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Lyme or Mattresses Causing Lower Back Pain

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Posted 12/28/2015 2:27 PM (GMT 0)
I've had lower back pain for the last 1.5-2 years at least that I can remember.  I stupidily (I say stupidly because I don't know), spent 4k on a tempurpedic bed last year.  It's the tempurpedic cloud luxe model.  I did research on other brands but didn't spend months researching and testing as some people do.  The mattress is ultra plush, or ultra soft and memory foam.  I wake up every morning with lower back pain and stiffness that does not go away, it lasts all day even as I'm writing this.  In reading reviews for mattresses, they say the best one for a bad back or back pain is a medium firm mattress.  I'm kicking myself because I should have tried out the medium firm mattress if my back was bothering me...my question is, is it really the mattress, or is it lyme? 

Who else has constant chronic lower back pain?

Posted 12/28/2015 2:45 PM (GMT 0)
Have you tried sleeping on anything else to compare how your back felt in the morning (a friend's couch, a sibling's guest bed)?

In my situation, before I was properly diagnosed with lyme disease, I complained to my doctor that my back and joints hurt and she dismissed me by diagnosing me with having a bed that was too hard LOL. So if your back hurts it really might be due to the lyme disease and not your bed.

Try sleeping with a pillow under you knees (or between if you're a side sleeper) and see if that helps. That and sitting with a better posture has helped me a little.
Posted 12/28/2015 2:51 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Gummo,
Thank you for the response. I haven't tried any other mattresses or my couch, but I've thought about it. I'm going to sleep on my couch tonight and let you know how I do tomororw. Ya it sounds like your doctor is one of a million that does not understand Lyme and just brushed it off as something ridiculous. Does your back still hurt, if so, is it all the time?
Posted 12/28/2015 3:02 PM (GMT 0)
My husband is 6'7" and when we first got married we had a water bed (I know, we're old huh). He always woke up with a nagging back ache. We bought one of those sleep comfort air beds and his side is very full of air and firm. My side is a little squishier. He has no back aches now. Oh and we have air pillows. I got so tired of buying pillows because they would lose their "stuff." And as a side note our bed is 25 years old and we don't have to turn the mattress or anything.
Posted 12/28/2015 3:18 PM (GMT 0)
So are you saying his back is better now? Does he have any back pain due to Lyme or do you? Do you think a medium firm mattress is better than plush for back pain?
Posted 12/28/2015 3:30 PM (GMT 0)

DaveNJ41 said...
Does your back still hurt, if so, is it all the time?

It still hurts once in a while, usually after sitting all day at work, and when it does hurt its not nearly as bad as before. What hurts the most now are my shoulders whenever I sleep on my side.
Posted 12/28/2015 3:42 PM (GMT 0)
Are you in remission? How bad was your back and shoulders? Do you attribute it having lyme?
Posted 12/28/2015 4:45 PM (GMT 0)
I had terrible SI joint pain in my lower back! This was before my diagnosis but now I'm 99% sure it was lyme. I saw a chiropractor about every other day for months. He really, REALLY helped! Also, sitting was very bad for me. I found that standing (at my desk, etc) really helped. I wish you relief!
Posted 12/28/2015 4:54 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Dave!-

Several years ago, I had terrible sciatica issues. My husband bought a memory foam mattress. This seemed to help for a couple of years.

I am pretty sure that I have had Lyme and co-infections that went misdiagnosed for 27 years. I have dealt with stiff neck, sciatica, and now my whole spine is very sore.

Ever since I started treatment for Lyme, my sore neck is back daily, and the sciatica comes and goes. The last couple of weeks, my whole spine is very sore. I personally believe all of this and other symptoms are due to Lyme and co-infections.

Have you ever tried a light massage? Sometimes I try to massage my own neck, and once and awhile my husband will lightly rub my back.

I have tried sleeping on the couch in the past, but this usually makes me feel worse.

Best Wishes!
Posted 12/28/2015 4:58 PM (GMT 0)
I'm sorry for both of you and your pain, I feel your pain...quite literally. Was the memory foam mattress firm or soft or in the middle? I'm pretty sure I've had lyme and co-infections for a long time...I remember having bloating and candida like symptoms going back to when I was in high school and college, and then joint pain and neuropathy, etc. since last year amongst other symptoms. I may get a massage today, since it does seem to help. I may try sleeping on the couch...I'm just a little afraid I may have to get surgery on my back or something drastic to relieve the pain.
Posted 12/28/2015 5:13 PM (GMT 0)
It could definitely be the memory foam. I had this problem (no Lyme, DS has that) and we finally solved it by flipping our mattress (it's a pillow top) and buying a 1.5" (no more than that from my research) memory foam off the shelf at the local Walmart for $119 or so and it solved the problem immediately. Good luck. I do know people have back pain from Lyme too though.

When we flipped it, the bottom side is extremely hard, so you could try a piece of plywood with a thinner (1.5) memory foam on top - much cheaper than a new bed. For lower back pain, they said no thicker than 2" on the websites I found.
Posted 12/28/2015 5:17 PM (GMT 0)
Yancync, I've read the opposite actually...I've read that high density memory foam is great for taking pressure off the joints and for relieving pain in certain body parts like hips, shoulders, back. Those people who have back pain, did they have back pain prior to lyme or no?
Posted 12/28/2015 5:23 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Dave!-

I guess, I would have to say my memory foam mattress is in the "middle ". It isn't very soft like a pillow top, but is firm enough that you don't sink into it.

When I had my sciatica issues (before I met my husband), I bought a brand new mattress. I thought that would help ease my pain. I bought a "medium ". I think that it was mislabeled! That matters was so firm and it never seemed to "break in" or soften up a little.

P.S- if you get a massage, be careful because you might herx and feel worse after. I have had this happen a couple of times! :(

Best Wishes!
Posted 12/28/2015 5:26 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Dave,
I know but I also found a lot of people online who experienced the opposite, especially as the mattress aged (although yours is still quite new). I actually was never able to sleep on my back the entire time we had the pillow topper memory foam mattress but now can with our new setup. I think it's like Lyme - you have to try stuff until you find what works for you. Lyme definitely makes it more difficult to tell if it's Lyme or your mattress though.

I do know some teens with Lyme who didn't have lower back pain until after they got Lyme. I don't know if they are feeling better as their treatment continues or not. I'm pretty sure you will get some answers here though.

Best wishes.
Posted 12/28/2015 6:23 PM (GMT 0)
Dave - I have never had issues with back pain. The only time I would have a short-term issue is when I strained a muscle playing tennis - and it was upper back only.

But, since having Lyme and co's - I have some back pain - on and off - and it moves around.

My first herx on Day 4 of doxy (my first antibiotic to treat lyme) - was back pain - and it lasted many days (can't remember - maybe two weeks?) - and then advice from the forum was to lower my dose and up detox...within two days it was much better.

(This is separate from my nerve pain - upper left side of back)

Your back pain could be from Lyme..did it come on before you started treating?
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