Lyme arthritis

Question

Hello All
I have suffered on and off for the last 7 years with assorted Lyme symptoms.this year I tried long term antibiotics 
And was much better for 4 months. Then I got a new tick bite, 5 weeks later very high fever and severe pain in my legs.
My LLD has me on Biaxin and paraquine aside from feeling  tired and weak at times joint pain is a constant for me.
So far my fatigue and fog improve on Meds, just wondering if my arthritis will ever improve? 
After sitting my legs take time to adjust to movement and I hobble like an old lady! I also have a heal spur, that responded well when I was on rifampin but the herd was just to awful. 
Anyone have any ideas? 
I would be so great full.

JackieCalifornia · Answer

So sorry!!  But sounds like it was time to take down those bugz.  Hang on, mojo!  My money's on *you* all the way.

mojogal · Answer

Now that I am back on abx I have the arthritis symptoms from head to toe. I know that bartonella is the one burning my feet and shins.

I had forgotten what a "pain" it can be to get the arthritis all the time.

JackieCalifornia · Answer

Aw shucks -- :)

You are very kind!  This is a true group effort here, and it is the collective thought, understanding, work and caring that makes it all happen.  This site was a critically important part of getting me well from Lyme and babesiosis, and being here now still helps deal me with the mess Lyme made of my life -- revenge is sweet indeed.  Heh.  

Someday all this Lyme saga will be history, and all of us here will know and remember that we were part of the battle and the victory when it is all done. 

Best to you as well --

pipergirl614 · Answer

You know, Jackie, the world needs more people like you with compassion, knowledge and the gift to help.  You were my first response when I first got on this list, and I have never forgotten how good it made me feel to be speaking with someone who might have some answers to all my questions.  I'm sure I'm not alone in thinking this. <3

JackieCalifornia · Answer

Thank you so much!  I've got tears in my eyes and a big smile on my face right now.  

It's a great crew here, and this website brought me through some bad times too -- oh, okay ... my doc and the meds helped too -- !  ;)  Ha!

You made my day -- take care, now!

pipergirl614 · Answer

Hi Jackie - I check in every so often just to see how everyone is doing.  I know when I was in the throes of Lyme Disease, I was always looking for someone who had recovered.  Seemed like I never would.  I am one of the lucky ones and I say my thank you's every day for having my health back.  You were my shining star back in my dark days.  Thank you.

JackieCalifornia · Answer

It's good to hear you are so much better!  Hurrah!  Hope you'll keep dropping by, but only because you want to.  :)

pipergirl614 · Answer

Oops, make that 3-1/2 years.

pipergirl614 · Answer

My Lyme arthritis was the first to go after my long term antibiotics. The energy is back a year later and the brain fog is about 90% gone. But I didn't have any co-infections. Still, it's been 2-1/2 years since diagnosis. Hoping you feel better.

JackieCalifornia · Answer

Please don't wait to see if Lyme gets worse.  It does not go away by itself and it can be fatal.  Not trying to scare you, but this isn't the sniffles we're talking about.

Tiredofticks · Answer

Thanks so much for all the responses!

mojogal · Answer

Ditto the above either Lyme or a co-infection can cause the arthritis. Both of those effect everyone differently. 

You may want to try turmeric which is a natural remedy for inflammation. I am on Byron White and he has a product called A-inflam that helps inflammation a great deal.

Your answer is yes, it will go away eventually.

JackieCalifornia · Answer

Did your doc test you for any infections other than Lyme?  The 'Lyme' ticks often carry additional infections ('co-infections') that need different tests to identify them and need different meds to kill them.  For example, I had Lyme and babesiosis, which both came from the 'Lyme' tick but needed totally different meds.

The tests that docs run on a new patient are based on the doc's assessment of your symptoms and thus what co-infections you may have.  Sometimes they get overlooked because the symptoms can mask other infections, so I would bring up the issue with your doc about possible co-infections due to continuing symptoms. 

If the doc won't play, consider getting a second opinion ... and take with you copies of ALL your past Lyme-related test results, not just summaries.  What Doc #1 misses may be obvious to Doc #2;  no bad intentions toward #1, but Lyme etc. are tricky to diagnose sometimes and a second set of eyes can be helpful.  You do not need to tell #1 you are seeing another doc, tho it should not offend him. 

Let us know what you find out, okay?  Take care.

wonko · Answer

Hi,

It's my understanding that the arthritis associated with Lyme is caused by the inflammatory immune response to the infection.  So, if you keep treating the Lyme, the arthritis should improve!  I think it's great the fatigue and fog are improving for you.  In my case, the stiffness got better a lot sooner than the complete exhaustion.

I recall having the same issue that sitting "too long" (which wasn't really too long at all, sometimes just a few minutes) left my legs very stiff, full of pins and needles, and causing me to stumble.  I was in my late 20's when my Lyme was at it's worst and also feel very much like an old lady.  It did get better with time, which I attribute to the long-term antibiotics I took.

Good luck with continuing your treatment!