posted
The title says it all. I have debilitating fatigue and fibro, but it's really the brain fog that has almost ruined my life. Does anyone have any suggestions? Any meds, supplements, practices, etc. that have helped? Including antibiotics? I recently had to give up coffee, which was really the only time I got a little work done. Now I can do almost no work.
I recently started Huperzine-A and am currently on Resveratrol (Knotweed) as per the Buhner protocol. The Huperzine has helped a little, but it hasn't really been long enough to tell.
Posts: 5 | From Los Angeles | Registered: Feb 2011
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posted
I just started Buhner protocol too. I'm a brain fogger too! It NEVER goes away for me.
I'm doing the cats claw, revestrol, starting soon: Staphania and Andrographis (which B reccomends for fog). Also for tissue support: Silica, Copper, Zinc and pregnelone.
I just started the herbs this week, so I can't report improvement yet. My feeling is that healing your tissues, killing the lyme while improving the immune system is the way to go. Buhner talks about this a lot. I think when the Lyme gets better so does the Fog (well duhh...). Basically i think its individual :-(
Posts: 844 | From CA | Registered: Apr 2010
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canefan17
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 22149
posted
What source Knotweed do yall use?
Knotweed can help BIG time with brain fog.
Posts: 5394 | From Houston, Tx | Registered: Aug 2009
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TF
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 14183
posted
Getting to a lyme doctor who follows the Burrascano lyme disease protocol gets rid of this symptom and all others, including the fibro. But, it can take some time. You have to be patient.
I had 2 girlfriends who had gotten positively "stupid" due to lyme disease. They both got their brains back. (They both had the fibro diagnosis for years, too.)
My small amount of mental symptoms disappeared also.
In March it will be 6 years since I completed my treatment and I am still symptom free, enjoying the same life I had before lyme disease. My brain is as good as ever.
Burrascano recommends high doses of antibiotics in particular combinations. You can read his protocol here:
Contact lyme support groups near you (see "Support Groups" on left side of the page) to ask for a doc in your area who follows Burracano.
The doc is the key to getting rid of this disease. Can't emphasize that enough. Many doctors treat lyme disease, but not very many at all know how to get rid of it for a person.
You want to find a doc who has gotten rid of lyme disease for at least 3 people. That's the proof.
There is no set medical formula to get rid of this disease. So, for example, nobody can say, "Take this medication, then this one, etc." What helps one may not help the next person. So, there is some trial and error involved. But, following the Burrascano protocol (with its many antibiotics to choose from) is what got me, my friends, and my lyme doctor well. I have seen it work over and over.
I believe it takes high dose combinations of antibiotics to kick this disease. Supplements and herbs are also important, as is diet and exercise. You will see all 4 discussed in the Burrascano Guidelines. But, without the high dose antibiotic combinations, it generally won't work. That has been my experience.
This is one nasty disease (or, generally, a combination of diseases, all requiring their own separate treatment to cure).
Reading and studying the Burrascano Guidelines will give you an education on this disease. I strongly recommend it to every lyme sufferer.
Posts: 9931 | From Maryland | Registered: Dec 2007
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posted
For me, craniosacral therapy helped the brain fog a lot!!!! How long have you been treating?
Posts: 723 | From Montreal | Registered: Oct 2010
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posted
Bicillin shots 3 times per week resolved brain fog for me.
Orals weren't nearly as effective for the neurological issues.
I hope you get relief soon!
-------------------- unsure445 Posts: 824 | From northeast | Registered: Jun 2008
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TerryK
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 8552
posted
In case you haven't already looked, there are many past discussions about this with good suggestions in the archives.
copying from a previous post of mine in case you haven't seen it.
I'll add, you may need to try several things to get to the bottom of what is causing your issues. In addition to the information below, you will want to have an evaluation of your blood sugars, thyroid, adrenals etc. etc...
Lack of acetylcholine causes memory loss, problems learning etc. and is implicated in alzheimers disease. Many think that Alzheimers disease is connected to lyme. There is a list of acetylcholine boosters in the article.
Also consider: choline/inositol huperzine A
Toxins can cause all kinds of problems including brain fog. Consider using some of the detox protocols if you aren't already. Lots of info in the archives.
