posted
Does anyone have a link to some pictures of lyme arthritis? When I search the internet it seems the only pictures that come up are of osteo and rhuematoid.
Along with muscle, tendon, ligament, cartiledge, and collagen pains, I also can feel my joints and bones in my fingers swelling up. It's like there are nodules on the joint right below the fingernails. The joints feel more boney also around the knuckles. My finger tips are wrinkled too. I've read somewhere that this is caused by collagen damage under the fingerprint area and/or hypothyroid activity. I wish I could draw a picture for you of my fingers and show you what I mean.
I'd like to see some x-rays or mri's or something of some actual lyme arthritis to help me see what's physically happening. If someone has some pictures of this it would be greatly appreciated. I just don't know how bad it's going to get and it concerns me.
Thanks
Posts: 92 | From Georgia | Registered: Aug 2010
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joalo
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 12752
posted
Up.
-------------------- Sick since January 1985. Misdiagnosed for 20 years. Tested CDC positive October 2005. Treating since April 2006. Posts: 3228 | From Somewhere west of the Mississippi | Registered: Aug 2007
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Keebler
Honored Contributor (25K+ posts)
Member # 12673
posted
- A lot of this will not show up on x-rays.
I can't point to the link but, most often, you can't see the damage lyme does to joints. There is not always swelling or even deformity as one might expect. Oh, it can be visible (as with your hands - and mine) but it is certainly not the case for all who are affected.
And - it seems that the pain can be just through the roof for what a typical doctor interprets by a visual inspection. Even with some deformity, many doctors just sort of shrug it off.
I think the term "arthritis" is problematic and too narrow in definition. Rather than try to get x-rays, etc., be sure you are working with an ILADS-educated lyme literate MD. Let her/him tell you what they think is going on with your hands.
Then, if you have any imaging done, the LLMD will know which type is best, if needed.
I've had nodules that were/are visible but much of the pain can't be seen. There are some links from an advanced cross search at Google for:
"Lyme arthritis" photos, hands
===================
Lots of detail here. Although the spacing makes it hard to read - it's well worth copying to a word file and breaking up the text and then even putting into a font that is easier to read. This is a gem of a text: ------------
When to Suspect Lyme - by John D. Bleiweiss, M.D. -
Posts: 48021 | From Tree House | Registered: Jul 2007
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Keebler
Honored Contributor (25K+ posts)
Member # 12673
posted
- I see that you have been in treatment with a LLMD for about 3.5 months. Others coming along here may want to know where you are with that as it will help their replies.
So, from another of your current threads: -----------------
wgshuckers writes:
"How long should I stay on one particular set of antibiotics (or herbs) without seeing results? I was on doxy for about 3 1/2 months or so and I've been on Ceftin, Plaquenil, and Flagyl pulses for about 6 weeks. I can't say I've seen much improvement from any of it really. I mean, I suppose it could be alot worse without them.
How long should you wait to switch to another set of antibiotics after the one's you're on aren't showing any improvement?
posted
Actually I haven't been in treatment with a "real" LLMD yet. My first appointment is next Wednesday (11/24) with one in NC. I've been to 3 different Dr's. One useless general practitioner, one ok general practitioner that was more willing to give me the abx that I requested, and one super expensive rheumotologist that is supposedly "lyme knowledgeable". I wasn't impressed with her. Charged me $1800 for about 30 minutes of her time. Sickens me that people can take advantage of me like that.
I HOPE the LLMD will truly help me get on some effective treatment. Of course I'll post the details of my visit on here and let you know how it goes.
Posts: 92 | From Georgia | Registered: Aug 2010
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Rumigirl
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 15091
posted
$1800 for 30 minutes??!! For what? Unreal!
When you have visable damage to joints, such as you describe, it's very similar to either Rheumatoid Arthritis and/or Osteoarthritis. However, with Lyme there is a known cause. It's really important to get treatment to arrest the damage.
Posts: 3770 | From around | Registered: Mar 2008
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Rumigirl
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 15091
posted
$1800 for 30 minutes??!! For what? Unreal!
When you have visable damage to joints, such as you describe, it's very similar to either Rheumatoid Arthritis and/or Osteoarthritis. However, with Lyme there is a known cause. It's really important to get treatment to arrest the damage.
Posts: 3770 | From around | Registered: Mar 2008
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Tricky Tickey
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 26546
posted
I relate to theses symptoms. It's the only lingering effect I have from Lyme. Sometimes aches at night. It's a bummer. When ortho doc xrayed, he found NO damage at all and NO evidence of any kind of arthritis.
So I would have to agree with the fact that Lyme "arthritis" is a class all it's own.
-------------------- Early Disseminated LD- 2010. Currently doing acupuncture and yoga. Negative Igenex (IND & Pos Bands) ISSUES AFTER: Tendonitis, letter reversal, Low immune system. PREVENTION:SaltC,Iodine,Humaworm, Chiropractic. Posts: 1013 | From In a van down by the river. | Registered: Jun 2010
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Rumigirl
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 15091
posted
$1800 for 30 minutes??!! For what? Unreal!
When you have visable damage to joints, such as you describe, it's very similar to either Rheumatoid Arthritis and/or Osteoarthritis. However, with Lyme there is a known cause. It's really important to get treatment to arrest the damage.
Posts: 3770 | From around | Registered: Mar 2008
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posted
$1800 for what indeed. I think it was her way of saying.. "I'll treat you, but if I'm going to risk losing my license you're going to pay for it". She gave me a shot of rocephin in my butt cheek but I'm sure that was 100 bucks or so by itself. Other than that she just talked to me briefly. Didn't mention ANYTHING about nutrition or what I should or shouldn't be eating.
So if there was no noticable bone or joint damage on your x-rays then what is the swelling caused by I wonder? I just fear that I may be in for some permanently damaged joints the rest of my life.
Posts: 92 | From Georgia | Registered: Aug 2010
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Tincup
Honored Contributor (10K+ posts)
Member # 5829
posted
I have really bad RA so I guess I figured my RA was lyme arthritis. I'm not sure there's a difference, at least for me.
Posts: 707 | From Colorado | Registered: Jul 2010
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posted
jlp, Do you have physical damage to your joints? or is it posible it is reversable.
Posts: 92 | From Georgia | Registered: Aug 2010
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jackie51
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 14233
posted
I saw livedo in the picture. Sheesh, I've had that since junior high.
Arthritis--I had my neck x-rayed a few years back because of the pain (back when I bounced from specialist to specialist) and the doctor said my bones looked "old". that some people would feel pain and others wouldn't. Gave me some exercises and sent me on my way. Called it osteoarthritis.
Posts: 1374 | From Crazy Town | Registered: Dec 2007
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posted
wgshuckers -- I don't know if I have physical damage. I'm not sure how to tell. I'm trying to keep a positive outlook and assume that nothing is ever permanent and everything can be healed. Sometimes it's hard to remember that though. My husband is a chiropractor and he says he's seen "permanent" damage reversed so that gives me hope.
Posts: 707 | From Colorado | Registered: Jul 2010
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posted
I have pictures of what Lyme did to my teeth/gums, but when I posted a thread asking for help posting them because I was having trouble uploading them, nobody offered.
-------------------- Urge Congress on EMF Safety, FCC Must Change Exposure Guidelines for Microwave Radiation Exposure: http://tinyurl.com/2cjq54y Halt Universal Broadband, A Public Health Hazard: http://tinyurl.com/3x7xrmq Posts: 495 | From USA | Registered: Mar 2010
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