posted
This past week, one of my knees is extremely painful and I have used heat pads, cold packs, aspercream topically on it, lots MSM/glcosamine, NSAIDS (Advil Gel Caps) every 4 hrs, and it is still that way.
The swelling is gone now, but the pain persists.
Any ideas? I'm guessing that it is Lyme-related, but not sure. Knees have been a problem since Lyme.
Thanks,
lifeline
Posts: 983 | From FL | Registered: Dec 2002
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Ann-OH
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 2020
posted
I think a chiropracter could be a help. Be sure you rest it with a pillow under your knee. Maybe you have an arthritic problem. Lyme loves to go to any weakened place in the body, especially old injuries.
Rest, Advil, ice packs and a chiropracter could help.
posted
My LLMD recommended Blue Stuff (or somethign like that), a very strong (and blue) ointment. It sounds like snake oil (!), but it worked well and is available in the drug store (but not cheap).
Julie
Posts: 307 | From Byfield, MA | Registered: Jan 2004
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posted
No one can pry my hands from my Biofreeze. Its a topical gel that helps me when I'm not getting the degree of relief I need from whatever else I'm using. Like anything else, your milage may vary...
Posts: 689 | From western MA (we say buttER and pizzA) | Registered: Nov 2004
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timaca
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 6911
posted
Another possibility is a prescription creme made by a compounding pharmacist....ketoprophen creme. It's kinda like taking ibuprophen, but it is ketoprophen, and you rub it into the skin, so the effect is more localized.
I just used some on my knee this morning.
It may be of benefit if there is inflammation going on in the knee.
Would be nice if it did something to the spirochetes too, huh? Posts: 2872 | From above 7,000 ft in a pine forest | Registered: Feb 2005
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Andie333
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 7370
posted
Hi, Lifeline!
One of the things that lead to my Lyme dx was pain (sometimes sharp and sometimes aching) in my right knee. I'd been seen by pro-team sports doctors, neurologists, chiropractors, physical therapists and rheumatologists.
My knee was x-rayed, MRI-ed, drained and shot full of cortisone twice.
I went from walking 3 or 4 miles a day and/or swimming a mile to shopping for a cane or wondering if I should consider a walker.
I was finally tested for Lyme (at the suggestion of my acupuncturist). The test was positive, and I learned that unilateral arthritis was one of the telling symptoms of the disease.
This was the one symptom my very excellent LLMD felt uncertain about recovering.
After 4 months of treatment, the swelling is mostly gone from my knee. I have days where I'm able to walk a half a block or so without limping badly.
The pain gets worse for me at night. I have tried quite a few over the counter treatments, but nothing has worked like a combination of detoxification foot pads and, like Julie said, the cheap but powerful "blue stuff." I slather it on at night, and it definitely helps relieve some of the discomfort. Also, it helps me to elevate my leg when I'm sitting and slso to sleep with a pillow between my knees.
Hope you're able to find some relief!
Andie
Posts: 2549 | From never never land | Registered: May 2005
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Andie333
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 7370
posted
ps: I just checked, and the blue stuff I use is called "Menthol Gel." I get it at my neighborhood drugstore (CVS) and it's probably the least expensive part of my Lyme treatment regimen
Andie
Posts: 2549 | From never never land | Registered: May 2005
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robi
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 5547
posted
Bio freeze is great! I also use arnica gel .... you cab get it from vitamin shoppe. Arnica is for sore muscles ..... not sure thats what is going on with you. Bio freeze helps all pain in my experience. You can get biofreeze from a chiropractor.
robi
-------------------- Now, since I put reality on the back burner, my days are jam-packed and fun-filled. ..........lily tomlin as 'trudy' Posts: 2503 | From here | Registered: Apr 2004
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posted
I've not had luck with bio-freeze and arnica helping my knees. Is it something you all have found has to be done ALOT during the day so it builds up? Or does it most likely mean my lyme needs more treatment? Mine just started-treatment and its only 100mg Doxy twice a day. Will see LLMD next week. I don't know if I am in a herx because suddenly everything has gotten worse after about two weeks of the doxy. I just know its rather miserable for me right now. I have also tried epson salt baths. Any suggestions are welcome!
Posts: 114 | From USA | Registered: Sep 2005
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Andie333
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 7370
posted
Blackbird, I really do love the arnica gel but it doesn't seem to work on my knee, either.
My mom swears by something called Australian Dream Arthritis Cream. I think it's great for my hip and my hand but, again, not for my knee.
Like Julie said, the blue stuff seems to give me some relief.