Quinolinic acid is a toxin to the brain and is often elevated in lyme patients. Steven Buhner talks about ways to help lower levels in his book "Healing Lyme". I posted several times in the past with info from his book about this. You can find that info in the archives with suggestions on supplements to protect your brain.
Brain inflammation can contribute to brain fog. Lack of sleep, depression or vitamin defeciences are other things that should be addressed to help brain fog. Keep your mind working. Challenge your mind.
Heavy metals are released when borrelia dies. This can cause a lot of memory/brain fog issues. I've been on heavy metal binders the whole time I've been in treatment. It helps a LOT!
Terry I'm not a doctor
Posts: 6282 | From Oregon | Registered: Jan 2006
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posted
TerryK, Thanks so much for the link to this article!
I have been diagnosed with, among other things, Myasthenia Gravis, which is an autoimmune disease where the body attacks the acetylcholine receptors at the nerve-muscle junction, causing a kind of paralysis. I did not realize the direct correlation between Lyme and acetylcholine, and this makes me feel so much more confident that I am on the right track -- not only to getting rid of Lyme, but that the MG diagnosis may be Lyme after all.
-------------------- We really know so little about the body and the microbiome. Posts: 261 | From Southern California | Registered: Jan 2011
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posted
The Buhner protocol uses super high doses of Knotweed, so I buy it in bulk at 1chineseherbs.com You get a big bag for like 18$.
Posts: 844 | From CA | Registered: Apr 2010
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momlyme
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 27775
posted
My son started taking hydergine about 2 weeks ago... it is the first thing that has given him any relief from the brain fog.
Within one day he seemed different, happier. I said how's that new med working? He said, you know, for the first time since this started... I have a clear head. No headache.
The all over body aches are still there... but it clears the head for him.
-------------------- May health be with you!
Toxic mold was suppressing our immune systems, causing extreme pain, brain fog and magnifying symptoms. Four days after moving out, the healing began. Posts: 2007 | From NY/VT Border | Registered: Aug 2010
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posted
I agree on the knotweed. Stopped abx about 3 weeks ago and started knotweed. Was taking it consistently (Source naturals only 2 caps/day so far) and was fine. Got a GI bug last week and stopped supplements for 3-4 days. Brain Fogg returned. 2 days of knotweed almost gone again. I also find almost immediate relief with Trace Minerals Liquid Magnesium.
Posts: 239 | From NC | Registered: Aug 2010
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bcb1200
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 25745
posted
I had pretty bad brain fog, derealization, etc. It is all gone now. Not sure what did it, but I've been on Doxy, FLagyl, Biaxin, Amantadine, etc, etc.
-------------------- Bite date ? 2/10 symptoms began 5/10 dx'd, after 3 months numerous test and doctors
IgM Igenex +/CDC + + 23/25, 30, 31, 34, 41, 83/93
Currently on:
Currently at around 80% +/- most days. Posts: 3124 | From Massachusetts | Registered: May 2010
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posted
Bartonella treatment really helped on my brain fog.
Posts: 182 | From turkey | Registered: Jan 2008
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nefferdun
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 20157
posted
Getting after all the infections helps. Starting treatment for babesia has cleared my brain fog quiet a lot. I still have memory problems but I do not feel so out of it.
The supplements I take that help are Acetyl L Carnitine (boosts memory), Alpha Lipoic Acid (powerful antioxidant and detoxer), and Niacinamide (helps restore nerve ending so messages can be transferred to your brain).
I is also important to eat non-inflammatory foods - nothing processed or refined and I avoid red meat (full of toxins that put stress on the kidneys).
-------------------- old joke: idiopathic means the patient is pathological and the the doctor is an idiot Posts: 4676 | From western Montana | Registered: Apr 2009
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onbam
Unregistered
posted
Mepron/Zith & Biaxin/Cyst buster (though cyst buster's can damage the brain)
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merrygirl
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 12041
posted
high dose bicillin 14 months
Posts: 3905 | From USA | Registered: May 2007
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Haley
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Member # 22008
posted
Merry girl - what is considered high dose?
Posts: 2232 | From USA | Registered: Aug 2009
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posted
Nattokinase works for me Posts: 198 | From Rhode Island | Registered: Sep 2010
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chiquita incognita
Unregistered
posted
Have you checked into leaky gut syndrome as a possible cause? Gluten intolerance? The booklet Leaky Gut Syndrome by Elizabeth Lipski MS CCN is absolutely excellent.
