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Got an unexpected diagnosis today.

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Chronic Pain
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Posted 11/24/2010 8:59 PM (GMT 0)
I finally got some news on my neck/right shoulder today. Last week I had some bloodwork done, and an MRI two days ago, and my PCP's nurse finally called me with the results this morning. My C4-C5 disc is herniated, but, more unusually, I had a positive anaplasma titer. My PCP decided to test it as an afterthought, but here I am, starting a course of doxycycline.

I asked how badly herniated the disc is, and was told that they "couldn't tell" at this point because they don't know the extent of the tickborne infection. Does that mean that it can make a herniated disc worse than it would be by itself? She said that it was quite possible, based on the MRI results, that the disc is putting pressure on the nerve root. Does anybody know if this sort of thing can improve if a tickborne illness is cleared up?

Kiwi
Posted 11/24/2010 9:08 PM (GMT 0)
I do not know anything about tic borne illnesses, but if one of the symptoms is something like inflammation then it is certainly possible to see improvement once the disease is gone on the inflammation goes away.

It may very well take longer to know if things will improve than it does to eradicate the illness. Discs can be funny that way. Easy too irritate but they can "hold a grudge" for quite some time sometimes.
Posted 11/25/2010 2:46 AM (GMT 0)
I have a good friend who developed riketsia from a tick. He was so swollen, looked like the Michelan man! So I know for sure that they can cause inflammation and a major auto immune response. Thats probably why they won't do anything until you're over the viral or bacterial infections. Ticks have some nasty diseases associated with them.
I hope the doxycycline works fast for you. Good luck, Kiwi, golitho
Posted 11/25/2010 3:40 AM (GMT 0)
It definitely is a strange turn of events--nobody was expecting a positive anaplasma titer, really, since it's fairly uncommon--but it does explain the bizarre things that have been going on with me the last few months, and the feeling of general sickness. Now if the doxycycline will just take some of the inflammation off of that nerve, I'll be good to go. :) Could have been a lot worse.

Kiwi
Posted 11/25/2010 4:04 AM (GMT 0)
I'm glad the doctors found out what was happening and hopefully, you're on the mend now. Good luck with the doxycycline - I hope it really works well for you.

Hugs,
Pam
Posted 11/26/2010 1:31 AM (GMT 0)
Hi,

I'm so glad you were able to find answers. I have never heard of that particular illness, but I know it must be a relief to know what is going on.

I hope you will be feeling great again soon and that the other pain will subside as soon as your treatment has time to kick in.
Posted 11/26/2010 3:24 AM (GMT 0)
KiwiPi

Boy it sounds like you have two different but major things going on at the same time, and I can see where the one could affect the other, I am enclosing a link about your condition that I found: http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1196/annals.1374.042/abstract

Have you been having arm pain or pain in your hands or shoulders? Allot times when the disks in your neck go bad they cause severe arm and neck and shoulder pain.

I do wish you well and hope all works out well for you!

White Beard

Posted 11/26/2010 3:29 AM (GMT 0)
Thanks for the well wishes. wink I am definitely hoping for a speedy improvement--even a little bit of one--because today has really been a miserable day, pain-wise and otherwise. There is a terrible amount of pain radiating from right around where I have the herniated disc, and going down my shoulder and right arm. As if that's not enough, the physical symptoms that are part of anaplasmosis (nausea, fever, fatigue) have been really tough as well. Every time I eat anything I just want to throw up, and that's tough on turkey day. eyes

Kiwi
Posted 11/26/2010 3:41 AM (GMT 0)
White Beard - thank you for the link. It's helpful, because I haven't found a lot of relevant info on anaplasmosis out there. Except that mostly, it occurs in livestock and dogs. :)

As far as the C4-C5 disc goes, yes, there has been a ton of pain in my shoulder and back, and in the last couple of week, in my right wrist. My PT was telling me the other day that the pattern vaguely resembled Complex Regional Pain Syndrome, but...I'm really happy to have gotten other news. A little worried about how badly herniated the disc might be, but relieved nonetheless.

Kiwi

P.S. - I hope you're feeling better...I've followed your progress a little since I've joined, and it sounds like you've had quite a time!
Posted 11/26/2010 4:00 AM (GMT 0)
KiwiPi

Please just remember your radiating pain might or might not get better with your taking doxycycline. It could improve your symptoms but if your pain is really severe it sounds like the pain is caused by the bad disk. I have had both C-5/6 taken out and fused and also C-6/7 fused. and I just got out of the hospital this past monday for a posterior C-3/4 articular joint fusion. I will tell you the C-5/6 ACDF that I had in September of 2009 was a real Godsend, as soon as I woke up from the surgery all my arm severe pain was gone! I do hope they come up with a treatment plan and a fix for your pain! I know exactly how bad that type of pain can be! And it can be extremely bad! I will keep you in my thoughts and prayers and hope for a quick relief to your pain!

White Beard
Posted 11/26/2010 4:10 AM (GMT 0)
Thanks so much for the encouragement! I've said in some other posts on this forum, it is so comforting to hear from others who know what severe pain is!

Kiwi
Posted 11/26/2010 7:20 PM (GMT 0)
  

 

        Glad you got your diagnosis but wish it could have been something easier to deal with.

          I hope your treatments go well. Please come back and let us know how you are getting on as we all care.

               Hugs

 

Posted 11/27/2010 12:05 AM (GMT 0)
KiwiPi,

I hope that you get the tick stuff cleared up soon....and that it eases your suffering! We used to go morel mushroom hunting each spring and would come home a pull tons of ticks off of us! Since becoming a member of this forum....and reading about the nasty things those little boogers can cause....those days are done!!! I have enough problems without adding tick borne diseases! Take care of you hun!

Hugs,
Beckey
Posted 11/30/2010 1:24 AM (GMT 0)
Kiwi,

If you recall from your pre-mri post, I noted that your pain pattern is similar to mine and I have C4-T4 disk issues.

With your diagnosis, take a look again at some of the suggestions which offer me relief. The most excruciating pain I get is at a point between my shoulder-blade and spine. I think but am not sure that the nerve irritation causes spasms in my trapezius and rhomboids.

My wife helps stretch them out and I also use the hook of my cane to push on the area which can help. Perhaps discuss stretching and acupressure related to those muscle groups.

Regarding the tick issue, I don't know whether it is contributing. But as other posters have noted, it may be adding to the inflammation.
Posted 11/30/2010 2:18 PM (GMT 0)
These tick diseases travel in packs. You might want to ask your doc to check you for everything. You can find more info on testing in the Lyme forum.
Posted Yesterday 5:02 AM (GMT 0)
I've been asked if I have been bitten by a tick and also am getting tested for Chronic Lyme Disease. I came across your post; I am desperate. I just posted at: https://www.healingwell.com/community/default.aspx?f=16&m=1966425

I am in SEVERE pain in my head/jaw/neck/eye/ and need help. I am not on much pain pills and my lyme doctor gave me credit, but I am in so much pain. Plus my doctor that prescribes my meds is getting rid of me because he's retiring...he doesn't want a blemish on his record before retirement (pain pills to a 25 year old...).

I am so frustrated. Thank you for your time,
Robby
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