This is going to be a rather disjointed email due to lack of sleep. It is overwhelming to attempt to summarize my medical history right now, so I will just throw this question out there-
Has anyone experienced swollen fingers during their journey with Lyme? Three of my fingers became horribly swollen, one with an odd rash, two with raised red areas on the knuckles.
This happened at the same time many of my Lyme symptoms were returning - numb right foot, knee pain, migratory joint pain. I did test CDC positive for Lyme about a year ago and was treated with 8 weeks of Ceftin. Although I felt so much better, my treatment was stopped while I was still symptomatic as far as joint issues go.
I was admitted to the hospital because my hand started to look really frightening. All my labs were clean - and I was tested for everything. There is just no info out there in medical journals about Lyme causing this type of condition - so nobody will consider it. I was just curious if anyone out there has experienced or heard of anything like this?
Posted by feelfit (Member # 12770) on :
well, i definitley have had a lot of swelling in my hands and fingers with lyme and the red bumps as well. However, my hands have not taken on a 'something out of this world look'.
my LLMD called my fingers 'sausage fingers' my wrists swell as well. rings become imbedded.
you were not treated long enough, if your symptoms were not totally resolved when you went off antibiotics. In fact, it was neglect on your doctors part to stop antibiotics when you were still having joint symptoms.
Are you seeing a LLMD? If not, you need to.
Good luck. ff
Posted by lou (Member # 81) on :
Were you checked for coinfections? Probably not since you were undertreated for lyme.
Although it can be hard to disentangle symptoms of the various tickborne diseases that one might get from a bite, some people have suggested that this kind of swelling might be coming from bartonella.
Posted by Lymetoo (Member # 743) on :
Please find a Lyme specialist ASAP!!! You need to be treated until these symptoms are gone. And definitely get tested for bartonella!
Posted by captainO (Member # 26382) on :
Thank you for responding! I am in a difficult position because my spouse is a physician who is not LL.
Posted by lou (Member # 81) on :
She can be trained thru a program that ILADS offers, if she is interested. Seems like she has a big motivation to learn!
Also, a lyme patient organization will defray expenses for new-to-lyme doctors to attend the annual ILADS meeting in the fall. Please ask for details if interested.
And she might want to take a look at these guidelines from a doctor who has treated more than 10,000 lyme patients:
However, if she is a military doctor, she might not be allowed to practice in the best way. But it could help you personally.
Posted by Lymetoo (Member # 743) on :
quote:Originally posted by captainO: Thank you for responding! I am in a difficult position because my spouse is a physician who is not LL.
- Get her a copy of Cure Unknown by Pamela Weintraub and the DVD Under Our Skin.