Can't wear wedding rings anymore to heavy

I had to take my rings off becuz my fingers swelled on my left side when I first got symptoms. Recently I started wearing them on my right hand. I too saw a neurologist about ALS because I developed serious weakness in my legs along with muscle twitching but was told I didnt have it. Are you still concerned about ALS?

Puzit - how long has it been since your first symptoms? Has the weakness continued to progress? Because if it was ALS, it would continue.
Lyme can make you weak, too, and cause muscle atrophy.
My left side is weak - upper body - left arm is skinnier than my right - but in the last couple months, I've noticed an improvement in my arm and hand strength. But, I have terrible pain in my left arm, left shoulder blade, hand, etc.
My twitching has lessened to the point that I'm not bothered by it anymore. I had it all over my body.
If you've been diagnosed with lyme, then try to accept it. When I was worried about ALS, MS and Parkinson's (I had the shakes really bad for awhile) - it just made things worse. I am now focussed on Lyme until I learn otherwise. Now and then I question it, but always come back to Lyme.
Also, if the docs have ruled out ALS, then try to put it out of you mind.
How long have you been treating your lyme disease?

Girlie, my symptoms started 7 years ago but I was told at first it was my sciatic nerve affecting my legs and maybe carpal tunnel syndrome in my wrist. Saw my first numerologist and had my first EMG and NCS he basically said it was I'm my head. So I let it go each year I slowly has progression. I started with both sides and eventually it was just my left side only being affected I has tremors, twitching and weakness all over.

I had an MRI, spinal tap, blood work, swallow study and saw a Pulmonologist. They all showed nothing.
All these text were done between the onset of symptoms and 2011. Except my EMGs and NCS last one was April 2014.

My left everything is smaller then the right side. Now my left ankle and foot are showing signs of foot drop that's why I'm going back to see my nuero doc. I've been wearing a ankle brace.

I haven't seen any improvement except maybe my hair stopped falling out as much. I lost 2/3 of my hair I had a biopsy of my scalp and it showed in fact that it was falling out..had long hair and had to cut it to a bob just to keep it from looking stringy.

I also have Raynaud's and Menieres all diagnosed within the last eight years. I just had three cyst in my bladder removed.

I'm depressed everyday day and can't shake the ALS. I hate they can't just take your blood and say nope that's not it.

I just turned 40 and spent nearly all my 30's just going through the motions. I have a senior and sophomore in high school and have had custody of my nephew since he was 6 months old getting ready to turn two in Sept.

I fear death and all I would miss out on in their lives. It's awful


Daisy's mom, I'm sorry to hear that. It's an awful feeling...just a sad moment! At least they are close to your heart!

If your symptoms started 7 years ago and progressed, you would be dead if you has ALS. Most ALS get on average 3 or less years since onset of symptoms. During those three years they loose the ability to walk, swallow and breathe. They end up on g-tubes and choke on food. It's a very rapid decline. So I would put that out of your mind

My uncle in law lost his voice completely, can only whisper and has severe tremors that don't stop. After seeing tons of doctors he finally got diagnosed with lyme after two years of illness. He shakes very bad, like Parkinson's. Even though the doctors pulled the tick out of him originally, they didn't consider lyme until everything else was ruled out. I think he tested negative for over a year as well. Eventually he did test CDC positive. Lyme is such a bizzare illness.

Hi Puzit!

There are a lot of good lyme literate doctors and herbalist in your area. Have you tried going through any of them?

As far as the wedding ring goes, and someone else mentioned - you could wear it around your neck.

Personally, I'm an oddball. I've been married for 3 years and don't wear one but occasionally. Hubby is the same way. I don't wear jewelry at all either. I'm sure you love your husband so much that it doesn't matter. :D

~beth

Puzit-once I began treatment for Lyme the swelling that I had systematically went down quickly. I dropped 7 lbs. most of which I think was fluid in one week. My hands are so much better that I look forward to being able to wear my bridal set again soon. The key was getting the right diagnosis. I agree that you should check out a LLMD. At worst, you would rule out Lyme and spend a little cash. My GP and an Infectious Disease Specialist both said I was negative for Lyme. I wasn't. My ELISA indicated super high levels of bacteria and I was positive on one band of the Western Blot. My LLMD diagnosed me immediately, began treatment and then retested. I have now tested positive according to CDC standards. I hope you get the answers you need.

Puzit - It is hard for me to exercise as my left upper body hurts a lot. I do only 5-10 minutes (depending on the day and how I'm feeling) on an Eliyptical machine just to keep things moving. I also try to get a 10 minute walk on the beach most days.
Several months ago I would barely move my left arm - thought I was doing more damage by moving it.


One thing I also do is I picture myself doing things I used to do - playing tennis, running, etc. and I picture myself healthy, and using my left side. It sounds kinda hokey, but I read about it when i thought I might have RSD or CRPS on my left side. I think if it's at the CNS level, then this visualization helps. It certainly doesn't hurt.

I also get my husband to lightly touch/tickle my back on the left side area that hurts. I think because it's always hurting, that it can do it good to have some good sensations in the area. The light touch/tickling does feel good, and maybe it's sending messages to my brain that I can feel good again in that area of my body.

Hey - I'm trying anything to get my left side back.

Girlie, those are great ideas! I am going to give both a shot! Like you said, I'll do anything to get back what I've lost! My PCP wants me to start physical therapy since he sees early signs of foot drop and my measurements are getting worst between sides.

Waiting on LLMD to okay the PT. My Raynaud's is already kicking in and summers not over yet :(

Razzle, I'm taking a good amount and drinking protein shakes in the AM, thanks for the advice!

Speaking of diets anything special you all are doing that helps or good detox ideas that you see working?

Razzle said...
Make sure you are getting plenty of Vitamin B12. Nerves cannot regenerate or heal without it.

Yes this is very important. Have you been back to the doctor? I have nerve damage and use a lot of heat therapy to relieve symptoms. I have been put on medication now to regenerate. My sister just passed from lyme suddenly and unexpectedly after only 7 months of symptoms flaring up and left two children behind that are stuck in a horrible custody battle now that they are without her. Please take care of yourself, tie your loose ends and write a will to protect yourself. Keep your head high and hope for the best. Dont skip a beat. Focus on your health and healing and nothing else. You need to take care of yourself and rest. Your health and longevity is number 1. Also if you take a regimen of daily 600-800mg ibprofen it may help. Its a pain reliever and an anti inflammatory so it may help to relieve both symptoms. If your husband loves you, he wouldnt care if you wear your rings! I like the idea of wearing it around your neck as well.