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Posted 10/27/2017 10:32 AM (GMT 0)
After months of researching, it seems I have found the overall issue I am having with my walking. I'm a bit irritated on how it played out. But, ultimately, I have myself to blame.

So, earlier this year, I had back pain. Hurt my back years ago weight lifting and toughed it out. That was my first stupid move. Contracted Lyme last year, and back issues got bad earlier this year. Went and got an MRI of Lumbar and Thoracic Spine. My PD called me and said he would like for me to see a spine specialist. So, the earliest appointment I could get was almost 2 months from then. I was struggling financially, and my health insurance sucks. So, a couple of weeks before my appointment, all back pain had subsided. So, like a dummy, I cancelled. about a month later, my walking issues started. Saw a chiropractor who got a copy of my MRI and said all I had was a bulged disc and I just needed some adjusting, fix my posture, and do some back exercises.

That wasn't helping. So, I went to a neurologist. I even took a copy of my MRI with me. But he did not even look at it. He gave me an exam and said that my walking issues were not due to my back and that it was probably due to Lyme. So, after my positive Western Blot, I started treating Lyme.

Treatment has been ok, except for the fact that my walking has been getting worse. So, I was doing more research and found quite a few people with spine issues with the same exact type of issues I was having. I ran across The Laser-Spine Institute. And they were offering free MRI reviews to see if people qualify for their non invasive spine surgeries. I sent in my info. Got a call a week later and gave them my info and where my MRI records were. They called me back yesterday saying that I had several bulged discs and a tear in my lower lumbar and that it falls in line with the symptoms I've been experiencing.

They are currently looking into my insurance, and would like me to go to Tampa and run some diagnostics on me to make sure it is my back that is causing my symptoms, and if so, they would operate.

So, I'm figuring the Lyme is in my spine wreaking havoc on what damage was already there. But, I am very irritated that the chiropractor and the neuro did not catch this. I mean, it was my fault in the first place for not keeping that back appointment months ago, but still.

So now, here is my concern. Would it be wise to have surgery while having an active Lyme infection?

I feel that there may be no other way around it if I want any hope of regaining my regular walking again.

And the original MRI was done 7 months ago. I suspect my back is worse now. The ironic part of all this was at one point I thought poor circulation was causing issues. And after doing research, jumping on a trampoline is good for circulatory issues. So, guess what this dummy did? Jumped on a trampoline regularly. I'm sure that was great for compressing my spine even more.

Thanks in advance...

Post Edited (Hoagie) : 10/27/2017 4:35:59 AM (GMT-6)

Posted 10/27/2017 12:46 PM (GMT 0)
Does your walking issues feel more like a physical issue or a neurological issue?

As lymies I think most of have gotten really good at deciphering the difference. Is it truly physical or is it neurological which than came sometimes cause physical symptoms?
Posted 10/27/2017 2:01 PM (GMT 0)

dacarte3 said...
Does your walking issues feel more like a physical issue or a neurological issue?

As lymies I think most of have gotten really good at deciphering the difference. Is it truly physical or is it neurological which than came sometimes cause physical symptoms?

At first I thought it was all neurological. But, then I started reading the same issues going on with people with spine issues like stenosis, bulged and herniated discs. They mess with the nerves and can cause drop foot, balance issues, and weakness.... same types of symptoms that MS, ALS, and other neurodegenerative processes can display. To be honest, if surgery can take care of this, I'll take the spine issue instead of the neuro. Maybe it's both?

My fear is that even if it is the spine, that the Lyme is in there and will continue to mess things up.
Posted 10/27/2017 4:30 PM (GMT 0)
I don't have the answer but I suspect I suffer from Bart getting in the muscles surrounding the spine more than anything. I know surgery would have been a disaster in my case. It would not have been something I could reverse and I would still be stuck with this pain.

Maybe just maybe this inflammation is something I can reverse. I know I have come close a couple times.
Posted 10/27/2017 7:35 PM (GMT 0)
Hoagie - Have you thought about trying something less invasive first?


My husband's coworker injured himself at work and ended up with compression, and bulging discs. He was in excruciating pain...couldn't stand...or sit.

After several months of this, he heard about a treatment that slowly decompresses the spine. It's a slight stretching over many days...which allows the disc to go back into place.
It may not fix it all...but it could help?

This guy has not had an issue since. That was over 10 years ago.

After hearing this, my husband purchased an inversion table and whenever he has pain in his back after doing something 'stupid' he uses it...and immediate relief. He uses it maybe once a month or so...but it's usually after he's been lifting weights...or something else that he shouldn't be doing. The inversion table flips him upside down...but his feet are anchored...so it stretches the spine.

