What causes neuropathies in lyme?

[Ness78]

I realize we are not doctors.  ...Maybe my mom was right -  I should of married one :)

Anyways...Does anyone know what causes neuropathies in lyme disease?

The tingling and numbness for me is one sided, but the weakness is usually symetrical (behind the knees, above the knees, across the quads).  

I know in MS symetrical symptoms are more rare (though not impossible) because a lesion would have to be identical on both sides of the brain, or cross the entire spinal cord.

So what process is taking place in lyme? Is it an inflammation? Why do symptoms wax and wane and migrate around?

Any ideas?

[kevieb]

i didn't know lyme could cause neuropathies---i only recently discovered that is what has been going on with me.  i just knew that i would get what seemed like inflamed nerves that would start hurting out of the blue---sometimes the skin over the area would go partially numb---it would last for a month or two, and then disappear.  it has happened about 4 different times so far in the last 2 years or so.

[ree427]

It could also have to do with neurotoxins. Lyme releases neurotoxins which can cause ongoing inflammation and a host of other problems.

[JackieCalifornia]

It think it's simply irritation of the nerves and inflammation from the body trying to defend itself.