Second anti-inflamatories is what I would take for swelling and pain. The one that worked best for me is Bextra.

But are you saying that the muscle is swolen or your spine is swolen. A swolen spine is really not too good and you need to call this to your docs attention ASAP.

Purple toes, yeah call your doc. If can't do anything, go shopping for another one. Just my opinion, but I was born with ten toes and I would like to die with that many.

I could tell you what I think is happening to the fluid around your brain, neck, spine but that would get to close to giving medical advice without a licence. So I will not but you need to stop "the vertebra are becoming compressed" issue.

Sent

You mentioned that you aren't taking antibiotics because you can't find one that you can tolerate. Have you tried taking the meds with large meals?

I was getting very sick with my abx (doxycyclene) and began taking one in the Am with a meal and one right before I fell asleep so that I was sleeping when the nausea kicked in.

I appear to have an arthritic condition, Ankylosing Spondylitis, separate from Lyme. It affects the spine and can affect other joints, the heart, lungs, and intestines.

Get this: it appears to be associated with a bacteria, too! It's called klebsiella. I want to get tested.

My primary doctor tested me for a gene, HLA-B27, which is found in 80% of people with AS. My SED rate is high, which is common (but not, for me, with Lyme). He sent me for a lumbar spine x-ray, too, which will show fusion in late cases.

A low-starch diet seems to help people, probably because klebsiella feeds on starch. Helps with Lyme, too!

Certain stretching exercises are recommended. Medications, if taken, include NSAIDS, Enbrel (TNF inhibitor. TNF is tumor-necrosis factor). Sometimes, drugs like prednisone and chemo are given, but having taken them in the past, I would avoid them at all costs! Certainly messes with the Lyme.

You may want to be evaluated. Steph

I have told both my GP and my LLMD about my spine and what my physiotheraist has told me and also about my toe...but get nowhere with them. I am currently searching for a new LLMD but am finding it hard..there don't seem to be any in my area but I am looking now in other areas.

I have a genetic liver problem so I and have not found an antibiotic I can tolerate...which is part of the problem. My liver can't remove them from my body so they become toxic....this is very hard on me and way worse than the illness itself.

I am on a very strict diet and the only pain relief I am tolerating is demerol...in small amounts.

Thank you for all of your suggestions...I have read DR. Burascano's guidelines and every book and piece of info I can get my hands on...the challenge for me is getting the MD help and finding someone I can work with.

I am feeling very frustrated..I have been at this for sometime but my energy levels are so low, so I appreciate your ideas and support.