I have been unable to walk for about six months. I actually could barely crawl. I bought a walker on ebay and was destined to be in a wheel chair.
My knees would swell up like cantalopes and I would be unable to bend them and they would lock.
MRI showed two torn lateral miniscus. I was scheduled for surgery.
Thank GOD I went for a second opinion. After taking several x rays of my knees, I was told that I had severe arthritis. The second doctor did not think the torn miniscuses were the reason for my inability to walk.
He suggested 3 shots, spaced a wek apart in each knee of synvek (I am not sure of the spelling).
It is a thick viscious gel that is injected into the knee and adds cushion to the cartilidge for six months.
I was so desperate I would have tried anything.
I had my three shoots, it has been two weeks since my last shot, the third/
It is a miracle......I have gone from not being able to walk to the bathroom without holding onto the wall, not being able to grocery shop, not even able to go up the stairs in my house...................
Now I can do anything. Shop, carry heavy grocery bags, run up the steps, it is truly a miracle.
I never would have beieved that three little shots would change my life so dramatically.
Anyone suffering from pain and knee stiffness and locking knees from arthritis.................see your doctor and ask about synvek, the synthetic cartilidge replacement gel that is injected in the knee.
I will say that the shots do hurt but the results are well worth a few minutes of pain.
I am told that the results will last about 5 months........................no more stiffness, no pain, being able to walk again.......................MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!
aunty
Posts: 677 | From USA | Registered: Aug 2002
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Is/was your knee problem due to Lyme, and if so, didn't it improve at all w/abx?
It's discouraging to think that my joints aren't going to get any better w/abx therapy. But I'm happy to hear of a treatment that can help the situation.
Posts: 449 | From Pasadena, CA, usa | Registered: Aug 2005
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posted
Thats great news Aunty, I'm glad your getting relief.
My knees were never swollen but were getting progressively worse. Before I started Lyme treatment I was hopping up stairs since one knee hurt too much to walk up the stairs. Now I have no trouble with stairs and knees are pain free 95%of the time from killing the Lyme with abx. hats
Posts: 956 | From MA | Registered: Nov 2004
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The pain and swelling was from lyme disease but I think it may have been a herx that lasted for over 6 months. I had the pain previously but it came and went several times over the years that I had lyme disease.
Since I had started omnicef 900 Mg and Zithromax 1000Mg the knees swelled and stiffened, I kept waiting for the pain to go away but it never did.
The pain and swelling continued to the point that I was unable to walk to the bathroom.
I thought it was a herx from the medication change but who knows.I had never before had a herx that lasted so long. The x rays show I have VERY SERIOUS arthritis (damage from years of lyme) so I really don't think that ABX will make damage from arthritis go away.The MRI shows two torn miniscus, actually no cartilidge is several areas of the knee, also bone spurs on the knee.
I think I may have had the torn miniscus for years but never noticed it or seemed to be affected by it.I am only 50 year old.
On other medications, many of my herxes were severe fatigue, headaches, depression type sadness, but this is the only time I had such prolonged joint pain and swelling.
Anyway, it may have not been a herx because after three shots it is GONE.I have been under stress for the last several months and the more stressful my life was the more severe the pain in my knees became. I really think that lyme disease thrives in a stressful situation.It was a vicious circle.
I just think that years of having lyme disease undiagnosed have damaged my joints. (I often wonder what else lyme may be damaging that I am not YET aware of).
I was also experiencing ankle pain in the left foot. X rays showed severe arthritis in both feet to the point that the doctor was amazed that I could walk.
Lyme does destructive damage to our bodies that taking abx will NOT repair. Abx may stop the lyme bacteria from continued assult on our joints but will not repair past damage already done.
My knees and ankles have been the result of years of lyme disease. Thankfully there is help in the shots. I will continue to get them as long as they provide my ability to walk back.
I have had lyme for about 10 years. No one knew what my problems were from .............but it started out in 1996 with being unable to walk from knee and ankle pain on the left. That went away and then reappeared years later. During all of theose years the Bb was eating away at my joints.
I have been under aggressive ABX treatment for three years. I personally do not thin Bb will ever be fully eradicated from one's body. Just hopes that our immune system can take over once the bacteria load is decreased.
Posts: 677 | From USA | Registered: Aug 2002
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posted
Congratulations, great that you found some relief.
Lyme disease definitely does do permanent damage, this is why important to catch it early....to avoid chronic disease and possible permanent damage to various body parts. Not always easy to tell what is reversible with abx and what is not.
Posts: 8430 | From Not available | Registered: Oct 2000
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lymie tony z
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 5130
posted
Hey there Aunty,
Glad you got some relief from your arthritis pain.
The stuff you're talking about is a synthetic synovial fluid derived from chicken combs.
Synvisc, or halcygen......I've had both injected into my knees and got relief for up to a year each time.
However like you said you can't repair that which has been destroyed by the bugs.
Eventually I had to have total knee replacement bilatterally.
Doxy and Flagyl at times seemed to help my pain in the past...but not long lasting.
Good Luck.....
