar, know this:
You are not imagining your symptoms.
And you are not alone.
— Alane Wincek, ND, CNC
Learn More About Lyme Disease
• Learn more about Lyme disease
• Explore Lyme testing options
About Your Practioner
Alane Wincek, ND, CNC | Holistic Nutrition | Alpharetta, GA | nutritionallyyours.net
Disclaimer: The information on this website is for educational purposes only and is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before making any changes to your health plan.
Last Updated: April 2026