HI Wood Spinner!
Welcome to our little spot! I'm so glad you found us! I'm sorry that you are having such pain! Lyme can be a very neurological infection and so can and will cause a lot of nerve pain in all parts of the body. Like you, I suffer with a lot of pain in the low back/sciatic area, with such horrible pain going down my legs also from time to time (sciatica). It's best to take anti-inflammatories to deal with this type of pain. I like to suggest that people use turmeric - once they check to be sure it won't interfere with any of their other meds - as it's natural and works quite well. (
www.drweil.com/drw/u/QAA142972/Anti-Inflammatory-Herbs.com)
Shabbychic is right in the fact that steroids aren't good for those with lowered immune function - which is what happens with these infections, or any other serious infection.
Although, if the pain is significant, then the steroids will help, even though they will also allow the bacteria to have less restraint and so the bacteria will spread further through out the body.
If you haven't done so yet, please do read through our "New to Lyme? Start here!" thread that site at the top of our forum, as it's packed full of really important information and helpful links, along with symptoms lists too.