Should I stop treatment?

I have had tendinitis in various joints, some Lyme related, some caused by a wee bit of foolishness (should I have really gotten on my snowboard when I wasn't feeling 100 percent!)? While I am being treated for Lyme, the old injuries seem to flare as my body is attacking everything in sight. Perhaps this is what is happening to you. In addition, if you have had this soreness for a while, you have probably been favoring the joint, causing strain in the surrounding muscles.

If you can get a prescription to a Physical Therapist they could ease some of your discomfort and help you rebuild your strength. Don't let them put ice on you, though, the lyme bacteria love a low temp.

In the meantime, why not continue following your LLPA's advice -- you did pay for it, and it makes sense while you are still experiencing symptoms. You really want to be sure you have killed as much of the bacteria as possible.

Most LLMD's recommend continuing treatment for at least 2 months after symptom resolution, so based on this and the fact that you're still experiencing the symptom you had initially (the elbow pain), I'd suggest continuing treatment for now.

RA test = a blood test for specific antibodies common in those with RA, but can be sero-negative so diagnosis is clinical. Also, Lyme can cause this test to be positive, but then the antibodies may go away once the Lyme has been adequately treated.

Tendonitis - requires rest (tendons do not like to be moved while they're healing), and nutritional support may help. Vitamin C & MSM are both anti-inflammatory and help with joint/connective tissue problems like this. An anti-inflammatory diet may assist with healing (no gluten--wheat/rye/barley/oats, no sugar, no dairy--kefir/yogurt is ok, no/limited nightshades--potatoes/tomatoes/peppers/eggplant).
Also, you might try soaking your elbow in warm (not too hot) epsom salt water...this is also anti-inflammatory and will help with healing. After several weeks of good nutritional support and rest, then gentle physical therapy is a good thing to help restore strength & function of the elbow. If the elbow wrap is making marks in your skin, then it may be too tight or you may need a different style of elbow support. Discuss this with a physical therapist...also, they may have other things that could help with healing, such as TENS.

I hope this helps - take care,

Hi Donotfear,

'Tennis elbow' was my first Lyme symptom. Started in left elbow-- that went away after a few months with massage therapy (didn't suspect Lyme at the time)---then it jumped to right elbow where it came and went for a few months and NOW is severe and chronic. Pain jumps around to 'golfer's elbow' and radiates up and down arm muscles. Sometimes the entire joint aches, not just the tendon attachment--- mostly upon full extention of arm.

I didn't believe I had Lyme until other symptoms reared their ugly head. I am on Doxy now-- completed first week-- and am awaiting results of blood test.

So far my stiff neck/shoulders/back are slowly getting better. But I had new symptoms crop up like shooting nerve pains and muscle twitches/tremors. These are not as active the longer I take the Doxy. The pin-pricks are still present-- everywhere.

However, my 'tennis elbow' pain is at an all time high. Not going away at all. Very frustrating! I need my elbow back! I'll keep you posted as to what happens with it.

How is your elbow doing now ??? I see your post was from September so hopefully you've seen some improvement ???

I too had tendonitis in my elbow which is feeling better these days after a while on antibiotics. that's not to say it's not going to rear it's ugly head again, cause you just never know with this disease.