This is topic Why is it always the LEFT SIDE? in forum Medical Questions at LymeNet Flash.


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Posted by Elizabeth S. (Member # 22405) on :
 
My LLMD said there is a 3:1 ratio of (neuro) symptoms occuring on the left side of the body with Lyme disease. Many of you will recognize this as true for yourselves, and/or from talking to others.

But does anyone know WHY this is the case???
 
Posted by jwall (Member # 22999) on :
 
I am curious too. Most of my symptoms are on the left side as well.
 
Posted by tjckelley (Member # 25205) on :
 
Would love to know the answer to this. When I was being tested for MS they found a spot of inflammation on my brain stem that the neuro said was indicative of my left side symptoms. Now I wonder if something else is involved with this now that I've tested positive for Lyme.
 
Posted by Remember to Smile (Member # 25481) on :
 
This is not a LL reply:

According to metaphysical teacher, Louise L. Hay, the left side of the body represents receptivity, taking in, feminine energy, women, and the mother. She suggests trying a new thought pattern such as "My feminine energy is beautifully balanced," if you have troubles with the left side of your body.

In her book You Can Heal Your Life, Ms. Hay suggests problems on the right side of the body may be caused by trouble giving out, letting go, masculine energy, men, and the father. Try the affirmation: "I balance my masculine energy easily and effortlessly."

[spinning smile]
 
Posted by Elizabeth S. (Member # 22405) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by tjckelley:
When I was being tested for MS they found a spot of inflammation on my brain stem that the neuro said was indicative of my left side symptoms. Now I wonder if something else is involved with this now that I've tested positive for Lyme.

What do you mean, tjc?

EDIT: Oh you mean you wonder if the Lyme caused it instead of possible MS? I know the left side of the brain controls the right side of the body and vice versa but I forget what happens to that once it reaches the brain stem (whether it's still opposite or not).
 
Posted by Tincup (Member # 5829) on :
 
Your left side is normally weaker than your right.. unless you are left-handed perhaps?

I am TOTALLY guessing. That is not a medical opinion or fact.

[Big Grin]
 
Posted by Tincup (Member # 5829) on :
 
Keeping in mind too...

Many have noted that when bitten in a specific spot the worst of your symptoms are often in that area of your body.

Same with if bitten on your left leg... then left leg symptoms often prevail... or your right shoulder... then symptoms flare worse there.

Another total guess.... thinking out loud.

[Big Grin]
 
Posted by tjckelley (Member # 25205) on :
 
Yes Elizabeth, that's what I meant. I didn't fit the full diagnostic criteria for MS they were going to say probable...or call it "CIS".

I don't ever remember being bitten but maybe that has something to do with it Tincup...good guess and the left side is often weaker...
 
Posted by Elizabeth S. (Member # 22405) on :
 
I've thought about the hemispheric dominance as well, Tincup, because that's almost the same ratio of people who are left-handed vs right-handed, isn't it? Yet I have a left-handed friend who still has the left-sided thing happening, so what then! [Eek!]

But I can't agree about the spot of the bite, because I got bit in the center of my scalp, on top my head! [lol]

And tjc, since you were found out to have Lyme I'm so glad they didn't diagnose you as MS.
 
Posted by randibear (Member # 11290) on :
 
hmmm, strange, all m;y symptoms are on the right side...
 
Posted by Misfit (Member # 26270) on :
 
My symptoms are all over the place. It 1st started in the right shoulder. Then went to the knees and the top of my legs on the back. Going to the bathroom was a nightmare! It would jump from one knee to the other. Now its in the upper half of my body. Migrates between both wrists and shoulders. Hands very stiff but theyre not killing me like my shoulders and wrists. I never know when or where its going to strike next. Makes me nuts.
 
Posted by Sheryl777 (Member # 17804) on :
 
My neuro symptoms are on the right side predominantly. Interestingly I was having a lot of problems with my right ear around the same time the lyme symptoms started happening. My right ear has been ringing and swollen since that time. Maybe the spirochetes were taking advantage of weakness.
 
Posted by MurphyNC (Member # 15275) on :
 
I'm left handed and the majority of my symptoms were on my left side. I was also bitten on the left side (chest/underarm area).

