I have had cortisone injections in my hips every 3 months for a year or more...the last one being in Feb. 2010. I contacted LD in March 2010. Could this be the reason my LD symptoms will not go away? My hip is killing me again and I cannot get rid of the pain no matter what I do. Anyone have a suggestion? Thanks
Posted by joalo (Member # 12752) on :
Up.
Posted by Lymetoo (Member # 743) on :
It's definitely the reason your lyme came to the forefront...in my non-medical opinion.
Are you being treated for the Lyme? Been tested for coinfections?
TREATMENT may be your only hope of getting rid of the pain. Continual cortisone injections will only make the Lyme go deeper .. and YES, harder to eradicate.
Posted by Keebler (Member # 12673) on :
Diagnostic Hints and Treatment Guidelines for Lyme and Other Tick Borne Illnesses
16th edition, Copyright October, 2008
Joseph J. Burrascano
Excerpts:
P. 4:
. . . More severe illness also results from other causes of weakened defenses, such as from severe stress, immunosuppressant medications, and severe intercurrent illnesses.
This is why steroids and other immunosuppressive medications are absolutely contraindicated in Lyme. This also includes intraarticular steroids. . . .
From page 12:
. . . More evidence has accumulated indicating the severe detrimental effects of the concurrent use of immunosuppressants including steroids in the patient with active B. burgdorferi infection.
Never give steroids or any other immunosuppressant to any patient who may even remotely be suffering from Lyme, or serious, permanent damage may result, especially if given for anything greater than a short course.
If immunosuppressive therapy is absolutely necessary, then potent antibiotic treatment should begin at least 48 hours prior to the immunosuppressants. . . .
Page 20:
. . . and absolutely no immunosuppressants, even local doses of steroids (intra-articular injections, for example). . . .
. . . "Steroid Disaster" is a term coined by the pioneer of Lyme Treatment . . .
Corticosteroids are immune suppressants, the last thing a Lyme patient needs is to lower immunity.
Can you imagine, your body trying hard to fight off the spirochete bacteria and suddenly and immunosuppressants is introduced, "freezing" your immune system, rendering it unable to battle, giving great advantage now to the Lyme bacteria to spread and go wherever it wants .
Corticosteroids can last in the body for months, usually around 6 months. In many bacterial infections such as LD, damage can be done.
Many Lyme patients (such as myself) triggered LD with cortisone shots, pills, inhalers, etc. I can tell you, it is a nightmare I wouldn't wish on my worst enemy.
It is imperative to NEVER take corticosteroid for pain if you know you have a bacterial infection.
Some bacterial infections are so severe that a shot of cortisone could kill you, although that would be unlikely with Lyme, but rule of thumb, bacterial infections and immunosuppressants do not mix! . . .
. . . Dr. Burrascano makes it clear in his treatment guidelines that steroid treatment is detrimental, these are excerpts from his guidelines:
"More evidence has accumulated indicating the severe detrimental effects of the concurrent use of immunosuppressants including steroids in the patient with active B. burgdorferi infection.
Never give steroids or any other immunosuppressant to any patient who may even remotely be suffering from Lyme, or serious, permanent damage may result, especially if given for anything greater than a short course.
If immunosuppressive therapy is absolutely necessary, then potent antibiotic treatment should begin at least 48 hours prior to the immunosuppressants.
The severity of the clinical illness is directly proportional to the spirochete load, the duration of infection, and the presence of co-infections. These factors also are proportional to the intensity and duration of treatment needed for recovery.
More severe illness also results from other causes of weakened defenses, such as from severe stress, immunosuppressants medications, and severe intercurrent illnesses.
This is why steroids and other immunosuppressants medications are absolutely contraindicated in Lyme. This also includes intra-articular steroids."
An easy explanation. Your immune system are the "soldiers" of your body constantly standing by to attack any foreign invader.
When an immunosuppressant is used, it is like killing off or knocking out most of your "soldiers", now your body is open to all foreign invasion and while your immune system is knocked out, those invaders can go anywhere, your heart, liver, brain - everywhere.
- full article at link above.
=========================
[poster's note below]
Low Dose Cortef to help adrenal repair:
However, temporary use of very LOW (sub-clinical) dose hydrocortisone (Cortef) has been used as the last resort for lyme patients close to adrenal failure.
The adrenals (and the entire endocrine system) really takes a hit with lyme. Adrenal failure can become fatal so, if nothing else is working, Cortef can be a life-saver - or prevent a patient from reaching a critical stage.
Under the care of a LLMD, this can give the adrenals enough of a rest in order to start healing. However, usually adrenal support measures known as adaptogens are first tried. For most, adaptogen support is enough (along with good self-care).
Those include Eleutherococcus senticosus, Ashwagandha, Cordyceps or Rhodiola (starting slowing with a low dose as that can be too stimulating for some patients -- and too much stimulation is damaging to adrenals). -
Posted by smckibben (Member # 27878) on :
Yes, I am being treated for Lyme and have been since July, but I have bursitis in both hips and one hip is hurting really bad. Nothing seems to be helping. They don't think the hip pain has anything to do with the Lyme. Have not been tested for coinfections. I hate this disease!
Posted by Keebler (Member # 12673) on :
- Are you being treated by an ILADS-educated LLMD? They would have to guide you with this.
So that those answering you have necessary details, it helps to know:
that you posted for a LLMD about 5 weeks ago - and that you were give basic links in your post of Sept. 1:
"My illness started in March 2010 with being diagnosed as Mastitis. I had red streaks, then a rash, pain, and was very sick. I went to the ER and was told I had Mastitis, given antibiotics and sent home. Two days later, it was worse so I went back to the ER.
This time they gave me IV antibiotics for a couple of hrs. and sent home with oral antibiotics. I seemed to be getting better and then started having pain in my arms, hands, and legs.
I went to a pain specialist who did a lot of bloodwork and it came back with Lyme Disease.
Amost 6 mos later with daily doses of Doxy, Methyl B-12 injections, antidepressants, and darvocet, I'm no better than I was.
My pain specialist has had formal training in treating Lyme. What now? I'm going crazy with pain." (end quote)
- smckibben in Indiana -
Posted by Keebler (Member # 12673) on :
- You must have posted while I was writing, so my posts are little delayed.
Lyme can cause bursitis. There may be other causes, as well but the fact remains that doxy as the only antibiotic is likely not enough, especially as it appears you may also have bartonella (red streaks are a classic sign).
The treatment you describe is not what an ILADS-educated LLMD would prescribe. Were you able to locate a new LLMD from your search 5 weeks ago?
Magnesium seems to be missing. That is the first line of pain control with lyme. Most LLMDs would know that. And, true, it may not be enough, but it's a crucial start.
Hope you find a good LLMD. Good luck. Yes, this can be a horrible disease. And it can get better. Really. Really. -
Posted by Keebler (Member # 12673) on :
- As many sleep and pain meds are toxic and hard on the liver and kidneys, here are some suggestions for sleep support that can safely nourish & calm the body: ---------------