posted
Hello, I was wondering for any information on effective treatments for Lyme arthritis? I've been going through Lyme for some time now, and I'm finding the arthritis-esque symptoms and tight, snappy tendon symptoms to be the most persistant.
I was wondering if any particular antibiotics are known to be particularly effective for this?? Also, anybody know any particular suppliments or anything that have helped them in their experience?
What I have found to be of no noticeable effect at all:
-glucosamine -cat's claw -milk thistle -the antibiotics I'm on (plaquenil, biaxin) ***these help with the neuro-symptoms tho -stretching exercises
What I have found to be slightly effective:
-extremely hot bathes (very temporary, but nice regardless) -inactivity (at least it doesn't hurt)
What I have found to be satisfactorily effective:
-nothing yet
How about everyone else??
--MDL
Posts: 18 | From Canada | Registered: Aug 2009
| IP: Logged |
Are you taking Magnesium? I think that is supposed to help.
As for antibiotics- I think it's different for everyone. If you search "lyme arthritis", you will find quite a bit of information.
Have you talked to your Dr. about trying different antibiotics, to see if they help more?
Posts: 503 | From Alberta, Canada | Registered: Jun 2009
| IP: Logged |
randibear
Honored Contributor (10K+ posts)
Member # 11290
posted
i am absolutely convinced that my sister's ra is lyme. they are changing her drug to some experimental stuff now.
i'm deeply concerned as she's been on so many steroids and now this.
they are even talking about gold treatments.
i wonder if just treating the lyme would make the ra go away?
-------------------- do not look back when the only course is forward Posts: 12262 | From texas | Registered: Mar 2007
| IP: Logged |
posted
My experience has been that the more I beat my Lyme infection into remission, the less arthritic pain I have.
I achieved a lot of relief after abx treatment, but it took a lot of time for me, and I've been reinfected and suffered big relapses over the years, so it's been quite a rolller coaster ride.
Each time I get the Lyme back under control, the pain lessened, but I think I've got some permanent damage in some joints now that makes totally eliminating the arthritis impossible.
What helped me most with arthritis pain was anti-inflammatories. Unfortunately, after years of downing so much Advil, Celebrex, and Naproxen, I developed a peptic ulcer that makes it impossible to take any NSAIDs anymore.
Talk to your doctor about which NSAIDs would be easiest on your tummy. Several doctors that I've consulted have told me Mobic works well and is least likely to cause stomach problems.
Posts: 962 | From Charleston | Registered: Jan 2002
| IP: Logged |
randibear
Honored Contributor (10K+ posts)
Member # 11290
posted
my sister is on enbrel. it's the one they're switching her from to something else.
-------------------- do not look back when the only course is forward Posts: 12262 | From texas | Registered: Mar 2007
| IP: Logged |
posted
Enbrel suppresses the immune system, not sure that is such a good idea with Lyme
Posts: 130 | From Central NY | Registered: Jul 2009
| IP: Logged |
glm1111
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 16556
posted
I have found that using herbal antiparasitics and salt/c to be extremely effective. My hands used to be swollen and red with cuts all over them. They are almost back to normal,
Gael
-------------------- PARASITES/WORMS ARE NOW RECOGNIZED AS THE NUMBER 1 CO-INFECTION IN LYME DISEASE BY ILADS* Posts: 6418 | From philadelphia pa | Registered: Jul 2008
| IP: Logged |
quote:Originally posted by Renee K: Enbrel suppresses the immune system, not sure that is such a good idea with Lyme [/QB]
NO KIDDING!!!!! What a bad idea!
Curamin, Rutozyme, Omega 3's .... aspirin, Motrin
Treatment for ALL coinfections like babesia and bartonella.
-------------------- --Lymetutu-- Opinions, not medical advice! Posts: 96222 | From Texas | Registered: Feb 2001
| IP: Logged |
Lymeorsomething
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 16359
posted
What about LDN? It's used at times for arthritis too I think....
-------------------- "Whatever can go wrong will go wrong." Posts: 2062 | From CT | Registered: Jul 2008
| IP: Logged |
Amanda
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 14107
posted
I have the same problem with arthritis, in my neck.
