posted
Hi - I've heard that it is, and I deal with it. I get regular adjustments from a chiropractor who specializes in low back/pelvic adjusting, and he knows how to stop the pain. As I am in the same city as you, I think I'll give you a call! -- Posts: 13116 | From San Francisco | Registered: May 2006
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posted
Barb - I would try acupuncture. It really helps a good portion of sciatica sufferers. I have a sister who has Lyme induced sciatica, and when it acts up, she has to get acupuncture with electrostem and it helps her a lot. Sometimes she combines it with gentle chiropractic treatments.
Good luck and I am sorry you are in such pain! Hopefully it will get better soon.
Posts: 588 | From Rhode Island | Registered: Jun 2006
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My 75 year old next door neighbor got sick at the same time I did. She was lucky enough to have full bullseye & a positive Elisa & WB. She took 3 mos abx, relapsed exactly one year later & took another 3 mos abx. Well known Dr. G. in NJ was her doc.
Three weeks ago, almost another year later, she had back surgery, for issues which started with 'extreme pain from sciatica'. I, of course, have been wondering if it is really the LD, never cured & back at strength.
So, interesting thread for me.
otm
Posts: 314 | From east coast | Registered: Oct 2007
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posted
Sciatica is vitamin D deficiency until proven otherwise. It commonly affects pregnant women because the placenta actively pulls Vit. D from the mother to convert it into 1,25 dihydroxy vit. D and give it to the fetus, who needs it for proper cellular growth and differentiation. Lymies get sciatica because their immune systems are under stress and consume D very rapidly...Some lymies will have dramatic reversal of symptoms when they supplement correctly with D, others will have more symptoms, and their response to supplementation must be explained to figure out how to raise the D level if it is low, but the 25 hydroxy D level must be known before starting supplementation in a lyme patient...
Posts: 442 | From Biddeford, ME | Registered: Nov 2007
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lymebytes
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 11830
posted
My husband! He has had 2 back surgeries in the last 15 years and then dx with Ld. Nothing relieved his sciatica until he started Bicillin, which has been amazing for his back and knees.
Blame it on Lyme especially if you have had previous back problems, Lyme migrates to "injured" areas where we are weak.
posted
I had terrible sciatica and ended up having back surgery as well. It was following an accident and 5 months prior to dx. I had a terrible recovery with other/additional nerve issues following surgery.
As we know Bb loves our injured areas! I already had a pre existing condition so it is difficult to say either way. However, I can say that I belive the Lyme aggravated this issue far worse than it actually was.
Since starting tx my back symptoms have diminished greatly. Big difference! It may not be the ONLY factor but I do belive it is a big one in the mix!!!
-------------------- Seeking renewed health & vitality. --------------------------------- Do not take anything I say as medical advice - I am NOT a dr! Posts: 830 | From TN | Registered: Aug 2007
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Several different lumbar spine (low back) disorders can cause sciatica. Sciatica is often described as mild to intense pain in the left or right leg. Sciatica is caused by compression of one or more of the five sets of nerve roots in the lower back.
Sometimes doctors call sciatica a radiculopathy. Radiculopathy is a medical term used to describe pain, numbness, tingling, and weakness in the arms or legs caused by a nerve root problem. If the nerve problem is in the neck, it is called a cervical radiculopathy. However, since sciatica affects the low back, it is called a lumbar radiculopathy.
Pathways to Sciatic Nerve Pain Five sets of paired nerve roots in the lumbar spine combine to create the sciatic nerve. Starting at the back of the pelvis (sacrum), the sciatic nerve runs from the back, under the buttock, and downward through the hip area into each leg.
Nerve roots are not 'solitary' structures but are part of the body's entire nervous system capable of transmitting pain and sensation to other parts of the body. Radiculopathy occurs when compression of a nerve root from a disc rupture or bone spur occurs in the lumbar spine prior to it joining the sciatic nerve
Sciatic Nerve Compression Several different types of spinal disorders can cause spinal nerve compression and sciatica or lumbar radiculopathy. The six most common are: (1) a bulging or herniated disc (2) lumbar spinal stenosis (3) spondylolisthesis (4) trauma (5) piriformis syndrome, and (6) spinal tumors. Each condition is briefly explained.
(1) Lumbar Bulging or Herniated Disc A bulging disc is also known as a contained disc disorder. This means the gel-like center (nucleus pulposus) remains 'contained' within the tire-like outer wall (annulus fibrosus) of the disc. A herniated disc occurs when the nucleus breaks through the annulus.
