Can Lyme Disease initiate MS?

I have Lyme Disease. I live in Mississipp and 2 Western Blots are positive for Lyme. Weeks were spent under care of neuro who suspected MS. MRI's show 3 active lesions on the brain. One on the brainstem (pons). All of my symptoms arrived in this order:stiffness of muscles in back an neck (feel very tight) eye muscle weak, drooping of lid, facial tingling around lips and cheek, fainting spell, toes numb over intervals of 6 months with the last occurence of numbess in my chest and abdomen, encircling my upper half and more prominent when I flex my neck ever so slightly. (This upper body numbness began Nov 13th,07 and in the past week-Jan 6th, 08 has become almost unnoticeable). At times this week Ive had a burning sensation stream thru the same spot on the same foot that has numb toes at times. Gets real hot then subsides.
I have great concerns that my Neurologist who was initially confident that I have what he called the beginning of MS -relapse/remitting and even went so far as to discuss the medication Copaxone with myself and husband while we awaited results of Spinal tap. He said diagnosis of MS is 90% MRI  and such lesions, particularly the brain-stem lesion but that the spinal could tell us more. When results arrived there were no 'bands' present in CSF and he completely dismissed his initial believe of MS. - Also, Lyme not present in CSF at time of spinal. He wants to see me for follow ups and sent me on my way to an Infectious Disease doctor because although no lyme was in spinal, 2 blood serum test reveal positives for LYME and also ANA positive. The Infectious disease doctor treats with Doxycycline/amoxicillin as well and says I DO have lyme. Been taking the meds since DEC 5th 07 and am feeling more energy and overall well being increased.  I have had long term fatigue that increased in the last 6 months of 07 with lots of joint/body pain. Knees, elbows, shoulders, shoulder blades, neck stiffness, etc which has reduced as well but still flaring up at times.
My concern are obvious:
Multiple lesions on brain--went from 2 to 3 in 5 weeks on MRI"S (in sept/oct 07)- symptoms indicate clinically MS, with positive MRI"S and radiological interpretation indicating possible MS as well on reports dictated. highly unlikely at age 41 I have small vessel disease...so these things that come and go as if going in and out of remission are tale tale signs that indicate I have MS, why would SPINAL tap be used as his definitive decision maker and him go from saying 90% of MS diagnosis is from MRI? Since no bands present: POOF, NO Multiple Sclerosis. Isn't that a bit incorrect in the present day school of thought---Isn't it possible that there were no bands present because it just hasn't gotten to that point where they are showing up? And do they have to present to diagnose? Or would it just make him more comfortable if the bands were present in order for him to make a definitive diagnosis?
Sounds kind of crazy to me. The infectious disease doctor was speechless upon learning of my lesions on brainstem and reading the reports from radiologists. He is the one that mentioned there are many cases where MS patients are positive for lyme and vice versa....but what do we do, remain sitting ducks, waiting for a disease to progress, what will the next lesion bring? How serious is this? Share any information you would like with me. I'm all ears! Thanks.

[whatayear]

Lyme can show up on an MRI as lession mistakin for MS first off you need to find a LLMD doc in your area that a lyme litterate doc not just any doc but one who is willing to treat lyme. You need to have testing for lgenex in CA go to there website and order a lyme panel and a coinfection panel and get those done ASAP!!!!! You need to treat this first!!!! people have been told they have ALS and it was lyme and most docs dont look at lyme the way they should all your symptoms are lyme symtpoms aswell ALL OF THEM! Find a doc that will treat you and then see where your health stands and tests for MS but please treat lyme first or it will get worse!

[tory2457]

You have lots of really good questions; I hope you will begin the difficult task of reading and researching all there is to know about MS/Lyme disease.
I do have MS and was treating with Copaxone for a few years before I  began to educate myself between the two. After lots of reading I found a doctor who "specializes in Lyme disease" did have an IGeneX test done,,I have lyme specific bands positive for lyme disease, I also am being treated for Babsesia, Bartonella, and other co-infections that go along with Lyme disease; and I'm feeling so much better since I'm in lyme treatment..

There is research that supports the theory that many auto immune diseases like MS are due to an infection. This research has been on going for years. At the same time there is a political side to this diseasewhich is unfortunate for us- the patients..

The CDC states that lyme is a clinical diagnosis: testing along with symptoms. Testing for lyme is very UNreliable....
When you compare MS symptoms with Lyme symptoms they do mirror each other.
I've have MRI's throughout my years and I have lesions on both my brain and cervical spine. Lyme disease also causes lesions. As for a spinal tap---it is very unlikely that Lyme will show up in the spinal fluid. If a spinal isn't done in the first few days of having a bulls eye rash, it rarely will show any indication of the spirochete.

I hope you will become your own advocate, and learn about this disease, and ask lots of questions. Here are a few places you might want to start with. lymenetdotorg. ilads.org. publichealthalert.org.

wishing you good health