The only non precritpion type things that help at all are high doses of MSM. You have to build up slowly, because it will cause loose stools. It's not a miralcle cure, but 8 g of MSM a day does take the edge off. The crystal form is cheapest.
Doc told me that minocycline and doxycycline seem to help their arthitis patients a little more (but in my case am taking another drug to get rid of co-infection, and I can't take the tetracyline drugs with it). But also said everyone is different.
-------------------- "few things are harder to put up with than the annoyance of a good example" - Mark Twain Posts: 1008 | From US | Registered: Dec 2007
| IP: Logged |
EtherealGirl
Unregistered
posted
I have pain from arthritis so bad, I can only compare it to being in labor. It literally takes my breath away.
The ONLY thing that has helped are cortisone shots, which I know are a no-no. But at least I can walk.
I'm see my Lyme doc on the 24th to see about starting IV abx. My orthopedic surgeon told me that is the only thing that will help Lyme arthritis. Here's hoping!
IP: Logged |
losferwrds
Unregistered
posted
quote:Originally posted by Lymetoo:
quote:Originally posted by Renee K: Enbrel suppresses the immune system, not sure that is such a good idea with Lyme
NO KIDDING!!!!! What a bad idea!
Curamin, Rutozyme, Omega 3's .... aspirin, Motrin
Treatment for ALL coinfections like babesia and bartonella. [/QB]
RA is from your Immunesystem over reacting to the spiroketes, For instance, bugs hide in the knee joint, the Immune System knows its there, but not exactly where it is, so it essentially a-bombs the joint, like hiroshima, in cases like that you want to tone down your immune system to get some quality of life, LIKE WALKING. I personally know so one with lyme induced RA, ABX didn't cure it, embrel did. As a matter of fact her ILADS LLMD, a former pres of ilads, believes that the lyme is gone and is she essentially left with a auto-immune disorder prescribed it, something to think about for people with no CNS involvement. The IDSA is right to some extent but a month of ABX is way too short, but if you have been taking ABX for more than 2 years straight chances are they are no going to cure you and at some point you need to address symptoms which is what 99% of medicine is.
IP: Logged |
RDaywillcome
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 21454
posted
I would add that topical things (I use Aspercream) seem to be of benefit as well. My knees are horrid. I know how you feel.
Posts: 374 | From United States | Registered: Nov 2008
| IP: Logged |
posted
Thanks everyone, some of these I've already been trying, but I'm still fighting with it. Has anybody managed to go from horrible to "cured" or is this something I'm 100% definately going to have to live with?
Posts: 18 | From Canada | Registered: Aug 2009
| IP: Logged |
WildCondor
Unregistered
posted
It goes away once you do aggressive treatment, meaning strong enough doses of multiple antibiotics for long enough time! Keep at it, make sure your protocol is strong, and you hit all forms of Lyme, treat all co-infections and make sure you keep it up until you are cured! Don't stop just because some doctor says you are cured, they aren't you, only you know when you are truly cured. Keep fighting!
IP: Logged |
My knee was hurting a lot and I just did a treatment this morning for the first time in a long while, and I had a really big herx...bigger than the herxes all my expensive antibiotics give me.
It may not be a cure, but it is a good aid in Lyme therapy, imo.
Patti
Posts: 975 | From California | Registered: Apr 2007
| IP: Logged |
posted
Zyflammend is an over-the-counter anti-inflammatory that is a vitamin and herbal formulation. The results are not immediate but I do get relief.
Like others who have posted, my arthritis symptoms ( mostly knees, neck and back) have slowly improved with antibiotics (biaxiin, levaquin, mepron along with plaquenil).
Posts: 25 | From new york | Registered: Dec 2007
| IP: Logged |
posted
Haven't used it personally yet but might want to do some research into teasel root tincture. I've heard it helps but don't know first hand.
Posts: 215 | From Phoenix, AZ | Registered: Jul 2008
| IP: Logged |
posted
150mg clindamycin a couple times a day works for my swollen joints. Take it, they go down. Don't take it, they swell.
Posts: 13116 | From San Francisco | Registered: May 2006
| IP: Logged |
D Bergy
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 9984
posted
A Rife machine can help a lot with arthritis as it can clear out spirochetes in the joints.
