i hear of people who, once "cured," have no more joint pain. does that mean that they still have arthritis? or was it just arthralgia (inflammation in joints) the whole time?
Posted by lpkayak (Member # 5230) on :
i'm still confused about this
after 15 yrs
i have lyme but am dx with osteo arthritis from xrays
i have posted on it a lot if you search my name and arthritis you might find some discussions
Posted by pamoisondelune (Member # 11846) on :
I've had "lyme arthritis" in my thumbs and hands for several years---- but since starting Mepron/Zithromax a month and a half ago, the "lyme" arthritis has almost completely disappeared!
Posted by carly (Member # 14810) on :
As far as I understand it john, it depends upon how much damage has been done to the joints.
If the evidence of damage is there and is symptomatic, then it's still arthritis.
If not, and the inflammatory cause is no longer there (a remission), it's not.
Posted by nyjohn (Member # 15361) on :
thanks for the replies
this is different than osteo arthritis, right??
Posted by Nee (Member # 19372) on :
Hello, I'm new to the site but have had recurring Lyme for over twenty years.
Re. knee arthritis, I've been "cured" many times but I've never been without arthritis.
For my condition specifically, the lyme bacteria feasted on the soft tissue around the knees (ligaments?), apparently not the tissue associated with the bones.
So there is a great deal of permanent scarring in the soft tissue around my knees and this means that some degree of arthritic pain and weakness will be permanent.
The arthroscopic photographs the doctor gave me of the extensive scarring really helped me understand the situation; a picture is worth a thousand words. Hope this helps...
Posted by Judy G. (Member # 18498) on :
This was helpful for me too -- I had x-rays of my hurting hips that showed no bone damage = osteoarthritis -- but I am realizing that like the above post from Nee I may have permanent damage of the soft tissue. I am hopeful for a full recovery like pamisoin. We shall see -- month five of treatment of 400mg doxy and 250 Azith.
Posted by just don (Member # 1129) on :
osteo arthritis is defined as gradual wear and tear.
the official cause for lyme arthritis is bacterial infection. More appropriately called 'reactive arthritis"
Just for the record,,,they SAY I have bilateral early onset "OSTEO" arthritis also.
Obviously ALL doctors skipped the day of classes when reactive arthritis was taught!!Or were too soundly sleeping!!!
Funny how they 'avoid' sxs that they dont quite understand!!!
Posted by Dekrator48 (Member # 18239) on :
A simplified explanation is that arthritis means joint inflammation, and arthralgia means joint pain(no inflammation necessary).