Back pain

January 12, 1999

, I believe that back pain in general goes with lyme. I have read of a

lot of disk problems in lymies. If it gets to bad have a dr check into it,

you never know what the cause might be.

Take Care

Amy

January 12, 1999

Dear ,

My back pain varies. Ice helps me the most. It seems to numb the pain and

make the blood vessels shrink. I do that for my migrains and get much better

results. I also take extra muscle relaxants until it is gone, even if it

makes me goofy and I have to stay put. I try to sit, walk, lay down , but not

for long periods. Each muscle group on me requires different stuff. I am

been experimentting for 25+ years and sort of know which works for what.If you

use heat, never use dry heat, that will make the muscles contract and really

hurt. I only use wet heat.

Love,

Connie

January 12, 1999

, I have a lot of upper back pain! It was diagnosed as post herpetic

neuralgia in 1990 but Dr. Sam Donta, who was called in by my attorney as a

consultant believes that it is Lyme related neuralgia instead. Truthfully, the

only thing that offers any relief is STRONG narcotics and by strong I don't mean

Vicodan! Where is your pain?

Alison

Iggy81@... wrote:

> From: Iggy81@...

>

> I have been having a ton of upper back pain. It seems to be increasing with

> time, and is a terrible discomfort. I have trouble sleeping a lot of the time

> because of it. Has anyone else experienced the same thing?

>

> iggy81@...

>

> ------------------------------------------------------------------------

>

January 13, 1999

Hi ,

If this persists you definitely should have an MRI to see what the

problem is. I started out with shoulder pain, which felt like bursitis,

than it progressed, finally had a MRI after suffering several months, and it

showed herniated discs. I tried physical therapy which only made it worse,

so now I just live with it, and don't do things that will hurt my neck and

back.

Best to you,

Marta

--

>From: Iggy81@...

>

>I have been having a ton of upper back pain. It seems to be increasing with

>time, and is a terrible discomfort. I have trouble sleeping a lot of the

time

>because of it. Has anyone else experienced the same thing?

July 11, 1999

Hi ,

I know how it is, when you have a little helper :-) My bird Baby used to dance

on the keyboard to try to get my attention. He wasn't satisfied just sitting on

my shoulder and watching. I think he liked the sound of the keys clicking. So

many little mistakes would show up. We miss him a lot now and I wouldn't even

mind.

About the back pain ... not lately. Josh used to get soreness in his back and

shoulders but these days when his joints are hurting it seems more to be

affecting his wrists and fingers. He hasn't been too sore at all, though,

lately.

~Georgina

SHANNON MARTINO wrote:

> i am sorry for all this mis spelled words my 1 year old is so help full does

> your son get alot of back pain ? thanks again shannon

September 25, 1999

Dear Lee Ann,

My PA started with back pain as my only symptom. I was convinced

that I must have a herniated disc. The first rheumatologist thought

I had fibromyalgia. I eventually went to another after I moved and

developed further symptoms. The severe back pain I had was to due

PA in the sacroiliac joints. I had back X-rays and a CT scan (or

MRI, I can't remember) and they were fairly normal meaning some

degenerative changes in the spine but no erosion around the SI

joints. Unfortunately, I went on to have PA in other joints. It

starts as pain and stiffness. Some joints move on to swelling and

warmth. I have an aunt that had severe psoriatic arthritis so I

know what I have now. Incidentally, the first rheumatologist wasn't

too far off as PA causes fatigue and body aches like fibromyalgia.

Just my opinion but I think fibromyalgia is sometimes just a

precursor to the final diagnosis of an inflammatory arthritis. I

have come to learn that PA involves not just the joints but can also

affect the tendon insertions. I have it especially bad in my

Achilles tendons which insert in the heel. The back of my heels are

terribly tender. I finally got night splints to wear, they keep my

tendons somewhat flexed. The hard plastic splint rests on the bed

and my heel is suspended on a soft cloth insert. It has really

helped my heels. hope this helps. Take care. Z.

September 26, 1999

Hi ,

My pain started primarily in my back too. I thought I was

getting slipped discs or something so I went to a Chiropractor.

After a few times of that I decided not to go any more. I always

felt like I had been beat up and my pain was even worse after the

treatments.

I am glad you told me that PA has body aches like fibromyalga. I

thought that I may have Fibromyalga because of the muscle aches

and weakness and being so tired. I have often wondered if the

you get a diagnosis of fibromyalga when they can not figure out

what else to tell you. My mom had that diagnosis and within 5

years went on to be diagnosed with RA and Sorgrens.

