posted
Do all people with Lyme have abnormal MRI's or is this another test that just comes up "normal?" Just wondering since Lyme attacks the nervous system too if it shows up or not.
Also, how is exercise tolerated when one has Lyme?
Thanks, Cutie
-------------------- Cutie Posts: 125 | From Atlanta | Registered: Dec 2005
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lymeloco
Unregistered
posted
Hi Cutie,
I can't speak for anyone else, but my mri was abnormal, and also a decrease blood flow with the spect scan.
I power walk every other day for thirty minutes. It does seem to aggravate symptoms, but I know it's ticking the bacteria off, which gives me more insentive.
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Michelle M
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 7200
posted
Hi Cutie.
My MRI showed multiple brain lesions. However, I was blessed with a bad case of neuroborreliosis and a body which was pretty much unaffected.
The majority of people with Lyme will have normal MRI's. That is why a normal MRI CANNOT rule out Lyme. If a SPECT scan were done, many would show decreased perfusion, or cerebral blood flow, to areas of their brains. Thus accounting for the 'brain fog' often complained of.
Borrelia are anaerobic bacteria. They are most happy where there is little oxygen. Therefore, they prefer us to get no exercise. However, we must fight them and try! This is hard if you feel like warmed-over crapola and want to crawl under some covers with exhaustion. (!)
Now. I should get on my treadmill. But I am thinking about taking a short nap. :-)
Michelle
Posts: 3193 | From Northern California | Registered: Apr 2005
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Andie333
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 7370
posted
I've tested CDC positive for Lyme but just a month or so before my dx, I had a brain MRI done, because of the persistent and recurrent numbness in my arm and foot.
It showed absolutely no abnormalities at all. Or, as the neuro duck said: Okay, well, you seem to be absolutely fine.
Right.
In terms of exercise, most of my Lyme has manifested physiologically. I'm still too sore and in too much pain to exercise.
I'm looking forward to it, though. Before I got really sick, I was walking several miles a day and swimming almost a mile 5 or 6 times a week.
Now, just the thought of that is painful!
Andie
Posts: 2549 | From never never land | Registered: May 2005
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minoucat
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 5175
posted
Exercise of some sort (gentle movement and streching at a minimum) is always recommended, but aerobic exercise is not always the best idea at some stages of illness. Here's burrascano's take on it -- my own experience leads me to agree with him
*************** Despite antibiotic treatments, patients will NOT return to normal unless they exercise! This is because in most cases the chronic Lyme patient is deconditioned. More importantly, a properly executed exercise program becomes part of the treatment, as it can actually go beyond the antibiotics in helping to clear the symptoms and to maintain a remission.
Therefore, a vital part of any plan for recovery must include serious efforts at physical reconditioning. This may begin with physical therapy: the physical therapy should involve massage, heat, ultrasound and simple range of motion exercises to relieve discomfort and promote better sleep and flexibility. Ice and electrical stimulation should not be used!
The program ultimately must evolve into a graded, strenuous exercise program that consists of a specific regimen of non-aerobic conditioning- see below.
Although the scientific basis for the benefits of exercises is not known, there are several reasonable theories. It is known that Bb will die if exposed to all but the tiniest oxygen concentrations. If an aggressive exercise program can increase tissue perfusion and oxygen levels, then this may play a role in what is being seen.
Also, during aggressive exercise, the core body temperature can rise above 102 degrees; it is known that Bb burgdorferi is very heat sensitive. Perhaps it is the added tissue oxygenation, or higher body temperature, or the combination that weakens the Lyme Borrelia, and allows the antibiotics and our defenses to be more effective.
In addition, there is now evidence that a carefully structured exercise program may benefit T-cell function in the immune system, an obvious potential benefit in an illness like Lyme that is known to weaken immune responses. To reap this benefit, the exercise sessions should last at least one hour, but never be repeated more often than every other day.
If you're suffering from adrenal exhaustion, as so may of us are, heavy exercise will further deplete the adrenals. So you need to get that checked out. Also I found that the intense shortness of breath I had with babesia really limited my ability ot exercise. I seem to be rid of the babs and can now do brisk 5-mile walks.
-------------------- ********************* RECIDITE, PLEBES! Gero rem imperialem! (Stand aside plebians! I am on imperial business.)
Monica
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 224
posted
I haven't had an MRI in five years, but in 2000 I did have five of them and they were absolutely normal.
Also had EMG's, one in 1997 and one in 2000 and they showed no nerve or muscle damage.
I have Lyme Disease though! If you looked at my other test results you would think there had never been anyone as healthy as I am.
I walk with a walker. Once upon a time I walked a couple of miles at least three times a week for aerobic exercise. Now, getting to work and home is all the exercise I can handle, and I'm driving.
Posts: 1757 | From Somerset County, NJ | Registered: Oct 2000
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