Count me in. Of all the aches and pains, this one prevents me from doing my favorite thing, gardening.
i did have a CT exam that showed a cyst on the joint at right hip, but it aches all the way across the back below the waist.
I feel it is Lyme, autoimmune related.
Jan
Posted by Lymeorsomething (Member # 16359) on :
I had lower back aches for many months after the onset of my problems...
I think it's probably a lyme thing. It eventually disappeared for me.
Posted by Fran_40 (Member # 20176) on :
ok. Thanks so much for your replies, I am having
pain every day now. I take ibuprofen almost daily
to take away pain. I can't even get comfortable
sleeping, it wakes me up until I have to get out
of bed, to take more meds. I am experiencing all
over body aches, and arthritis pain here and
there. Once I get treatment will some of these
things subside? Looking for more replies.
Thanks!!
Posted by bettyg (Member # 6147) on :
yes, for 35 yrs. plus!!
have you had an osteoporosis test done? please do....
Posted by kelmo (Member # 8797) on :
My daughter's last nagging symptom. She gained and lost 90 pounds over the course of her illness. Losing weight didn't help.
She is taking an enzyme to help the abx get to that area better. Seems to be easing up a bit.
If she got rid of that pain...she could dance.
CarolPA recommended a Thermotex infrared heating pad. It's pricey, but it has a 30 money back guarantee.
I'd say within two weeks, my daughter started getting relief. My husband used it on his injured knee and said it was hands down better than a regular heating pad.
That and the infrared sauna are two of the best purchases made in giving comfort, and moving treatment along.
You can find it on Amazon..we got the Platininum three panel. Don't pay more than $215.
Posted by randibear (Member # 11290) on :
oh man, me too. and doing 11 doors, leaning over staining and sanding has not helped a bit.
i can barely get off the sofa.
i had mri done and it shows "moderate" bulges throughout the lower back, all L-2 down. sometimes i walk like i'm 90 and even turning over in bed is painful.
nothing seems to help although i try to use a topical rub or something.
sure wish i had painkillers, but all i have is alleve.
Posted by sick (Member # 9143) on :
The only thing that helps me with this is chiropractic treatments. I couldn't live without them.
sick
Posted by Starfall1969 (Member # 17353) on :
Lower back and hip pain were one of my complaints too.
Since starting treatment and seeing a chiropractor regularly, my pain has improved greatly.
My lower back hardly ever hurts now, although I still get a lot of hip pain on accasion.
Posted by tickalert (Member # 7033) on :
Chiropractic, physical therapy, and Pilates have made my low back a lot better.
Posted by sammy (Member # 13952) on :
Find a good Chiropractor. Ask around, try a couple, find one that you like. Just like MD's, there are good ones and bad ones so you have to find the one that works for you.
I love my Chiropractor. He always makes sure that my whole spine is aligned. He doesn't adjust only the spot that hurts the worst at that time, he makes sure that all is right before I leave. He's also hands on, i don't like the activator, it isn't as effective for me. Always makes me feel better.
When you start out you may have to go a couple times per week but as you get better you will only need to go about every month or so for maintenance.
I've also heard that acupuncture can be very effective in relieving lower back pain.
Posted by Carol in PA (Member # 5338) on :
I used a Thermotex farinfrared pad, positioning it so that I could lie on it in bed, with a pillow under my knees for comfort.
My low back pain was awful, but using the pad for an hour helped. You warm it up on high for 15 minutes, then switch it to low. It can't burn your skin.
The blood vessels in the area relax, bringing more oxygen and nutrients to speed healing.
I used the pad for an hour or two every day when I got it, and after several weeks, my back seemed to be improving. After about six weeks, I didn't need it every day. After two or three months, I forgot to use it, because my back didn't hurt.
You can google for information and reviews. The pad comes with one, two, or three panels. The three panel version is the Platinum, which is large enough to cover the low back, and can be bent around an arm or leg.
When I first bought this, I read that physical therapy clinics were offering this, but being able to do it at home, at my convenience, was wonderful.
Google to find vendors. Some places charge alot for shipping, which is a ripoff.
Carol
Posted by Leelee (Member # 19112) on :
I had significant lower back pain about four years ago, long before I was diagnosed with Lyme.
I went to a Chiropractor, but that wasn't helpful. After a year or so the pain shifted to my upper back, neck, and shoulder.
I found another Chiropractor and went once or twice a week for about two and a half years. That did not help either.
Eventually I was diagnosed with Lyme and cos. and I realized the back pain had been a symptom of the disease all along. Ironically since I have been on abx. I have barely noticed any back pain at all.
Posted by Lymetoo (Member # 743) on :
Exercise will probably make it better. How about some walking? Build up slowly.
I have sciatic nerve pain, due to arthritis in L5 and S1.