-------------------- 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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bpeck
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 3235
posted
Aunty:
Hey- your Doc is great!. He gave you similar injections (hyaluronic acid) that my vet has given my competition horses!!!!!! Way better than steroids ! although sometimes in horses, 50/50 - steroid/hyaluronates are used.
You may want one of those every 6 months till the synovial fluid normalizes, and the carteladge heals.
posted
Thanks for the replies, Tony, How many years did the injections tide you over before the knee replacement surgery??
How bad was the surgery..i am sure I am destined to that as yesterday after I raved how wonderful I was doing..............
damn if the one leg didn't stiffen up and swell again. It has only been two weeks of pain relief since the last shot......I was hoping for six months.
Possibly the snow and cold weather played a part in the stiffness................I am praying it gets better again.
Anyone else have the injections?? How long was your relief?
aunty
Posts: 677 | From USA | Registered: Aug 2002
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lymie tony z
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 5130
posted
Hi Aunty,
Well ya know my knees may have been in a lot worse condition than yours...but if you fail to see any black space inbetween your joints on the xrays...it means you have no cartiledge left and possibly no synovial fluid left in your sacs...
Most ducks don't want to give patients more than one treatment of the synthetic synovial fluid...
I managed to get three cuz I told the different ducks I was seeing that I never had the stuff from other ducks...
Each time it lasted about a year...but...ya see I had a cartiledge removed in left knee when I was sixteen then reconstructive surgery on same knee in 77...then reconstructive surgery in right knee in 82 which led up to replacement in 99 right knee and 2004 left knee...... I wanted them to do them both in 99 at the same time but they would'nt.
I had such a lousey time with the first one that I had to wait five years to do the second one...
You don't want to know...some folks have a lot easier time than I.
Anyway....I had synvisc....then halcygen...then synvisc again...
I don't know what the horse guy is talking about...but I doubt you can grow back any cartiledge...esp when BB is eating it....
I hope I answered your questions...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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groovy2
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 6304
posted
Hi All
-Glucosmine Sulfate- helps in repairs cartlage--It really dose work--
Horse doctors have been using for over 25 yrs--
Seams like it works on about 80% of people who take it- Most feel results in a month or less--4 days for me-
I have used for about 12 years
When I started taking Glucosimine Sulfate my joints and tendions where in very bad shape-- Extreme pain 24x7
I am Sure it kept me from ending up in wheel chair--
Government study said it is effective for Oustio arthritus(spelling)
Costs around $12 month-- Buy at any store-
Make sure bottle Dose Not say HCL--it is cheaper but not as effective--
I take 2000mg a day- Its made from shellfish shells--Jay--
Posts: 2999 | From Austin tx USA | Registered: Oct 2004
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Andie333
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 7370
posted
I have had severe swelling and pain in my right knee. Prior to Lyme dx, I had my knee drained twice and shot with cortisone. That only made everything much worse.
Since starting treatment, the swelling and the pain have both diminished. Now, I'm able to cross my legs for a brief period, and just last week, I realized I could actually (finally) completely straighten out my right leg.
I don't know if progress has been bec. of abx, weekly acupuncture, glucosamine, foot pads or a combination.
I'm just glad to be making progress and so excited, Auntie, that these injections have gotten you walking again! That's great news!
Andie
Posts: 2549 | From never never land | Registered: May 2005
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Marnie
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 773
[ 09. January 2006, 05:22 AM: Message edited by: Marnie ]
Posts: 9481 | From Sunshine State | Registered: Mar 2001
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map1131
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 2022
posted
Aunty, you need to go dancing!!!!!!! Good for you.
Take care, Pam
-------------------- "Never, never, never, never, never give up" Winston Churchill Posts: 6495 | From Louisville, Ky | Registered: Jan 2002
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Thanks for the replies................can't go dancing yet, I do still have some days of stiffness and locking knees but nothing like before the shots.
Z Man,
Sounds like your knees have been thru the WAR. How are you doing since the knee replacements?
I wonder why you could not get repeated shots?? I assumed that I could go back every six months, NO??
Marnie, Thanks for posting the articles, how's the grandbaby?
Thanks again to everyone. aunty
Posts: 677 | From USA | Registered: Aug 2002
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Marnie
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 773
posted
Bb can't live on gelatin alone...as I said, incomplete protein. Unfortunately we can't live on "jello" alone either. So chuck that thought...darn. Still...looks like Nutrijoint might be helpful.
(Although I prefer my gelatin in Gummy form.)
The ability to move around again should help in so many ways! Make that CoQ10 as you "exercise"!!! Get that hydrogen into the cells. Yipee!
Going to see grandaughter soon! Taking the 4x4 filled with presents ;-) She's almost 2 now...saw a Christmas movie with the Peanuts characters...Snoopy was "Santa-dog!"
Despite a very rough beginning (preemie with problems), she is thriving. Very tall like daddy and has curly hair like mommy. Likes to cook and bake (pretend kitchen and food) like "Granny Gumdrops" (me).
Have a wonderful holiday!
