I haven't posted in ages but my h---ish existence continues to grind on in endless misery. I'm not even in the mood to write a long post and you guys know my posts are never short but this one will be. More and more I'm giving up. So--long story short--I've been trying some of Marnie's magnesium protocol which is brilliant in theory but I can't tolerate more than two doses a day (and you need a lot more than that.) due to diarrhea. And don't even get me started on the money issues. Seethe.
In the meantime I got to reading about homeopathy and I'm wondering if anyone knows of anyone who was cured of late stage Lyme by homeopathic remedies. Cured to me means free of sx while free of tx of any kind and free of any relapses.
I've been cursed with a vile existence and I know and have always known there is no hope.
Monterey95
Interesting that you bring this up. I'm looking into homeopathic alternatives for my mother, too. While she's doing ok with her LLMD, he has Lyme too, and I truly wonder how long he will be able to continue to see patients.
Homeopathy is like anything else, though - there are good practictioners and bad ones. Actually, in my class, the latest lesson is a case study on a dog who was seriously messed up by a "homeopath" who was an idiot who should NOT be practicing the piano, let alone healing techiniques.
If you're looking into homeopathy, I strongly suggest the you look for someone who is a "Classical" homeopath - someone who takes dosage and potency of remedies VERY seriously. A good question to ask is "Did you study the sixth Organon?" Sounds like code, right? Nah, it simply refers to the sixth edition of Hahnemann's "Organon of Medicine". Sixth edition is important because it covers new dosage information and methods to give "deep, yet gentle" healing that avoids aggravations.
Some docs go way too high with way too much and cause serious aggravations of symptoms - that's what happened to this dog - he ended up in the ER near death with more than 50 growths popping up all over his body. Fortunately, he was saved by a good homeopath and continues to improve. Whether or not he'll ever recover completely remains to be seen.
Whoops, got off track! Sooo, anyone know of a good LL Classical Homeopath?
My homeopath says homeopathy will work for late stage but it takes LOTS of time and patience. Of course it depends on the individual and the skill level of the dr, but it could take years via that route - however, all levels of healing would be addressed and if you are patient enough, the results would be worth it. Besides it seems to take years with every other approach as well.
I highly recommend trying it, maybe if i had stuck with it longer i would have seen better results, who knows...
I do know of one woman who was dx'd with very advanced cancer - top cancer specialists said she had a few years left to live. She eventually met a homeopath and began that treatment instead. She stuck with it and today over THIRTY yrs later, she is in her 70s and one of the most energetic people I know - NO signs of the cancer. She felt if she had done conventional treatment, she would have died like they said. She swears by homeopathy and is the one who first got me interested in it. Since learning about it, I have heard many similar success stories.
Homeopathy is very tricky and like mikken said, finding a good practitioner is key. I dont know where you are located, but I know a couple good ones in southwestern CT. They dont have to necessarily be "LL" as they arent interested with what disease you have, they learn about your physical, mental, emotional self and find the remedy that works for YOU no matter what disease you have. But finding that right remedy and the correct dose is the art of homeopathy.
there is hope, dont give up! Your willingness to even explore your options shows that your vital force is still strong, whether or not you feel it. good luck!
I have a friend in Vancouver who was near death before getting into see Dr. M in Hope, BC. She got better, then plateaued and then decided to see a Chinese dr. in Vanc. Dr. M thought this wasn't a good idea, but she decided to try anyways. She had been very ill for 7 years.
He sees patients from all over the world and he is retired, but is focusing on lyme and co-infections right now. Initial visit I think is free, spends quite a bit of time with you going over history, etc. He makes up a tea based on your symptoms, history, you see him every 4 days and changes tea mixture based on changing symptoms. What he charges is far less than anything you guys are paying for abx and dr. visits, etc. let me tell you. 7 weeks later this friend was back at work, today is doing great and will probably stick with him for years.
A lot of lyme patients are seeing him. If I had any money, I would definately go to him. He has a great reputation, is not condescending and is truly interested in lyme research. If would like his name, can get it for you.
Corinne
For example, you can go to your regular doctor and say, "Doc, my knee hurts." He'll feel it, maybe xray it, move it around, then prescribe pain meds and send you on your way.
If you go to a homeopath and say, "Homeopath, my knee hurts." He'll say, "Really. That's interesting. Tell me, what kind of pain does it feel like - is it a sharp pain, or kind of dull? Does it hurt when you move it, but then gets better with contiued movement or worse? Is there any particular time of day that you find it hurts more than others? Did you try hot or cold compresses? Which one worked better? Does the pain start from below and come up or is it always in one place? Have you ever had this pain before or is it new?" and so on. Then he'll start to look at the whole person - what kind of personality you have, how well your digestive system functions, do you ever get rashes, is your vision normal, do you have a cough with that sore knee, etc.
