posted
Does anyone have muscle fatigue or muscle weakness (not clinically weak but when i use them they shake)
Posts: 49 | From philadelphia | Registered: Sep 2008
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posted
Yes, I was so bad over this week-end. Once before - before I was dx'd Lyme it was this bad. Like I was barely still on my feet - weak. I was afraid I would wake in the morning and not be able to walk. I'm okay though. Better today. Peedie
Posts: 641 | From So. CA | Registered: May 2008
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Hoosiers51
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 15759
posted
Are either of you on Plaquenil? That caused it for me big time. I finally decided to go off the drug.
Posts: 4590 | From Midwest | Registered: Jun 2008
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posted
No - I started out on Doxy for 8 weeks then got switched to Biaxin, which I take now. Honestly, I think it's the Lyme. I was stooping in my garden yesterday but when I tried to get back up and - I even had a grip on the garden bench - but lost it. I fell over instead. I must have looked rediculous, so glad no one saw me! Peedie
Posts: 641 | From So. CA | Registered: May 2008
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posted
Taking d-ribose and acetyl-l-carnitine have been beneficial for me.
I think my muscle weakness and easily fatigued muscles are indirectly due to Lyme--from lactic acid not clearing out and from only limited oxygen, nutrients, and circulation getting into the muscle fibers.
Nutmeg
Posts: 386 | From WA state | Registered: May 2005
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posted
A few days after I started abx, I started with muscle twitches all over followed by muscle weakness and fatigue. I had to use my hands to climb when we were hiking and felt like my coffee mug weighed ten pounds. I had trouble lifting pans and holding even a plate up for any length of time. This lasted about three weeks and I freaked out thinking I was progressing towards a wheelchair. I saw my doctor who assured me it was normal even after three weeks and that he's seen people much worse when going through herxes. He was not concerned at all and sure enough I got better. Now and then when I am herxing I feel weakness again but it's not as pronounced as when I first started treatment and it does not last as long.
Posts: 144 | From Connecticut | Registered: Sep 2006
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Yes I've got the muscle weakness and twitching/throbbing and foot cramping going on a lot lately. I am not currently treating with antibiotics and I haven't been on antibiotics in quite some time so I can't attribute it to a herx.
I am thinking it is simply the uncured lyme or a progression toward something else.
I have been trying to get conditioned again through swimming this last month and so I don't know if the response in my legs is just that it is going to take longer than I thought to get back to shape, and I may never actually run again!
I went to my neurologist yesterday who noted that my legs are indeed very weak and he ordered a muscle enzyme test. Don't know exactly how that will help anything, but I'm thinking if the results are abnormal he may have something to conclude.
But definitely, the weakness to the point of not being able to stand has happened to me twice last week.
Kind of disappointing after having treated this for so long. I've started accupuncture so hopefully it will help.
posted
Muscle weakness was one of my first complaints. Especially in my arms/shoulders. I couldn't even blow dry my hair. It has improved.
Posts: 117 | From Illinois | Registered: Apr 2008
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seekhelp
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 15067
posted
I've got the exact same issues. I presume it's Lyme. Very scary symptom. Some days I can barely walk outside, others I'm better.
Posts: 7545 | From The 5th Dimension - The Twilight Zone | Registered: Mar 2008
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kelmo
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 8797
posted
I'm having that now.
If I have to get up in the middle of the night to take out the puppy, I am afraid I'll fall down.
Has anyone had their back muscles seize up on Biaxin?
Posts: 2903 | From AZ | Registered: Feb 2006
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posted
Kelmo - I'm on Biaxin 2x500mg/daily for 3 weeks. I haven't had my back freeze up. My stomach doesn't seem to like it but we get along ok. Basically, I can't tell what is Lyme and what is a herx. When I was on the Doxy I felt better on more days - then something would happen - like pain in the small of my back for nearly a week (herx) or a very bad headache for 4-5 days (herx). Since I started the Biaxin I feel generally bad every day - and the muscle weakness is bad. I stopped taking the supplements (40 pills) because just looking at them made me ill. My LLMD says it's only in my head so I'm trying to get up the nerve to take them again. No fun huh?
Posts: 641 | From So. CA | Registered: May 2008
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Muscle weakness was one of my first symptoms, which began after a laparoscopy, and I couldn't walk steps for about 4 days. It never fully disappears, but waxes and wanes.
I have been to several neuro's, and they never see this weakness in testing. But it often feels as though my knees may buckle.
I also have weakness in one forearm, which makes even lifting a full glass of water difficult sometimes.
Posts: 175 | From SW PA | Registered: Mar 2008
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posted
Nutmeg- Where did you hear/read that there is lactic acid buildup from lyme? I think this is exactly my problem with my muscles, and why I get so many trigger points.