It is called a 'non-contained' disc disorder. Whether a disc bulges or herniates, disc material can press against an adjacent nerve root and compress delicate nerve tissue and cause sciatica. The consequences of a herniated disc are worse. Not only does the herniated nucleus cause direct compression of the nerve root against the interior of the bony spinal canal, but the disc material itself also contains an acidic, chemical irritant (hyaluronic acid) that causes nerve inflammation. In both cases, nerve compression and irritation cause inflammation and pain, often leading to extremity numbness, tingling, and muscle weakness.
(2) Lumbar Spinal Stenosis Spinal stenosis is a nerve compression disorder most often affecting mature people. Leg pain similar to sciatica may occur as a result of lumbar spinal stenosis.
The pain is usually positional, often brought on by activities such as standing or walking and relieved by sitting down. Spinal nerve roots branch outward from the spinal cord through passageways called neural foramina comprised of bone and ligaments.
Between each set of vertebral bodies, located on the left and right sides, is a foramen. Nerve roots pass through these openings and extend outward beyond the spinal column to innervate other parts of the body. When these passageways become narrow or clogged causing nerve compression, the term foraminal stenosis is used.
(3) Spondylolisthesis Spondylolisthesis is a disorder that most often affects the lumbar spine. It is characterized by one vertebra slipping forward over an adjacent vertebra. When a vertebra slips and is displaced, spinal nerve root compression occurs and often causes sciatic leg pain. Spondylolisthesis is categorized as developmental (found at birth, develops during childhood) or acquired from spinal degeneration, trauma or physical stress (i.e. weightlifting).
(4) Trauma Sciatica can result from direct nerve compression caused by external forces to the lumbar or sacral spinal nerve roots. Examples include motor vehicle accidents, falling down, football and other sports. The impact may injure the nerves or occasionally fragments of broken bone may compress the nerves.
(5) Piriformis Syndrome Piriformis syndrome is named for the piriformis muscle and the pain caused when the muscle irritates the sciatic nerve. The piriformis muscle is located in the lower part of the spine, connects to the thighbone, and assists in hip rotation.
The sciatic nerve runs beneath the piriformis muscle. Piriformis syndrome develops when muscle spasms develop in the piriformis muscle thereby compressing the sciatic nerve. It may be difficult to diagnose and treat due to the lack of x-ray or MRI findings.
(6) Spinal Tumors Spinal tumors are abnormal growths that are either benign or cancerous (malignant). Fortunately, spinal tumors are rare. However, when a spinal tumor develops in the lumbar region, there is a risk for sciatica to develop as a result of nerve compression.
If you think you may be suffering from sciatica, contact a spine specialist in your community. The first step toward relieving pain is a proper diagnosis!
-------------------- Take Care, DakotasMom01 Posts: 371 | From NJ | Registered: Dec 2007
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"Blame it on Lyme especially if you have had previous back problems, Lyme migrates to "injured" areas where we are weak."
Thanks, Lymebytes. Great insight (in my case and many, many others I'm convinced). If only the mainstream medical people understood this very basic fact.
My degenerating disks (especially at L5-S1) were attacked by lyme 2 years after the initial infection. A very strong injection of rochephin apparently chased the bacteria into the spine. Neither the initial Lyme nor the chronic Lyme had been diagnosed at that time.
Once in the spine, my L5 and adjacent nerves which exit the spine bilaterally were attacked.
The results were:
1. Severe low back pain 2. Severe bilateral knee pain 3. Bilateral numbness, tingling, and weakness from the knees to the feet on the outside of both legs.
My leg symptoms exactly lie between the deep and superficial peroneal nerves on the outsides of the lower legs.
If you trace the deep and superficial peroneal nerves back to the spine, you will see that the L5 and S1 nerves have to be the origin of my symptoms.
If you want to be frustrated, try to find a dr or even a neurosurgeon who would even entertain such an idea.
Posts: 175 | From Colorado | Registered: Feb 2007
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posted
I feel so sorry for those with a sciatica problem. I never had a back problem until LYME became full blown in my body.
It put me to the ground for 4 weeks, and therapy for another 6 weeks.
I know LYME was the cause, same as many other symptons thru out my body. I hate LYME!
Posts: 108 | From maryland | Registered: Sep 2007
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lymeladyinNY
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 10235
posted
This is an interesting thread.