He had also been in a car accident many years ago...and the orthopedic surgeon basically said (when looking at the mri) his spine was a mess and he'd end up with back problems in a few years that would just worsen over time.

But, he really doesn't have back issues...unless he does something he shouldn't.


I don't know all that is wrong with your back...so I don't know if this is an option...but maybe look into the spinal decompression...
Posted 10/27/2017 8:04 PM (GMT 0)

Girlie said...
Hoagie - Have you thought about trying something less invasive first?


My husband's coworker injured himself at work and ended up with compression, and bulging discs. He was in excruciating pain...couldn't stand...or sit.

After several months of this, he heard about a treatment that slowly decompresses the spine. It's a slight stretching over many days...which allows the disc to go back into place.
It may not fix it all...but it could help?

This guy has not had an issue since. That was over 10 years ago.

After hearing this, my husband purchased an inversion table and whenever he has pain in his back after doing something 'stupid' he uses it...and immediate relief. He uses it maybe once a month or so...but it's usually after he's been lifting weights...or something else that he shouldn't be doing. The inversion table flips him upside down...but his feet are anchored...so it stretches the spine.

He had also been in a car accident many years ago...and the orthopedic surgeon basically said (when looking at the mri) his spine was a mess and he'd end up with back problems in a few years that would just worsen over time.

But, he really doesn't have back issues...unless he does something he shouldn't.


I don't know all that is wrong with your back...so I don't know if this is an option...but maybe look into the spinal decompression...

I'm going to see a good spine doc Tuesday. If I can get by w/o surgery, that would be fine. But I feel that is a stretch seeing as how my walking has been going to pot. But hopefully...
Posted 10/27/2017 8:15 PM (GMT 0)

Hoagie said...

Girlie said...
Hoagie - Have you thought about trying something less invasive first?


My husband's coworker injured himself at work and ended up with compression, and bulging discs. He was in excruciating pain...couldn't stand...or sit.

After several months of this, he heard about a treatment that slowly decompresses the spine. It's a slight stretching over many days...which allows the disc to go back into place.
It may not fix it all...but it could help?

This guy has not had an issue since. That was over 10 years ago.

After hearing this, my husband purchased an inversion table and whenever he has pain in his back after doing something 'stupid' he uses it...and immediate relief. He uses it maybe once a month or so...but it's usually after he's been lifting weights...or something else that he shouldn't be doing. The inversion table flips him upside down...but his feet are anchored...so it stretches the spine.

He had also been in a car accident many years ago...and the orthopedic surgeon basically said (when looking at the mri) his spine was a mess and he'd end up with back problems in a few years that would just worsen over time.

But, he really doesn't have back issues...unless he does something he shouldn't.


I don't know all that is wrong with your back...so I don't know if this is an option...but maybe look into the spinal decompression...

I'm going to see a good spine doc Tuesday. If I can get by w/o surgery, that would be fine. But I feel that is a stretch seeing as how my walking has been going to pot. But hopefully...

Not all spine docs will recommend the non-surgical decompression...especially if they are surgeons.
Posted 10/28/2017 6:55 PM (GMT 0)
Glad you’re going to a doc on Tuesday. Most docs won’t take others mri’s and will want to do their own and you probably need a new one.

Curious of your walking issues, I know it’s difficult to differentiate if it’s lyme or spine, so it’s worth getting another mri and that may narrow it down to which one is taking prescedence.

Spine stuff I know, been doing it 14 years but now that I recently been diagnosed with lyme. I can look back and see what was more lyme than spine and vice versa

People have asked good questions and gave good advice here. They also make seated inversion chairs if lying down on it is difficult. Also Vax D, my personal experience with that was not a good one to say the least. Still dealing with the repercussions of it since 2003. But that’s with anything, may be good for some and not others

Take care and hope all goes well
Posted 10/28/2017 10:54 PM (GMT 0)
Hoagie- read my BACK PAIN post from today
Posted 11/1/2017 2:44 PM (GMT 0)

Misalily said...
Glad you’re going to a doc on Tuesday. Most docs won’t take others mri’s and will want to do their own and you probably need a new one.

Curious of your walking issues, I know it’s difficult to differentiate if it’s lyme or spine, so it’s worth getting another mri and that may narrow it down to which one is taking prescedence.

Spine stuff I know, been doing it 14 years but now that I recently been diagnosed with lyme. I can look back and see what was more lyme than spine and vice versa

People have asked good questions and gave good advice here. They also make seated inversion chairs if lying down on it is difficult. Also Vax D, my personal experience with that was not a good one to say the least. Still dealing with the repercussions of it since 2003. But that’s with anything, may be good for some and not others

Take care and hope all goes well

I'm at a stand still now.

