LymeNet Flash: How many of you have just joint pain?

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»	LymeNet Flash » Questions and Discussion » General Support » How many of you have just joint pain?

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Topic: How many of you have just joint pain?

Hikin Mike
Member
Member # 6508

posted

I'm beginning to wonder if I have Lyme. It seems to me the majority of people have Neurological problems, but not too many complain of joint problems...or maybe I'm missing something.

I've been slowly getting worse since my initial diagnosis about a year ago. I have swollen knees and now require a walker to get around. I have no other symptoms. Now my doctor wants to treat me with Prednesone and I don't know what to do.

------------------
-Mike

Posts: 96 | From Atwater, Ca | Registered: Nov 2004 | IP: Logged |

Aniek
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 5374

posted

Mike,

For years most of my Lyme symptoms were joint and muscle related. In fact, for the first 4 years it was basically a swollen knee and lower back pain. I didn't realize the lower back pain was abnormal.

After 18 years, I never had any cognitive symptoms. I did have some neurological symptoms - nerve pain and nerve damage - but not until a couple years ago.

If you do have Lyme, prednisone will make it much, much worse. It lowers the immune system and helps the infection get stronger.

Posts: 4711 | From Washington, DC | Registered: Mar 2004 | IP: Logged |

treepatrol
Honored Contributor (10K+ posts)
Member # 4117

posted

I had joint pain with aches muscle soreness cramps when I worked mainly the first 10 yrs all on and off. It would come and go exchanging symptoms sometimes two at a time sometimes not.

Posts: 10564 | From PA Where the Creeks are Red | Registered: Jun 2003 | IP: Logged |

Hikin Mike
Member
Member # 6508

posted

My immune system is already very, very low. The doctors (major CA University) have never seen it that low. I've been doing monthly IVIG for almost a year now.

I think I'm going to have a second opinion from a doctor that is more Lyme litterate than these doctors.

------------------
-Mike

Posts: 96 | From Atwater, Ca | Registered: Nov 2004 | IP: Logged |

map1131
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 2022

posted

My first & only symptom was knee pain (no swelling), this went on for a year. Had no clue what was happening to my knees.

More blood sucking insects attacked me the following summer and it was three weeks later that all hell broke loose everywhere in my body.

Pam

Posts: 6495 | From Louisville, Ky | Registered: Jan 2002 | IP: Logged |

Andie333
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 7370

posted

Mike,
Like others have posted, my first symptoms were physiological. I was a walker, and about 18 months ago, I started having numbness in my right foot when I'd get to about the three-mile point. I went to chiropractors, podiatrists, rheumatologists and nobody could figure out what this was.
Then about 6 months ago, my right knee began to swell and ache, preventing me from walking without limping. I had MRIs, Xrays, had knee drained then shot up twice with cortisone. Went to a PT for awhile, then one of the best sports docs in the Phila. area. He sent me to another podiatrist and I spent $500 on orthotics that have turned out to be useless.
It was my acupuncturist who suggested I might have Lyme...and when I first looked at the symptoms, everything from the last three years suddenly made sense.
I found a LLMD in my area, and ended up testing positive for Lyme. Like you, my immune count is terrifyingly low. It's restricted my movements a lot. The doc was hopeful about my recovery (I'm taking oral abx) but said she was uncertain about my knee, because of the cortisone shots (which made things much much worse).
She recommended these Japanese detoxification foot pads. I've tried them, and little by little over the past six weeks, the swelling in my knee has begun to decrease. I can't walk yet without limping, but this has made me hopeful. If you'd like more info on these let me know. She said they don't work for everyone, but I'm convinced they're helping me.

Posts: 2549 | From never never land | Registered: May 2005 | IP: Logged |

Andie333
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 7370

posted

One more thing, Mike, since you're questioning your diagnosis: I had almost NO neurological symptoms until long after the physiological stuff. Recently, since taking the abx, it's been one symptomatic surprise after another!

Posts: 2549 | From never never land | Registered: May 2005 | IP: Logged |

janet thomas
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 7122

posted

Mike,

I'm not clear on this, could you explain a little further. Does your treatment consist of only IV IG or are you also taking antibiotics?

I had knee pain for 10+ years before the insomnia and cognitive problems began.

Posts: 2001 | From NJ | Registered: Mar 2005 | IP: Logged |

janet thomas
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 7122

posted

Mike,

I'm not clear on this, could you explain a little further. Does your treatment consist of only IV IG or are you also taking antibiotics?

I had knee pain for 10+ years before the insomnia and cognitive problems began.

Posts: 2001 | From NJ | Registered: Mar 2005 | IP: Logged |

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