Lyme Disease Support Group

I forgot very bad sore throat too for like a month! AH

I have stomach issues from Lyme. My problem tends to be constipation, so for me, the antibiotics help fix me (tho it causes diarrhea for many). On some abx, i got muscle jerks. Mine weren't painful, but they were violent movements of weird muscles, like in the top of my abdomen, the muscle would seem like it was trying to jump out of my body. Since it didn't hurt, I could joke that it was my alien trying to break free.

But your pain's not funny, and I don't mean to make light of it. I do know that as treatment went on, those weird muscle jerks I had - strong enough to wake me from a sound sleep - reduced to twitches, and now I get just the occasional pins and needles feeling (or numbness). I figure that's my body's way of herxing, and that over time, the herxes are less and less severe.

Do you have a Lyme-literate MD? That's the best thing you could do for yourself first thing; then THEY determine what's best for your particular situation. It's hard enough to be sick with Lyme, trying to heal yourself, while noble as all getout, is just asking a lot of yourself.

I believe you can get help finding a Lyme doctor on ilads.com. If not, post back - someone on here will know the right site.

As a fellow lymee, I can relate to you. I developed bouts of nonspecific colitis,from the antibiotics,and alternates of constipation,probably from the pain meds. I used to take bentyl for the severe abdominal cramps and diarrhea (spelling?)The bentyl,prescription,worked really fast and helped me so much. I would get soaked in sweats from the pain and just wanted to die. When I took the pill,I would keep them in my pocketbook and leave some in bathroom for availability,I would feel almost instant relief (in just a few minutes). It was a God sent for me. When I was on antibiotic treatment, I would take acidophillus,yogart pills. It would help with the intestinal flora. Help with the IBS/colitis symptoms,triggered by the antibiotics. I was sick with this lyme and co-infections for well over ten years now. Honey is supposed to be very good for diarrhea,I heard,amongst other good usages. For upper GI problems I take Nexium and for a fast fix,if upper GI burning in stomach, I eat several almonds. Wow! I was so amazed. It really helped me. I eat them all the time now. I hardly ever have burning in my upper stomach anymore. As far as locking of the hands while typing,carpal tunnel possibly? Lyme can sure can take a toll on the joints,nerves,and muscles. I have the most horrible feeling in my legs,arms,hands,sometimes in my stomach,it is a horrible torture feeling. My MD stated it could possibly be RLS. I'm taking morphine sulphate,dilaudid,neurontin (horrible side affects), and nexium. I take warm showers and it seems to take the edge off. My life,since I got sick,has been a nightmare. Thank God,I've found a doctor who is compassionate and trying his best to help alliviate some of the pain. I will never be the same as I used to be, but at least I am getting out of bed everyday now. I np longer take bentyl,but I thought it may be good to mention how much it has helped me in the past. I hope at least in part some of this info helps you.

PS I'm so sorry, recent finding, I have a very low Vitamin D level. It has many symptoms. I found,by soeaking to many people who have chronic illnesses,they too, have a Vit D deficiency. Most of us don't get out in the sun and because many are affected by drinking milk(lactose intollerant),we tend to become deficient in Vit D. Anyway,I take Vit D capsules now,just started the treatment. I hope it helps. Maybe try getting tested for Vit D deficiency if you suspect it after looking up the symptoms? Good luck to you.

Hey,

I agree with the other posts. You need a doc that's going to help you understand your disease, not the other way around. Remember, sometimes you have to shop around for a good doc.

As far as Vit. D, make sure to have your doc test you so you take what you need, but not too much. For most people, you should get 2,000 IU of D3, but some people with chronic disease need more. Remember it's D3 and not just any vitamin D.

As far as the stomach issues, antibiotics and whatever else you're on have many GI related side effects and you've probably gotten some drug-induced heartburn or peptic acid disease. Nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs like advil also increase stomach acid, so if you have pain, try to stick to tylenol if you can.

Here's the rundown on drugs for stomach acid problems by drug class, and remember there are usually generics for these drugs which are always cheaper and do the same thing!:

**Antacids- bases that directly neutralize stomach acid; good choice for occasional heartburn
-Maalox, Tums

**Mucosal Protective Agents- coats lining of stomach to decrease acid damage
-Pepto Bismol

**H2 Receptor Antagonists- decreases acid production in stomach, more effective than antacids but less than PPIs
-Ranitidine (Zantac)
-Famotidine (Pepcid)

**Proton Pump Inhibitors (PPIs)- strongest, best for longterm use; prolonged inhibition of acid production in stomach
-Omeprazole
-Esomeprazole (Nexium)

These are all over the counter, but check with your doc first just incase you have any side effects or drug interactions!

Also have your doc test you for H. pylori, a bacteria that lives in the stomach and can cause increased heartburn symptoms and is treatable.

The muscle twitching can be due to drugs you are taking, particularly any psychiatric medications or due to the lyme disease (or coinfection) affecting the central nervous system...which will hopefully improve with treatment.

Where are you from?

Here's Dr. Virginia Sherr's link, with information on how lyme and co-infections can cause various symptoms of the gut:

http://www.thehumansideoflyme.net/...

I'm so sorry you're having such horrible and scary pains, SandyAda. I hope that you get relief soon!