Chiropractic neurology has been my life saver!! Receptor sites in the joints communicate with the brain so brain centers are targeted as they do adjustments. Infra red light held to my brain centers, incredibly helpful and more. COgnitive exercises and physical exercises restore brain function. www.acnb.org
Tocotrienols, alpha is the best but gamma and delta are also helpful for brain inflammation, according to my LLMD. He put me on a product by Cardiovascular Research Ltd called Annatto Tocotrienols 125 mg softgels.
Coconut oil, medium chain triglycerides (fats) in coconut are used in epileptic seizures, according to a top level ND whose lecture I attended
Fish oils
Lecithin, the brain is composed of more than 80% lecithin according to Earl Mindell's The Vitamin Bible of the 21st Century
Pretty hard on the body to take all of the fatty acids above, I would try one or two and see what works, ask your doctor which s/he thinks are best for you
I find that coconut oil helps me most of all, by far but we all respond to different things. I melt it by pouring hot soy milk over it and drinking it, so it's not so icky as a hard lump ugh. Too much heating spoils the effect so pouring hot liquids is better than heating on the stove or in the microwave.
I also rub it on my body anytime there are uncomfortable neuro sensations going on, for me this cools things right out and fast too. But I have to do it several times a day if there is agitation or whatnot. Still works, so long as I keep at it. I no longer need it now that I have been seeing my chiropractic neurologist fyi the agitation and other symptoms settled right out!
posted
I understand the frustration of brain fog... I'm dealing with it as well. I don't have any advise. I've just started treatment 6 or 7weeks ago.
I'm doing Bicillin injections.
But, at this point I'm worse than before I started treatment.
Good Luck
-------------------- 10/10 EIA 1.4+, 41 (IGG), 23 (IGM) Bitten over 20 years ago. Currently not treating, looking for a Dr who will work with my insurance lol.
More muscular, cognitive, nerve issues than joints. Facial droop and blurred vision. Posts: 323 | From Michigan | Registered: Apr 2011
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Jamers
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 28016
posted
I think I was helped with Augmentin 4,000mg a day. Since starting this about 2 months ago, I haven't had any cognitive issues. I can get out the words I want to say and don't forget what Im trying to say.
-------------------- Diagnosed Pos. Lyme Nov. 17, 2010, Igx. Pos. Babesia Duncani March 2011, Igx. Clinical diagnosis for Bartonella Posts: 1127 | From North Carolina | Registered: Sep 2010
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posted
jadams.... I would love to be able to get to that point!!!!
-------------------- 10/10 EIA 1.4+, 41 (IGG), 23 (IGM) Bitten over 20 years ago. Currently not treating, looking for a Dr who will work with my insurance lol.
More muscular, cognitive, nerve issues than joints. Facial droop and blurred vision. Posts: 323 | From Michigan | Registered: Apr 2011
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posted
Xanax.. works GREAT!
Posts: 129 | From West | Registered: Jun 2011
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Haley
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 22008
posted
Have you treated babesia? I have been treat for 2 years as of 6/1/11. The brain fog has always been the symptom I could not get rid of. I believe the Babs meds are helping. Malarone and IV clindamycin.
Posts: 2232 | From USA | Registered: Aug 2009
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posted
so far i can only tell you what did not work: flagyl and tini caused my brainfog and since then every other abx causes more of it.
Posts: 214 | From Home | Registered: Apr 2011
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posted
Within 2 weeks of getting my amalgam fillings removed my head was clear! I am not sure if the abx started to kick in or not, but the timing of having that done and how quickly my head cleared afterwards makes me think that for chronically ill patients amalgam removal can make a huge difference!
Posts: 376 | From New York | Registered: Jan 2011
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lululymemom
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Member # 26405
posted
I agree with amalgam removal as well as using RNA (ribonucleic acid)
Bartonella henselae 1:100 Posts: 2027 | From British Columbia | Registered: Jun 2010
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Dekrator48
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 18239
posted
Eliminating sugar and high fructose corn syrup from my diet helped alot, and so did Bioidentical hormones.
-------------------- The fibromyalgia I've had for 32 years was an undiagnosed Lyme symptom.
"For I know the plans I have for you", declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future". -Jeremiah 29:11 Posts: 6076 | From Pennsylvania, USA | Registered: Nov 2008
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