Thank you for your post. You helped clear up much of the

confusion that I have had!

Thank you so much!!

Lee Ann Walter

Wife of Steve;

Mom to: 16; Krystle 14;

Caleb 2.5+; 2.5; 1yr.

October 28, 1999

In a message dated 10/28/99 10:12:32 PM, larryy@... writes:

<<The

trouble comes from the goop that's pushed out and presses (impinges) on the

nerve. A lot of Hnp shrink with time (they are 90% water) requiring no

surgical intervention. Given the neurological symptoms a lot of us suffer,

I would give the condition some time before I jumped to surgery. Mine was

certainly not successful.>>

Hi Larry

I am sorry your surgery was not successful.

As I previously mentioned there is a huge difference between nerve impingement

and spinal cord compression. I know that I am repeating myself, but I think

it

bears repetition.... Spinal cord compression is serious business that can

result

in paralysis.

Take care,

Jane

October 28, 1999

Larry,

Thanks for your story and info. I'm sorry that your surgery was not

successful. My Best, Joan

From: " larryyenko " <larryy@...>

To All Back Pain Suffers,

I had a diagnosis by MRI of an HNP at S1-L5 and L5-L4 in the late 80s.

I had another MRI in 1995 as a result of my initial neurological problems

and HNPs turned up at T10-T11 and T7-T8. The neurologist encouraged me to

get surgery at T10-T11 as he thought my neuro problems were coming from that

impingement. I had no pain at that level but had the surgery (Micro

discectomy). I got no relief from that surgery and have a lot of discomfort

from the scar (13 " long). I reread the article Marta attached and it

postulates that the spiro may hide in scar tissue.

..

Many researchers have observed that the Lyme spirochete attaches to

the human cells' tip first. It then wiggles and squirms until it enters

the cell. What Dr. Klempner showed was that when the spirochete

attached to the human host cell, it caused that cell to release

digestive enzymes that would dissolve the cell, and allow the spirochete

to go wherever it pleases. This is very economical to the bacteria to

use our own cell's enzymes against us, because it does not need to carry

the genes and enzymes around when it travels. Dr. Klempner also showed

that the spirochete could enter cells such as the human fibroblast cell

(The skin cell that makes scar

tissue.) and hide. Here the pathogen was protected from the immune

system, and could thrive without assault. More importantly, when these

Bb-fibroblast cultures were incubated with 10 x the MIC for IV Rocephin,

two thirds of the cultures still yielded live spirochetes after two

weeks, and in later experiments for more than 30 days. If we can't kill

it in a test tube at these high concentrations in four weeks, how can

we hope to kill it in the human body? (22,48,79,80,)

This means: The infection can enter the tissue that is optimal

for its survival, and it may evade the immune system and antibiotics by

hiding inside certain types of cells.

I am an attorney mostly practicing workers comp. I'm not a doctor but

from all the meds I read and the explanations I've heard in court, an HNP is

not necessarily bad. 60% of all people will have one by age 65. The

trouble comes from the goop that's pushed out and presses (impinges) on the

nerve. A lot of Hnp shrink with time (they are 90% water) requiring no

surgical intervention. Given the neurological symptoms a lot of us suffer,

I would give the condition some time before I jumped to surgery. Mine was

certainly not successful.

Larry NV

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October 6, 2000

Hi ine,

> Any of you dealing with a painful back and/or know something more

> about

> spondylitis, bone spurs or compressions fractures? I've been finding

> vague information on them at sites such as WebMD.

I have at last (just today) got round to writing up a web page, which will

save me some time in repeating myself when people ask for information!

http://pcjagg.dbs.aber.ac.uk/AS/AS.html

I hope that answers at least some of your questions about Spondylitis.

Regards,

October 6, 2000

Hi ine,

I'm sorry you are having such a bad time. My low back pain was very bad

at the start of the AP, but is responding pretty well, except for

occasional flare-up or if I overdo. I have been able to get pretty good

temporary relief for it from chiropractic-type manipulations for it, but

don't know if that would be an option for you if you are at the point you

are having compression fractures (I doubt it, from seeing what my mother

went through with vertebral compression fractures). Perhaps traction would

give some temporary relief? Has the doc mentioned that at all? Have you

had bone density scans done? Any measures to address osteporosis? Are you

taking calcium?

http://pages.prodigy.net/cushman4/badback.htm

Here is a page from a person I sometimes correspond with on the arthritis

newsgroup, with degenerative disk disease--it has links to info of all

kinds pertaining to different back problems. It is not AP oriented, but has

info on other non-invasive treatments like Glucosamine/CS, traction,

exercise. etc.