You said your symptoms had gotten worse since starting the abx. I had primarily physiological symptoms when I was first dx. After being on abx for a week or so, I started getting severe neurological symptoms. Seemed to come out of nowhere...
Andie
Posts: 2549 | From never never land | Registered: May 2005
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posted
Hi Lifeline, I'll echo what Timaca said about the Ketoprofen gel/creme....made by compounding pharmacy. I've not tried it myself, but a visiting nurse who uses it on her bone cancer patients says it works incredibly well, more so than any orals and it doesn't give you stomach problems like some pain meds will do.
Gail
-------------------- Strength does not come from physical capacity. It comes from an indomitable will ~ Gandhi Posts: 562 | From Wellsville, PA, USA | Registered: Jan 2004
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posted
Andi-Did you get those odd buzzing sensations throughout your body? I keep getting those...very odd. Started within a week of the antibiotic.
Posts: 114 | From USA | Registered: Sep 2005
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Greetings everyone. I have been reading of others experience with buzzing feelings. When this started happening to me I really thought I had lost it. Usually would happen when I went to bed and then it would start, anywhere in my body. It felt like a pulsing TENS unit and then I would have this jerking spasmodic response after a bit. Didn't matter what or how many supplements I was taking and it increased about 2 weeks into the Doxy treatment of 100mg 2x bid. I don't know if we can name brands of products, but one that I use is A to B Calm. It is a powdered mag/calcium supplement specifically designed for muscle cramping and does help to a point. Also the knee thing. I have had some relief with Biofreez from my chiro. and the Blue Gel but I recently went a different route. My right knee for the past 3 months has not relented. So I went back to basics. Epsom salt or original Bath Therapy Salt(best) followed by a product put out by Halo Purely For Pets called Derma Dream Natural Healing Salve. Check out their Web for details. This salve seemed to soften and realy penetrate the skin and muscle tissue. Applying heat wouldn't hurt either. I then wrap my knee in gauze and put a magnetic knee brace on till the salve absorbs. Another product is made by ALACER, called Foot Revitalizer w/MSM. I figured since Lymes has brought me to my knees it wouldn't hurt to put the foot stuff on. It's designed to deliver vitamins, mineral,msm,etc see their WEB SITE also. It does have bee pollen for those with allergy problems and it does utilize niacin to increase circulation for those that may have strong niacin reactions. This comes in spray form and makes it easy to use throughout the day.
However what I have found is that often times, what works today is ineffective tomorow, weather its the drugs or the holistic products. Which is why this disease puts us all on such a slippery path of discovery and healing. I don't know if anyone else has noticed this one particular aspect or not, but, I have found consistently that stress of any kind definetly amps up this disease.
I hope this info is helpful, Blessing & Peace To All Red Deer
Not a Doc, Not Diagnosin, Just Sharin Thoughts!
Posts: 22 | From usa | Registered: Sep 2005
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posted
Thank you all. I am checking to see where I can buy some of the things suggested.
I have called our local CVS store and didn't have any luck. I will be out tomorrow and will check Walgreens and WalMart, also. We also have a local Health Food store that I will ask.
I will eventually find something that works, thanks to everyone here. Much appreciated.
lifeline
Posts: 983 | From FL | Registered: Dec 2002
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posted
DMSO is recommended by a local doc. It penetrates the skin very easily so you have to make sure your hands are clean when applying. Also it'll make your breath smell funny for a short while.
Its very effective but you want to be careful like anything else that is potent. Do some research on it to learn more. Just wanted to let you know its another option to pursue.
Posts: 925 | From California | Registered: Sep 2004
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Kara Tyson
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 939
posted
You hear about he blue emu products...but I dont know if it works or not.
-------------------- Kara Tyson Lyme Disease Support Group Of Alabama--MobileChapter Posts: 6022 | From Mobile, AL | Registered: Apr 2001
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lymie tony z
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 5130
posted
If your synovial sak has been damaged and quite possibly the cartiledge is depleted between the knee joints you may try synvisc or halcygen injections...the cortisone will only make thing worse in the long run...
You should get relief for a year or more with this synthetic synovial fluid made from chiken combs...unless you're alergic to egg or chicken products...
My knees were so bad I only got relief for a year or so....which finally lead up to replacements bilaterally.....good luck ...zman
-------------------- I am not a doctor...opinions expressed are from personal experiences only and should never be viewed as coming from a healthcare provider. zman Posts: 2527 | From safety harbor florida(origin Cleve., Ohio | Registered: Jan 2004
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