Try also .. Jarrow Formulas Glucosamine and Chrondoitin plus MSM.. Very cheap and found at www.vitacost.com Posted by kellyb2411 (Member # 15467) on :
I get it and it got much worse when I was herxing from rifampicin.
Posted by Fran_40 (Member # 20176) on :
Wow..thanks for all the replies! I am in the
beginning stages of treatment, I still am in the
process of getting to an LLMD, after being
diagnosed in 7-2001. Had positive Elisa test for
Lyme and a Western Blot + band 23 Igm, no other
bands have shown up on that test, was given
2 weeks of doxycyline, so my chart says, but I
do not remember this treatment at all. I only
remember being given prednisone, but since it was
so long ago, who knows. I now know that I am in
the later stages of Lymes, and my GP never had me
retest for the disease nor referred me to anyone
else to be treated. Was always labled(depressed)
(anxious). Anyways, I am getting off of topic
but just am happy I found this place, and hoping
I will find relief very soon! Thanks so much!
Posted by Lymeorsomething (Member # 16359) on :
The forum is very helpful, Fran. I wish you the best in finding a LLMD. How much prednisone did you get early on? That probably made you worse. I think that was the case for me after I had mono. The GP gave me prednisone and turned a spark into a bonfire...
While many on the board use low dose cortisol (Cortef) for adrenal support, the synthetic prednisone is much more powerful and it is thought that using it in the presence of lyme ends up making things much worse....
Good luck with the back pain. Like I said, mine went away but it took many months. I'm still far from whole again though...
Posted by Cass A (Member # 11134) on :
Dear Fran,
I have had lower back pains since I was a teenager.
Here are some of the things I've found that worked:
1) get an X-Ray of your legs. If one is shorter than the other, no matter what else you do, your back is going to hurt unless you wear a heel pad or get orthopedic shoes. Wish I had known about this at 12 years old!!!
2) The best treatments I've found for herniated or degenerated discs is VAX-D (a traction treatment done in a medical office that gets the discs to plump up and/or go into place).
3) Following (or sometimes along with VAX-D), PROLOTHERAPY is fantastic! It gets the ligaments to heal up and support your back.
4) An inversion table is GREAT for home therapy. You can control how long you're on it, how much tension you put on the lower back, etc. You can find them on EBay, etc., for less than retail.
5) Chiropractic treatment is also useful. Many times I would have rolled up in a ball and wanted to end it all without it. However, it can miss the actual situation (like one leg longer than the other), so it can become symptomatic relief only.
I wore a back brace off and on--that helped when things got really, really bad.
Doing HEAT if you have herniated discs is not a good idea--they get worse. COLD works best for them. So, getting good X-Rays that show what is actually going on is important.
Hope this helps!
Best,
Cass A
Posted by bettyg (Member # 6147) on :
i started going to a chiropractor 1 month ago; once/wk.
he has a DRAW table; when he pushed on the affected parts, the table will drop DOWN my body which makes it tolerable for me vs. knocking the wind out of me every maneuver he does on me.
my extreme right edge of my back is so painful due to lyme; he manipulates it and uses electric roller it, pain goes away for a little while but back at bed time ...very painful to try to roll over either way.
Posted by DeniseNM (Member # 11182) on :
Wow - I had no idea this could be Lyme-related, thought it was just the big belly I grew because I couldn't exercise! My lower back, and esp. right glut/leg (sciatic nerve?) have been bothering me horribly the last couple of months - and I just had a flare up.
My chiro is out of town or I would have been running into his office. It does help a lot. It gets to the point where I can't stand up to cook, do dishes, feed my dogs, whatever. OUCH!
The confirmed Lyme diagnosis just happened, I'm waiting for my LLMD to call in my ABX prescriptions so I can start killing the little boogers!
Thanks to you all for your suggestions for Fran_40, I think some of them will help me, too.
Posted by Rambler (Member # 18794) on :
Yeah, me too. I've had a back ache since I was 11 (I'm 45). Chiro, accupuncture, massage, heat, ice, Ibu, movement, drugs, alcohol... I've tried them all.
The only thing that makes a difference is TIME. All of those other things help me to live through it, but it is usually just a matter of time. This too, shall pass. For a while... Sometimes it takes a month or more of misery, but I do get through it.
I quit alcohol 20 years ago, but you know? It sure was a good pain killer. Kind of a life killer too, though. Oh well.
One thing is for certain: I have not found consistant relief.
A nice hot bath sure feels great no matter where I'm at on the pain-o-meter, though!
Posted by gemofnj (Member # 15551) on :
Just some food for thought for the ladies. Might want to get the female stuff checked as well.
I suffered with extreme soreness and achey lower back pain for years. Found out alot was related to ovary issues and female changes--in addition to degenerative disc stuff. Not to mention later, and the lyme aches.UGH!
After consulting with doctors and got the female stuff treated, I went to Nova Care for rehab treatments who recommended actually certain EXCERCISES for the lower back (With heat on/off) and it made a big difference. Stretching the back out felt so good.