And here are some links on costochondritis (inflammation in the sternum

area):

http://www.rxmed.com/illnesses/costochondritis.html

http://www.emedicine.com/emerg/topic116.htm

http://hometown.aol.com/pbcers/livdis8.htm

http://www.mayohealth.org/mayo/askphys/qa970505.htm

http://www.geocities.com/HotSprings/Villa/2338/

http://www.medicinenet.com/Script/Main/Forum.asp?li=MNI & ArticleKey=6171

http://www.dynamicliving.com/costo/messages/1111.html

Here's some on AS:

www.arthritis.co.za/ankspond.html

www.kickas.org

http://www.nih.gov/niams/news/hlab27re.htm

and I have some letters to the list on AS and the AP that Pierre sent to us

once (on the connection between AS and bacteria like Klebsiella pneumoniae,

and with specifics on his treatment with AP). Let me know if you want me to

forward those to you.

I hope some of this helps, ine! Take care, Liz G.

October 10, 2000

In a message dated 10/06/2000 7:55:26 AM Pacific Daylight Time,

nietling@... writes:

<< Thanks for letting me whine and I sure do appreciate all your support

and advise. >>

Ah I had similar symptoms my breast bone is now fused with my ribs. However

wit the antibiotics I am am doing very well. You will to Spondylitis responds

very well to this treatment :-)

May 27, 2001

In a message dated 05/26/2001 9:31:14 PM Mountain Daylight Time,

gkcalkins@... writes:

> I

> have been having terrible lower back pain for about a year now. I

> have a hard time sleeping at night and sometimes in the middle of the

> night I have to get up and sit in the recliner chair for a while to

> relieve the pain and then try to go back to bed and try to go back to

> sleep. I get very little sleep and certainly not restful sleep. I

> dread when it is time to go to bed.

Hi Kathy,

I haven't posted in a while but I felt compelled to tell you about my back

pain. Your story sounds so much like mine. Please don't overlook the

possibility there could be something other than arthritis wrong with your

back. I had an MRI done early in December. The doctor could see arthritis

in my lower back but I also had some disks out of place. I finally got brave

enough to see a chiropractor and was considerably better within a week. Not

perfect and not painfree but so very much better. Maybe a chiropractor could

help you too.

Hoping all are well today,

Jeanne In Idaho

May 27, 2001

Hi Kathy,

From your description, I get the feeling you may also being dealing with

Fibromyalgia. One of the worst symptoms of FM is little sleep with no

quality. There is a medication that works very well for this problem, it's

called Amytriptyline and once you have been on it for a few weeks it begins

to work beautifully. It does this by helping you to reach a deep

restorative sleep which we all need for our bodies to repair and refresh

themselves. Once the sleep problem is aided, the muscle pain, particularly

in the back, eases up and often goes away. It won't do anything for your

joints and the prevention of joint damage but if the muscles can be taken

care of the PA is a little easier to live with. Please do talk to your

doctor about this.

Hi! I have had p for about 7 years now and PA for about 2 years. I

have been having terrible lower back pain for about a year now. I

have a hard time sleeping at night and sometimes in the middle of the

night I have to get up and sit in the recliner chair for a while to

relieve the pain and then try to go back to bed and try to go back to

sleep. I get very little sleep and certainly not restful sleep. I

dread when it is time to go to bed. I have tried everything from

putting a pillow between my knees and even bought a contour leg

pillow with no sucess. I take lots of Medication for P and PA with

no sucess in finding one that helps my back. I was wondering if

anyone else has this problem and have had sucess in finding help.

Thanks Kathy

May 27, 2001

Hi Kathy;

One of the best meds I was put on for sleep is a mild anti-depression med

called Amytriptyline SP? At the lower doses it is just enough to help you

sleep, and well worth looking into. It really has helped also with dealing

with low back pain etc. because when you sleep the body does rest. It leaves

you with a dry mouth at night, (at least it does me), but a glass of water

on my bedside table takes care of that. Talk to your doctor and see if it

might help you. It might just make the difference between a really bad day,

and a good day. Good luck, Mitch

Rev. Mitch McVeigh

St. 's Presbyterian Church, Aurora, ON

Rev.Mitch@...