My wife is pain free much of the time even though she has the arthritic type of Lyme.
LDN may also help a lot. It is an Arthritis treatment by itself, and certainly can help with the Lyme also.
Dan
Posts: 2919 | From Minnesota | Registered: Aug 2006
| IP: Logged |
GiGi
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 259
posted
Try transdermal magnesium oil - see my earlier posts - and try Jarrosil - an activated silic you can rub into the areas several times a day. Also take the drops.
We may have been taking 800 mg magnesium and are still mag deficient. Large amounts go through way too fast and is not in the tract long enough to be absorbed. Not so Mag chloride in the dermal Magnesium Oil has much better absorption. It will take a while to bring levels up, but it will pay off in the long run.
Take care.
Don't expect instant relief - there is no such thing except via a pain pill.
Posts: 9834 | From Washington State | Registered: Oct 2000
| IP: Logged |
posted
I've been using some of the arthritis frequencies on my Rife machine. There is a general one for osteoarthritis, and one for knees--I put the machine in front of my knees for that one.
Also, magnesium oil, as GiGi mentioned, and a topical homeopathic gel with arnica and other ingredients.
Rhus tox homeopathic pellets seem to help a lot, but since I'm doing the AI drops now, I'm trying not to use oral homeopathics.
I have a hand-held infrared photonic stimulator that helps with joint pain and as well as pain in nearby muscles and connective tissue.
My chiropractor uses a hand-held pulsed laser on my worst arthritis pain areas. It also has red LED and infrared. It's helping a lot.
Also, massage for muscle balancing, stretches to keep the joints limber and the muscles and tendons looser.
Take care, Nutmeg
Posts: 386 | From WA state | Registered: May 2005
| IP: Logged |
Amanda
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 14107
posted
How are your overall immune counts?
Mine are always really low, and so I have to be careful about anything that might suppress them more, even herbal stuff.
Have you tried Plaquenil?
-------------------- "few things are harder to put up with than the annoyance of a good example" - Mark Twain Posts: 1008 | From US | Registered: Dec 2007
| IP: Logged |
luvs2ride
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 8090
posted
I have lyme induced rheum. arthritis and initially it was in every joint and I was housebound with pain.
I can tell you absolutely, unconditionally that changing my diet made a 50% improvement in inflammation and pain. That was before I started any of the other treatments.
Today, I am painfree and I ride horses so I put painfree to the test.
Diet is essential. What you eat can create inflammation or it can eliminate it. Also, when your body is sick, you develop food sensitivities which cause inflammation and pain.
www.drmcdougall.com is a great place to start. He has an article titled "Hope for Arthritis".
His vegan lowfat diet is the one that reduced my pain and swelling by 50% and it did so in only 2 weeks. That is not very long to try something to see if it will help you too.
After that, I found a doctor to test me for food sensitivities. He used the ALCAT test. www.alcat.com It turned out that some healthy foods I was eating regularly were not healthy for me. Cutting out those foods cut down the pain even more.
I have done many other things since then to help eliminate the sources of my arthritis and all have worked, but I continue to eat a very careful diet (no longer vegan) and avoid the foods that are not good for me.
Initially, my RA caused herboden's nodules on 3 fingers. These nodules were very painful and deforming. When my LLMD increased my Vit D3 to 5000 IU daily, those nodules began to shrink and today are gone on 1 finger, nearly gone on another and barely noticeable on the 3rd. They have shrunk 2/3 in size and my rheumatologist said that this NEVER happens.
I credit my good diet and supplementation to that. If the body is nourished properly it can heal itself. Add optimum nutrition to medical protocols and the bugs don't stand a chance.
-------------------- When the Power of Love overcomes the Love of Power, there will be Peace. Posts: 3038 | From america | Registered: Oct 2005
| IP: Logged |
The Lyme Disease Network is a non-profit organization funded by individual donations. If you would like to support the Network and the LymeNet system of Web services, please send your donations to:
The
Lyme Disease Network of New Jersey 907 Pebble Creek Court,
Pennington,
NJ08534USA http://www.lymenet.org/
UBBFriend: Email this page to someone!
Printer-friendly view of this topic