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minimize player. Conventional osteoarthritis is described as a chronic breakdown of cartilage in the joints occurring usually after middle age. A rapid onset of osteoarthritis is described as taking approximately two years. During an untreated relapse of Lyme borreliosis I had a rapid onset of osteoarthritis confirmed by x-ray. In a couple of days I went from being unaware of OA to walking with great difficulty, to get up off the couch I had to first roll onto the floor and then get up from all fours. My explanation to myself is that when Lyme borreliosis is flaring it goes to areas of previous injury. When I first experienced sore ankles the ankle that I broke prior to infection was the worst. There is no doubt that I may have had pre-existing minor OA due to my previous lifestyle. In the mid 80's when I became ill, there were others in the area that experienced a sudden onset of OA. Is this coincidence or is this a symptom specific to this strain of Lyme disease? I cannot find much information on this so would appreciate hearing from BC patients who have experienced this with the goal of putting together information so we can all learn and eventually have proper testing. Please e-mail: April 2003 Update On May 16, 2000 I was given abx for a relapse which was marked by a flare of hip OA. I enjoyed the month of March 2003 relatively pain-free of hip OA. I can only hope this continues as this reinforces my speculation that in some cases there may be a bacterial etiology to osteoarthritis. February 2005 Update From personal experience I feel that the sudden onset type of OA is treatable although recovery is slow. July 2007 Update A recent x-ray showed no hip damage. I speculate that antibiotics stopped the disease from doing damage and my hips healed naturally. October 2007 Update I would like to make it clear that treatment does not stop the natural wear and tear of joints known as OA. When my 2000 x-ray showed mild OA, it took everything I had to walk, I should have been in a wheelchair. In my case I believe antibiotics stopped the damage caused by the disease we call Lyme. I still have OA and find the pain to be tolerable because the infection is not flaring. Speculated co-infections should not be downplayed. For the treatment I have been following please see the Road Back Foundation Website. Clinical Logic Thanks to a RBF member. Osteoarthritis Message Board. The life and work of Thomas McPherson Brown M.D. Mycoplasma Information Package By Sharon Briggs.  Mycoplasmas and Non-Responders By Harold W. Clark, PhD. FAQ About Antibiotic Therapy rheumatic.org. Can Bacteria Cause Arthritis? HealthLink The Promise of a Tetracycline Antibiotic for Treating Osteoarthritis Medscape. Antibiotics for Knee Osteoarthritis Gabe Mirkin, M.D.. Reactive and Rheumatoid Arthritis (Antibiotics for Osteoarthritis) Gabe Mirkin, M.D.. The Silent Pandemic | Osteoarthritis | Fibromyalgia | Research | BC News | West Nile Virus | Brucellosis | Links | Contact |