Posts: 9481 | From Sunshine State | Registered: Mar 2001
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luvs2ride
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 8090
posted
Hi there,
I have read that the ketes eat the collegen in our joints. This is repairable. I'm not the expert, but I had a horse with a joint problem. I put her on oral Hyaluronic Acid which is supposed to be the best stuff out there for joints. It used to be only by injection, however, injecting your horses will eventually break down the joint. Oral application will not.
I am taking that as well as Aloe Vera Juice, calcium and natural joint supplements in an attempt to prevent permanent damage.
Talk with your doctor about supplements to repair and rebuild the damaged areas.
By the way, I don't get to ride my ponies as much these days but we rode today. It was Heaven!!
-------------------- When the Power of Love overcomes the Love of Power, there will be Peace. Posts: 3038 | From america | Registered: Oct 2005
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lpkayak
Honored Contributor (10K+ posts)
Member # 5230
posted
my ortho doc did the lap surgery on both my knees and says he cleaned up the cartilage as much as he could but there was hardly any left and i had severe arthritis and need replacements-by looking at the xrays he doesn't know how i am walking-sometimes i'm not-but if i take my cosamine ds and don't do stairs or walk more than my 60 min exercise walk (i mean-i can walk to care for myself-but not walk 3 hrs straight or jog or anything0---THEN I HAVE NO PAIN...in my knees any way-so at this point i am holding off on the replacements-i have so many other things to deal with-gotta put the worse fires out first
i do have to take the full dose of cosamine(supposeably you wean down to a lesser dose-but when i try i start to hurt again-also if i try any other brand)
well just my two cents-treat the lyme aggressively and don't forget the cosamine
-------------------- Lyme? Its complicated. Educate yourself. Posts: 13712 | From new england | Registered: Feb 2004
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bettyg
Unregistered
posted
Hi Marnie; hope you see this.
Could you edit your 2nd WEB SITE PAGE breaking it up into 2 lines vs. 1 long one causing it to go SUPER WIDE, and we chronic lymies can't toggle each line to read. Thanks for helping us all enjoy her post.
IP: Logged |
treepatrol
Honored Contributor (10K+ posts)
Member # 4117
posted
quote:Originally posted by auntybiotic1499: Hi All,
I have been unable to walk for about six months. I actually could barely crawl. I bought a walker on ebay and was destined to be in a wheel chair.
My knees would swell up like cantalopes and I would be unable to bend them and they would lock.
MRI showed two torn lateral miniscus. I was scheduled for surgery.
Thank GOD I went for a second opinion. After taking several x rays of my knees, I was told that I had severe arthritis. The second doctor did not think the torn miniscuses were the reason for my inability to walk.
He suggested 3 shots, spaced a wek apart in each knee of synvek (I am not sure of the spelling).
It is a thick viscious gel that is injected into the knee and adds cushion to the cartilidge for six months.
I was so desperate I would have tried anything.
I had my three shoots, it has been two weeks since my last shot, the third/
It is a miracle......I have gone from not being able to walk to the bathroom without holding onto the wall, not being able to grocery shop, not even able to go up the stairs in my house...................
Now I can do anything. Shop, carry heavy grocery bags, run up the steps, it is truly a miracle.
I never would have beieved that three little shots would change my life so dramatically.
Anyone suffering from pain and knee stiffness and locking knees from arthritis.................see your doctor and ask about synvek, the synthetic cartilidge replacement gel that is injected in the knee.
I will say that the shots do hurt but the results are well worth a few minutes of pain.
I am told that the results will last about 5 months........................no more stiffness, no pain, being able to walk again.......................MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!
aunty
SYNVISC is an FDA-approved therapy that provides lubrication for your knee. It also acts as a "shock absorber" to cushion your knee joint.
SYNVISC is an elastic and viscous fluid that is made from a substance called hyaluronan that is found in normal joint fluid. Hyaluronan acts as a "shock absorber" and lubricant in your knee joint and is needed for your joint to work properly. SYNVISC is indicated for the treatment of pain in osteoarthritis (OA) of the knee in patients who have failed to respond adequately to conservative nonpharmacologic therapy, and simple analgesics, e.g., acetaminophen.
SYNVISC is not a drug. It is made from a substance that is found in normal joint fluid and is injected directly into the knee joint.
-------------------- Do unto others as you would have them do unto you. Remember Iam not a Doctor Just someone struggling like you with Tick Borne Diseases.
lymie tony z
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 5130
posted
Sorry it took so long to get back to you anty.
The synthetic synovial fluid shots are kind of the last thing orthos use to relieve pain caused by continual bone on bone rubbing.
I was told that it was not tested for extended periods of time as you were suggesting. Perhaps they have changed that at this time, ask your ortho.
The initial pain and rehab of complete knee replacement is well worth experiencing. While it is difficult to do the rehab due to chronic fatigue it is extremely important to straighten and bend the muscle covering the knee in order to get full use of it again.
You probably will have some soft tissue pain for up to a year post surgery. However not nearly as bad as the swelling, stiffnes and constant ache type pain you are now experiencing. Do not go for the partial replacement as I know of several who wish they had'nt done that.
Hope this helps a little...anything else?
-------------------- 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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