The place I sent my MRI to says that my symptoms are in line with what they see o n the MRI. However, I just had an appointment yesterday with a semi-local, highly rated spine surgeon. One of his PAs talked with me and said that it didn't look like the what he saw on the MRI was in line with my symptoms. But he referred me to PT and ordered a nerve conduction study on my legs and we will go from there. I don't know what to believe.

Maybe this place I sent my MRI is just after money?

Maybe it's all Lyme. But if it's my back and I just continue to treat Lyme only, my walking will become worse. This sucks.
Posted 11/1/2017 3:49 PM (GMT 0)
IMO, Do not have surgery. In the beginning, 3 years before I had my lyme diagnosis, I had all sorts of back pain, SI joint, numb foot, popping joints when I walked etc. I got massages, Chiropractic adjustments, Orthopedic did nerve conduction study and a cortisone shot into the pyraformis. Nothing worked. Nothing worked because I had Lyme and treating the Lyme was the only thing that made the problems go away.

My brother is an orthopedic and he said "I'm trained to look at symptoms and fix the problem. Sometimes the symptoms don't match, but that is because there are multiple problems. But most doctors will try to fix the problem, even if they don't know what the problem is because they aren't going to say "I don't know". In your case, you have back problems that are coming from the Lyme and surgery won't fix that problem, so you could get the surgery and still have the problem."

He also said, People think MRIs are the end all, be all of diagnosis and it just isn't true. He said you could take 10 random people from the street and give them an MRI of their back and of the 10, 4/10 will say they are fine and the MRI will show major issues and 6/10 say they have issues, and their MRIs will be fine. He diagnoses mainly by physical exam and symptoms.

All of my back problems have resolved now that I am post treatment. It's taken a long 2 years to heal, so I get where you are anxious about solving it now.

He recommends doing the McKenzie stretching and stretching the hamstrings for bulging discs and look at postural corrections. He's very conservative when it comes to back surgeries because there is never a guarantee with surgery.
Posted 11/1/2017 4:34 PM (GMT 0)
Check this video out https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9SKuFe2SERs

His advice is legit. He also has many other videos on shoulder and lower back issues.
Posted 11/1/2017 5:05 PM (GMT 0)
Thank you so much creativegirl. That eases my mind quite a bit.

I'll check that link out when I get home, Redeyedarab.
Posted 11/1/2017 8:54 PM (GMT 0)

Hoagie said...

Misalily said...
Glad you’re going to a doc on Tuesday. Most docs won’t take others mri’s and will want to do their own and you probably need a new one.

Curious of your walking issues, I know it’s difficult to differentiate if it’s lyme or spine, so it’s worth getting another mri and that may narrow it down to which one is taking prescedence.

Spine stuff I know, been doing it 14 years but now that I recently been diagnosed with lyme. I can look back and see what was more lyme than spine and vice versa

People have asked good questions and gave good advice here. They also make seated inversion chairs if lying down on it is difficult. Also Vax D, my personal experience with that was not a good one to say the least. Still dealing with the repercussions of it since 2003. But that’s with anything, may be good for some and not others

Take care and hope all goes well

I'm at a stand still now.

The place I sent my MRI to says that my symptoms are in line with what they see o n the MRI. However, I just had an appointment yesterday with a semi-local, highly rated spine surgeon. One of his PAs talked with me and said that it didn't look like the what he saw on the MRI was in line with my symptoms. But he referred me to PT and ordered a nerve conduction study on my legs and we will go from there. I don't know what to believe.

Maybe this place I sent my MRI is just after money?

Maybe it's all Lyme. But if it's my back and I just continue to treat Lyme only, my walking will become worse. This sucks.

The place you sent your MRI’s, if referring to the Laser Spine Institue that want to run some diagnostics tests, would have done their own MRI’s and probably the EMG, it’s pretty standard. So if you think having the EMG will give you a peace of mind, and it’s more convenient than going to Tampa, also it’s not invasive, then that’s something to think about, believe me I’ve been there.

cr3 is right, MRI’s are not the end all. I ruptured a disc and felt it rupture, I had 3 MRI’s (2 dye injected), 2- EMG’s, Myelogram, then finally a discogram that showed a “gaping hole” in my disc. Took 8 months, 17 docs and a lot of “I don’t knows”. Point is I thought a ruptured disc would be pretty black and white, it isn’t, there are many tests to determine many things.

Anyhow I’ve had many more things happen and done since then that they thought was back related... but wasn’t, if anything was more damaging.

Just please be conversative in your approach, weighing your symptoms, tests, doctor opinions, and other conversative approaches

Okay I’m just going to throw this out there, but have you had a brain mri?

Good luck and keep us posted
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