Total body healing/health update, post lyme 4 years, some history and asking advice

For regulars here - my story is not new, vs any newbies reading it.

I kind wrote a "healed" post a couple years ago, but was not to direct since im still correcting my body trying to make it the best I can as I was never even normally healthy in the 1970's. Im not sure how to make a healed post while incorporation ongoing healing that is going without any more lyme treatment for four years. I listen to my body well, and learned what is going on from what, over decades, you figure this out to some extent. I had many ticks on me since childhood in the outdoors/woods. Then I certainly had the oval rash with huge increase of symptoms early1990's. Dr did nothing then, I herd of lyme by then too. I got worse, then better the roller-coaster continued, good years and bad years.

I cant imaging how something almost life long (I have only one life to compare) can suddenly heal 100% in short time. Polio had life long damage years ago, lyme for decades prob does too. But im working on it.

I have no problem admitting that. I complained to parents back then who did nothing- I cant blame them though. Drs were lame back then anyway. School though I was slow at one point- brain fog was obvious- they thought of learning disabilities- wrong. That said, I did my best to do things I loved but found it hard to give what 100% is in a healthy body, then I could no longer do this in my early 40's. Doing physical things with lyme physically changed my structure tissues as there was never complete healing. I had many smaller athletic/competitive injuries that piled up. Normal people might get DOMS, but this was way worse- from lyme I imagine. This led to a twisted spine, "MS like jacket" and pain all over.

So although i was somewhat miserable my whole life, I had some very distinct interests that I dove into making up for it. Some I touched the surface to get the experience, and a few I really did the best I could resulting in some results that were further than my dreams. The happiest day of my life was first place at a national outdoor event- unfortunately I missed the podium awards time as I went to the hospital after the finish line. Thats how bad I wanted it and realized that time may never happen again at the half way point. Was in mid thirties, I hung it up at 37, now in 50's and now trying to do my outdoor stuff at my pace for fun only.

There are a few newer articles with testing that shows lyme creates tissue calcification somehow (lyme arthritis that stays). Seems like that might be what happened. ABX stopped it, but did not heal the twisted damage. I limped with gate issues since the mid 90's my structure changed and adapted to this new twist, pain came with it too. Muscles not symmetrical.

All the self tissue rebuilding (learned from many sources) Ive mentioned over the years has slowly helped what regular PT did minimal to nothing.

**I just reached a new tissue/structure mile stone again, peeled away more onion. Lots of hamstring and inner/outer thigh muscle work. Pulled the right lift out of my shoes. Lower and upper spine muscle strengthening, lumbar, dips and pull-ups. - everything that pulls straight, not compressing. Seated arm curles and squats compress the spine- not good for me. Hips are more aligned, one trouble vertebrata stopped popping out last year.- my "limit" gauge. Pulled the right lift out of my shoes. At this point I play it by ear- workout hard a few days, listed to body, feel the healing with some days off, adjust plan. I work out joints in all directions safely possible.

Better strength-

*I just fatbiked on a big snowy lake yesterday about 8-12 miles. Only got to coast very little on the short ice road part. Minimal coasting in snowbiking, your under load. This was not possible until last year and still had unbalanced soreness day after. Years ago completely impossible to do. Today, the day after I feel a balanced very light normal soreness, - almost normal I think. *


***Limiting stress is hard, but is need to heal. Way better but still needs improvement, Any Advice?***

-I seem have a "tolerable limit", when met, I cant sleep and my brain wont turn off - until whatever burning question or issue is resolved. Living by my terms is part of how I delt with this my whole life. Supplemental band aids only do so much for that type of personality. Seen some brain retraining info here in the past, stuff I looked into was to much "fooling yourself". My brain wont fool itself LOL.

I need to cope with stressors. Example- yesterday after riding, planned to go grocery shopping and vehicle broke in driveway. Its winter and snowy so, ill bring it in , but spending more money stresses me. I miraculously managed to keep everything with this illness and short bouts of unemployment (sole provider living solo), so I almost have a fear of big bills - from paying for the "lyme experience". It led to very poor sleep last night. In unstressed state, I sleep and even dream again. Some stress to much, guess im one of them.

