After 3 weeks I'm still suffering with severe pain in my Achilles tendon after taking levaquin. It's very tender, no noticeable swelling or discoloration, but I did have a rash on the top of my foot and up the front of my ankle that's calmed with more fish oil.
I made an acupuncture appointment for next week.
Someone suggested I see and orthopedist.
What would a doctor/orthopedist do in this situation????
Would I just be suggested steroid shots, pt, and pain meds?
I already have a ton of advice on home remedies, I'm just wondering if it's worth it to get a professional opinion.
Thanks!
Posted by steve1906 (Member # 16206) on :
Do you have diabetes or high blood pressure; these can cause this problem…
I think a Therapist could suggest some stretching and strengthening exercises.
Do you exercise – if so –back off and try these
**Rest **Ice
Wr**aps or compressive elastic bandages can help reduce swelling
**Raise your foot above the level of your heart to reduce swelling.
**Sleep with your foot/feet elevated at night.
I think acupuncture and or orthopedist could help after trying all home remedies.
Good luck, Steve
Posted by surprise (Member # 34987) on :
Oh Judie, I'm so sorry-- Not good :-(. If you can, I would see the foot Dr. there may be additional treatments or support offered (besides steroids) that can help-----
- good thoughts, hang in there-
Posted by Lymetoo (Member # 743) on :
Stay away from steroids. I have no clue which type of doctor could help.
Do lots of homework on this.
Posted by Kudzuslipper (Member # 31915) on :
Ultrasound from a PT and massage and ice helped some tendon pain for me.
Posted by Lymetoo (Member # 743) on :
There are other helpful videos out there.
Posted by Judie (Member # 38323) on :
Thanks everyone.
I've been watching videos (including that one). That one basically links to a book that's pretty much the Lyme diet and avoiding chemicals, etc.... Nothing new.
I'm just curious if a doctor can add anything new.
Most of those videos say the doctors were unhelpful and seem to give advice similar to what I was doing already for Lyme.
Maybe I should try laser light again...I know a doctor's office that's a bit of a drive who does it, the challenge will be getting there.
It's hard for me to use the pedal of my car because of my achilles tendon. I tried a short drive and was in worse pain.
Posted by Lymetoo (Member # 743) on :
So sorry to hear, Judie. What a mess. I hate drugs!
I think a lot of the info out there is directed to people who have quinolone poisoning (not Lyme) so the stuff like a clean diet, no alcohol, etc... is new to them.
A lot of us in Lyme community seem to be more informed about healthy lifestyles.
I am seeing my Lyme doc next week. Maybe I'll ask for a magnesium IV if they do them.
Has anyone done a magnesium IV?
Posted by Lymetoo (Member # 743) on :
It should help.
ReMag is reportedly MORE EFFECTIVE than a mag IV! I am serious. You REALLY NEED to be on it.
- Usually magnesium IV will have other things in it. That was my experience.
As for the possibility of magnesium shots, IM, when I first started it was just mag. sulfate and burned so terribly - it was torture. then it was suggested that I add 1 cc of vitamin B-12 to the 1 cc of mag. sulf. That B-12 took the sting right out of it. It was the typical B-12, cocobal-something. Before I knew about different forms.
Just in case this helps. And, because straight magnesium can really burn, as an IV, other things MUST also be included, although at least it would not be straight but diluted with saline.
And, that brings us back to the ReMag that LymeToo suggests. I've not gotten that yet but it sure looks better than the form I about to run out of.
Good luck. -
Posted by Keebler (Member # 12673) on :
- I wonder if Gotu Kola may help. It's got great properties for help in microcirculation and connective tissue support. I'd do both an Herb Pharm tincture for faster work and a good green powder of it from Mountain Rose Herbs - or freeze dried capsules from Eclectic.