I grew up on a farm and at age 14 developed severe sciatica. I blamed it on heavy lifting. At age 19 I developed hypothyroidism. In my early 20's I developed fibro symptoms and tinnitus.
My Lyme doctor has insisted since I met her that I've had Lyme since I was a kid. I've always tended to doubt it, but then I learn more and more that a lot of symptoms I suffered with when younger can be attributed to Lyme.
Hmmm.
-------------------- I want to be free Posts: 1170 | From Endicott, NY | Registered: Sep 2006
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posted
It is very very interresting. Like you when I was young I had syptomes of LYME. Bad headaches, sore muscles, trouble reading and learning in school.
As I grew older, knee problems and 4 operations, the tearing of the right archilles tendon and the left tendon 2 years later.
Last year LYME took my body over, and I call it Full Blown. My LLMD says that the above is all LYME related and now I have the answer to the questions that doctors would ask when getting treatment for uncalled for injuries.
Posts: 108 | From maryland | Registered: Sep 2007
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quote:Originally posted by DoctorLuddite: Sciatica is vitamin D deficiency until proven otherwise. ...Some lymies will have dramatic reversal of symptoms when they supplement correctly with D,
I hope you're right! I've been supplementing with Vitamin D for about 3 months. I don't recall any major flares since then.
hmmmmm....sure hope so!
-------------------- --Lymetutu-- Opinions, not medical advice! Posts: 96222 | From Texas | Registered: Feb 2001
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klutzo
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 5701
posted
I have my 25OD level checked every six months. It ranges from 41 to 47, depending on the time of year. I take 1,000 units of D3 daily and get some limited sun.
I have constant low back trouble, which started out of the blue the first day I began using a treadmill for exercise several years ago. I thought it would go away as I got used to the machine....wrong!
The diagnosis is spinal stenosis, bone spurs at L-3, L-4 and L-5, L-5 too close to my sacrum, piriformis syndrome and ileopsoas syndrome.
Physical therapy exercises performed faithfully seven days per week, first thing in the morning, some of them in my bed before I even get up, are what has helped the most by far.
I've found the ileopsoas exercises to be the most helpful for preventing severe flares that lead me to require an elevated commode seat and grab bar, sometimes forcing me to have cortiosne IM to function at all, a disaster for Lyme.
I also get relief from a spray called Cryoderm, which I buy from a Chiro.
I definitely blame this on the problem of getting adequate exercise with Lyme. I earlier developed cervical radiculopathy and DDD at C-6 and C-7 from using a ski machine. I must still do PT exercises daily to keep this problem controlled as well and avoid surgery.
All of this happened when my dx was FMS, before I knew I really had Lyme. With a dx of FMS, I was being told aerobics was key to improvement, so I worked hard at it with disastrous results. Exercise is essential to keeping this under control, but it is the right kind of exercise that counts.
I have "talked" to several other Lymies who thought they had sciatica when it really turned out to be piriformis and/or ileopsoas syndrome.
If your "sciatica" pain only goes to the knee and stops, it may be piriformis. If you have groin pain as well it may be ileopsoas. Both can cause trochanteric pain.
A Chiro can ususally differentiate between these and offer helpful exercises. PT can also teach the proper stretches to help them, and acupuncture helps too. Massage also helps these problems, since they are due to muscles pressing on nerves, not the nerves themselves.
Klutzo
Posts: 1269 | From Clearwater, Florida, USA | Registered: May 2004
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posted
Of the list that Dakotasmom listed about what causes sciatica, I would venture to say that mine is from piriformis compression.
My chiropractor fixes my pelvic area about once a week, altho the area is very unstable and gets fixed more often if I get majorly jolted.
I also stretch the entire area in the swimming pool. In fact, I developed my own pool stretch therapy for it before I ever knew it was Lyme.
All I knew is that I had just flunked physical therapy and wanted to see if I could get anywhere with pool stretching. I did - I brought the pain in the area down bigtime. Like from a 9 to a 2, I'd say, on a pain scale.
This occurred over about nine months, once a week. It took time to get the muscles to stretch out. I wore a torso belt and a snorkle and mask. And did light lap-swimming inbetween the stretches, which I did for any and all tight muscles.
Posts: 13116 | From San Francisco | Registered: May 2006
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lymednva
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 9098
posted
Robin, I think mine is caused by the same thing. My massage therapist works on that area when I see her.