ICQ 5055914

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May 29, 2001

In a message dated 27/05/01 04:31:09 GMT Daylight Time, gkcalkins@...

writes:

> . I have tried everything from

> putting a pillow between my knees and even bought a contour leg

> pillow with no sucess.

Hi Kathy

Brings back painful memories. I resorted to strong painkillers on prescriptin

in the end. Some painkillers have the effect of making u drowsy - I only took

them when i was really bad and desperate - maybe a visit to the GP mite be

the solution if your not getting the sleep u need.

Nigel ) (uk)

January 31, 2002

My husband just talked to a girl at his school who said she only had it in

her back. No other " joint " ever effected. I thought that was kind of weird.

Diane

January 31, 2002

My daughter, Amy, started to flare again two weeks ago too. She had

been quiet for almost three years before that.

Amy's systemic JRA started in her neck, I thought maybe the dog had

jumped on her and injured her, boy was I wrong. Anyhow, if it can

start in her neck, I don't see why the back can't be involved.

>

> Dear , n quite frequently has back pain. She has had

systemic

> for two and and a half years. I am a bit jaded with doctors, for

they

> always say something is uncommon. I don't know about the polys and

paucis,

> but I believe the systemic kids can present in many different

ways. n

> gets headaches and abdominal pain. The doctors tend to look for

swelling.

> Lots of times(in fact most of the time), n doesn't have

swelling, but

> still has pain. The backs of her knees and legs hurt. The disease

started

> way before we realized it. She was complaining that her thighs

hurt her,

> and we thought she did something in pe. Then she got the worst

sore throat

> of her life and a fever. A rash came and then went away in a

week. All was

> quiet then. Then three months later, the rash came back with a

fever, and

> our rollercoaster ride began. n will still get a sore throat

every

> once in awhile, and she calls it her arthritis sore throat. It may

last

> only a few hours.

> Two weeks ago n started a flare again after two years. We

knew it was

> a flare, but we had a difficult time persuading the doctor. Sed

rates can

> indicate problems, but again everyone is different. n's sed

rate was

> 4, her c-reactive was normal, but she was in a bad flare and missed

two

> weeks of school. We had to tell the doctor that we believed it was

a flare,

> read him the diary I keep on her from two years ago, and show him

the

> identical symptoms from her first flare. She had to double her

medicines

> and start on steroids. Unfortunately, you will become a pro on

this disease

> in time. This list is a lifesaver for you will truly see how

different

> these kids can be, and at the same time how similar they are.

Remember, you

> are your child's strongest advocate. Don't be scared of any

doctor, and

> knowledge is power. Take care. (n, age 13)

>

> _________________________________________________________________

> Get your FREE download of MSN Explorer at

http://explorer.msn.com/intl.asp.

January 31, 2002

Abbie also has back pain, but her doctor thinks it is probably related to favoring her right knee. After an unexpected trip to the rheumy Tuesday, we are now putting Abbie on Enbrel. I guess the most shocking thing to us is that we have been told that her knees have damage in them. It really hit us by suprise, because she has been on such heavy doses of mtx for so long. We thought it would keep any deterioration from occurring. And she has never been really bad, just constant. She never seems to get any better, just never really bad. But her right knee has been very painful for the past month, and now it is locking and clicking. Yet another increase in the pred has resolved most of the pain issue, but hopefully the enbrel will kick in quickly. He says 2-3 doses should make a difference. She has also upped her mtx to 30 mg sub q, so that is quite a bit as well.

Hope everyone is enjoying this hit of winter. We haven't been hit too hard with snow (just a couple of inches), and the temp is actually up from last weeks single digits and negatives to a balmy 23 today. Look Ma, no hat! lol

Christy

January 31, 2002

Just thought I would put my two cents in also. Buzz also has back pain, neck pain, stomach. His doctor says it can come and go and is different from child to child, and in the same child from day to day. We still don't know for sure what type Buzz has. Friday we went again and he was talking about systemic. He are now waiting to go on Enbrel. He thought about Remicade, but then said we would try Enbrel first. I have seen several people talking about Enbrel here. I hope this will be the medicine that works for him.

