If you have recurring joint swelling, not just achiness, can I ask you a couple of questions?
1.) Where are you affected?
2.) Is the swelling always there, more or less, or does it come and go?
3.) Is the site really sensitive and painful, or is it just there with no discomfort?
Thanks, Shaz
Posted by jerry travers (Member # 9774) on :
i have had continual joint swelling since i have known that i have lyme,etc. elbows, knees, wrist, toes, ankles you name it.. i always have swelling somewhere, it never goes, it only recycles. it is almost always severly painful, but occasionally not. i had a "sac" on my elbow for months, but it didn't hurt. i have had joints often swell to 2-3 times the normal size and i can find NOTHING that helps this symptom. i have taken enzymes , anti inflammatories, done hot and cold alternating treatments--nothing gets rid of it . i would love some help here!
Posted by Andie333 (Member # 7370) on :
Shaz,
My knee has been swollen for the past 18 months. For awhile, it was so bad I couldn't fully straighten out my leg.
After months on abx and acupuncture, I finally got a bit more mobility and flexibility; ultimately, too, the searing pain I felt there subsided.
But the swelling continues. Better some days, worse when I'm herxing but still there.
Andie
Posted by luvs2ride (Member # 8090) on :
Jerry,
I was swollen in almost all joints and it would migrate around like you. I became totally disfunctional at one point as a result.
What eliminated most of the swelling and pain for me was diet. I read about leaky gut and Rheum. Arthritis (I was diagnosed with RA 5 mths after the lyme diagnosis)at www.drmcdougall.com. He has conducted much research into the positive effects of a vegan diet. It is the least inflamatory diet. He said "if the diet will help you, you will know it within 2 weeks". I felt I could do anything for 2 weeks so I did and the results were astounding.
It convinced me I must have leaky gut, so I found a doctor who is trained in nutrition and he has been working with me since April. I am doing very well now. To be around me, you would not know I am sick, much less have RA.
It still amazes me that what I eat could have caused so much swelling. I'm no longer vegan. My doctor has run food allergy test among other things and has identified which foods I must avoid.
I hope this is of help.
Luvs
Posted by Bluetick (Member # 8467) on :
1.) Where are you affected? My knees and sometimes my ankles.
2.) Is the swelling always there, more or less, or does it come and go? It comes and goes with flares and activity level. It is accompanied by heat and redness of the joints.
3.) Is the site really sensitive and painful, or is it just there with no discomfort? On a pain scale, it is usually a 4-5, definitely uncomfortable but I can still walk. It doesn't really respond to NSAIDS.
Posted by jerry travers (Member # 9774) on :
response to luvs2ride---thanks for the response. but i have been vegan for over 20 years---as far as the leaky gut and r.a. could you elaborate a little more on that? how are you tested and what else do you do/take? i am chair /bed ridden right now with this swelling ,hobbling to the bathroom with a cane.
Posted by bettyg (Member # 6147) on :
Have you ever been tested for gout, uric acid in body? Dad has this terribly, and his joints/hands would swell up so bad.
I'm convinced he had UNDIAGNOSED chronic lyme for almost 80 years. Bettyg Posted by luvs2ride (Member # 8090) on :
If you are already vegan, then meat, dairy and animal products are not your problem. So, what about gluten? Do you eat lots of grains, breads, pastas? How about sugar? Celiac disease is way more common than most people realize and you don't always have obvious symptoms. Do an internet search on Celiac Disease and see if it might fit you.
Personally, I only remained on the vegan diet 4 mths. I am permanently off (as much as humanly possible) sugar. I am trying to become gluten free, but it is very difficult because I work and don't have much free time to learn how to bake from scratch.
I eat mostly veggies, lean meat and rice. Corn products are gluten free but every time I eat anything corn, I develop a migraine. Allergy tests said I'm not allergic to it, but my head says I am. Maybe a fungus on the corn? I don't know.
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