Well, in addition to lyme and C. difficile, I have a knee that drives me nuts at times (and which started the whole lyme thing by getting a steroid shot into it ).
Are there any support groups for joints? I'd love to talk to others with joint issues.
Anyone use supplements for joints that they particularly like?
Thanks in advance, Timaca (who at the moment is trying to taper the vanco for C. diff with little success. )
Posted by Andie333 (Member # 7370) on :
Timaca,
I share your problem with knee pain. About 13 months ago, I was coming down the stairs one evening, and my knee just seemed to quit holding. It wrenched to the side, and the pain was excruciating.
I was off my feet for about a week.
This was before I was dx with Lyme (before it was even on my radar). I saw a very highly regarded sports duck in this area, and he shot my knee TWICE with cortisone and gave me pain meds.
I also saw a chiro, started PT and was trying to do aquatherapy several days a week.
Things only continued to get worse, until I was finally shopping for a cane.
That's the point where my acupuncturist suggested that something systemic was going on with me and urged me to get tested for Lyme. (test was strong positive)
My LLMD was encouraging about my ultimate chances for recovery, but she said she couldn't even speculate about my knee. Bec of the cortisone, she felt I might never be able to regain full use of it again.
I've been on abx since June for Lyme and Bart. A lot of my symptoms havbe improved dramatically. My knee has also gotten better but is far from okay.
I am now able to cross my legs again. I can actually straighten out my right leg fully. The swelling's down about 80% and the sharp burning pain I once had in my knee is gone. I'm also able to walk a ways without limping.
But, as I said, I'm not back to pre-Lyme days, and I think the two shots of cortisone really set me back.
Things that help (and have helped) are: acupuncture, detox foot pads and an essential oil formula massaged into the knee.
I'm sorry you're going throuhg this; I know how awful it can be, and if there's any help I can give you, please get in touch.
Although I'm grateful for the progress I've made, I'm anxious to make this situation even better.
Andie
Posted by lymeinhell (Member # 4622) on :
Zyflamend - all natural anti-inflammatory.
I was switched to it after being on Bextra for almost a year and a half (once the whole Vioxx thing started happening).
I've been off abx almost a year and a half now, but still take 2 Zyflamend daily. I notice the difference in my knees when I don't take it - during my younger years, I smashed the heck out of my knees rollerskating.
Also helps relieve head and neck pain. I beleive you can take up to 10 a day - but as with everything, run it by your LLMD first.
Posted by seibertneurolyme (Member # 6416) on :
Zyflamend is an herbal combo available as either capsules or a liquid.
Hubby takes the liquid form as needed in tea with other herbal tinctures for sleep or G.I. support. The liquid is in an olive oil base.
This is about equally effective for him compared to 2 Ibuprofen -- he has a sore ankle -- not swollen -- just has a bad tendency to sprain his ankles since taking Levaquin --
think that weakened his tendons/ligaments -- has happened 2 or 3 times in last year and takes about 2 - 3 months to improve each time.
Ingredients are Rosemary, Turmeric, Ginger, Holy Basil, Green tea, Polygonum cuspidatum, Chinese Goldthread, Barberry, Oregano and Scutellaria baicalensis (think this is Skullcap).
Has tried turmeric by itself, but didn't work for him. Read recently that need to add piperine (black pepper) to turmeric to improve absorption. Will try that next as it would be much cheaper.
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