Repeated "non-event" injuries to muscles and tendons

I was diagnosed with Lyme in 2005. I have re-occurring Lyme so the symptoms slowly came back. I researched and was afraid to start the antibiotic regimes so, I opted for a homeopathic path and have been improving annually to the point of being symptom free for about a year except for repeated muscle and tendon injuries after doing an everyday lift of something not very heavy or walking at a regular pace. And there are some minor balance issues that I'm beginning to think will never go away. I exercise and weight lift and eat a low carb diet to keep the Lyme symptoms away but, I have started having this problem. Has anybody out there successfully solved or gotten around this repeated muscle injury problem? The exercise is a very important part of keeping my symptoms away. I was thinking of swimming instead of walking. Any advice would be appreciated.

This brownzu again. It has been 7 months (July, 2014 "non-event muscle injuries) since having the problem with the "non-event" injuries to muscles and tendons. 2005 for Lyme disease itself. I started a different weight lifting regimen. Doctors and physical therapists could not seem to help me but, an exercise trainer came up with something. First, my goal was to be able to walk fast for heart exercise at the park or just to get from the car in the parking lot, inside the Target store, shop, then walk back to the car at a normal to fast pace without having to resort to a crutch so I didn't injure my hip muscle. I did not think that was asking that much. I have been dealing with this problem for about 2 years now. So I seem to have hit on a promising routine. Mind you this proceeded very slowly and I mean slowly like someone who has had a major injury. The trainer said I had to first get the legs used to the weight before I even tried working on the speed. For the legs I used a dumbbell with 5 lbs on it and held it next to the hip and stepped up, then back down using the foot of the leg that had the weight on it as the pull up foot and the step down foot. I did 3 sets of 10 on each leg. I used this same dumbbell and used it as a weight to pick up and bend over and touch my toes with because that was another movement that would cause an injury. Hold in the stomach while doing all these exercises. I used ankle weights with only 1 lb in them to do side leg lifts holding the leg up for a count of 10. I did 3 sets of 10 on each leg. I used a 5 lb weight on a weight bench for back leg and front leg lifts, 3 sets of 10 each holding for a count of 10 on each movement. I only moved up in weight when my muscles felt like there was no tension or pull or exertion at all. Get rid of that feeling of guilt about babying yourself. You know the no pain no gain attitude. That attitude will not work anymore, get used to it. Just being gentle as can be,work slowly and consistently and it seems to work. My family and I were on a vacation this December and had to walk really fast for about 12 blocks to get to a tourist site before it closed and, I had no injuries or soreness at all. I could not have said that back in July. Haven't started the walking fast at the park yet but when the weather breaks I am going to try a 10 min., medium speed walk to see what happens then slowly add time then speed like the physical therapist told me to do when I went to him way back when all this started. Oh, I started out with 3, yes 3 pushups with the hands close to my side by my underarms and now I am up to 15. I kept injuring my shoulders and elbows too. And another thing that I cannot stress enough. Consistency, consistency, consistency. You will pay if you do not do this consistently through the week. I learned the hard way but, quickly. I do the weight routine two to three times a week and have now been able to add a good stationary bike ride for 30 min. Started out with this at a very slow speed for 8 min. I can't tell you how to progress. You will have to listen to your body. Hope this helps.

I have gotten lyme in the last year and also had some injuries at the same time in my arms and shoulders from heavy lifting and sports. I have found a very good physical therapist that has helped a lot. If you can find someone who is very knowledgeable and able to figure out what's going on with your injuries than that could be very helpful. I am a big fan of physical therapy if you can find a good one. Mine has been helpful in me creating a exercise plan that won't injury me further and been able to answer many of the questions I have. I have found a few supplements to be good for joints and muscles. I take branch chain amino acid supplements (BCAAS) which help with muscle recovery and building muscles. Body builders use these a lot. I take them in between meals or if I work out that day I take it after exercise. I also make sure to get enough protein for my weight every day. I've also been using substantial doses of magnesium and MSM. From what I know of msm it is a sulfur that is a building block to joints, cartilage, skin etc. it is good for connective tissue. Also anti inflammatory is something to consider. There are natural ways to reduce inflammation like fish oil, curcumin etc. Another thing to consider is that lack of strength can cause joint pain and problems in itself. Walking is good but won't do anything for your arms. I've found that getting lyme and resting/ no be as active as usual I lost a lot of strength. For me my pt has helped me with movements and strengthening exercises that won't make thing worse. You may already be aware of everything I shared but this is all definitely helping me. I not sure I completely understood the pain you where getting. When you say it is with lifting, is it in your arms, elbows etc?

janedough -

The most important supplement for muscles and the nervous system is Magnesium Glycinate, you can feel it. It is scientifically proven to absorb the best. Mag malate is second. Both are better than mag citrate.

Be carefule with swimming, it can very easily give your arms tendonitis if you do the breast stroke. Test it slowly.

Your energy issues could have something to do with your thyroid in havoc from lyme. Some of it. There are post here about this, use the search bar for this forum.

Yes, I went to a LLMD, for antibiotics.

Energy is better, but still not up to par. Since Ive had this my entire adult life, I have nothing to compare to, but my late teen years. There are others hear with better improvment stories. There are full time jobs that I cant do like I used to - more of the physical or stressfull jobs, that others my age still do.