That is why people come out of homeopathic visits feeling like their practictioner knows them VERY well! And that's also why appointments with them, especially the first "get to know you" appointment usually takes so long!
The homeopath tries to know everything about you that will help guide him to the exact right remedy for YOU as an individual.
SunRa is also right in that the name of your disease is not as important as the nature of your disease. It might help if the homeopath is LL in that they have a greater understanding of the *nature* of Lyme, but it is by no means necessary.
And yeah, with chronic illnesses like late stage Lyme, it can take years to cure. But my mom's been on abx for YEARS with no end in sight, so I have to wonder if maybe she won't be losing any time in the long run if we do go to homeopathy.
The nice thing is, homeopathy can address illness, depression, fears, just about everything if there is time to affect a cure (because it can take time). Because it views the person as a whole, it cures the *whole* person, not just one part.
Here's the link to the info we were given about it:
Too high a dose, or a dose repeated too often CAN DO HARM - especially if Ledum isn't the right remedy for that patient, Lyme disease or not. That's why it's best to consult with someone who knows what they're doing.
------------------
oops!
Lymetutu
quote:
Originally posted by mikken:
Interesting site! But even there it says that "1M is a sharp tool, and must be handled with respect and care" - they are not kidding!...Too high a dose, or a dose repeated too often CAN DO HARM
Ditto. We never went to any higher a potency than what we could buy OTC in our local health food store. Those potencies worked just fine for symptom relief. Maybe that's why it wasn't effective enough as a "cure" though. This is where a trained homeopath might be helpful.
BTW, it looks as if Steere is about to come out with a new therapy for late-stage Lyme, which looks all the world to me as if it's based on homeopathic principles (but perhaps without the "potentiation" process, but based on various "dilutions) of the old Lymerix vaccine. Lishs Mom found it under one of Steere's patents. Here's the link to a discussion about that. (See my comments under this topic also.)
http://flash.lymenet.org/ubb/Forum1/HTML/024587.html
[This message has been edited by TX Lyme Mom (edited 17 April 2004).]
I just typed an enormous post and then it said the password was wrong and to try again using the "back" button but when I did the typed stuff was GONE. This has happened one way or another too many times over the years. I'm not leaving the group but I might never try to post again. It's just a waste of time and too enraging.
Monterey95
My hubby is Lithuanina. We called a lyme Lithuanian doctor who cured my husband's mom's friend of lyme using homeopathy..
They use the folio method from Germany and hook you up to an electric probe and find out where it's hiding ect. and they also find virus's and co-infections this way.
They prescribe homeopathic drops made specifically for you and she said you can bring a years' worth of medicine home and then come back once a year for check up..
The doc. said you don't herx on it, and that antibiotics just don't work in lyme disease..They haven't for me..that's for sure..
So, I am thinking about flying over seas to do this..
I think homeapthy is getting your own body to heal itself..
The doctor also said that it takes about a year to recover..(she's an m.d. too...)
Think I should go?
I'm so sensitive to all medication now..I am seriously considering this or RIFE...
That's up to you, Lizzie! Of course, if you're going to visit your DH's family any time in the future, it wouldn't hurt to "stop by" the homeopath's place on the way, you know?
The way I figure it, any approach that improves your quality of life and makes you feel more like a whole person again, is the right approach for you! Sometimes we have to take different paths to get to the same place, that's all.
I like to "cut and paste" from a clipboard - that way there's no room for slipups.
I will try again but only a few lines even though I have tons to say.
First--I can't copy and paste into the posting block on here--I tried to do that with my very first post a year and a half ago. I copy and paste into emails all the time so I do know how and the function works on the computer. But nothing happens when pasted here.
Interesting about the Lithuanian homeopathy and so glad someone somewhere was cured of Lyme. However, it does seem to be a different treatment than homeopathy because there is no electric device used in it and they don't look for where germs are hiding. They just get a detailed account of your symptoms and general stuff about you--for instance if you're generally hot or cold, which side do you lay on when sleeping, do you have any fears, etc. Not knocking this other tx--just saying it's not the same thing as homeopathy. Also, homeopathy they don't make up a special remedy for you. There are about 3000 in existence and they choose the most appropriate one for your condition at that time.
That's all. I don't dare type more on this--it's just too unreliable. I've lost it for other reasons than the password too--MANY times.
Monterey95
Here is an example: A few days before Christmas the glands in the back of my neck swelled up to the point that it hurt if I just turned my head. I ran to the Homepath and with his vega testing he diagnosed me and gave me some homeopathics and it was gone within 24 hours.
