posted
Hi all, I haven't posted much here but have gotten reccommendations for a LLMD.
I'm currently in the midst of a severe arthritic flare, those of you who suffer primarily with Lyme arthritis know how retched it can be. My doc is helpful but we've never figured out a good "protocol" for relief when I'm in the middle of a flare. In the past, pre-Lyme diagnosis, I took a truckload of pain meds and steroids (Bad Idea!). Now I want to avoid those of course, my doc will give me a prescription for pain medication but that just makes me high, doesn't even touch the pain.
I'm looking for some immediate relief--I'm fine with discomfort, we get used to it, right? But I'm desperate to dial the pain and inflammation back a bit, I haven't slept in two days and I can't think straight because of the pain. Can't use my left arm at all.
I've tried all the usual suspects OTC, NSAIDS, supplements (curcumin/turmeric, SPM, fish oil, Cat's Claw, Resveratrol, etc.). I need something badly, if anyone has a remedy for the immediate pain, please let me know!
Thanks so much, hope you're all having a pain-free-clear-headed-day.
map1131
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 2022
posted
Immediate relief, this is how I survived those days.
Detox baths, sometimes two a day.
2 cups epsom salt 1 cup baking soda Full tub of the warmest water you can handle. Some folks can't handle hotter water without getting light headed.
Get as much of your body down in the soak as possible. Be sure to flip over and get the front too. Go for at least 20 minutes. Longer if you can handle it.
Then put on sweats and let you body continue to sweat, stay heated and detox. It should last you 2-3 hrs worth of relief.
Best pain meds I ever got.
Pam
-------------------- "Never, never, never, never, never give up" Winston Churchill Posts: 6478 | From Louisville, Ky | Registered: Jan 2002
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posted
Thanks! just got out of the tub, I always do an epsom salt bath when I feel something coming on, but my flares are so severe that I've yet to find anything that alleviates the feeling that my joint is going to burst. It's like my bones have broken and I can't do anything about it. I'd do anything to stop the inflammation cascade and just get to a decently comfortable level of function.
Bartenderbonnie
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 49177
posted
Pain is the absolute worst. Doctors haven't a clue about how truly painful Lyme disease is. Along with pain comes the crying jags and feelings of hopelessness. Control the pain and you're better able to heal.
Epsom salt baths work. When you're feeling crummy, it's so hard to get in one. Plus it's hard to want to take a bath in the summer.
I also use lidocaine patches. I used to buy 4% lidocaine patches OTC. At 10.00 for 5 patches, it's gets kind of pricey. Now my doctor orders the prescription 5% lidocaine patches that are covered by insurance. I also use the lidocaine lotion for the mobile joint areas that patches have a hard time adhering to.
I also have a freezer/microwave gel massage pack that I sleep with. I find ice cold works better on my pain but everyone is different. And I'm still blowing night sweats, even after 2 rounds of treating Babs so the ice pack is a life-saver in the middle of the night to cool my body down.
Of coarse all are temporary relievers. When I'm in remission, pain disappears. Been awhile since I've been pain-free. Hope you find relief soon.
Posts: 2977 | From Florida | Registered: Nov 2016
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posted
Thanks, I'll give the lidocaine a shot. I'm waiting to speak with my physician today, I really need to find a way to get through these flares--I've been dealing with them for more than a decade so I know they'll subside, but life would be a lot more manageable if I could be functional when the arthritis is acute. My first doctors who misdiagnosed me thought it was migrating gout, it's incredibly intense.
map1131
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 2022
posted
Randall, I've experienced this type of pain. Heavy duty drugs wouldn't touch it.
It wasn't until I found a Myofascial Release therapists who worked on me every 2 weeks to finally get relief.
It took months & months to get everything around those joints to unlock. Sometimes our pain is actually coming from a completely different area than we realize.
A good therapists will find your points.
Pam
-------------------- "Never, never, never, never, never give up" Winston Churchill Posts: 6478 | From Louisville, Ky | Registered: Jan 2002
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posted
Thanks Pam, I'll contact my massage therapist, they do myofascial relaease. Did you do this in the midst of a flare? My joints are so sensitive they can't tolerate much stimulation, even light touching, a light breeze makes me wince. When you were in the severest of pain did myofascial release work for you?
kidsgotlyme
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 23691
posted
In addition to the epsom salt bathes, I do massage and chiropractic work. I alternate between weeks. Biofreeze on the joints also helps. Calm brand magnesium cream is really good too.
-------------------- symptoms since 1993 that I can remember. 9/2018 diagnosed with Borellia, Babesia Duncani, and Bartonella Hensalae thru DNA Connections. Posts: 1470 | From Tennessee | Registered: Dec 2009
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