Beyond the Bullseye: 13 Lesser-Known Warning Signs of Tick-Borne Illness

4. The Wandering Ache: Pain That Plays Musical Chairs

While joint pain is a known Lyme symptom, its migratory nature is a particularly cunning clue. One day your knee might throb, the next your shoulder, then perhaps your wrist or ankle – with no apparent injury or consistent pattern. This "wandering" pain, distinct from the fixed discomfort of arthritis, can also manifest as fleeting muscle aches or even sharp, shooting pains that move around the body. This shifting quality is a strong, albeit confusing, indicator that a tick-borne agent might be at play.