Does anyone have a link to some pictures of lyme arthritis? When I search the internet it seems the only pictures that come up are of osteo and rhuematoid.
Along with muscle, tendon, ligament, cartiledge, and collagen pains, I also can feel my joints and bones in my fingers swelling up. It's like there are nodules on the joint right below the fingernails. The joints feel more boney also around the knuckles. My finger tips are wrinkled too. I've read somewhere that this is caused by collagen damage under the fingerprint area and/or hypothyroid activity. I wish I could draw a picture for you of my fingers and show you what I mean.
I'd like to see some x-rays or mri's or something of some actual lyme arthritis to help me see what's physically happening. If someone has some pictures of this it would be greatly appreciated. I just don't know how bad it's going to get and it concerns me.
Thanks
Posted by joalo (Member # 12752) on :
Up.
Posted by Keebler (Member # 12673) on :
- A lot of this will not show up on x-rays.
I can't point to the link but, most often, you can't see the damage lyme does to joints. There is not always swelling or even deformity as one might expect. Oh, it can be visible (as with your hands - and mine) but it is certainly not the case for all who are affected.
And - it seems that the pain can be just through the roof for what a typical doctor interprets by a visual inspection. Even with some deformity, many doctors just sort of shrug it off.
I think the term "arthritis" is problematic and too narrow in definition. Rather than try to get x-rays, etc., be sure you are working with an ILADS-educated lyme literate MD. Let her/him tell you what they think is going on with your hands.
Then, if you have any imaging done, the LLMD will know which type is best, if needed.
I've had nodules that were/are visible but much of the pain can't be seen. There are some links from an advanced cross search at Google for:
"Lyme arthritis" photos, hands
===================
Lots of detail here. Although the spacing makes it hard to read - it's well worth copying to a word file and breaking up the text and then even putting into a font that is easier to read. This is a gem of a text: ------------
When to Suspect Lyme - by John D. Bleiweiss, M.D. -
Posted by Keebler (Member # 12673) on :
- I see that you have been in treatment with a LLMD for about 3.5 months. Others coming along here may want to know where you are with that as it will help their replies.
So, from another of your current threads: -----------------
wgshuckers writes:
"How long should I stay on one particular set of antibiotics (or herbs) without seeing results? I was on doxy for about 3 1/2 months or so and I've been on Ceftin, Plaquenil, and Flagyl pulses for about 6 weeks. I can't say I've seen much improvement from any of it really. I mean, I suppose it could be alot worse without them.
How long should you wait to switch to another set of antibiotics after the one's you're on aren't showing any improvement?
Topic: abx - how long after seeing no improvement? -
Posted by wgshuckers (Member # 27869) on :
Actually I haven't been in treatment with a "real" LLMD yet. My first appointment is next Wednesday (11/24) with one in NC. I've been to 3 different Dr's. One useless general practitioner, one ok general practitioner that was more willing to give me the abx that I requested, and one super expensive rheumotologist that is supposedly "lyme knowledgeable". I wasn't impressed with her. Charged me $1800 for about 30 minutes of her time. Sickens me that people can take advantage of me like that.
I HOPE the LLMD will truly help me get on some effective treatment. Of course I'll post the details of my visit on here and let you know how it goes.
Posted by Rumigirl (Member # 15091) on :
$1800 for 30 minutes??!! For what? Unreal!
When you have visable damage to joints, such as you describe, it's very similar to either Rheumatoid Arthritis and/or Osteoarthritis. However, with Lyme there is a known cause. It's really important to get treatment to arrest the damage.
Posted by Rumigirl (Member # 15091) on :
$1800 for 30 minutes??!! For what? Unreal!
When you have visable damage to joints, such as you describe, it's very similar to either Rheumatoid Arthritis and/or Osteoarthritis. However, with Lyme there is a known cause. It's really important to get treatment to arrest the damage.
Posted by arkiehinny (Member # 26546) on :
I relate to theses symptoms. It's the only lingering effect I have from Lyme. Sometimes aches at night. It's a bummer. When ortho doc xrayed, he found NO damage at all and NO evidence of any kind of arthritis.
So I would have to agree with the fact that Lyme "arthritis" is a class all it's own.
Posted by Rumigirl (Member # 15091) on :
$1800 for 30 minutes??!! For what? Unreal!
When you have visable damage to joints, such as you describe, it's very similar to either Rheumatoid Arthritis and/or Osteoarthritis. However, with Lyme there is a known cause. It's really important to get treatment to arrest the damage.
Posted by wgshuckers (Member # 27869) on :
$1800 for what indeed. I think it was her way of saying.. "I'll treat you, but if I'm going to risk losing my license you're going to pay for it". She gave me a shot of rocephin in my butt cheek but I'm sure that was 100 bucks or so by itself. Other than that she just talked to me briefly. Didn't mention ANYTHING about nutrition or what I should or shouldn't be eating.
So if there was no noticable bone or joint damage on your x-rays then what is the swelling caused by I wonder? I just fear that I may be in for some permanently damaged joints the rest of my life.
Posted by Tincup (Member # 5829) on :
I have really bad RA so I guess I figured my RA was lyme arthritis. I'm not sure there's a difference, at least for me.
Posted by wgshuckers (Member # 27869) on :
jlp, Do you have physical damage to your joints? or is it posible it is reversable.
Posted by apljack (Member # 14233) on :
I saw livedo in the picture. Sheesh, I've had that since junior high.
Arthritis--I had my neck x-rayed a few years back because of the pain (back when I bounced from specialist to specialist) and the doctor said my bones looked "old". that some people would feel pain and others wouldn't. Gave me some exercises and sent me on my way. Called it osteoarthritis.
Posted by jlp38 (Member # 27221) on :
wgshuckers -- I don't know if I have physical damage. I'm not sure how to tell. I'm trying to keep a positive outlook and assume that nothing is ever permanent and everything can be healed. Sometimes it's hard to remember that though. My husband is a chiropractor and he says he's seen "permanent" damage reversed so that gives me hope.
Posted by elizzza811 (Member # 24713) on :
I have pictures of what Lyme did to my teeth/gums, but when I posted a thread asking for help posting them because I was having trouble uploading them, nobody offered.