Has anyone else had really bad finger (and other joints) pain, swelling, and inflammation that comes up all of a sudden and is really bad?
Yesterday, all of a sudden, my index finger, and some other fingers to a lesser extent, got horrifically painful, swollen, and inflamed. I could barely move the finger at all It was non-stop excruciating, in spite of two doses of Ibuprofen close together.
I've had this on and off for decades, although this is the worst I've ever had it. Although I have lots of joint pain and destruction, only the index fingers get this bad so all of a sudden. I do have Lyme and co-infections, and am treating now with a lot of abx (after years of trying alternative methods).
I usually associate this with eating too many fruits and veggies and getting too alkaline. (Yes, contrary to what people think, it's not uncommon to be too alkaline!) Then the calcium precipitates out of the bones.
But this time, I figured out that it also had to do with having some tomato and potato for two days prior (nightshades that can cause arthritis). But this was sooo extreme! And I didn't have that much tomato, except some pizza the night before.
Anyone else have this or have any feedback?? Today it's getting better, but is still bad.
Posted by Ocean (Member # 3496) on :
Yes I have had this happen with my right knee. It's gotten red and swollen and hurt so bad that I literally could not bend or put weight on it. This started happening in 2008, around the same time I started getting very sore legs/feet every 28 days or so. I've had Lyme since 1996.
There isn't anything that helps with the pain or inflammation that I have found. Mine is gone within 2 days. It's so strange.
Take care, Ocean
Posted by Carol in PA (Member # 5338) on :
You may get some relief if you treat this with a warm soak. The heat will cause the blood vessels to relax and expand, so there will be more blood with oxygen and nutrients to heal.
Use a large pot of very warm water. Set it on a chair next to you, and read the paper while you have your hand in the water.
A large amount of water will keep the heat longer than a small amount. You can soak for 20 to 30 minutes, every two hours, or as often as you can manage.
Don't forget the towel! Carol
Posted by Veromia (Member # 22031) on :
When I first developed strong symptoms after pregnancy It was a swollen index finger and knee.
At the time we didnt know what it was so a neurologist gave me steroids it went away but the steroids increased my general flu-like symptoms and others . Do not take steroids maybe you already know this.
I would suggest looking into serrapeptase. My LLMD suggests the 90,000 units aday in the morning on an empty stomach.
It helps inflammation and pain as well as many other things like breaking up spirichete biofilms making your abx more effective. read this info on it.
scroll to the bottom of the page that appears for the info on it . it is a natural enzyme
Rumi - just curious - do you click your computer mouse with this index finger? Lyme likes to go where there is less oxygen, which is what can happen in compressed places.
Posted by Rumigirl (Member # 15091) on :
No, I use my thumb for the mouse.
It's weird though, I've had this most on my index fingers, and secondly on my middle fingers, and the joints are big and twisted so the finger isn't facing the right direction.
I was told by a Rheumatologist that I have Rheumatoid Arthritis---this was decades ago before I knew about Lyme. I knew even then that it was infectious, but then blamed it on Candida and parasites that I was fighting. I didn't have the ANA blood factor, but all the signs and symptoms.
I have it in my big joints, too, but that is a different presentation.
My most recent change of meds was 7/30---a while ago.
Posted by Robin123 (Member # 9197) on :
Rumi - just curious - do you click your computer mouse with this index finger? Lyme likes to go where there is less oxygen, which is what can happen in compressed places.
Posted by Rumigirl (Member # 15091) on :
Today the finger is numb to boot. It might seem impossible for it to be painful and numb at the same time, but it isn't, unfortunately. It's getting better, but still is quite swollen, painful, throbbing, and can't move much. Sigh.
Posted by Carol in PA (Member # 5338) on :
Rumigirl, Have you been able to try warm soaks yet?
This is not intended to cure the problem, but it may provide some symptom relief.
Carol
Posted by richedie (Member # 14689) on :
Actually, calcium precipitates out of the bones when you are too acidic. That is why heavy meat eaters and heavy milk drinkers tend to have weaker bones and more joint problems. Acidosis plays a role.
Actually, that's a myth that one can't be too alkaline. I've been a practitioner myself for many decades, and have done a lot of testing on myself and my clients over many years.
It's not good to be too alkaline or too acid. And it all depends on which part of the body, what time of day, etc.
However, when I am too alkaline, which can be seen on a urine ph test, also, the calcium precipitates out of the bones, and I get really awful arthritis, allergies, etc. And I'm then prone to getting sick. And it is reproducible in others who have this metabolic tendency, which is fairly common.
Anyway, my finger is getting better, but it's still numb and swollen.
Thank you, Carol, I didn't soak in hot water, because it was already throbbing and red and swollen. Perhaps it would have helped anyway, but there seemed to be too much blood or fluid there already.
Posted by Veromia (Member # 22031) on :
Your a practitioner ? So then what do you think of the serrapeptase?
Posted by Rumigirl (Member # 15091) on :
It can be great, with one caveat: if you tend to be too alkaline, as I am, it can further alkalinize you and cause more arthritis symptoms!! Strange, but true. I have had a hard time tolerating it for that reason. I can only take it with an acidifier, like timed=release Hcl, and, even then, only one capsule at a time.
Posted by D Bergy (Member # 9984) on :
I have found that when Lyme cysts are killed in the joints constant Arthritic pain and swelling occurs.
It also can be from other forms, but this pain will subside as it is cleared out quickly.
Do not have a solution yet, but effective treatment that kills all forms will bring increased and longer lasting joint pain. At least that is our experience.
Dan
Posted by Rumigirl (Member # 15091) on :
Thanks, Dan. I do know this, but forgot it! I hope that's what it is---at least that would mean progress. I was off IV for a few days when it happened, but was still on orals. What an odessy!
It's finally much better, but not all better. I do wonder about the tomatoes, though, as I've had this reaction before from them. But I didn't have that much of them, and this was the worst I"ve ever had it.
Posted by Aef (Member # 22304) on :
Yes, I too have had swollen middle and index fingers on my right hand now for months. Been to derm several times and each time he thinks it is a fungus and treats me with meds and doesn't go away. He also suggested I soak them in white vinegar and water everyday. Just recently I was diagnosed with Lyme and am now on Doxy. Still the swollen fingers remain. I am anxious to see if they get better after the doxy treatment. My only explanation is due to the Lyme. So far none of the doctors I have been to have any explanation for them. Good luck.