Truthfinder
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 8512
posted
I can't seem to get a clear answer about this when I research it online.
I get references and correlations between Lyme and "collagen-vascular" diseases. And aren't collagen-vascular diseases just a fancy way of saying "connective tissue" disorders, since collagen is the basis for everything from cartilage to the elasticity in our skin.
And haven't I read on this board that Lyme attacks the collagen in our tissues?
Anybody have any thoughts or links on this?
All I know is that it feels like my personal connective tissue is turning to concrete.
Tracy
-------------------- Tracy .... Prayers for the Lyme Community - every day at 6 p.m. Pacific Time and 9 p.m. Eastern Time � just take a few moments to say a prayer wherever you are�. Posts: 2966 | From Colorado | Registered: Dec 2005
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5dana8
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Member # 7935
posted
I have read that lyme attacks the conncetive tissues.
-------------------- 5dana8 Posts: 4432 | From some where over the rainbow | Registered: Sep 2005
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Aniek
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 5374
posted
I definitely believe Lyme can be a connective tissue disorder. I was diagnosed with tendinitis before Lyme and have repeated tendon pain as a major symptom.
I also have an extremely tight IT Band, which is fibrous tissue that runs down the outer thigh. I'm not sure if this is connective tissue or not.
Exercise is very important to healing Lyme, and extremely important if any of your soft tissue is tigthening. I am personally a huge fan of yoga and think it has worked miracles on my pain. I do it 4-6 times a week.
Below is a link to Dr. B's guidelines. The section on rehabilitation discusses his recommendations for phsyical therapy and exercise.
posted
I have what I describe as systemic tendinitis (knees, elbows, shoulders, and back are the worst offenders). In addition, my thumbs and fingers are loose, meaning they hyperextend easily. I attribute all of this to connective tissue problems.
I believe Buhner in his "Healing Lyme" book talks about the lyme/collagen connection.
Posts: 16 | From Ohio | Registered: Sep 2006
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posted
I've had a ton of connective-tissue problems for many years now. I have "chronic myofascial pain" which is a lumpiness and pain and trigger points in the fascial tissue -- terrible, miserable stuff, and I'm sure it is from the lyme.
Also quite a few tendon problems over the years. Not going anywhere close to the quinolone (sp?) abx, thanks to you wonderful folks and the warnings re: tendons.
I read the above-referenced thread about a "lyme look" -- oh, yes! My first appt with my LLNP she commented that I had the same look as a lot of her lyme patients -- glassy, squinty eyes, puffy face (puffy everything! I had put on almost 40 lbs in less than a year) -- greyish, pallor, blotchy redness in places from cytokines -- Not a lovely sight!!! I've had lyme for at least 20 years (and very likely since birth), but only took a real faceplant into disabling illness about 2 years ago.
After 8 months of aggressive tx, I look a heck of a lot better. Unless herxing, the glassy eyes are mostly gone -- complexion better, extra weight almost entirely gone now.
My skin is suffering, though. It is saggy -- and the weight ups and downs haven't helped with that.
-------------------- "Looks like freedom but it feels like death.. It's something in between, I guess"
Leonard Cohen, from the song "Closing Time" Posts: 822 | From California | Registered: Jan 2006
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TerryK
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 8552
posted
Buhner does say that the ketes cause a great deal of destruction to collagenous tissue throughout the body. According to Buhner, Bb swims through tissue easier than through blood. He includes a protocol for supporting collagenous tissue (pg 137-144).
Buhner states that the ketes cannot metabolize many substances on their own so they break down collagenous tissue in order to make a kind of soup that they can feed on. He say's that normally they don't remove collagens faster than the host can replace them but we are a newer species in the scheme of things and at this point they tend to remove more collagen than most of us can stand and still remain healthy. (pg 72-73)
My connective tissue is a mess and I've had lyme for over 45 years. Years ago, during my pregnancy, the doctor kept making remarks about how my tissues were "friable" causing them to be fragile and tear easily. Just last year my dentist made comments that my tissues tear very easily and don't look normal.
When I had my final relapse into disability, I very rapidly developed what looked like cellulite everywhere, even in places that one would not normally get cellulite, like the top of the shoulders. I was thin at the time and it was very noticible. My doctor had no idea what it was. My guess is that it was caused by the infiltration of my connective tissues with Bb where they quickly broke down my tissues to feed on. I also developed massive fluid retention at that time. In my view, another indication that my connective tissues were infected.
Before I was sure that I had lyme I decided to try samento. Via muscle testing I found that I needed huge amounts of collagen just to remain physically stable. At the time I didn't know why but found that I felt a lot better when I remained on collagen supplements.
I have some places on my arms that are very lumpy and then all of a sudden there will be a deep crevice where there is a marked lack of tissue. I am convinced that Buhner is correct in his assessment of the ketes affect on our connective tissue.
I have come to believe that connective tissue support is essential for those of us with lyme, especially during treatment. As the bugs die, we need to rebuild our connective tissue. Terry
Posts: 6286 | From Oregon | Registered: Jan 2006
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Truthfinder
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 8512
posted
Thank you, dana, for posting those links - very helpful.
Aniek, very much stretching for me is just OUT. I ruined my wrist tendons by trying to stretch them and increase my range of motion. Now, if I reach around to scratch my back, my wrist will pop out of joint - and all that was from some mild stretching! Other areas are affected, as well - mostly in my back.
It has been awhile since I read Dr. B's recommendations on therapy and exercise, so I need to check that out again.
Chetesrus and Minimonkey, I can relate to what you both are saying - and I was diagnosed with CMP, also.
Interesting that Buhner writes about this in his book..... I will get that book one of these days.
Terry, you are describing ME. The whole cellulite thing, too, at least in my lower-half. I've tried collagen supplements and they just constipate me, so I quit.
I'm taking a different approach now - Vitamin C. I'm learning that Vit C is really critical to tissues, and especially the collagen-based tissues, which is everything from tendons to bone. I think Luvs2ride just posted about this.
Anyway, thanks for the responses. Even if Lyme isn't necessarily classified as a connective tissue disease, it certainly fits into that category.
Tracy
-------------------- Tracy .... Prayers for the Lyme Community - every day at 6 p.m. Pacific Time and 9 p.m. Eastern Time � just take a few moments to say a prayer wherever you are�. Posts: 2966 | From Colorado | Registered: Dec 2005
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