The ELISA test ordered by my non-LLMD PCP came back negative a couple of weeks ago. I now have an appointment with an LLMD this coming Monday. The joint pain is almost unbearable. If it is Lyme and I get put on abx, does the joint pain eventually go away?
Posted by anonymiss (Member # 32018) on :
I had horribly, horribly swollen and painful ankles for about six weeks. Since I started this combination of Flagyl and doxycycline five days ago the pain in my ankles is GONE. GONE!
Now, I still have other pain. Stabbing/shooting pains all over that come and go.
But I'm thinking it's the antibiotics that took the ankle pain away.
Posted by scorpiogirl (Member # 31907) on :
YES!! 80% of my pain is gone. I have been on IV Invanz for 3 weeks.
Posted by sammy (Member # 13952) on :
Mine isn't totally gone but it's much much much better. Went from constant and unbearable to migrating and moderate.
It may take awhile to find the right antibiotic combo but keep at it, as long as you are treating you have hope.
Posted by onlyflippin (Member # 32260) on :
I just started treatment last week and I already have about an 70% decrease in pain, it came very quickly
Posted by anonymiss (Member # 32018) on :
Yay! I'm so glad everyone else is finding relief from their pain, also!
Happy days!
Posted by anonymiss (Member # 32018) on :
Oh... I had some success relieving pain with Aleve. 440mg before bed and another 440mg around lunch time. Just don't overdo it, because once the Aleve wears off it'll hit you like a ton of bricks.
I hope you feel better =)
Posted by penguingirl (Member # 28688) on :
Yes for me the joint pain was the first symptom to be reduced in terms of intensity.
Posted by katiebobatie (Member # 28753) on :
my joint pain has never gone completely away, but it has gotten better... and gets much worse when stopping anti-biotics.
Posted by Robin123 (Member # 9197) on :
Oh yes, in my case!
Pre-diagnosis, I was in PT for swollen joints, and lying on my back with my legs up in the air to reduce pressure! Still not knowing what was going on.
With the diagnosis, I did oral clindamycin abx, 150mg every 6 hours, which I can take just fine - I'm allergic to doxy - and within the first week, the joint swelling and pain went to just about zero.
We're all different when it comes how we respond to antibiotics. Each of us has to find what's going to work for us.
The ELISA test is not a useful screening test - it misses half the time. Good testing would be the IgM and IgG Western blot antibody tests through the IGeneX lab.
It's a good thing you're going to see an LLMD soon. They know that not everyone tests positive who has the illness. See www.canlyme.com/seronegreasons.htm for 27 reasons why we might not show positive. That's why LLMDs treat clinically, by history and symptoms. You are mentioning a classic Lyme symptom.
Posted by mg51 (Member # 32206) on :
Thanks everyone for the responses!! There is hope. The joint pain is my most painful symptom right now. I have been taking glucosamine but I read someplace that it might take a couple weeks before it takes effect. I haven't been on it that long but will continue taking it.
mg
Posted by mg51 (Member # 32206) on :
I know this question has probably been asked a ga-zillion times by newbies but, here goes, if the ELISA test is so unreliable, why do dr's even bother to order it?
Posted by kd888 (Member # 29652) on :
I had severe elbow pain-- in the joint along with tendonitis-- for over a year. Didn't know it was Lyme way back then.
It's now GONE....but it took seven months of ABX. I just woke up one morning and the pain wasn't there. FINALLY !!!
![[woohoo]](graemlins/woohoo.gif)