I posted a little while ago that I was having sciatica pain. Someone kindly mentioned that this is often a place Lyme settles. Now my sciatica seems ok most days but I am always sore in the morning and now my neck is horribly painful. I hurt constantly and I can't sleep well at all. The pain is really wearing me down. I don't want to take pain pills but may need to.
This has been going on since a week after I went off the doxy to get a new Igenex test. Did I screw up by giving the bugs a chance to "wake up"? What do you all do for the pain? Someone mentioned magnesium, how do I take that so it helps? Thanks...
Posted by gmb (Member # 23562) on :
CoutryMouse,
I have been seeing a good holistic chiro in Worcester who helps me keep by back aligned. He does very gentle adjustments and he is also very Lyme literate.
He also treats me with a cold laser photon devise like the PE-1, and helps me detox and strengthen my immune system.
I'll send you a PM.
gmb
Posted by Robin123 (Member # 9197) on :
I also see a chiropractor for full backcare, rotate pain meds so I don't get acclimated to any one of them, and take benadryl to sleep. It's about managing the symptoms, and then hopefully you'll respond to treatment.
Posted by Lymetoo (Member # 743) on :
It's good to do some back exercises to keep things fluid. Google for back strengthening exercises.
You might try glucosamine/chondroitin/MSM to help your joints and ease the pain.
Also.. Omega 3's
Posted by James1979 (Member # 31926) on :
I agree with Tutu about the back exercises. If you are able to do them, it's amazing how much benefit you can get from them.
Any exercises which strengthen the core balancing muscles will help a lot. My favorite is to do a bunch of pull-ups. Those correct my posture and fix any of my back problems very quickly. (I don't have any serious back problems, though).
Posted by FYRECRACKER (Member # 28568) on :
I am having great benefit from back strengthening. My physical therapist is a genius. Love him.
And remember if you sit at a computer to keep your elbows at a 90 degree angle! This helps a lot with posture.
Posted by sparkle7 (Member # 10397) on :
CountryMouse- I have the exact same thing happening. I've been ill a long time, too. I didn't know what sciatica was until just today. I didn't know what that pain going down my leg was. It just started a few weeks ago.
I don't know if it's Lyme related or not. I suppose it could be separate. I was originally diagnosed with fibromyalgia - so, it could be other things. It could also be some kind of parasite. I've been treating myself for a long time & it's really difficult to actually weed it all out & find the exact source.
Pain meds have really helped me - so, I wouldn't automatically rule them out. I'm not a person who likes to take pharmaceuticals, either.
They say cold is better than heat for sciatica... I'm going to try a refrigerated hot water bottle & some light stretching.
Posted by CountryMouse (Member # 32073) on :
Thanks all...I really appreciate it. I have been using ice on my lower right sciatic area after exercising to keep it from getting really bad, and sometimes I ice it before bed. I must do something to it in the night because I wake up sore. My husband and I turned the mattress to make sure it wasn't the bed but it hasn't really helped. When I turn over in the night the pain wakes me up.
I've been seeing a chiro (two actually) and they have been trying to work on my back and neck. Both believe the Lyme is at work. One of my chiro's used an ultrasonic machine on the spot last time and it helped for a few hours.
I exercise 5 days a week either on an elliptical machine or brisk walking. I have good shoes with excellent support. While not exactly core work, the elliptical really works my upper body as well as my legs. Funny thing (not) is that the sciatica started the day after I started doing sit-ups to strengthen my core . Go figure!
I know I am bad at stretches, so I will work on that aspect. I also started magnesium supplementation today. When my doc tested my mag level recently, we found that I was at the lowest level I could be and still be in the "normal" range. So if they tested me the next day, they might have found me to be deficient. So I figure it can't hurt to try.
My liver is toast (either from lyme or something else), so I have to be super careful about which meds I use for the pain. The numbers are already showing that my liver isn't happy about the doxy...any time I take meds the liver enzymes go up. So that's why I hate to take anything but at some point I have to sleep!
Thanks again everyone...
Posted by glm1111 (Member # 16556) on :
Sciatica pain and inflammation can be caused by a toxic G.I. track ladden with toxins, parasites etc,and fecal material that is pressing on the nerve.
Parasites can cause extreme pain. Years ago, a friend of mine was suffering from sciatic pain and bad allergys.
I suggested she due a vitamin C cleanse, and when everything moved out of the colon,her symptoms disappeared.
Keeping the colon clean is KEY to a healthy body and mind. Also key in getting rid of Lyme and co.
Gael
Posted by Beagle (Member # 29698) on :
I've been needing chiroopractic adjustments 2 -3 times per week for the last two years.
It got rid of sciatica over time. Now I need it just to be able to walk! Lyme really damaged my spine over the years and consistant chiropractor adjustments is the only thing that helps.
Trouble is that it must be done regularly. But I opted for Chiro for life, rather than surgery which I fear would allow the Lyme & co's to kill me!
Posted by Razzle (Member # 30398) on :
Situps can be very hard on the lower back if not done correctly.
Lying on the floor with knees bent, pull one knee towards your chest and hold the stretch. Repeat with other leg. This stretch more than any other has been helpful for my leg pains (mine are known to be from Lyme - the pain flares when I herx).
Sciatica treatments may not work if this is Lyme.
I use Homeopathic Hypericum for nerve pain with pretty good success. It is not addictive, nor does it have any side-effects and will not upset the stomach (I'm allergic to pretty much all pain meds).
Posted by Lymetoo (Member # 743) on :
Elliptical machines are great for sciatica... if you get the right ones.
I haven't been able to go to exercise lately and I know my sciatica is going to get worse again if I don't get back to them soon.
I use an elliptical that is similar to a bicycle.. but the feet are more in FRONT of you than below your torso.
Posted by CountryMouse (Member # 32073) on :
Tutu yes! I love my elliptical! It seems to work all the right muscles. I must have tried more than a dozen machines before finding this one. It doesn't hurt my knees and the others all did.
Thanks Razzle I will try hypericum. I have been drinking the montmorency (sp?) cherry juice twice a day as that is supposed to be good for muscle aches. I may try the cherry extract pills next as the juice is so incredibly tart. I think I may have a touch of gout as my knee pain that happens now and again seems much better when I take that juice.
Gael so strange you should say that, I almost bought vit c yesterday! Where do I find info on the cleanse?
Posted by glm1111 (Member # 16556) on :
![[Frown]](frown.gif)
. Go figure!