posted
i have a family friend who had bad lyme, went through a year of treatment and is now "better than before i got sick". on the other hand my 1 year lyme anniversary is coming up and im certainly not "cured". im also an easy case. not bedridden, relatively young (30), and no other known medical conditions.
ive heard having a positive outlook helps beat the disease. than again ive heard a lot of things that have turned out to be false...
-------------------- sick since 9-09 igg, 18,23,41 reactive igm, 41 reactive Posts: 436 | From Kansas City | Registered: Jan 2010
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TF
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 14183
posted
Yes. I completed my lyme treatment over 5 years ago and I am still symptom-free, enjoying my life--the same life I had before lyme disease.
The doc is the key to getting rid of this disease. Can't emphasize that enough.
Lots of docs treat lyme disease, but not many know how to get rid of it for a person.
Try to find the doc who is getting rid of it for people. Call lyme support groups (see Support Groups on left side of page) and find the people who are now well. Ask who their doc was.
I went through 2 other lyme docs before I found one that knew enough to cure me.
I send my friends to the 2 docs I know who follow the Burrascano guidelines, and they have gotten rid of their lyme also. So, I always recommend a doc who follows the Burrascano guidelines:
You must attack both the regular and cyst form of lyme simultaneously--requires 2 different antibiotics to do so.
You must test the patient for all co-infections and other physical ailments (thyroid, etc.) and treat everything the person has.
You must treat all co-infections (including mycoplasma, etc.) or the patient will not get well.
You must use Igenex for most of these tests--they are a tick-borne disease speciality lab in Calif.
You must use very high doses of antibiotics to kill the diseases (batericidal doses).
You must give the patient supplements, probiotics, herbs such as artimesinin if babs is suspected, and require adherence to rules such as low carb diet, no alcohol, no smoking, rest, and exercise (weight lifting every other day) as the patient is able to do it.
You must treat at least 2 months after all symptoms have disappeared (if sick at least 1 year).
These are just a few of the important points you will see in the guidelines. You want a doc who does EVERYTHING Burrascano says to do. He treated lyme for over 25 years, and compiled what he learned so that other docs could benefit from it. Read it in his Guidelines.
Most people need only oral antibiotics. Only a few need to go on IV antibiotics.
I and my friends all got rid of lyme and company on orals only.
Posts: 9931 | From Maryland | Registered: Dec 2007
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posted
My opinion is, while we're waiting to return to "old self" life, make a list of what that means for you,
then consider how you could access it in modified form so you can experience some of what you'd like to have and do while you're in the healing process.
Posts: 13116 | From San Francisco | Registered: May 2006
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BackinStOlaf
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 23725
posted
Robin- good advice. I've been trying to do this
-------------------- First Symptom 9/09 Multiple docs, negative Labcorp test LLMD: 1/10 Positive Igenex/CDC test Treatment 2/10 2/10-8/10 Amox, ceftin, zith, flagyl Currently: Bicillin, Minocycline, still dealing with severe breathing issues
Posts: 1121 | From New York, New York | Registered: Dec 2009
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onbam
Unregistered
posted
Yes. I'm at the point in treatment where I have a significant number of days like that now.
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lymeinhell
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 4622
posted
Yes, I did too!
-------------------- Julie _ _ ___ _ _ lymeinhell
Blessed are those who expect nothing, for they shall not be disappointed. Posts: 2258 | From a better place than I was 11 yrs ago | Registered: Sep 2003
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posted
First of all, I am certain that recovery is possible, and likely. I am counting on it, and not planning to give up until I get there. (I have been sick for about 15 months now.)
I do think we can return to a high level of health with abundant energy, good brain function, etc. All (or at least most) of the symptoms you get are reversible.
On the other hand, our lives are like a river, and you never step in the same river twice. We are constantly changing throughout our lives, so we never really go back to being our "old selves."
The experience of having and fighting this disease is changing me. My activities will change--when I am well, I will never again be carefree (and reckless) in the woods, and I will always pay more attention to my diet, exercise and sleep than I used to do.