Based on the average American male, I have about 20 years left on this rock. Kind of depressing untill I remember those who've already passed younger than I from whatever reason. Lyme past, I have an unusual youth for my age on my outsides (more obvious as peers age), BUT, I hope to have some of this working on my insides too.. I want to enjoy my time left, as much was stolen from lyme. I'm sure you can relate.

Running-

My tendons seem to have fit the calcification theory (tight and "ropy" wont stretch), especially hamstring tendon attachment at knees and pelvis. IT bands too (a weird area as you prob know). I was also riddled with internal scar tissue at specific muscle areas- from accidents, impacts ect.

Pressure seems to break down these areas and is sped by by using topical DMSO on arnica montana gel and then even better with penetrex cream. I can thank 1000daises for getting me to try Penetrex again. I wrote it off at first expecting more results with the high cost. It takes time.

Summary of what I did: Apply pressure to areas, apply topicals above, workout next day, repeat topical applications, rest take notes, repeat. I tried to keep the muscles in the new "pumped up warmed up feel" state, in time this was the new normal again vs tightening up. To much though could tighten up from overuse- thats where repeated/learned experience comes in to play. Fine line between the muscle "pumped up" feel and over use. It took time to figure this out.

I even re-injured some areas (just more pressure than usual) and re- healed/ treated like it was a new tissue injury (with gradual motion vs soft cast)- some guy online had info on this, forget his practice. I also went to a chiro who worked with Olympians in there past, so tried newer ideas on them and then on me. Some worked, some didnt. Dry needling did nothing (not so new anymore). I suppose some joint surgeries could have helped and prob still would- I decided againsts that.

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My lyme story has proof from 1990/91 after, before that is my speculation, but probable due to tick exposure in adolescences with similar symptoms, just not as bad as later on when it htt me hard after the rash. .

There is a certain sadness and intertwined gratefulness as I look back. I just wanted a few more years, ha ha nothing new to any lymie missing out on stuff. I am now one of the old dudes who has stories to BS with my past competitors and their kids, at related events. Also met some great people, one-on-one, famous for years in the sport, who were more down to earth than I figured would be.

On the other hand, I now have time and ability to do other things and cant wait for spring. That first canoe outage on a clear motor-less lake before any weeks grow is pretty awesome. And no ticks on the water. I only "put in" the canoe at weedless shorelines or boat ramps too. If I ever move to a warmer climate, I will miss the northern wood/water and at times, the "tick-less" part of winter. . Thats why I have declined to move even though I hate the low light of November to January. Feb is the start of longer , sunnier days. South east is more humid, and the south west desert although interesting (the endless sky),...is melting hot and so baron in places. No perfect place to live.(If there is...tell me).

So much for lyme doesnt exist lol....

Post Edited (astroman) : 2/17/2020 5:53:04 AM (GMT-7)

I'm thinking of trying a half marathon. I've done several 5K races, and I always have trouble doing anything much faster than 9-minute miles. I usually finish completely exhausted, even though I've been running 5 miles regularly. Strangely, I feel like I go a lot faster on non-pavement type surfaces (or maybe it's just an illusion).

Any tips or hints?

Notime4lyme said /- "I've been running 5 miles regularly. Strangely, I feel like I go a lot faster on non-pavement type surfaces (or maybe it's just an illusion"

5 miles, thats great. Realy great for someone with lyme.

Softer surfaces are better, just careful for holes, tripping on stuff ect. In addition to more impact compression, you also get more "rebound" on soft surfaces that equal longer stride per same energy used.

Funny- any town with park type paved bike and running paths always has a dirt single track next to it that the seasoned (older) runners use. Reason for that- they know. On hard surfaces, foot strikes are so similar it can create lower repetitive motion injuries. Dirt/gravel/wood chip trail - foot strikes are different. Go run on a beach if you have not and see. Your whole body feels different (great) after.

That why I do snow sprints on snow covered grass / lawn parks, ball fields ect. (deep snow, wont slip). They even make racing snowshoes (sounds funny), shorter and its like running on the moon. Yes there is snow shoe racing too (lol) if you have not heard. You do face-plants trying to run with hiking/deep snow snowshoes.

Post Edited (astroman) : 2/17/2020 8:37:27 PM (GMT-7)