posted
We are inbetween Dr's. and my 18 year old's back is unbearable. Has anyone had any success treating lyme related back pain? What has worked? Do you have a good dr you can refer? We have tried so many different things. Help!
Posts: 38 | From Seattle | Registered: Nov 2008
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posted
Oh yes! My herxing likes to land on my back!!! I use horse linament - really, Absorbine gel. But when it's really bad, apply a Lydacaine (sp) patch directly where it hurts and wait it out. Your doctor will need to RX the patch. -p
Posts: 641 | From So. CA | Registered: May 2008
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kelmo
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 8797
posted
The Lidacain patches aren't touching my daughter's pain.
You may want to insist on an MRI. We did and found that every disk in her back is bulging, and she is beginning to form a syrinx.
Not to say that's your problem, but ask your LLMD to help.
We are hoping that her continued treatment will ease this problem, but something needs to be done NOW.
posted
kelmo, What is a syrnix? We are inbetween Dr.s at the moment. Thanks for input! hang in there too.. It is a nightmare when it is your child.
Posts: 38 | From Seattle | Registered: Nov 2008
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kelmo
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 8797
posted
you can look it up. It's a pocket of spinal fluid that develops from a blockage in the spine
It's also called Syringomyelia
Posts: 2903 | From AZ | Registered: Feb 2006
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posted
I've had serious back pain with my lyme. It was my first symtpom. I take a muscle relaxant flexeril and it sure helps.
Barb
Posts: 281 | From san francisco | Registered: Jun 2006
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bettyg
Unregistered
posted
what helped my back/neck before i became extremely allergic to chlorine in swimming pools/saunas was using JETS directly on those PAINFUL areas; really helped sooth those aching muscles.
temporary ... but delightful! i use frozen ice packs on my bed all day/night when i'm sitting up at computer/watching tv on couch.
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Shosty
Unregistered
posted
I would not assume that this is from Lyme, although it might be. Make sure to get an MRI done. Maybe seen a spine specialist, often in their own spine centers or w/orthopedic/sports medicine docs.
If other problems are found, it is also possible that the Lyme has migrated and settled in where there is trouble, because, we have been told, the bacteria are attracted to inflammation and sites of trauma.
Could also be muscle. Have you taken him to chiropractor or for massage, or is touch impossible?
This might be something that is addressable through mainstream med, and also could be helped some by alternatives. Treating it as Lyme, only, could delay solutions.
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David95928
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Member # 3521
posted
Using a sauna for detoxification (multiple times with cool showers in between), a hot tub for relaxation, and massage (or any combination thereof) might help. They help me.
-------------------- Dave Posts: 2034 | From CA | Registered: Jan 2003
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posted
Thanks for reply. My son has tried accupunture, 2 different types of massage, steams, saunas, whirlpools (they help a bit) and percocet RX. He has not had a MRI done in the back area. It is getting much worse.
Will try some of the ideas. Let me know if you think of anything else. It has become unbearable.
J
Posts: 38 | From Seattle | Registered: Nov 2008
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Carol in PA
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Member # 5338
posted
I wonder if a far-infrared heating pad would help.
I bought one of these as soon as I found out about it, and used it on my persistent back ache.
The farinfrared increases the bloodflow to the area, speeding the healing and relieving pain.
I got the Thermotex Platinum, which has three panels. I lay on it to treat my low back, and I also bent it around my knee.
I was using it for an hour or two per day, and eventually stopped after six weeks or so, because I didn't have the pain anymore.
quote: Thermotex deep tissue infrared heat therapy delivers prolonged heat where it is most needed. This effectively increases blood flow into the targeted area to deliver nutrients and oxygen and to keep tissues healthy while eliminating waste and easing inflammation.
This is not like a regular heating pad. Although you could probably get treatments like this at a clinic, having one to use whenever you need to relieve muscle spasm or aches and pains makes it a bargain.
Carol
p.s. I bought mine from the company in Canada, but I see that it's now available from several other places too. You can also buy it through Amazon.com
Posts: 6956 | From Lancaster, PA | Registered: Feb 2004
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Shosty
Unregistered
posted
A chiropractor could do a really good job of evaluating, I would think. MRI's can be hard to get from MD's (they like CT scans, because they are cheaper, but the radiation is very high). Maybe the chiropractor could get an MRI order for your son, after evaluating him.
I have 3 fraactures in my back and 3 places on my spine where bone is indenting the cord. The chiropractor got me on the way to diagnosis, after multiple visits to my family doctor, who did not understand at all what was going on. Spine doctors tend to focus on whether surgery or medication is needed, and, in my case, neither one was.
I am now seeing a physiatrist (Pain mgmt. doctor) at a rehab center. If your son were to go to any major hospital or rehab center, there are pain mgmt. clinics. My daughter also went to one when she was in middle school.
A pain mgmt. center usually has an evaluation, 2-3 hours long, with a physiatrist, a psychologist or psychiatrist w/expertise in pain mgmt., and a PT/OT team. The best ones have access to a lot of alternatives, and don't just do meds, but they can also help w/meds in a crisis.
Overall, I was not happy with my daughter's pain clinic, but have been very, very happy with the one I am going to at the rehab. Along with physical therapy, I am doing "energy work" which is very interesting. These folks are open to Lyme, and, in general, to the mystery that can be part of certain ailments. They are not concerned with belittling, only with healing.
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