I still use the excercises once in a while when I get stiff and sore.
Hope this helps a little. Posted by lymie_in_md (Member # 14197) on :
Kidney and bladder function can cause this as well. If the kidneys aren't functioning well it can have a dramatic affect on muscles surrounding the sciatic nerve area. Its due to not being able to get rid of ammonia from the body. Higher ammonia is also caused by excess bacterial load, specifically candida. Just to add celery seed tea in the morning might help as well as a good kidney cleanse periodically. Might also want to look into herbs that support kidney function.
Posted by Fran_40 (Member # 20176) on :
Hey great, thanks again for all the wonderful
replies! Looks like alot of trial and error,
seeing what helps depends on the individual. Same
as medicine. What was worrying me was when lying
in bed, it even hurts rolling from side to side
just to get comfortable. Ibuprofen is helping
with my pain, but not curing it, as it comes
back. Thanks guys for the support! Posted by kellyjk4 (Member # 19731) on :
Hi Fran, Have you had an MRI done on your back to make sure you don't have a structural issue?
I had back pain for many years - turned out I had spondylolisthesis, which was slowly getting worse and worse.
My case was bad and involved major surgery to my spine, but before the surgery I couldn't even walk.
Everyone always assumed the pain was from Fibromyalgia, which I was diagnosed with a long time ago.
If the pain persists, or you suspect something might be really wrong, please follow your gut and insist on an MRI.
FYI, standard MRI's came back almost normal for me.
It was a stand-up MRI that finally pointed out the problem.
Good luck to you.
Posted by lymeHerx001 (Member # 6215) on :
suffered for years, much better with a new mattress.
Usually a mattress is overlooked but it is VERY important.
Youre laying on it for 8 hours a night!
It needs to be soft yet supportive!
Posted by Robin123 (Member # 9197) on :
Chiropractic all the way here. Helps stop any sciatica. Just need to find a chiropractor who knows how to adjust the lower back/pelvic area.
Posted by HollyS (Member # 20550) on :
Another one here with back pain.
I was in my early 30s and walked around like I was 90.
I was completely hunched over at the waist most of the time.
There were many days I couldn't walk at all.
I started getting epidural injections in my lower back for the pain.
I was also given steroids for the inflammation.
In early 2007 I was given many doses of oral abx and shots for recurring strep infection.
Coincidentally my back pain got worse. (herx possibly?) It was at this time I tested positive for Lyme.
I was told I didn't have Lyme, though.
I couldn't take the back pain any longer and opted for a double discectomy and two level spinal fusion.
The surgery was horrid but my back is better from it.
My surgeon said my two discs looked green and "rotten". Geesh....I wonder why.
I still see a chiropractor 3 days/week.
I can't live without my chiro.
It looks as if I have one leg longer than the
other but the x-rays show that my hips are rotated
which gives it that appearance.
This has caused a lot of hip pain too.
Chiro helps the hip pain, back pain, neck pain and headaches.
Posted by bettyg (Member # 6147) on :
hard/painful for me to roll over also.
i use an extra pillow NOT between my legs as i get so sweaty, but next to way i'll roll over so my other leg goes OVER 2nd pillow; helps ease lower back pain for me Posted by springshowers (Member # 19863) on :
I believe the infection lives there. As i treat and feel better my back pain goes away. When I flair I get pain in my back and hips and neck etc. I have had herniated disks and epiderals etc in the past . So i know what that is like.
But I still feel it is the infection living in there causing us all this discomfort.
Just my own opinion. not proven or verified by anyone or any doctor or medical person.
Posted by j_liz (Member # 20496) on :
Lower back pain and L. hip and glute pain are the worst for me! I see my chiro every 2 weeks and my Sleep Number bed is great. I will be in such agony and minutes after lying in bed I feel good. My pain meds seem worthless (Ultram ER and tramadol).
I wake up w/o pain and it feels so good, with the exception of some hip pain. But before we got this mattress the bed killed my hips and hubby's, too.
liz
Posted by Dekrator48 (Member # 18239) on :
I have had lower back pain and stiffness for many years.
I weigh 108 lbs and exercise, but the infection caused a fibromyalgia syndrome that feels like a tight band across my lower back and hips.
Some mornings I feel like I could break in half when I bend over.
We did get a wonderful new bed recently, which helped slightly.
My neck pain is even worse.
Chiropractic care does not help me at all.
Posted by Marz (Member # 3446) on :
This was one of my symptoms before being diagnosed with lyme years ago. It was when I was at my worst.
I did go to a chiropractor and it helped, but I think it helped because it got blood flowing and moved toxins out of that area. Not because I was out of alignment.
I could barely get down the stairs and in and out of the car it was so painful.
After treatment, it's never been that bad, but still bothers me in streaks off and on.
I always wondered if it was maybe a neurological thing.
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