I was wondering if this was connected to my lyme disease? Someone told me once they thought it was connected, I thought I would come and ask you all. Who understood the disorder better.
Posted by lucy96734 (Member # 8372) on :
I am not positive but I was dx as DDD one my way to finally finding out I had Lyme it sure seems like it could be related. My ortho was always surprised at how much damage I have in my discs for being relatively young (32 when it started). I have lumbar and cervical degeneration.
Posted by lymelady (Member # 6207) on :
I think it is. I started with it in my 30s in the neck area and now in my 60s of course have even more.
I have a friend whose family owned a cabin in the woods of Pensylvanvia where she spent many summers and holidays. She is 37.
Several years ago her hand went numb and has stayed that way ever since. Her many tests turned up lesions on her MRI and extensive disc problems in her neck. The doctor was quite shocked at the extensive problems in her neck for her age. (She is also VERY OCD).
I mentioned to her about Lyme and she said that was ridiculous, but was happy to belive the doctor who told her she has probable MS although they could not quite figure it out and why it did not progresss (the MS) and she is at NIH in Bethesda with a bunch of doctors all telling her to come in every 6 months for MRIs and her "probable" MS, which they are wating for her to develop more "fully". It is all incredible!! Lymelady
Posted by janeymae (Member # 7018) on :
I was told that I have the spine of a 70 year old. (only 55) I was operated on for spinal stenosis, but it never took away the pain. Therapy and cortisone shots did not help and 2 years later I am in the same pain.
I believe that I would have arthritis anyway, it is hereditary in my family, but the Lyme only has made it worse. MRI done after surgery, showed more problems in other discs are already developing.
Posted by 5dana8 (Member # 7935) on :
Yes,I believe it is.The lyme travels & hides in the central nervous system.So it isn't hard to believe it would effect your disc.
I have read herniated discs as being on a symptom list,but can,t remember where I saw it.
I blew out a disc and had to have surgury.This was right before my last major relaspe three years ago.
Posted by msariess (Member # 7713) on :
Just downloaded & printed:
"Lyme Disease Symptoms & Characteristics A compilation of peer-reviewed literature reports"
According to STEERE, "osteoporosis, later in illness showed typical changes of an inflammatory arthritis, includintg juxta-articular osteroprosis, cartilage loss and cortical or marginal bone erosions"
Posted by Lymetoo (Member # 743) on :
I think it's connected too. Gotta be. I have stenosis in my neck vertebrae and now some rather large spurs in the same vertebrae. UGH.
Posted by Sue vG (Member # 3143) on :
I've already had one surgery for a ruptured disk, which failed after 9 months.
It would be interesting to see LLMDs compare numbers on the symptoms of their patients (anonomously, of course).
Because lyme can affect anyone, I have to wonder if things like DDD and diabetes strike lymies more often than they do the general population. We may just be the normal subset of the population that's subject to DDD, and we happened to contract lyme on top of that.
However, I'll note that my back problems started shortly after a course of cipro that a doc was giving me in case I had mycoplasma, since I was not yet diagnosed with lyme. Cipro and levaquin are known to allow tendons to rupture ... and as I understand it, tendons hold our disks in place.
This was compounded by months of living out of stacks of boxes after 2 floods, lifting and twisting all the time to find things.
Posted by My Tapestry (Member # 8651) on :
I have five bulging disks in my neck. I am in my 30's there was no car accident or anything like that.
I am certain it has to do with lyme or coinfection. When I first became sick I had a constant ache in my neck. Almost a gnawing.
I hope and pray for more research to be on issues like this. I am sure studying lyme/coinfections will help everyone, even people unaware of lyme. I know - I am preaching to the choir - Posted by groovy2 (Member # 6304) on :
Hi All
Lyme - babs and others Hammer your joints ect heavilly--
Take Gluecosimine Sulfate-- It Really works Great---
I have written A Bunch of posts on it so do a search on me-- I probelly have over 30 posts--
That will give you complete-- Info on what you need to Know--
I know 100s of people who take it with good results--- Read my posts on it --you will be glad you did---Jay---
Posted by cantgiveupyet (Member # 8165) on :
me too.... i have a very very large disc is my neck almost touching the spinal cord. Almost had surgery, but 2 out of 3 nuerosurgeons said i didnt have symptoms and the neck was not causing my symptoms at the time sensitivity to light and dizziness, eye pain. I have degeneration in the neck as well.
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