Just adding to the stats [Smile]
 
Posted by keltyl (Member # 14050) on :
 
My L side is much worse than my R, thought I was nuts! [loco]
 
Posted by Lemon-Lyme (Member # 19229) on :
 
I get neuro symptoms on both sides, but left side worse for me too. No idea what the science is behind it, but my doc said that's probably where I was bit.
 
Posted by janice victorov (Member # 22937) on :
 
My left side is definitely the worse. Even when I get brain fog, mainly on the left side as well.

How interesting don't you think? [Smile]
 
Posted by dali (Member # 24458) on :
 
I have muscle twitching/spasms on both sides-everywhere, but the strongest is on the LEFT side. I wonder why as well.
 
Posted by karenl (Member # 17753) on :
 
I have a horrible left side and a great right side.
My left side feels heavy and my right side is just fun.
 
Posted by bill+1 (Member # 24446) on :
 
I am left handed and almost all my symptoms are on the left side . the brian fog kind of stuff is all over my head .

as time has went by the left facial numbness and pain is creepind across to the right side . [dizzy]

just my 2 cents worth . BILL
 
Posted by Faith6 (Member # 14072) on :
 
My left side also has the most symptoms at this time, but over the years it has been on both.
 
Posted by cactus (Member # 7347) on :
 
Guess I'm the weirdo... My symptoms are (were) mostly on the right side.

But - the bite that pushed me over the edge was on the right side of my head - the side that has irreversible inner ear damage caused by infection; the the side that is affected by trigeminal neuralgia... So I think that's the reason.
 
Posted by lajamur (Member # 24593) on :
 
my left side is worse too. vision problems in the left eye and skin issues have been worse on the left. very interesting!
 
Posted by canbravelyme (Member # 9785) on :
 
Yep, worse on the left side.

I wonder whether there is something to TC's theory of where the bite originated (I mean, given that we've all contracted it as an STD and by sharing drinks etc., plus all the times we've been bitten but the ticks were so tiny we'd never know).

The bulls-eye rash that appeared after I took my first or second shot of bicillin appeared on my left scapula. Dr. S. in CA hypothesizes that where the rash shows up during treatment is where the bite likely was.

I always figured because I am a guitarist, and canoe on my left side, and likely quite right brain dominant though I am right handed, it was better eatin'. [dizzy]

xo
 
Posted by Elizabeth S. (Member # 22405) on :
 
I highly doubt the side of the tick bite has anything to do with which side your neuro symptoms show up, because then there would also have to be a 3:1 chance of getting a tick bite on the left side of your body, in order to fit the correlation. And that is implausible.

But that said, it sure is a mystery!
 
Posted by canbravelyme (Member # 9785) on :
 
Right!
 
Posted by nefferdun (Member # 20157) on :
 
I was bitten on the right side of my neck and my symptoms have been more on the right. I could not use my right arm off and on several times. But the jerking was in my left arm.
 
Posted by Pinelady (Member # 18524) on :
 
More on Left.

Maybe it is because of route of blood once it is in the vessels-it gets stuck there more, like in our hands and feet, or the nerves to the left side are more handy to infect than the right...

Actually our rt side of the brain controls the left and visa versa in most people. Which may be a good argument for IV treatment.

But I am sure our LLMD's have clues.

[ 06-14-2010, 10:47 AM: Message edited by: Pinelady ]
 
Posted by canbravelyme (Member # 9785) on :
 
I should mention that this has improved significantly since being treated for Bartonella.
 
Posted by Elizabeth S. (Member # 22405) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by canbravelyme:
I should mention that this has improved significantly since being treated for Bartonella.

Same here. I do wonder whether its' the bart or the lyme that's causing this left-sided thing, becuase I had lyme for years but only after getting bart did my left side start to have more problems than my right. but since bart is the most common co-infeciton with lyme, i guess it's hard to distinguish. one thing is certain though, and that's bart doesn't get NEAR enough "credit" for being a primarily neurological infectious disease! sometimes I think it's more in my brain than the lyme is!
 
Posted by Faith6 (Member # 14072) on :
 
I saw a physical therapist yesterday. She said one reason many people have pain mostly on the left side is because of more blood flow so more fibrous tissue forms.
 


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