I am back and feeling lost, extreme joint cracking

[Guest]

Did you get tested through a standard lab for lyme or a specialized lyme lab. I know a good amount about lyme these days. If you test through standard it will likely come back neg. Even if you test through a specialized lab it may not be accurate. So often one needs to go to a LLMD, they will test for co infections and will rule out all other things before diagnoseding lyme. I tested pos for one lyme band and in the middle on two. The CDC changed the testing standards..it use to be if you tested pos for one then you were positive, now its two. So I saw a LLMD who has tested me for co infections. I will find out in two wks. I too was bit about 15 yrs ago in Ct (very high lyme) I have read sometimes with chronic lyme it can take YRS for some of the symptoms to show (usually neuro) and is often set off by stress or illness. Anyway about a month before this I did have a 5 bumps on my stomach that looked like bites, I went to the doc, he gave me meds (not knowing what it was but being careful) two days later I had a bad cold then a month later all of this. Not sure if its connected.

With MS twitching usually would not onset by twitching all over, its usually a localized spot.

I have been getting bad muscle cramps the past 2 wks. Its like my muscle ( usually arm, or thigh) will lock up then it will release...its pretty painful. Is this the type of muscle cramp with ALS?

Perceived cramping ( where it feels like your muscle is about to cramp up or feels like it is cramping up, but in reality it is nothing like "locking up " ) is common in BFS.

There is another condition called BCFS.. its the same as BFS, only with cramping now and then. sometimes muscles cramp up because they are tired of working.. some sporters get the charlie horse cramp after they had a intense marathon. Cramping with no weakness is again most likely benign.. They can be a sign of ALS, but cramping in ALS is again muscles that act on their own because they no longer get instructions from the brain.

 

[Guest]

Its odd as I started noticing these 2 wks ago. It prob happened about 5 times. I can literally feel my muscle lock up and when I rub it for a bit it release-it hurts too! Its like the muscle being flexed on its own it just sticks. I have gotten it in my thigh and both upper arms. Got it twice today while driving. I sure hope this is not related to ALS>

Well its time for me to go to sleep!

 

[Guest]

Its odd as I started noticing these 2 wks ago. It prob happened about 5 times. I can literally feel my muscle lock up and when I rub it for a bit it release-it hurts too! Its like the muscle being flexed on its own it just sticks. I have gotten it in my thigh and both upper arms. Got it twice today while driving. I sure hope this is not related to ALS>

Well its time for me to go to sleep!

Anyway, i got tested in the hospital. Not in a lab whom are specialised in detection lyme disease whatsoever.

 

[Guest]

I have twitching in my upper body too, eye, shoulder, etc.. So is that known as "upper neuron"?

Just thought I'd say this in case this is something you worry about. Upper and lower motor neurons have nothing to do with upper and lower body. LMN signs are weakness, twitches and muscle wasting. UMN signs are brisk reflexes, slowness, and bad coordination. You can have LMN signs in the upper body as well as UMN signs in the lims. Feel free to correct me if I'm wrong.

 

[Guest]

Just thought I'd say this in case this is something you worry about. Upper and lower motor neurons have nothing to do with upper and lower body. LMN signs are weakness, twitches and muscle wasting. UMN signs are brisk reflexes, slowness, and bad coordination. You can have LMN signs in the upper body as well as UMN signs in the lims. Feel free to correct me if I'm wrong.

Upper motor = the nerves connecting the brain with the spinalcord, at a specific point the lower motor takes over.
Lower motor = the motor nerves connecting the brain and spinal cord to the limbs and muscle fibers.

Brisk reflexes are so taken out of context; You can have brisk reflexes.. but if this is found in all limbs and regions then it is still considered normal. Abnormal reflexes are found when you have clonus after the examinor slams with a hammer on the tendon and you keep on shaking. A fast or brisk reflex with no after shocks is still considered normal if found on both sides. Absent reflexes ( no reaction ) can be a sign of lower motor neuron damage. While the babinski's sign and hoffman's sign are both indicators of upper motor neuron damage.

So;
A brisk reflex in both legs is considered normal
A brisk reflex in one leg, but no reflexin the other is considered abnormal
A reflex is considered abnormal when clonus are present.

 

[Guest]

Brisk reflexes are so taken out of context

You're right, I only meant this as an example of what UMN lesions can do. We are all different and some have more active reflexes than others. My point being still, however, that UMN and LMN are not to do with different parts of the body.

 

[Guest]

I would suggest you get tested with a specialized lab if you think you could have lyme. People can die of lyme if diagnosed late stages....It IS hard to diagnosed.

Thank you all for responding to my questions. I am still fearful of this due to my twitches being all over non stop-some I see under my skin, some I dont. The muscle cramps (which are new) also scare me-- its like they contract tightly then release-they hurt alot and hit me randomly.

I dont think I have weakness I mean I have working out still without an unusual struggle, but I dont know if that means anything?

 

[Guest]

I would suggest you get tested with a specialized lab if you think you could have lyme. People can die of lyme if diagnosed late stages....It IS hard to diagnosed.

Thank you all for responding to my questions. I am still fearful of this due to my twitches being all over non stop-some I see under my skin, some I dont. The muscle cramps (which are new) also scare me-- its like they contract tightly then release-they hurt alot and hit me randomly.

I dont think I have weakness I mean I have working out still without an unusual struggle, but I dont know if that means anything?

Lyme can be fatal, but those cases are rare.. However, it is a multiple system disease.. so it can mess up with your heart rythm for a couple of weeks before fading back into the background and attack another system. People with heart problems should watch out for it.