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What do you take or do to relive muscle pain/spasms?

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Posted 10/25/2012 9:51 PM (GMT 0)
Hi everyone,

I have been having terrible back (and neck) pain, it feels like my muscles are tensed, maybe spasms. I'm not sure but it's painful to even hold my son. Sometimes I have the pain through my legs and arms as well.

I'm not being treated for Lyme yet. As of now I'm being treated for Fibromyalgia, depression, low thyroid, low Vitamin D.

My Rheumatologist prescribed tramadol for pain but I haven't started taking it yet. He also prescribed synthyroid. I'm hesitant to take these meds because I seem to be sensitive to many medications.

If anyone would like to share their experience with these issues/meds I'd love to hear!

Thanks! :)
Posted 10/25/2012 10:01 PM (GMT 0)
I've heard from many people that depression medication can make symptoms worse. I too have a low thyroid, what does your doctor have you taking for that? I'm on the natural armour, 60mg. My holistic doctor tries to stay away from synthetic medication for the thyroid because it can make your body dependent. Maybe ask your doctor about Armour? It has taken away the swelling in my thyroid and has made my body feel regulated again in general, but it can take up to 3 months to take full effect, so you have to bear with it and be consistent.

Also, I too have low Vitamin D levels, which can be another sign of Lyme or bacterial infection. I take a drop a day of pure vitamin D 2000 iu. I haven't gotten my vitamin D levels checked again yet to see how much they've improved.

I had horrible back and neck pains. Hot baths made them worse, maybe because they induced more swelling. I would suggest Chlorella, Cat's Claw bark powder, japanese knotweed, and Cistus Tea. Also, I found that Vitamin C has helped with my immune system a lot. Kombucha is great - it has very high B12 levels, which can help with energy and muscle function. Do you drink plenty of water?
Posted 10/25/2012 10:36 PM (GMT 0)
Hi LoveGaia87,

My Rheum prescribed synthyroid. I will def ask him about Armour. Thank you for that info!

I've read the same about anti depressants but every doc I've seen pushes them, and since that don't think I have Lyme, I can't show then the research that says it makes it worse :(

My rheum prescribed Zoloft this time but I didn't fill the Rx. I'm not going to take any type of anti-dep again. I cannot afford anymore setbacks. I was taking prednisone before I knew better, and I've been struggling with a severe increase in all symptoms, and a few new ones, ever since.
I do drink a lot of water, usually with lemon. I have been taking a lot of detox baths, perhaps the water is too hot. I haven't bought a thermometer yet.

Thanks for the insight on the supplements. I will look into those.

I hope a can get in with an LLMD soon. If I could just get a doctor to treat the Lyme then Perhaps I wouldn't need all these meds. If I can eliminate the underlying issue then I wouldn't have thyroid problems, low Vit D, depression, etc.
Posted 10/25/2012 11:46 PM (GMT 0)
Magnesium, magnesium, magnesium. It works wonders on tight muscles, spasms, etc. Most of us with lyme are low in magnesium. It will also help with sleep and bowels.
Posted 10/26/2012 1:28 PM (GMT 0)
I don't know if this has been mentioned but have you ever considered a deep tissue massage? I had my first all over massage recently and it was amazing. The deeper tissue ones CAN be a little painful when they're doing it (they mean DEEP) but the next day you feel unbelievable. I work out several times a week and I sometimes experience tightness and really deep pain. A massage is worth the money.

I've also tried some yoga exercises for back pain in general, but if you have a bunch of other conditions, I'm not sure yoga wouldn't exacerbate the problem.

Post Edited (WriterJamie) : 10/26/2012 7:34:26 AM (GMT-6)

Posted 10/26/2012 8:42 PM (GMT 0)
Springsteen, how much magnesium do you take?  I know you are supposed to take it to bowel tolerance.

Patty  xo

Posted 10/26/2012 10:14 PM (GMT 0)
Rori,
Since you are having trouble with muscles spasms and pains, please stop using lemon juice in your water, and avoid things that are pickled as well - don't forget that things like pickle relish, coleslaw (many have lemon juice in them), and even tartar sauce (which usually has pickles in it).

As weird as it sounds, these things increase the muscle spasms, cramps and pains. Give it two weeks and you should see a difference.

As Springsjean has said, magnesium is a big help as well, so please be sure you are getting enough.

I would actually caution anyone thinking of getting a deep tissue massage, as it can set off a herx reaction due to releasing many toxins during the massage. Of course not everyone will have this reaction, but just be cautious.
Posted 10/26/2012 10:37 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks everyone!

Writer Jamie - deep tissue massage sounds awesome! Unfortunately my situation doesn't allow me such "luxuries". Lol! I stay home with my son and rarely have a sitter or a vehicle so I have to keep my appts to a minimum. Not to mention, idk if I could handle it. It even sounds painful to me!

springsjean - I will definitely get a magnesium supplement ASAP. I would be interested to hear the recommended dose as well :)

Traveler - thanks for the heads up on the lemon! That's something I would have never thought could worsen my symptoms.

I cut back on my detox baths (which is hard because I was really enjoying the "me" time, but I noticed the fatigue and pain were getting increasingly worse. I might do one tonight because its been a few days since the last. However, it's hard for me to think that I'm doing something that's going to make things worse than they already are! I'm praying (and I'm not even religious), that I can start antibiotics soon! My new GP seems very reasonable. I plan to take him some info and Lyme and see if he might be willing to start me on a course of abx until I can get to an LLMD.

Any recommendations on what abx I could suggest to him? I've heard Doxy or Amox. I had a bad reaction to Flagyl a fewonths ago, in hindsight, it was likely a herx, but idk that I could handle Flagyl again. It was pretty rough.
Posted 10/27/2012 12:04 AM (GMT 0)
I was told not to go over 2000mg. I have pushed the limit and I can tolerate up to 3000mg without any GI problems. I take magnesium citrate, magnesium malate and magnesium glycinate. I alternate them.

For your GP, if you are going to try to get doxy, try to get at least 400mg per day for a month. Any less and it can increase the cystic form of Lyme. Most LLMD's don't use amoxicillin without another med (Probenecid) to increase and help sustain blood levels. If given the choice, I would choose doxy over amoxicillin. Especially if you are not adding probenecid. If you can't get or don't want to take Flagyl, look into grapefruit seed extract to use as a cyst buster until you get to a LLMD.

Post Edited (Summer3) : 10/26/2012 6:07:50 PM (GMT-6)

Posted 10/27/2012 9:03 AM (GMT 0)
Have you tried Tumeric and Boswellia?
They certainly help me and seldom produce side effects.
Posted 10/27/2012 9:54 AM (GMT 0)
Do you use Epsom Salts in your detox baths? That's a great way to get magnesium into the tissues where it is needed (absorbed through the skin).

To get to bowel tolerance on magnesium, start with one tablet (250mg or less) per day. If no diarrhea, increase slowly by 1 tablet a day until you get diarrhea (max dose should probably not exceed 2000mg/day).

Don't take all the magnesium at once when you get above 500mg/day - spread it out for easier bowel tolerance, and better absorption.

Anyway, once you get to the dose that causes diarrhea, decrease by one tablet per day until the diarrhea subsides. Then you will be at the dose that your bowels will handle without being too much...thus "bowel tolerance."

I've always done pretty well with Magnesium Oxide (because I'm unable to tolerate mineral citrates, including magnesium citrate) and have used as much as 1500mg/day (sometimes more) in divided doses.
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