My attitudes about life, suffering, the medical profession, natural remedies, people with chronic illness, emotional support from loved ones, etc. etc. are already changing, for good or ill. Not every change from this experience is positive.
I will be negatively affected financially, and may have changed my living situation before I'm done with this. That may take some time to recover from.
When I get over this, I will feel tremendously confident and strong, for having made it through such a difficult ordeal. I will (and do) have far greater compassion for people with chronic illnesses than I used to.
I will also give more thought to what is truly important in my life, and appreciate the simple everyday pleasures, many of which I have temporarily lost while I am sick.
So my humble opinion is, you will still be you when you get well, but you won't go back to being the same caterpillar you were before. When you come out of your Lyme cocoon, you'll be a butterfly.
-------------------- Don't forget to laugh! And when you're going through hell, keep going!
Bitten 5/25/2009 in Perry County, Indiana. Diagnosed by LLMD 12/2/2009. Posts: 756 | From Inside the tunnel | Registered: Jan 2010
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-------------------- ? date of bite/no rash 10/09 symptoms, 4/10 diagnosed, after 6 mos. ER visits, tons of docs/tests CDC+ 23/39/41/45/58/66/93 currently on oral plaquenil, doryx, rifampin, pyrazinamide, nystatin, numerous supplements Posts: 718 | From Pennsylvania | Registered: Jun 2010
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'Kete-tracker
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 17189
posted
Yup... It's possible [to get back to your old self]. In fact, it's very likely, even almost Certain. I got there... and I certainly had my doubts, even 2/3 the way thru!
iT Seemed like it took f-o-r-e-v-e-r, but I was doing Quite well after about 8 months on abx.
Went kayaking, by myself, out off the coast here (ideal day/ with life jacket, etc.), paddled up a storm & took a break. FIRST TIME in 8 MONTHS that I felt truely healthy again. Broke down & sobbed. Wasn't sure I'd EVER get there. ---------------------------- Bitten twice Sat. 5-29-05 in Strafford County. First (thyroid) symptoms Sat. 6-27-05 :-O ??
First "late-stage neuro symptoms" 10-3-05 Dx'ed 11-07-05 by my PCP, as I was + on All bands tested by Quest (IgG panel), save one. :-{~
Started w/ my LLMD 12-10-05 (at the urging of cousin from medical family in Maryland). Off All abx late Jan. 2007.
Currently on 100ug Synthroid/day. Period.
Posts: 1233 | From Dover, NH | Registered: Sep 2008
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posted
I am new to lymenet and have never posted on any type of internet, so this is a bit uncomfortable to me. But I am so grateful to finally be able to speak with others about this disease.
Reading these responses has made me realize that I can, and will, get well again.
I have been very sick for 8 months, and was finally diagnosed with Lyme, Bartonella, and Babesia in late June.
Posts: 12 | From Maryland | Registered: Aug 2010
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Remember to Smile
Unregistered
posted
Dear jo1, Welcome to the supportive LymeNet community. You've come to a great place for help in your healing.
This is a wonderful thread, and I'm grateful for the discussion, too.
It can be a challenge to figure out how to post here when you're a newbie. You can start your own thread to ask questions, or search for topics of interest, etc.
I saw on another topic you wisely asked about LLMDs. Here's how to get the best response:
- Look up top here and select "Questions and Discussion" (to right of "LymeNet Flash").
- Then select "Seeking a Doctor" forum.
- Within "Seeking" forum, look up toward the top right of the screen for "POST NEW TOPIC." It is white on black blob.
- Clicking on "POST NEW TOPIC" will bring you to a new screen, and you're ready to ask. This post can be very brief. You're fortunate that there ARE good LLMDs working in Md. Be sure to include "Maryland" in your topic line.
- Kind members will come along and send you private messages (called "PM") with contact info for LLMDs in your area.
- Watch the top left of your screen for a red flashing envelope indicating you have PMs to read.
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