posted
My left calf has lost most of the muscle on it. It's always been smaller than my right leg but I've noticed it more when all my symptoms got bad this year.
Is this lyme? Or do I need to see a specialist. I have a pocket of swelling in my upper right thigh which I did seek help on, had a cat scan and everything was normal.
I tend to blame all my issues on lyme and mold now a days but this is freaking me out
-------------------- Diagnosed with Lyme 4/7/14
KB Posts: 87 | From Townsend, MA | Registered: May 2014
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poppy
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 5355
posted
Yes, lyme can do this. How long did you have symptoms before being diagnosed? And do you know when the atrophy became noticeable? When you say "always smaller than right leg," what do you mean? All your life? Before you had any other symptoms? I would not think this is normal before any disease processes began. One arm might be more developed because a person might use one more than the other (right handed vs. left handed) but legs get used the same amount, unless you are hopping around on one leg all the time!
Posts: 2888 | From USA | Registered: Mar 2004
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Razzle
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 30398
posted
It could be Lyme. When I had RSD (which is thought by many to be Lyme + Bartonella), my right calf muscle atrophied significantly and is still smaller today even though the RSD has been in remission since 2001 and I have done much physical therapy to try to recover the muscle.
-------------------- -Razzle Lyme IgM IGeneX Pos. 18+++, 23-25+, 30++, 31+, 34++, 39 IND, 83-93 IND; IgG IGeneX Neg. 30+, 39 IND; Mayo/CDC Pos. IgM 23+, 39+; IgG Mayo/CDC Neg. band 41+; Bart. (clinical dx; Fry Labs neg. for all coinfections), sx >30 yrs. Posts: 4166 | From WA | Registered: Feb 2011
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posted
Malaria and I am positive babesia, also (fl1953) causes muscle atrophy. They are all in the same family. I posted an article in a science or medical journal a couple of months back in the General section.
Posts: 697 | From CA | Registered: Dec 2011
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poppy
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 5355
posted
The difference I saw between babesia and lyme in this regard is: babesia can cause anorexia, a weight loss that is symmetrical and so it appears the muscles are atrophying. Whereas, lyme can kill neurons which are needed to make muscles work. Dead neurons lead to muscle loss that can be asymmetrical instead.
Posts: 2888 | From USA | Registered: Mar 2004
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posted
I've had symptoms for several years but this past year has been the worst of it and also when I have noticed most of the muscle loss to my leg.
Interesting thought on the babesia and lyme. Weight loss has been an issue for me as well, I have lost 15 pounds and I still continue to lose weight even though I eat normally & healthy. I am also gluten free.
Most people wouldn't complain about that - ha - but to me it's not healthy. Also if I had money to buy new clothes I might be happier about it
I'll peep the articles
This stuff sucks!
-------------------- Diagnosed with Lyme 4/7/14
KB Posts: 87 | From Townsend, MA | Registered: May 2014
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