I've started on Doxy 3 weeks ago and I got much worse. I guess I am herxing. Been to ER twice in the three week period.
Dr H has mentioned Dr Zhang's protocol in a flyer he gave me. No specifics, just "Dr Zhang's protocol". So what is this protocol? I could not figure it out by reading this site. Also, are there several Dr Z protocols? I guess I need the "default" one.
Posted by Carol in PA (Member # 5338) on :
Hope that helps. Carol
Posted by klutzo (Member # 5701) on :
I did the Zhang Protocol for six months. Be prepared to shell out big bucks, and to explain to everyone why you reek of garlic!
I hope it helps you. Klutzo
Posted by tdtid (Member # 10276) on :
My LLMD does abx and the Dr. Zhang protocol. As Klutzo says, it is expensive. If it works, it will be worth it. If not.......
I've only been on treatment a little over two months, but if they expect babesia, they start you on Zhang's Allicin (and yes, Klutzo is correct. It STINKS). Also, Artemesia, Circulation P and AI#3.
They do move you through different herbs, but this is as far as I've gotten. My LLMD feels it's best in combination WITH antibiotics and Dr. Zhang mentions that in his book.
I am now on Cipro (for bart) and Zhang (for babesia) and some other vitamin and herbs that have gotten tossed in along the way.
Too early to say how this works, other than I feel like CRAP most of the time. I have had some hours in a few days that weren't so bad after being changed to the cipro, but since I'm doing Zhang WITH abx, I don't know what is doing what.
Just hope it works. Do let us know how things unfold for you.
Cathy
Posted by runcyclexcski (Member # 10749) on :
Thank you all for the responses!
How expensive is expensive? I saw numbers like $250 a month. Is that what it is? Then, it's not expensive by Lyme standards.
How stinky is stinky? Can you go to work and communicate with people etc?
Posted by tdtid (Member # 10276) on :
Yes, for the Zhang, it's running about $300 a month. It won't be covered by insurance since it's an herb vs a prescription abx.
Perhaps I feel it's expensive since I'm adding to it N.D's and IV vitamin and minerals and all these other things not covered by insurance. Infact, my abx is the ONLY thing covered, so it's adding up quickly.
As far as the smell....well, it smells like you have eatten a LOT of garlic. Although my kids would call it ROTTEN garlic. When I'm in bed, they say they can smell me just coming up the stairs and I would lose hands down at hide n seek.
You can take Chlorophyll to settle down some of the smell, but I think it pours out of your skin so popping breath mints doesn't help.
I'm definitely not enjoying the smell aspect and trying to explain why I smell this way, BUT if it works, it is going to be worth it all!!!!! But that's the "IF".
Since I'm only two months in and herxing basically non stop but to different levels, it's hard to know if it's the abx or Zhang. I do know someone taking only Zhang and other herbs and still working. I think it depends on every individual case and what strains you may have.
Cathy
Posted by 5dana8 (Member # 7935) on :
Haven't tried zang's herbal approach yet. Carol listed some really good links.