Here's an article that you may or may not have seen before that does talk about
this:
" In the case of ligaments and tendons, collagen and elastic fibres predominate structurally. They are also the structures that are targeted by Borrelia."
/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3751012/ Depending on exactly what your symptoms are, it's likely one of the diseases that is often misdiagnosed instead of Lyme - unless your testing leaves no doubt.
Symptoms
Early indications of mixed connective tissue disease can include:
General feeling of being unwell. This malaise may be accompanied by increased fatigue and a mild fever.
Cold and numb fingers or toes (Raynaud's phenomenon). In response to cold or stress, your fingers or toes might turn white and then purplish blue. After warming, the fingers or toes turn red.
Swollen fingers or hands. Some people experience swelling to the point where the fingers resemble sausages.
Muscle and joint pain. Joints may become deformed, similar to what occurs with rheumatoid arthritis.
Rash. Red or reddish brown patches may appear over the knuckles.
I've had every one of those symptoms, and never had anything other than Lyme and company -although I have been evaluated for RA due to my fingers and toes twisting and turning.
What I'm saying is that Lyme is an ongoing infection, while these others are conditions we have to live with. Just be sure that they present you with very solid proof that you have these conditions and they aren't caused by Lyme and company, as mine have been.
If your protocol isn't helping you, then find another one to use. Not every protocol is right for every person.