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Should I stop treatment?

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Posted 9/27/2010 4:17 PM (GMT 0)
All my symptoms are gone.  Except one; but not for sure if permanent or temporary.  I have what my LLPA calls "tennis elbow" or tendonitis.   He says he really "doesn't know" about it.  I'm doing nothing more physically than I did before I got sick. Nothing. Still work out 3 times a week, not excessive, low impact resistance & some cardio plus chiropractic treatment, which brought my energy back 

Got exposed to Lyme in May, 2010.   All other basic symptoms, you know the deal.

Began as elbow pain in late June.    Elbows started feeling weird, then slight pain inside, which gradually grew & grew until it now goes up my arm & down into the lower arm.  Wrists feel a bit sore too.  Mostly the left arm.

I've lost some mobility in the arm, in strength. Sometimes it stabs, other days I can't seem to feel it much. But it really hurts sometimes & has ached at night.  It hasn't gotten better or worse in the last 6 weeks.  Stayed the same.  My LLPA says to continue my Doxy 4 days a week, Flagyl 3 days until mid November.   He stated, "We'll see about getting off antibiotics then." He also said to get an arm brace for "tennis elbow", which I have.  It helps a little, but leaves marks around my arm.  It's not real comfortable.

I'm confused & uncertain. So what do you guys think? Could this be the residual of what (God forbid) the ID docs call 'post lyme symdrom'?  I don't know whether to accept it as forever, keep fighting with antibiotics, which haven't made it worse or better, or what.   I've read information that Lyme causes tendonitis in joints & muscles, but my question is, is it permanent?  I don't know, my LLPA doesn't know...........

I wonder if I should see another doctor that specializes in this.  Is there a sure-fire test for RA?    Has anyone addressed this issue.?

Posted 9/27/2010 6:43 PM (GMT 0)
I have had tendinitis in various joints, some Lyme related, some caused by a wee bit of foolishness (should I have really gotten on my snowboard when I wasn't feeling 100 percent!)? While I am being treated for Lyme, the old injuries seem to flare as my body is attacking everything in sight. Perhaps this is what is happening to you. In addition, if you have had this soreness for a while, you have probably been favoring the joint, causing strain in the surrounding muscles.

If you can get a prescription to a Physical Therapist they could ease some of your discomfort and help you rebuild your strength. Don't let them put ice on you, though, the lyme bacteria love a low temp.

In the meantime, why not continue following your LLPA's advice -- you did pay for it, and it makes sense while you are still experiencing symptoms. You really want to be sure you have killed as much of the bacteria as possible.
Posted 9/27/2010 7:02 PM (GMT 0)
Personally I would carry on with treatment.
Posted 9/27/2010 9:50 PM (GMT 0)
Most LLMD's recommend continuing treatment for at least 2 months after symptom resolution, so based on this and the fact that you're still experiencing the symptom you had initially (the elbow pain), I'd suggest continuing treatment for now.

RA test = a blood test for specific antibodies common in those with RA, but can be sero-negative so diagnosis is clinical. Also, Lyme can cause this test to be positive, but then the antibodies may go away once the Lyme has been adequately treated.

Tendonitis - requires rest (tendons do not like to be moved while they're healing), and nutritional support may help. Vitamin C & MSM are both anti-inflammatory and help with joint/connective tissue problems like this. An anti-inflammatory diet may assist with healing (no gluten--wheat/rye/barley/oats, no sugar, no dairy--kefir/yogurt is ok, no/limited nightshades--potatoes/tomatoes/peppers/eggplant).
Also, you might try soaking your elbow in warm (not too hot) epsom salt water...this is also anti-inflammatory and will help with healing. After several weeks of good nutritional support and rest, then gentle physical therapy is a good thing to help restore strength & function of the elbow. If the elbow wrap is making marks in your skin, then it may be too tight or you may need a different style of elbow support. Discuss this with a physical therapist...also, they may have other things that could help with healing, such as TENS.

I hope this helps - take care,
Posted 9/28/2010 3:15 AM (GMT 0)
Thank you for the information!! From what I can tell here, I DON'T need to be over-using my arms. Well, maybe I should stop Curves.....but I really need the strength training now. If it hurts my arm, I don't use pressure on that arm while on the resistance unit. They (both my arms) have been giving me fits the past 3 days.

Joint pain was never my MAIN symptom when I was feeling so bad. In fact, it wasn't bad at all! This came later on into treatment.....the longer I treat, worse it got. I think the best thing to do is what you guys have advised here. I'll nurse my arms & return to my LLPA in November with an update. He just was not convinced it was caused by Lyme nor was he convinced it WAS/IS Lyme causing it.

He said "You strained it somehow....." I know what has caused it. Lyme weakness. But no, I have done nothing different. My elbows hurt, mostly the left & the muscles ache too. Rats. I'm praying for a miracle. I'm back to normal now, with the exception of this pain.
Posted 11/13/2010 3:39 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Donotfear,

'Tennis elbow' was my first Lyme symptom. Started in left elbow-- that went away after a few months with massage therapy (didn't suspect Lyme at the time)---then it jumped to right elbow where it came and went for a few months and NOW is severe and chronic. Pain jumps around to 'golfer's elbow' and radiates up and down arm muscles. Sometimes the entire joint aches, not just the tendon attachment--- mostly upon full extention of arm.

I didn't believe I had Lyme until other symptoms reared their ugly head. I am on Doxy now-- completed first week-- and am awaiting results of blood test.

So far my stiff neck/shoulders/back are slowly getting better. But I had new symptoms crop up like shooting nerve pains and muscle twitches/tremors. These are not as active the longer I take the Doxy. The pin-pricks are still present-- everywhere.

However, my 'tennis elbow' pain is at an all time high. Not going away at all. Very frustrating! I need my elbow back! I'll keep you posted as to what happens with it.

How is your elbow doing now ??? I see your post was from September so hopefully you've seen some improvement ???
Posted 11/13/2010 9:00 PM (GMT 0)
I was told the same thing as razzle, we'd quit and if i became symptomatic I went back on did this quite a few times till i went the two months or there about. I had been on abx for years and it was my choice not to go back even when it became clear I was not going to be, well, healed totally. i don't regret it years are a long time to go on antibiotics and i shall just try with God's help to deal with the residual. If i think its not residual (I don't thinkthis is an active infection now anyway) I'll reconsider treatment but something else other than abx. Good luck Your symptoms are not real spread out so it is my prayer u will knock it, but don't stop till that time period goes by!!!! prayers Lisa
Posted 11/14/2010 2:33 AM (GMT 0)
I too had tendonitis in my elbow which is feeling better these days after a while on antibiotics. that's not to say it's not going to rear it's ugly head again, cause you just never know with this disease.
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