So this is my experience, hope it helps
Stay Strong
Both of my sons have been dxed with lyme. The wait to get into see Dr. J is almost 2 months, so in the meantime, I took them to see the ND. She has put them on herbal drops to keep their immune systems strong, to keep the lyme at bay and to get their systems built up in anticipation of abx. A good multivitamin, of course and fish oil. They are also taking homeopathics for their most immediate symptoms - fatigue for my oldest and mood/rage for my youngest. I've even gotten back into the routine.
You really need to see a homeopath or an ND that knows this stuff inside and out. There are so many variables to consider to try to find the right remedy, that it really requires a level of expertise.
Hope this works for you!
Ann - OH
Each time you log on, though, you would need to go through this same process of sending just a simple brief response to something, as sort of a "test" post. Afterwards, then you would know that the rest of your posts for that session will go through without this kind of problem.
Lizzie J,
Actually, there are many forms of homeopathy practiced today. The traditional "classical" homeopaths don't accept any of the newer forms of homeopathy, but our experience has been that the newer methods work much better -- such as "chords" (different potencies combined together, I think), as well as combination formulas, which are sold OTC for specific complaints.
The electro-dermal testing methods, whether used with homeopathic formulas or herbals or even regular Rx meds, are surprisingly effective. They are outlawed in some states, but in other states they are accepted diagnostic modalites. I would gladly go anywhere, wherever there was a skilled practitioner using any of these modalities.
These modalities are rather scarce in my state though, since the practitioners here usually have to fly pretty low under the radar. For that reason, they tend to charge exorbitantly for their expertise, which is my main objection to going to one of them here in Texas. This method of diagnosis and therapy doesn't need to be nearly so expensive as it is, were it not for the obstructionist politics surrounding medical licensure.
I go to this doctor every eight weeks and my last visit, he said my levels of EBV, fungus and aluminum were almost deleted but he still sees LD...imagine that?
However, I can feel the improvements in my body with the deletion of these other layers.
Since November, I have significantly less twitching and tingling in arms and legs and increased energy.....I believe alot of this is due to magnesium tablets which he has me take. I have also combined accunpunture once a week which really relieves my symptoms for 3 or 4 days.
I can SLOWLY feel my old self coming back but it will take lots of time and commitment on both my part and my team of doctors. I'm very pleased to be off strong abx and on the natural route. I'm also encouraged that my regular M.D. has endorsed my approach and encourages me to continue down this path. He fully admits he doesn't understand how it works but doesn't want to throw more medicine at me just to relieve symptoms and not cure the cause.
I've always enjoyed good health in my life up to three years ago and battling LD has taught me alot about attitude, about life and about myself and how to fight. Unless, people are lucky enough to get the bacteria early, I personally believe it is a long process for cure as the bacteria live in tissue and areas where traditional medicine just doesn't reach. However, there is no doubt my brain fog has diminshed, my energy
has increased, but most importantly, my attitude is such that I'm going to be okay and win this battle. Thoughts of MS, ALS and every other nasty sounding disease no longer exist in my head.
I wish everybody well on this board and would encourage each and every one to keep an open mind to your health...there are truly many different ways to approach health problems.
The dr has a friend with Lyme and knows all too well what this disease can do to a person. Just wish feeling better would happen sooner.
Just be careful when dealing with things we "think" can't hurt us because they're natural or thought of as benign supplements. I've read some of Marnie's thoughts on Mg supplements and just have a word of caution.
Many people here are taking Doxycycline and taking Mg supplements can completely cancel out the absorption of Doxy from the intestines. Divalent cations compete for the channels that allow absorption of the Abx. You end up taking massive amounts of a drug that isn't even getting into your system.
Additionally, people taking Aminoglycoside antibiotics are at risk for kidney problems. And there may be many people out there with kidney problems from other reasons, including a chronic disease such as lyme. Overzealous use of Mg in these individuals can be devestating, causing paralysis, hypotension, and life threatening heart blocks.
I'm all for anything that works, including all forms of homeopathy. Please just be cautious with so called "natural" measures. It's not necessarily natural to ingest any particular substance before knowing about any possible bad effects, including magnesium.
an osteopath is a D.O, or an md..a bone dr. not necessarily a homeopathy dr. just make sure that he is ALSO a homeopath ..ok? osteo actually means bone in it's derivitive form..they often manipulate..In fact I go to my D.O, or PcP adn he manipulates may back when it goes out...
an osteopath does believe and has learned to treat the 'whole' body...that 's what they believe, but they are not homeopaths...
just wantd to make sure that you understand that they are not licensed homeopath unless he did that separately...Ok? don't want you to get hurt
Lisa