Amy

Re: back pain

My daughter, Amy, started to flare again two weeks ago too. She had been quiet for almost three years before that. Amy's systemic JRA started in her neck, I thought maybe the dog had jumped on her and injured her, boy was I wrong. Anyhow, if it can start in her neck, I don't see why the back can't be involved. > > > Dear , n quite frequently has back pain. She has had systemic > for two and and a half years. I am a bit jaded with doctors, for they > always say something is uncommon. I don't know about the polys and paucis, > but I believe the systemic kids can present in many different ways. n > gets headaches and abdominal pain. The doctors tend to look for swelling. > Lots of times(in fact most of the time), n doesn't have swelling, but > still has pain. The backs of her knees and legs hurt. The disease started > way before we realized it. She was complaining that her thighs hurt her, > and we thought she did something in pe. Then she got the worst sore throat > of her life and a fever. A rash came and then went away in a week. All was > quiet then. Then three months later, the rash came back with a fever, and > our rollercoaster ride began. n will still get a sore throat every > once in awhile, and she calls it her arthritis sore throat. It may last > only a few hours.> Two weeks ago n started a flare again after two years. We knew it was > a flare, but we had a difficult time persuading the doctor. Sed rates can > indicate problems, but again everyone is different. n's sed rate was > 4, her c-reactive was normal, but she was in a bad flare and missed two > weeks of school. We had to tell the doctor that we believed it was a flare, > read him the diary I keep on her from two years ago, and show him the > identical symptoms from her first flare. She had to double her medicines > and start on steroids. Unfortunately, you will become a pro on this disease > in time. This list is a lifesaver for you will truly see how different > these kids can be, and at the same time how similar they are. Remember, you > are your child's strongest advocate. Don't be scared of any doctor, and > knowledge is power. Take care. (n, age 13)> > _________________________________________________________________> Get your FREE download of MSN Explorer at http://explorer.msn.com/intl.asp.

January 31, 2002

has had back pain for years as the years went on i noticed she

couldnt stand anyone to touch her back in a certain spot her neck later

started this was 10 or 11 years ago the doctor eventually sent her to a

bone specialist they took xrays and all later telling me she had scoliosis

the spot got bigger by the time she was diagnosed with JRA there was a 6

inch spot on her spine as of yesterday this spot has gotten to 7 inches its

her discs fusing i was told and the scoliosis is very noticable on bending

the knuckle popping does cause damage to the joints the PT and OT got on to

for doing this told them that her fingers feel tight and

sore is why she does it they told her that if she continues this will cause

the joints to not get fluid to and cause more damage

its like walking against the wall with anything they do

tomorrow has a appointment with the dr i have a few questions to ask

her this time

Robbin

January 31, 2002

Thanks Dayna,

We talk about as well. Abbie says since n hasn't been feeling so well she hasn't been on line as much, but our thoughts are with you.

Christy

January 31, 2002

Hi Christy,

I hope the Enbrel helps for Abbie. It

worked well with , though it took a few weeks for it to kick in. She gets 3 shots a

week of the Enbrel and 1 a week of the MTX. I’m sorry to hear about Abbie’s

knees and the fact that she is having such a hard time. and I talk about her

often.

Please tell her Hello for us, We wish you

and Abbie well through all of this.

Dayna

Drennan

Re: Re: back pain

Abbie

also has back pain, but her doctor thinks it is probably related to favoring

her right knee. After an unexpected trip to the rheumy Tuesday, we are now

putting Abbie on Enbrel. I guess the most shocking thing to us is that we have

been told that her knees have damage in them. It really hit us by suprise,

because she has been on such heavy doses of mtx for so long. We thought it

would keep any deterioration from occurring. And she has never been really bad,

just constant. She never seems to get any better, just never really bad. But

her right knee has been very painful for the past month, and now it is locking

and clicking. Yet another increase in the pred has resolved most of the pain

issue, but hopefully the enbrel will kick in quickly. He says 2-3 doses should

make a difference. She has also upped her mtx to 30 mg sub q, so that is quite

a bit as well.

Hope everyone is enjoying this hit of winter. We haven't been hit too hard with

snow (just a couple of inches), and the temp is actually up from last weeks

single digits and negatives to a balmy 23 today. Look Ma, no hat! lol

Christy

Your

use of is subject to the Terms of Service.

January 31, 2002

Robbin..we were also told Tabitha had scolosis last year but she stopped

growing so..no surgery was needed..poor kid will be 17 in March and didn't

even reach 5 ft. Her brother who will be 16 in Oct. has passed me up and i

am 5ft..use to be 5ft.2in..mmmm..wonder where the 2in. went..lol!

Good luck with ..and also..i crack my knuckles..bad habit..my mom

always told me when i was little that i would have big knuckles..i don't

know..they aren't small ones now..lol!

karen

From: Robbin40@...

Reply-

Subject: Re: Re: back pain

Date: Thu, 31 Jan 2002 22:45:20 EST