posted
I'm still working on getting officially diagnosed.... but in the interum.... I wanted to know: Does taking a dose of steriods do anything to Lyme?
-------------------- 10/10 EIA 1.4+, 41 (IGG), 23 (IGM) Bitten over 20 years ago. Currently not treating, looking for a Dr who will work with my insurance lol.
More muscular, cognitive, nerve issues than joints. Facial droop and blurred vision. Posts: 323 | From Michigan | Registered: Apr 2011
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posted
I believe they suppress your immune system and allow an opportunistic infection (lyme) to take over. I think I have had lyme for a long time but had a pretty strong immune system - then got 3 shots in my right shoulder for a sports injury and haven't been the same since. All lyme symptoms presented after this.
Posts: 749 | From State full of ticks | Registered: Dec 2008
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I had been given a dose pack of Medrol because of some eye pain with movement in my left eye that I had for about 2-3 days. The main pain was gone when the dr gave me the steriods, but wanted to see if it helped... didn't make since to me. But, I did still have some pressure/fullness sensation behind the eye, so I took them.
After a couple days of taking the steriods I began feeling weak. My knees ached. My hips hurt. I itched. My headaches worsened.
All my current muscle weakness, tingling, numbness, muscle stiffness, neck pain/stiffness, shoulder pain/stiffness has all come about after that treatment of Medrol.
The brain fog and word find has worsened as well.
I just recently put two and two together as far as the time frame and my symptoms.
-------------------- 10/10 EIA 1.4+, 41 (IGG), 23 (IGM) Bitten over 20 years ago. Currently not treating, looking for a Dr who will work with my insurance lol.
More muscular, cognitive, nerve issues than joints. Facial droop and blurred vision. Posts: 323 | From Michigan | Registered: Apr 2011
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After a couple days of taking the steriods I began feeling weak. My knees ached. My hips hurt. I itched. My headaches worsened.
All my current muscle weakness, tingling, numbness, muscle stiffness, neck pain/stiffness, shoulder pain/stiffness has all come about after that treatment of Medrol.
- Yes, that is the danger with steroids and Lyme. They make the Lyme come out in full force.
-------------------- --Lymetutu-- Opinions, not medical advice! Posts: 95730 | From Texas | Registered: Feb 2001
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desertwind
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 25256
posted
I was on dexamethasone for 5 months post brain surgery. I did not have a choice as the brain swelling dictated tx.
My neurosurgeon and LLMD worked together and even staying on abx.s during that time it did set me back and took about 6 months for me to recovery.
Would not do it unless your life depends on it
Posts: 1671 | From Tick Infested New Jersey | Registered: Apr 2010
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posted
I was on prednisone for 6 months prior my Lyme diagnosis. It almost killed me. My Lyme is now totally disabling me, where before the steroids I was functioning just fine. It is like putting gasoline on a fire when it comes to Lyme Disease.
Posts: 427 | From Pacific Northwest | Registered: Oct 2010
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posted
Thats what I thought. And what I have experienced. Now to find and get into a doctor and get them to agree.... Then start the long road of treatment.
The last known time I was bitten was 20 years ago.
-------------------- 10/10 EIA 1.4+, 41 (IGG), 23 (IGM) Bitten over 20 years ago. Currently not treating, looking for a Dr who will work with my insurance lol.
More muscular, cognitive, nerve issues than joints. Facial droop and blurred vision. Posts: 323 | From Michigan | Registered: Apr 2011
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randibear
Honored Contributor (10K+ posts)
Member # 11290
posted
this comes up a lot -- people with lyme should never take steroids....unless you're bleeding out on the pavement and your dying....
-------------------- do not look back when the only course is forward Posts: 12262 | From texas | Registered: Mar 2007
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Razzle
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 30398
posted
Initially, steroids helped me feel better (I have a lot of inflammation, and steroids are used to lower inflammation), but now when I take them, they do not help much at all and usually make the things Lyme is doing to me much worse. I've been on steroids for extended periods of time in the past due to many mis-diagnoses. If I had only known then about the Lyme, I never would have agreed to take them!
-------------------- -Razzle Lyme IgM IGeneX Pos. 18+++, 23-25+, 30++, 31+, 34++, 39 IND, 83-93 IND; IgG IGeneX Neg. 30+, 39 IND; Mayo/CDC Pos. IgM 23+, 39+; IgG Mayo/CDC Neg. band 41+; Bart. (clinical dx; Fry Labs neg. for all coinfections), sx >30 yrs. Posts: 4166 | From WA | Registered: Feb 2011
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TF
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 14183
posted
Just so everybody knows:
"More evidence has accumulated indicating the severe detrimental effects of the concurrent use of immunosuppressants including steroids in the patient with active B. burgdorferi infection. Never give steroids or any other immunosuppressant to any patient who may even remotely be suffering from Lyme, or serious, permanent damage may result, especially if given for anything greater than a short course. If immunosuppressive therapy is absolutely necessary, then potent antibiotic treatment should begin at least 48 hours prior to the immunosuppressants." (page 11, Burrascano Lyme Treatment Guidelines)
"However, attention must be paid to all treatment modalities for such a recovery- not only antibiotics, but rehab and exercise programs, nutritional supplements, enforced rest, low carbohydrate, high fiber diets, attention to food sensitivities, avoidance of stress, abstinence from caffeine and alcohol, and absolutely no immunosuppressants, even local doses of steroids (intra-articular injections, for example)." (page 20)
There are many other statements just like the above throughout the Guidelines.
Posts: 9931 | From Maryland | Registered: Dec 2007
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randibear
Honored Contributor (10K+ posts)
Member # 11290
posted
maybe we should just make this a header...
-------------------- do not look back when the only course is forward Posts: 12262 | From texas | Registered: Mar 2007
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