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Pain and more pain. This is a new pain..... from what?

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Posted 4/5/2010 11:02 PM (GMT 0)
I apologize for so many questions when I seem to be unable to help so many others.  Still, somehow I hope that my questions and complaints can help others in some way -- if we figure out an answer, or at least to share common problems.

I, like so many of you, have for a long time been blaming every new unexplainable  issues on Lyme. So maybe it is, or maybe it isn't?

Several weeks ago -- maybe even a month, I started having a little pain in my right tricep. It got a little worse and for a couple of weeks, figured I had pulled a muscle or something. I do not do strenuous exercise, but do frequently leash walk my 2 dogs. My powerful pit mix is always on my right so I can control her when we see things that cause her to go bezerk, like rabbits, deer, ground hogs -- I think we're over the birds.  So I figured it had something to do w/ that -- once I had to go down to control her.

But the pain has steadily increased, and tho the tricep still feels 'pulled', the pain generated past it -- below and above does not feel 'pulled'.  It is a dull AND sharp ache, if that makes any sense.  There is a noticeable, but slight lump on my inner arm, opposite my elbow, and some of the pain seems to generate from that.  The pain that is increasing is shooting up my arm, into my shoulder and is now in my lower neck, near the front. Tho the 'pulled' part feels manageable, the rest of the pain is pretty bad.  Not excruciating, but bad enough to make me feel ill yesterday, on Easter. And bad enough to call in sick this morning.  Ibu does not do much for it.

Any theories on what this might be? I am still seeking Lyme Drs, but meantime, if I can figure out who to go see for my back, neck, and now this problem, I would start w/ that.  I HATE the thought of an MRI (never had one) because of extreme claustrophobia, although I'd sure like to learn what's up w/ my back. I've always had lower back and neck pain, but since the Lyme it's been different -- in different areas, and is accompanied by horrible muscle spasms that started getting hot, but now go icey.

Oh ye experts out there. What do you think?  HOld out for an LLMD or seek a bone/muscle specialist?  

Posted 4/5/2010 11:19 PM (GMT 0)
Hi +Lyme,

I'm not a doctor so I can't say if your pain is related to lyme or not..   I think it's possible you could have pulled a muscle from walking your dogs..   Oh goodness, I am going to sound like a broken record but why not try soaking your arm in some epsom salts mixed with warm water and see how it feels?   Epsom salts really do many wonderful things for our bodies..  what do you have to lose? 

When I first started peri-menopause (thank goodness that is over) my first thoughts were "is my lyme coming back or is this lyme-related?"  But it wasn't..  And menopause is so much better compared to peri..   At least my hormones are not as confused..   Just a tiny confused, LOL!

I would wait it out unless the pain is that bad..  My bestest friend broke her toe and the pain shot up her leg and she had to take off from work..  She rested and in all due time the pain went away..   My point is sometimes rest is the best thing..  Don't walk those dogs for a while or maybe use your other arm? 

Don't know if that helps or not... Hope you feel better,

Denise

Posted 4/5/2010 11:30 PM (GMT 0)
Could be tendonitis. If you need an MRI, you need to tell your doctor that you have claustrophobia issues and they will prescribe a Xanax or something similar for you - very common problem that they 're used to. I'm also very claustrophobic and had to have an MRI - got the Xanax and it was no problem at all.
Posted 4/5/2010 11:42 PM (GMT 0)
Hi +Lyme,

I am so sorry you are suffering. It is not unusual for "us lymies" to have a TEAM of doctors helping us. If one can find a smart, co-operative team to work together for one's benefit, it can be quite wonderful. It is easier said than done though! Of course, it's also expensive, but sometimes it's worth it to get positive results.

We see our lyme MD, and our chiropractor/naturopath regularly. We need them both. They each bring knowledge that the other doesn't have, so it is beneficial to us. We are planning to add in an endocrinologist that they like, also. It helps when they all respect/understand lyme and coinfections, and if they are willing to "share" the patient and work cooperatively. Maybe you could assemble a team for yourself? Ask your llmd if there are any other docs he can co-operatively work with to seek answers to your health concerns.

I am also claustrophobic, but was able to have MRI's done because for one of them, they gave me an IV with meds so that I could "sleep" through it. The other times, I was in what they call an "open" machine and I was able to tolerate it. I was uncomfortable, but I made it. Some of the clinics that perform MRI's are understanding of this issue and have some ideas to help patients cope. Each of the places I went to let me come and see their equipment and also told me ideas of how they have solved the problem for other patients. They helped me find an acceptable method to cope. Maybe you could also find an acceptable clinic and have the test done so that you have more info about your condition.

I hope you find the help you need soon. Best wishes, bablymers mom
Posted 4/6/2010 1:07 PM (GMT 0)
Thank you for all the responses and help everyone. Lots to think about. The pain that has moved up thru my shoulder and into my neck is not like an unbearable pain, but it's bad enough to make me sick at my stomach sometimes.

Oh wise, Lymies, please tell me this. Are X-rays really not helpful here? Are MRIs really necessary to see what is wrong? My daugther has had X rays, 3 MRIs, a sonogram and a doppler and they still don't find anyting wrong. I'm just not up for that!
Posted 4/7/2010 2:06 AM (GMT 0)
Hi +Lyme,

I have lots and lots of problems with the tendons and connective tissues in my lower legs- and what I get sounds almost exactly like what you described. I have lumps, shooting pain, feelings like I've pulled something, and lots of pain. For me, part of it is tendonitis (and part of it is god-knows-what), but I'm pretty sure it is caused by Lyme disease. I spent years going to doctors and doing physio to try to fix it, but no one could fine anything.

I don't know that x-rays are that helpful. I had x-rays (and even bone scans), but I think that was because I had joint pain as well. Tendons won't show up on an x-ray. MRIs or ultrasounds might work better, since they show soft tissue.

Also- could the lump be a lymph node? (I know I just said I had them from tendonitis, but I also know that you have Lymph nodes right near there). It's also possible that you've pinched a nerve- which is why the pain is spreading. Since you are in so much pain, I'd say you really should get it checked out. Even though none of my doctors could FIX me, they could help relive some of the pain.

Nicky
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