just wondering if any of you experienced a stiff neck or fingertip numbness. I have just recently been diagnosed and after looking at the symptoms of lyme, realized that I've had sublte symptoms such as these in the past. My neck has been bothering me for months, many months in fact and I thought it was just tension. It would stiffen up on one or both sides and give me headaches...sometimes even make me sick to my stomach. I also had trouble concentrating and thought it was stress or anxiety. I'm just trying to learn all I can from everyone elses experiences...i think part of me is still in doubt that I have lyme...doctor told me the only other thing it could be is lupus and I'm scared to death I have that now.
anyone with a similar story to help put my mind at ease? Although I know lyme is very serious in itself.
Posted by Aniek (Member # 5374) on :
Yes, I have had stiff necks to varying degrees over the years. Stiff necks are very common with Lyme. I've also had numbness in my hands. The numbness could actually be related to your neck.
Do you have pain and stiffness around your shoulders? If so, it's a sign of thoracic outlet syndrome which puts pressure on nerves, and can cause referred pain or numbness of the hand and fingers.
I worked with a physical therapist who helped me relax my muscles through hands on manipulation and taught me stretching exercises. I also take Flexeril which is a muscle relaxer.
Best of luck, Aniek
Posted by jackieu (Member # 6418) on :
yes, I've had horrible pain and stiffness around my shoulders. It's subsiding some but since being on the medication (which has only been less than 1 week) I'm a little better but have my good days and bad. Never saw any rash...had no idea I was even bitten by a tick.
Posted by treepatrol (Member # 4117) on :
yep thats usual.
Posted by b333 (Member # 2479) on :
I've had very much pain in my neck throughout the past 16 years and still have it a lot. So hard to sleep like that.
I don't have numbness in my fingertips but do have this tingling sensation down both arms and legs most of the time and also often across my shoulder blade area.
It actually gets tingling so bad that it is painful at times. Neurotin seems to help some just as muscle relaxers and pain medicines do.
Wish I could be of more help.
God Bless You,
Pam
Posted by beachcomber (Member # 5320) on :
Yes, stiff neck, shoulders & numbness in fingers. I also have tennis elbow that really causes my fingers to go completely numb. All Lyme related.
Bc
Posted by lymemomtooo (Member # 5396) on :
Try to find a neurologist chiropractor..They can also provide some relief..
Posted by mlkeen (Member # 1260) on :
Numb hands were my first symptom, stiff and painful neck and shoulders came later.
You may not have been bitten by a tick. There is evidence that other insects carry the same bacteria( really a group of about 5-6) different diseases) and that lyme is sexually transmitted. The bacteria is the same type as syphillus. Blood transfusions are another source.
I didn't remember a tick bite, but when the fog cleared I remembered a spider bite on my foot and wondering how a spider could have been in my shoe with my foot and my not know it. dah!
I probably got lyme from my mate first. He was healthier( or ignored the symptoms) longer. We are all basically in the same boat.
After all that good news, Welcome to Lymenet. If someone hasn't posted links for new members, they'll be here soon.