posted
Lately Im wondering if my pain is typical for lyme patients or if I have RA. I am in pain from head to toe, burning pain with hot spots, achy joints, lots of cracking in my knees and neck.
My RA bloodwork came back neg twice but I have a strong family history. My pain is so much worse in the humid summer months, or rainy days. So far antibiotcs havent made any lasting relief from it.
Is it time to look for another possibe diagnosis. My sed rate is always slightly high but never super high like you would see in RA patients.
Im so desperate for relief from pain, Im trying to find other possible causes we might be missing because we've been so focused on lyme. Any advice?
Also if anyone has any suggestions for pain relief that doesnt involve narcotics I'd be interested in hearing what's worked for you.
-------------------- Psalm 119:50 My comfort in my suffering is this: Your promise preserves my life. Posts: 292 | From Heaven | Registered: Jan 2011
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Carol in PA
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 5338
posted
quote:Originally posted by Jennifer70: Also if anyone has any suggestions for pain relief that doesnt involve narcotics I'd be interested in hearing what's worked for you.
You can reduce the pain with antidepressants and with things that reduce inflammation.
Systemic enzymes reduce inflammation. So does fish oil...pharmaceutical quality, with very high EPA.
If I stop the systemic enzymes or the fish oil, the headaches and body pain increase. The elevated sed rate shows that you have inflammation.
You can treat joint pain and back pain with pulsed magnetic therapy and/or with LED light therapy.
Oh yes, don't forget that low vitamin D can cause pain. Low B vitamins and B12 can cause neuropathic pain.
Posts: 6947 | From Lancaster, PA | Registered: Feb 2004
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lightfoot
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 2536
posted
I would say that there is not a 'typical' pain with Lyme. That's what makes it so insidious, confusing and easily misdiagnosed.
I second Carol and the use of systemic enzymes. She also has some other good suggestions.
I've had Lyme arthritis for years and years..it's all pervasive.
There have been recent studies that show that ALL arthritis is caused by the same mechanism, INFLAMMATION. I can't site the study at the moment but it was in a very recent issue of the Life Extension magazine. The study may be available on their website.
That includes osteoarthritis which is generally attributed to 'wear and tear' and all the other many forms, each with a special name.
It also includes RA which is very interesting considering that RA has become big business and the treatment involves powerful drugs, most of which are not compatible with Lyme/Co.
For me the key player in controlling the INFLAMMATION is Wobenzym, used systemically. I take a lot of valuable supplements. If I could only take one, this would be it.
posted
Thanks, I will check out your links. Im on wobenzyme and curcumin, I also do yoga four to five times per week and walk every day 30 min...I just push through the pain because the exercise hurts initially but helps overall.
Im doing a gf diet, dairy free, very very low sugar, and no soy. I take 5,000 iu of vit d, as mine was low when i had it checked a few years ago...ive never been retested since but it was pretty low at the time. I drink only water and tea in the morning.
I may make an apt with a rheumatologist again, just to see if there's a possibility of RA, my cousin is almost pain free now that she's been treated for her RA, and im just wondering what if Im in all this pain and dont have to be.
I just know some of the therapies conflict with lyme tx. So I havent been open to look at other things until now.
-------------------- Psalm 119:50 My comfort in my suffering is this: Your promise preserves my life. Posts: 292 | From Heaven | Registered: Jan 2011
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-------------------- --Lymetutu-- Opinions, not medical advice! Posts: 96222 | From Texas | Registered: Feb 2001
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lightfoot
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 2536
posted
Jennifer, I'm so sorry you are in such pain. It sounds like you are doing a lot of the right things. You don't mention where you are in your Lyme treatment or how effective it is regarding other symptoms.
Ditto to tutu! It helps me immensely to be totally grain free. LDN (Low Dose Naltrexone) helps some.
How much and when do you use your Wobenzym??
-------------------- Healing Smiles.....lightfoot Posts: 7228 | From CO | Registered: May 2002
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posted
Im gluten free already, only for a month now...so far i dont feel any difference.....its been hot and humid where i live and that seems to be the determining factor for how much pain im in...also stress.
I was on oral antibiotics for a year and a half....just switched to natural herbal artemesenin, and cryptolepis when I can get it..to treat babesia.
When you say totally grain free do u also mean brown rice, and gluten free bread products? I occasionally have those and a potato sometimes. just for taste and variety, im also taking diflucan.
I take three wobenzym twice a day between meals.
-------------------- Psalm 119:50 My comfort in my suffering is this: Your promise preserves my life. Posts: 292 | From Heaven | Registered: Jan 2011
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posted
Make sure you are eliminating all HIDDEN GLUTEN as well. I find that I am also sensitive to nightshades, such as potatoes. So that may be a problem for you as well.
www.celiac.com .. they have lists of items that can contain gluten
-------------------- --Lymetutu-- Opinions, not medical advice! Posts: 96222 | From Texas | Registered: Feb 2001
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