I would just like to know what about lyme would be causing this.
posted
i did big time before diagnosed. i was doing phys therapy every day for my "shoulder tendonitis" and it was making me tremble and shake, like i was freezing. i also could not handle any cold temps as i was shivering anyhow, and cold made it worse.
i have been in treatment for lyme/bab/rmsf/myco for a total of 5 months (1.5 mos pre-llmd) and it is basically gone. i worked out this morning, and swam for 40 min afterwards.
i started taking creatine two weeks ago, and am seeing muscle build. and i am eating more than before. i gained 10 lbs in 6 weeks, between llmd visits!
so it CAN get better! i was scrawny and weak and am now not so scrawny and getting lots stronger. if i can do it you can do it!
-------------------- do your best to educate the rest because 9 out of 10 doctors don't know jack about tick borne illnesses Posts: 437 | From shawangunk mountains, ny | Registered: May 2008
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I have not read that statement anywhere that I remember--that lactic acid buildup is a direct symptom of Lyme. But I have heard it is often a symptom of fibromyalgia, which many of us Lymies (including me) have been diagnosed with.
Seems to me that lactic acid buildup is more related to chronic inflammation and the hypercoagulation that can come from chronic infection.
Kind of a viscious cycle. We are all stiff and sore and sick, so we don't move our muscles the way humans were meant to. Our muscles and joints are inflamed, so we tend to have limited range of motion and endurance. Muscle movement stimulates the lymph flow, and lymphatic system carries away waste products, so our lymphatic system doesn't function optimally.
Because of the thick blood and the presence of fibrin in the capillaries, oxygen and nutrients move very slowly into the tissues. When we are injured or our muscles lose tone from underuse, the little cleaner cells can't always get there to do their job. There is a generalized buildup of toxins and metabolic waste products in our muscles and tissues that slows recovery time.
What I understand about trigger points is that they are knots in the fascia and/or muscle fiber that contain and/or form around collections of toxins.
I have a book sitting here called The Trigger Point Therapy Workbook by Clair Davies, so I'm now reading about factors that cause or perpetuate trigger points. Here's kind of a summarized list:
--accidents --falls --strains --overwork [doesn't take much for some of us!] --depletion or lack of nutrients like vit B & C, calcium, magnesium, and potassium --hypothyroid or hypoglycemia --dehydration --kidney dysfunction --chronic infections or allergies --food allergies
My understanding of all of this is somewhat limited, but this seems to make sense to me, at least.
Take care, Nutmeg
Posts: 386 | From WA state | Registered: May 2005
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These were my primary complaints before my LYME went Neuro after two years. When i was undiagnosed i kept telling my doctors it felt like i had too much Lactic Acid in my muscles. I would tremble within the first few seconds of doing anything and it was getting harder to satnd for more than 2-3 minutes. I had every test for that and all results were in normal range so while it feels like lactic acid i don't believe it is.
Its the build up of toxics and definitly Lyme. By the time i was diagnosed i was reduced to walking like an old man. 5 months later this problem is about 75% resolved. Even early on no matter what i kept walking every other day 30 mins. I am now power walking 17 min and running 13.
Keep the faith,
Dave
-------------------- On my journey to wellness - One day at a time. Posts: 989 | From NJ | Registered: Sep 2008
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Starfall1969
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 17353
posted
That, along with the shortness of breath, was one of my first complaints as well. I also had severe neck pain at the time, which is what I attributed it to. i thought I had a pinched nerve.
It hasn't been as bad lately, and I'm not yet on any treatment for Lyme--I see a LLMD in 2 months.
But I am seeing a chiropractor, and she said today that some of my spinal issues are beginning to resolve.
All my symptoms tend to come and go, though, so I don;t know.
Posts: 1682 | From Dillsburg, PA | Registered: Sep 2008
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posted
One of my first symptoms was tremendous thigh/butt pain. Really bad. Burning, aching, tingliing, stinging....all at once in a strange way. That was way back.
I was diagnosed w/lyme and co. about 3 months ago. Just over a month ago, started abx. First Ketek for 2 weeks, then switched to Ceftin. About 6 days into the Ceftin, the leg pain spread to my WHOLE leg and got really bad. Legs were going numb at times, after intense pain, spasms, etc.
The pain has slightly backed off the past week, but my thighs have gotten very, very weak. Trembling a lot when I stand, feel 'dead' in a scary way even when I'm laying down. Even when I'm laying down, they feel tired, stressed, and weak.
It's really scary. I was gong to search here for people with similar experience, and saw this thread from today.
I get scared that Im going to wake up and not be able to use them. It feels close to that at times.
As always, I don't know if this is part of a herx, or what. And I always want to hear from someone who has had this, and it passed.
Posts: 322 | From Venice, CA | Registered: Sep 2008
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