GOTU KOLA - Informational Links Set -
Posted by Keebler (Member # 12673) on :
- SOTA LIGHTWORKS, Light Wand (or whatever its called) too, if you happen to know someone with one. Carol in PA speaks very highly of it. -
Posted by Keebler (Member # 12673) on :
- SCULLCAP, Herb Pharm tincture, to help calm pain for good rest / sleep. It's very nice and relaxing. -
Posted by Judie (Member # 38323) on :
Thanks Keebler! I'll mention them to my doctor and see if they conflict with anything I'm already taking.
Posted by Lymetoo (Member # 743) on :
NO product compares to ReMag ... sorry. Sure wish you could give it a whirl.
"mycin" may be entirely different from "mysin"
Judie... Did you find the ingredients in the one you posted above? I hate Amazon for not allowing us to see the ingredients. I don't buy from them for that reason.
Posted by Keebler (Member # 12673) on :
- LymeToo's frequent reminder of ReMag is good. Sublingual liquid is so much easier than IV or shots. So much.
Are you doing tons of liposomal vit C? Or could you do vit C IV"s? Vit C IV is one of the essentials for this according to THE Dr. B.
I agree strongly with ultra sound (usually done by PT's), acupuncture maybe, and maybe an orthopedist (or another dr to rx an MRI (assuming you have insurance).
You have to continue to be EXTREMELY careful----no stretching or strengthening, etc. now. A snapped achillies tendon requires a big deal surgery (if that were to happen through over use).
So sorry you're going through this mess! But, yes, a really, really good magnesium and lots of it. The IV's are usually mg sulphate, but mg chloride is possible, if the dr had it. Arghh!
Posted by Judie (Member # 38323) on :
Unfortunately I'm allergic to the preservative in remag. I just did a bunch of research on it.
I'm doing the liposomal C (thanks!).
I tried doing the exercise bike today. BIG mistake (stopped as soon as pain increased). Stabbing pain in Achilles now worse than before. Maybe I'll try swimming if I can get to a pool.
Posted by Lymetoo (Member # 743) on :
I'm on my 5th month of having horrible pain and trouble walking because of levaquin.
I disagree with some parts of the article. For me, I don't think the problem has to do with poor metabolization and genetics.
I was actually surprised when I got my genetic profile back. It's pretty good. Even my doc was surprised since I'm having so many problems.
Levaquin did me in. It's the devil's drug.
Posted by linky123 (Member # 19974) on :
I had severe tendonitis in my heel after taking levaquin for a kidney infection.
I took Soloray brand Mg chelated amino acid which helped more than the steroids given me by the orthopedist.
Those of us with tick-borne illness should avoid steroids at all costs.
This was before I learned about Remag, which I think would really help you - Lymetoo is right about it being a great form of Mg.
For about four months I wore an orthopedic boot to stabilize the heel; this was prescribed by the orthopedist.
Posted by randibear (Member # 11290) on :
lots of people take ma oxide or caltrate but those are not easily absorbed and not well tolerated.
I got mag malate for cowden but as soon as I finish this bottle im switching to remag.
wheres the best place to buy it?
Posted by ctone (Member # 38779) on :
One thing that helped me with tendon pain/mobility from floxing - in my case it was mainly my shoulders, lost about 80% of mobility - is the homeopathic remedy Rhus Tox. It's a specific for tendons, and, at least in my case, was pretty miraculous. It didn't solve all of the floxing issues, but for the tendons it helped immensely. If you do want to try Rhus Tox make sure you research dosing options and safety issues before taking it.
Also, the big homeopathic companies you see in most health food stores have a reputation among some homeopaths for not being effective for some reason. Washington Homeopathics is generally considered to be a good source as is Hahneman Labs in San Fransisco.
Posted by dali (Member # 24458) on :
I am two weeks post floxing from Cipro. Ugh.
In addition to many other things (antioxidants, supplements, etc) I have found that a morning and evening massage with topical magnesium (I use ancient minerals lotion) is of great help with the stiffness/soreness in the tendons and muscles. I also use ankle and knee braces from the drug store.
Steroids apparently can make quinolone poisoning symptoms much worse-be careful!
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