Stem cell therapy for Lyme disease
Some patients continue to experience fatigue, joint pain, neuropathic symptoms and cognitive difficulty after completing antibiotic treatment for Lyme disease. Stem cells for Lyme disease are discussed as immune-modulating support for those persistent symptoms — not as an antimicrobial treatment.
What stem cell treatment for Lyme disease can and cannot do
Mesenchymal stem cells do not kill Borrelia bacteria. Antibiotic therapy, prescribed and monitored by an infectious disease specialist, remains the treatment for active infection. Where MSC therapy is considered is in post-treatment Lyme disease syndrome, where the driver of ongoing symptoms is thought to include immune dysregulation, neuroinflammation and mitochondrial fatigue.
Any plan therefore starts by confirming that active infection has been addressed and that other causes of the symptom pattern have been excluded.
Symptoms patients most often want addressed
The goals discussed are functional and specific rather than a claim of cure.
- Persistent fatigue and poor exercise tolerance
- Migratory joint and muscle pain
- Neuropathic pain, tingling and numbness
- Cognitive fog and sleep disruption — overlapping with chronic fatigue syndrome and fibromyalgia
- Autonomic symptoms such as palpitations and light-headedness
How a Lyme disease case is assessed
Records review comes first: serology and confirmatory testing, antibiotic course history, current specialist care, comorbidities and a clear statement of what you want to be able to do again. If the review suggests a different next step — further infectious disease input, for example — we say so. See the candidacy self-check to start.
Delivery, timing and follow-up
Where a regenerative pathway is considered appropriate, intravenous MSC delivery is the usual route for a systemic inflammatory picture, typically across a short treatment window in Istanbul. Structured review follows at 1, 3 and 6 months alongside your home specialist — described in our follow-up guidance.
Frequently asked questions
Can stem cells cure Lyme disease?
No. Stem cell therapy is not an antimicrobial treatment and should never be presented as a cure for Lyme disease. It is discussed only for persistent post-treatment symptoms driven by inflammation.
Do I need to stop my current medication?
No changes should be made without your prescribing physician. Medication is reviewed as part of the assessment, not adjusted unilaterally.
How long is the stay in Istanbul?
Most treatment windows run 3–5 days including assessment, procedure and a rest period. Travel logistics are covered in our international patients guide.
Ask whether this is right for you
Share your diagnosis and recent records. Our medical team in Istanbul reviews candidacy, alternatives and realistic goals before any treatment plan is proposed.
Request a free medical review