Repeated tendon issues

I'm getting frustrated with repeated tendon injuries. Every time a get a new injury I start fishing through the archives and then I feel overwhelmed with options, theories and ideas and brain fog makes it hard to form a concrete plan for how to move forward and I feel more stuck than ever.

My joints feel 'brittle' for lack of a better description and the slightest thing can set them off at times. I've taken to taping susceptible joints as soon as I get a hint that they might give me trouble but sometimes I get caught unawares which happened last night with a fresh injury to my right ankle.

For the longest time I assumed that this was a lyme symptom but I'm starting to suspect it's bartonella and I'm not clear whether it's the tendon or bursa that is the root cause or a bit of both depending on the joint.

I'm taking MSM, collagen, fish oil, COQ10 and C. I've tried Hyaluronic Acid on and off without any noticeable difference. I've been focusing on exercises to strengthen the supporting muscles around the affected joints which seems to help some but I don't think they were overly weak to start with. I'm wondering if I need to increase my protein intake as it's on the lower end. Anyone notice whether macros matter when it comes to diet and joints?

Thoughts? Does this sort of thing tend to be lyme or bart? Does it even matter which is the cause?

Bartonella causes tendon issues.

Bart probably causes arthritis as well as Lyme. Interestingly, antibiotics for Lyme cause me no joint pain, but those for bart do. It took weeks for my joints to recover from the last antibiotic induced bart herx.

Bartonella Infection Associated with Rheumatoid Illnesses in Humans

What is your dose of MSM? I use up to 12 g, though I often have to lower it or stop due to insomnia.

sandyfeet - although I've read that the fluoroquinolones can (rarely) do damage even after you've stopped taking them...I doubt if 4 years later...something would happen.

I think you can be quite confident that it's from the infections - likely bartonella.

Thank you all for the responses.

I do strongly suspect Bart has been a major player for me.

I totally get that 'research mode' comment sandyfeet... I worry I am going to cause further damage by exercising, but then wonder if it is worse not to exercise. Its tough to get a good exercise doing things that exclude the legs...

I too keep suffering with repeated magnified inflammation in tendons, ligaments, soft tissue!! Stretching helps somewhat but I just started Reishi supplements, japanese knotweed, and cordycepts. Lord I will try anything!! I take epston salt baths and have an infrared sauna!!

That is my biggest symptom and the rest I feel about 90% well.

astro - Does the breast stroke bother your shoulders?


I had some pain in my shoulders, but find swimming the breast stroke is fine.
I wouldn't attempt the crawl though.

Why don't you guys put your head under water at the lake?

Am I missing something?

The lake I swim in is clean/clear and very fresh.

But I also don't put my head under each time when I'm doing the breast stroke.

2K? Oh boy .... that's a good distance. I'm not that good a swimmer...
I do find it to be the most gentle for my body. I don't run anymore and only occasionally bike ride.
Most days I go on my Elliptical machine and do therabands and light weights (really light)

"Why don't you guys put your head under water at the lake?"

When in nature, I like to see where I'm going and dont like drinking lake water. Swimming in shallows is safer depth wise, but thats also where the weeds are too, or maybe fallen trees waiting to poke any eye out. Plus, the "groomed" swimming beaches are only found in the bigger cities. Our cleaner lakes are colder.

One of our Olympic swimmers got attacked multiple times by a crazy Otter while training way out in the water, she lived- seeing whats ahead on a lake is a good thing!