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Posted 6/18/2009 1:09 PM (GMT -5)
My worst symptom and mainly my only remainig symptom is terrible back pain.  I had a MRI of my lumbar spine and I have 3 bulging discs.  This doctor wants to give me a cortisone injection.  LLMD says do what you feel you need to do and she would rather the shot than pills.  Has anyone had these shots will suffering Lyme?
Posted 6/18/2009 2:11 PM (GMT -5)
I had one in my knee. they told me it would hurt after 24 hrs, but then it would feel a lot better for up to 3 months. well it didnt hurt after 24 hrs. but on the 3rd day i was in so much pain it was unreal. after that subsided my pain was the same as b4. i never whent back for the next one. i wish you the best and hope it works better for you
Posted 6/18/2009 3:17 PM (GMT -5)
Thanks, RD.  I keep reading  that patients with Lyme shoud not have steriod injections.  I am scared to get them but also scared to do nothing.  My back is so bad I can barely walk. 
Posted 6/18/2009 3:57 PM (GMT -5)
I had a knee injection and it was better then now it is worse. What we find is that yeah it works initially but the immune supression hits you later. I did dose packs before i knew it was lyme, And symptoms now are coming on in strange new ways i believe i would not be in this place if I had not taken the steroids.
- It will make testing also more likely to give u a false negative.
-I could have had a PCR of my swollen knee instead the 4 dose packs of steroids it took to put it down. then i found out the lyme and i could hav tested that knee.
-Have u been tested?
-But lyme patients already have week immune function so steriods make that worse.
-I believe steroids induce the neurological symptoms.
-After i took the steroids my neurological symptoms increased ten fold.
-It was mainly joint pain and swelling and stiffness before. a little brain fog.
-Now its twitching my brain is crap, and the pain seems inside the cartilage-
-the blood is not circulating i believe its hypercoagulation in my body and brain as i hear my brain squishing.
-many more.
Posted 6/18/2009 4:02 PM (GMT -5)
hi. havent been here in awhile, hi!

I just had 2 injections in my neck about 1 week ago.
My neck feels the best it ever has. My llmd said that the steoid is a small amount and it stays locally and does go systemic. She said that she would rather see my pain cut down then worry about a small amount of steroids.

I also have 2 bulging discs, stenosis, spurs and nerve damage in m y neck.  The procedure was easy, pain free. I felt good until the numbiong meds wore off and then it started to ache for 2 days. Now its great.

good luck,
melissa
Posted 6/18/2009 4:02 PM (GMT -5)

Hi momtothree.  I am sorry you have terrible back pain.   From what I understand, steroids are bad for Lyme patients because they suppess the immune system which can make Lyme symptoms worse. 

Dr. Burrascano briefly discusses steroids on page 4 of his treatment guidelines at http://www.ilads.org/lyme_disease/B_guidelines_12_17_08.pdf: 

"...More severe illness also results from other causes of weakened defenses, such as from severe stress, immunosuppressant medications, and severe intercurrent illnesses. This is why steroids and other immunosuppressive medications are absolutely contraindicated in Lyme. This also includes intraarticular steroids. "  (These words are bolded in his guidelines.)

You may want to do further research and check out all possible options.

Posted 6/18/2009 9:27 PM (GMT -5)
MOM of THREE.: I am dealing with this dilema also. I KNOW these injections are bad for me but I am willing to take the risk at this point. I am in so much pain and this is my last option. I cannot use my arms very well .. My immune system is already crap and I need use of my arms. I am done with this. I guess is just choosing the lesser of 2 evils. Know what I mean? Doctors give cancer patients chemo/radiation knowing it may suppress their immune system and maybe, even kill them.  I just need to do what is best for me right now. I know what you are feeling. amey

Posted 6/19/2009 1:45 AM (GMT -5)
I had six 'cortisone' injections [three in each trapezium muscle] - following this I had what I can only describe as - a scarey anxiety attack - this lasted about 2/3 days - then gradually my neck pain improved a lot - that was about a year ago - my neck pain - especially the bottom of my skull - has been soooo much better - my theory is the injections helped the pain which allowed me to relax the neck/shoulder area which did something? to relax the muscles long enough for the blood supply to get back to some sort of normality - this is only my theory - but I feel that the muscle pain we get with lyme is connected to impaired blood supply/circulation - if the muscles are continually tense because of pain/anxiety then the natural 'healing' etc, is greatly impaired. I am not 'recommending' steroid injections - I am not medically trained - but they helped me.
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