muscle knots/pain

[ally123582]

Hi all.  I'm curious if others suffer from what seems like a muscle knots in the shoulder blade area.  Since I became ill with Lyme, I have noticed trigger points in my back that send weird sensations down my arms.  It almost feels like an electrical like sensation that drives me crazy.  I have tried going to a chiropractor and am currently trying some physical therapy with massage.  Nothing seems to really help.  I have read about trigger point injections and wonder if that could be an option, however, if they use cortisone that could be a problem (with the Lyme.)
I have no idea if these trigger points are even related to the Lyme or not.  I don't like to blame everything on Lyme, however, this is not something I suffered from previous to my diagnosis about 10 months ago.  Any input or similar experiences would be great to hear.  Thanks!
Ally

[Gbuckets]

Hi.  It is 10000000% most likely coming from Lyme. Trigger points are caused by lesions. Most likely the Lyme is feeding off your CT. They feed off collagen in your body to survive. I’ve had this as my first symptom for 10 years. I still have it. It’s  awful.

[JackieCalifornia]

...and if really annoying people walk into your office, you can whack them with it!  (Sorry, couldn't resist.)  

I've got a knot in the back of my shoulder that could probably use some whacking ... thanks for the tip.

[wonko]

That sounds like "myofascial pain syndrome," and I'm all too familiar with that.

I've had hit or miss success with practitioner who can help.  I had a great chiro before I moved who used a lot of different techniques, including needling and release methods.  I also saw an osteopath, who by specialty should have been helpful but he just couldn't get those trigger points to let go the way the chiro could.

In terms of self treatment, I bought a nifty little gadget (I think it was around $20 and I got it through a standard online retailer) called "theracane."  It is a hook about the length of a torso made out of a hard/sturdy material that has several nobs on it.  Sounds weird, but this thing is great and makes it so that I can really work at the trigger points in the back of my shoulder, which are otherwise impossible to reach.  And you can use the weight of your own body as resistance, so it is not tiring at all.  I know there are a lot of websites about it so if my description doesn't paint a clear picture then just do an internet search on it.  I have one at home and one in my office, and it saves me a lot of money on massage bills!

[carrie235]

Ally,

Yes, I've had this for years off and on.  It's terrible when it knots up and makes me miserable!  However, I think it just comes on with stress and I don't relate it to Lyme disease.  I have to be careful with myself and not blame everything on Lyme like you said.  

Anyway, I had a flair up of that two weeks ago and I took two Excedrin and the pain was completely gone in an hour.  That is the first time I'd ever taken Excedrin.  I was amazed!  

Also, I have this thing called a "thera cane" for those knots.  If you don't have one, I would highly suggest getting it.  It is awesome!  I bought it at a physical therapy medical store, but you could probably find one on-line.  It's sounds and looks goofy, but it sure works!  You can also use a tennis ball.  Place the tennis ball on the know and lean against it on a wall and move it around the knot.

Hope you feel better.  Take two excedrin and call me in the morning!  ha ha

[JackieCalifornia]

If you are not taking magnesium supplements, you might try that.  It relieves muscle cramps, and Lyme bacteria (so I read) use up magnesium in their evil little reproductive process.  Might not help the specific cause for your muscle pain, but ....  

I've read that the most absorbable forms of magnesium end in "-ate" -- malate, orotate, citrate, etc.

[ree427]

I have trigger points in my shoulder blade area and neck which pinch on nerves and refer pain to my head. I have tried exercises and massage which only give temporary relief then they come right back. I never tried trigger point injections. I never had problems with trigger points prior to Lyme, so I think it can be related. Maybe someone else has suggestions on how to get rid of them.