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how do you treat your flu-like pain/aching?

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Posted 4/22/2014 3:01 AM (GMT 0)
Hey everyone - lately one of my worst symptoms has been this unrelenting flu-like pain - no fevers or chills really, just relentless aching from head to toe (usually worsening around 11 pm for some reason).

Good news is I think this is a sign that my immune system is finally back online with fighting these infections...bad news is it hurts!

This is the one kind of pain I've never been able to find any way to ease besides heat and epsom baths but they only seem to help for the time being, and I can't take baths in my new apartment :(

Any tips or tricks for dealing with the aching and flu-y symptoms?
Also...does anyone have any insight as to WHY lyme/co-infections causes aching like this? I figure if I can pinpoint the actual biological process causing the pain, maybe I can find a better way to soothe it!
Posted 4/22/2014 3:16 AM (GMT 0)
My daughter is helped by epsom salt foot soaks, which can easily be done several times a day. Laying on the Biomat will help if she's not feeling feverish. They have one that can go over the back of a chair, but none on them are cheap.
Posted 4/22/2014 11:06 AM (GMT 0)
I have the same thing! I also feel very stiff when I get up after sitting for a while or sleeping. Does this happen to you too? This symptom developed after a lot of my other symptoms resolved. I don't understand it either. Epson Salt baths really do help. The level of my pain is not too bad, but it is still uncomfortable.
Posted 4/22/2014 11:25 AM (GMT 0)
Yes to the stiffness. If the unrelenting aches start to ware me down I will usually try ibuprofen or aleve. It it is more pain than aches I will uee rx naproxen (stronger aleve).
Posted 4/22/2014 11:58 AM (GMT 0)
I have this almost every single day and it drives me up the wall. I call it the 'hit-by-a-truck-feeling'. I had it before I started treatment, but not that bad, it has been there since treatment about 90% of the time (I'm honestly not exaggerating), for 20 months, and it drives me nuts.

Like Chapelle, it's worse when I sit still for a while and when I wake up in the morning.

Dr says it has to do with my (very) high levels of prostaglandins (E2), it is also the reason why I blow up like a balloon...

I haven't found anything that really helps yet. Lately I have been asking hubby to give me a gentle massage with magnesium oil (mixed with massage oil) and the pain seems to be less the day after.

We don't have a bath at home, only a shower. So I can't soak in an Epsom salt bath... sad

Posted 4/22/2014 1:23 PM (GMT 0)
Mariel LOL, that is exactly what call it. Omg it is such a relief to hear others describe symps the way I do, dont feel si alone or crazy. I really appreciate this site for the reassurance I get just hearing others describe their experiences, not sure how one survives this without the understanding and empathy from others going through common experience.
Posted 4/22/2014 1:25 PM (GMT 0)
When you say blow up do you mean like feeling bloated, and literally feel gut expanding like I gained 25 pds overnight? What is e2, is that a test?
Posted 4/22/2014 2:28 PM (GMT 0)
and that's what my son has said before, "I feel like I've been hit by a truck".

Thank goodness he hasn't said something like this for awhile now (it was about a month ago I think?)
anyway, I asked where he heard that from and he said "Shaggy on Scooby Doo"! I think it's in Phantosaurus :)
Anyway, he woke up one morning and said that, about being hit by a truck, while he was still laying in bed. He'll sleep with us sometimes, so I end up hearing what his first thoughts are, which has actually been helpful, since he experiences (not as much at all now) symptoms first thing in the morning upon waking.
Posted 4/22/2014 2:30 PM (GMT 0)
How old is your son Stacestar? It's good that he can describe you so well how he feels :-)
Posted 4/22/2014 2:31 PM (GMT 0)

Roxie,

I blow up as in weight. I gained about 35 lbs since I started treatment almost 21 months ago. My PGE2 levels keep on going up, it's crazy.

E2 is a type of prostaglandin (PGE2). Prostaglandins E1 and E3 are called good Prostaglandins, that are supposed to keep E2 under controll. Omega3 can help you with that. The help that fishoil gives is probably caused by a decrease in the Omega6-Omega3 ratio, which causes a decrease of arachidonic acid. Arachidonic acid is a precursor in the production of eicosanoids, and prostaglandins are a subfamily of eicosanoids.

Omega3 decreases the production of PGE2, and increases the production of PGE3 (anti-inflammatory).

My brain isn't functioning very well these lasts weeks, but I think I got it right.

Aspirin blocks prostaglandins that were released into inflamed areas. My dr also prescribed Berberine for that, and Zyflamend.

It's a bit very scientific, but this might give you some insights:

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21804201

You can get PGE2 tested, but over here, it's not possible in every lab.

Posted 4/22/2014 2:54 PM (GMT 0)
MarieLS,

He's four. He's always been a good little communicator. It's been helpful for sure.
Posted 4/22/2014 4:39 PM (GMT 0)
Same here! It's definitely my most unpleasant symptom! Have had it non stop for 20 months! Over the counter pain meds don't relieve it at all, even in high doses. I'm on prescription pain meds for relief - Tramadol and Butrans patch. That's the only way I could function.

I haven't gained weight, but I'm constantly very bloated that makes me look like a balloon!

I hope you find a way to relieve this very unpleasant symptom!
Posted 4/22/2014 5:25 PM (GMT 0)
But as borderlyme asked does anyone know what causes this? Is it a coinfection? Is it the lyme? Or could it just be leftover inflammation?
Posted 4/22/2014 8:38 PM (GMT 0)
I have this symptom as well. The only thing that helps is a bath. I'm so sorry you can't have one!

Maybe try a heating pad on your neck/shoulders.
Posted 4/23/2014 3:04 AM (GMT 0)
When I first came down with Lyme, I had the flu like achiness for a few days and then started having joint pain. When the joint pain started, the flu achiness subsided. Then I went on Doxy for 2 months and felt better. When I went off Doxy, all my symptoms returned within a week with flu like achiness being my worst symptom. Has the achiness ever since.

I wonder why the achiness wasn't there very much before Doxy and came on so strongly after Doxy? If that helps anyone put 2 and 2 together....
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