Last week I had a real flare up of sciatica and could barely walk for three days. A couple of times my hips almost gave out on me, the pain was so bad, and I do take pain meds!
-------------------- Lymednva Posts: 2407 | From over the river and through the woods | Registered: Apr 2006
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2roads
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 4409
posted
Hi Everyone.
I'm not sure if this topic for my son shouldn't go under general as i do not know if it's Lyme, but he was a Lyme under doc J.
I'm posting because I went on a spine site to post and felt like a fish out of water (missed this site), and the topic seems to be part of our symptoms.
I talked to Doc J yesterday. We are taking my 5 year old to APed ortho in Indy on Monday. I'm to update him then.
My son seems to have sciattica. Pain down middle of back rt leg. Especially worse behind knee.
Lower back pain also, just below mid back in the middle of spine and slightly over to rt. generl ped took x-rays, inflamation blood, organ function of kidney and liver blood, and regular blood count. All normal.
He is hyper flexive and has a lordosis like posture. He is still getting around. Arches his back, kicks his legs up like a mule, and runs and walks.
However, he is very uncomfortable sitting back in his car seat, favoring the rt side. Same at dinner on chair. We went to see Stomp the other night and he would not sit back in chair. He sat on edge, arched his back, jumped a little up and down and raised his arme up to applaud the production frequently.
He's had this pain two months now. Seems that a swim flip playing in the pool may have initiated it......but why hasn't it gone away.
Doc J didn't feel TBD's. I'm horrified about disk problems even though he's so young.
If anyone has any ideas, I'd welcome it. The vit D thread was interesting. I'm not doing surgery or chiro at his age.
Best to all-
2 roads
Posts: 2214 | From West Chester, PA | Registered: Aug 2003
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posted
I had back surgey about 13 yrs ago L 4/5. Since being diagnosticed with lyme my lower back is killing me. CAn't do any fun activities. No golf tennis or even play catch. I really feel the lyme is just hanging out in my lower back causing the pain. Wish i knew what to do to get rid of the pain.
The harder you work the luckier you get! Posts: 965 | From Nebraska Cornhuskers fan in Massachusetts | Registered: Dec 2007
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2roads
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 4409
posted
Thanks so much for your email northstar.
I guess you are correct. I didn't realise a chiropractor could be less invasive and work on things as you say.
I don't know if there is someone like that here, but I will do some homework.
My ortho appointment is Monday, and I will look into this. I'm sure Jakey would love the rrrrrrr-rrrrrrr-rrrrrrr too.
For those who are hurting I realise just how complicated this is. There's so many potential causes. I remember taking care of my son at 5 moths old and something just failed me. I couldn't walk for 5 days without excruciating pain. I had to crawl on the floor to transport my son. I got mad and stood straight up screaming in pain on the last day. Walked deliriously across the room and by the end of that hour it was gone. I have no idea what it was.
Thanks Again-
2 roads
Posts: 2214 | From West Chester, PA | Registered: Aug 2003
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posted
Interesting discussion -- there's much more validation to the notion of the spine being a "spongey magnet" for bugs. This site for spine patients has some research on this very subject:
It seems that many spine patients are afflicted with Lyme and relation co-infections...
-------------------- My biofilm film: www.whyamistillsick.com 2004 Mycoplasma Pneumonia 2006 Positive after 2 years of hell 2006-08 Marshall Protocol. Killed many bug species 2009 - Beating candida, doing better Lahey Clinic in Mass: what a racquet! Posts: 830 | From Mass. | Registered: Aug 2006
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Thanks for the great info on the possible links between disk disease and infection. What a shame that mainstream medicine allows people to suffer and waste away with idiotic misdiagnoses, and even worse, the neurosurgeries which ruin lives.
Unfortunately, before knowing about Lyme and TBDs, my condition worsened about 50% because of an epidural steroid injection in the lumbar spine. I was lucky enough to figure out enough on my own to avoid any further invasive procedures or surgeries.
The stupidity of some drs is monumental. When I asked a neurosurgeon what would explain the bilateral pain in my knees and lower legs, he told me I probably had osteoarthritis in both knees. Even then I knew that was ridiculous and subsequent MRIs showed no damage whatsoever.
Thanks very much.
Posts: 175 | From Colorado | Registered: Feb 2007
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A couple of times my hips almost gave out on me, the pain was so bad, and I do take pain meds!
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