CHRONIC LYME PAIN & HEADACHES
The pain caused by Lyme disease and other tick-borne illnesses can be widespread and excruciating. It can affect muscles, joints, nerves and bones, and manifest in any area of the body. Treatment varies greatly depending on the type and severity of the pain, but it is important to take a multi-faceted approach. Medications and various alternative therapies all have their place in the treatment of pain symptoms. Pain medicine specialists can help determine the best treatment. Pain can have a damaging impact on the immune system, adding to the importance of effectively treating it. Pain management is absolutely essential to those with compromised immune systems, because the pain experience further reduces the immune reaction. If you have Lyme disease pain, you are less likely to be active, to sleep properly, or to eat properly because your mind is constantly trying to fight off the pain response. There is little time for anything else, and it is consuming. Absence, or at least management, of pain is a health necessity, especially in the sleep response. You can't heal if you can't sleep properly. And, your body is on constant alert, which imposes extra stress levels, which further reduces immunity! It's a viscious circle! A special caution for Lyme disease patients involves the use of steroids to treat pain. There is widespread concern amongst patients and physicians alike that steroids can be very harmful to patients with Lyme disease. Steroids suppress the immune system, which can be dangerous with an infectious disease. Please see Dr. Drulle's article.Appropriate treatment with antibiotics can be very beneficial to Lyme disease pain. Additional medications used to manage the pain from chronic Lyme disease include non-steroidal anti-inflammatories, anticonvulsants, antidepressants, opioids, and muscle relaxants. Additional treatments include "restorative" yoga, enzymes, essential oils, prolotherapy, injections, relaxation, manual treatments and gentle exercises. Some patients use magnets, tens machines and creams. Oftentimes chiropractic (many types), physical therapy (multiple techniques) and acupuncture are extremely beneficial, although it can be trial and error to find the right practitioner who can be flexible to the variable needs of Lyme patients.
Worthwhile Reading
Treatments:
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Home Ultrasound for Pain Relief
Chronic Pain Relief: New Treatments
Chronic Pain Medications
More about Pain Meds
11 Tips for Living with Pain
Prolotherapy and Lyme disease
Naltrexone for Fibromyalgia Pain
Dietary Suggestions
Reduce Pain with Massage
Biofeedback for Chronic Pain
Muscle and Joint Pain- Self Treatments
Transient Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS)
Missing Nutrients Linked to Pain
Muscle Relaxants
Info about Bodywork
Biofreeze Gel
Pilates- Gentle Pain Relief
Relax and Renew Book
Music Therapy
Headaches
Additional Articles & Discussions:
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Pain as presenting symptom in Lyme disease
Prolotherapy Overview
More about Prolotherapy
Neurontin Significantly Reduces Neuropathic Pain
FDA Approves Lyrica for pain
Cymbalta for Pain
Opioids- Advocacy & Policy
Aspartame and Pain
Pain & Health- Mayday Project
Relaxation Techniques
Acupuncture for Pain
Coenzyme Q10 and Gingko
Methadone Lyme disease discussion
Duragesic Patch and Lyme disease
Magnesium for Lyme disease
Xango and Prolotherapy for Lyme
Xango Abstract
Creatine Monohydrate
Restorative Yoga
Article- Yoga and Pain
Magnets Lyme discussion
Fibromyalgia Exercises
More on Fibromyalgia and Exercise
Researchers Identify Mechanism Underlying Pain
Weather Index
Molecular Pain
Central Pain Syndrome
American Academy of Pain Medicine
American Academy of Pain Management
American Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation
