daedalus - hope this info helpful to you.
I just happen to be looking on this website - my father has SEVERE lymes for the last 5 years.... we have been looking for other clues for additional diagnosis beyond the lymes. He has tested positive for lyme bacteria yet negative to lyme parasite. His blood has shown in the past high uranium levels as well as chronic salmonella. Anyhow - your mention of eye irritation and specific spinal pain brought to mind another case. I know of a man in a Mexico clinic that got salmonella poisoning from a spider bite. I then researched "arthritis pain for chronic salmonella" and came up with what sounds VERY much like your symptoms (lesser of a match to my father's)
Have you ever researched Reiter's syndrome?
Here are a few links if it is new to you: http://healthlink.mcw.edu/article/926056398.html http://www.arthritis.ca/types%20of%20arthritis/reiters%20syndrome/d...
There are many others.
Reiter's comes about as a secondary due to a bacterial infection (ie lyme, salmonella, etc)
Hope some help there.