LymeNet Flash: POLYmyalgia vs. Lyme?

This is topic POLYmyalgia vs. Lyme? in forum Medical Questions at LymeNet Flash.

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Posted by Julie-MA (Member # 5110) on :

I am convinced my 76 yr old aunt has Lyme and I recently sent her info about Lyme being misdiagnosed as fibromyalgia. She said she showed her to her dr. and that he would order a Western Blot, but yada yada yada.

She said that he also said she has Poly- not fibro-myalgia.

I am guessing it could still be Lyme. Is there really a distinction between these two syndromes? Does anyone know of the connections between LD and polymyalgia?

Thank you,
Julie

Posted by Cap (Member # 57) on :

quote:
Originally posted by Julie-MA:
I am convinced my 76 yr old aunt has Lyme and I recently sent her info about Lyme being misdiagnosed as fibromyalgia. She said she showed her to her dr. and that he would order a Western Blot, but yada yada yada.
She said that he also said she has Poly- not fibro-myalgia.
I am guessing it could still be Lyme. Is there really a distinction between these two syndromes? Does anyone know of the connections between LD and polymyalgia?
Thank you,
Julie

Sure sounds like it can be. Seems like polymyalgia is another 'EFFECT syndrome'. Meaning, it's just a fancy name given to a set of symptoms that doctor's don't know what the CAUSE is. Hence those symptoms are just the EFFECT of an underlying disorder, and doctors only treat the symptoms. So it seems like it's in your best interest to find a doctor that can find the cause, Lyme or otherwise. If she has Lyme, don't let them give her roids, because it will shut down the immune system.

From Mayo:

Like most people, you're probably stiff and sore occasionally -- maybe after a strenuous hike or a weekend of yardwork. Now imagine feeling that way all of the time. That's what it's like to live with polymyalgia rheumatica (PMR), an inflammatory disorder that causes widespread muscle aching and stiffness, especially in your neck, shoulders, thighs and hips.

Although some people develop these symptoms gradually, PMR can literally appear overnight. People with the condition may go to bed feeling fine, only to awaken in pain the next morning.

Just what triggers PMR isn't known, but the cause may be a problem with the immune system, perhaps involving both genetic and environmental factors. Aging also appears to play a role -- the disease almost always occurs in people age 50 and older.

PMR usually goes away on its own in a year or two -- often as mysteriously as it came. But you don't have to endure the pain and disabling effects of the disease for months or years. High doses of aspirin and other anti-inflammatory medications can sometimes ease mild symptoms. Severe pain responds to the powerful corticosteroid drug prednisone, often within 24 to 48 hours.

Posted by NUTBOBUTT (Member # 7242) on :

I have all the sx of polymyalgia except that I am only 36 yrs old and you have to be over 50 to be "dx" with poly.

I think it is definitely worth it for your aunt to be tested for lymes.

I am a nurse and I read in one of the medical books at work that Lymes can "imitate" polymyalgia rheumatica.

And I second the caution of being treated with steroids unless you know for sure that she does not have lymes, because I am on them and I feel I have been set back terribly because of them.
Lynette

Posted by Julie-MA (Member # 5110) on :

Thank you for your replies. It is helpful to know that I may be doing the right thing in following my hunch.

I have asked her to get a copy of her Western Blot and to email me the exact bands.

She is on prednisone, so I know that if she does in fact have Lyme, she is feeling even worse than she needs to.

Thank you for your help.
Julie

Posted by beachcomber (Member # 5320) on :

Oh, is THAT what I have? And here I thought it was Lyme all along.

Have your aunt tested for sure.