I'm very new to this forum and as of now I have not been diagnosed with the Lyme Disease infection. However, after seeing countless doctors over the past three months . . . most of whom could only tell me that I didn't have MS, Fibromyalgia, Parkinson's, or any other "detectable" muscular disease, I finally found a doctor in Minneapolis who is treating my condition as possible Lyme Disease. My blood test is going to Igenex for confirmation and I have not begun the Doxy as of yet, but the doctor is going to start me on it next week if that's the direction I want to go.
What I wanted to share was this. For about a month now I've been trying to create an environment where the PH balance slides toward the more alkali side only because I had read long ago that disease flourishes in an acidic environment.
I began each morning by mixing about two tablespoons of apple cider vinegar with a small glass of water and throwing it back like a shot. The added water dilutes the strong taste of the apple cider vinegar. I also began adding approximately 1/4 cup of lemon juice to Lemon/lime gatorade and then drinking it throughout the day. I can't explain the chemistry or the reason, but for the first time in three months I've felt reasonably good for about the past week. My only symptoms appear to be very slight muscle ache, but nothing like I was experiencing previously. Perhaps my present condition won't last, but I wanted to share it with everyone in the outside chance that it might help.
I'm not a scientist and I got a D in biology back in high school so take this for what it is. Perhaps it's just coincidence, but I guess if you're experiencing the physical conditions that I was, you get to the point where you'll try just about anything. Give it a shot and see if it makes you feel a bit better. I'd be anxious to hear if it has a similar affect on anyone else.
I'll update this forum when I get my blood results back from Igenex, but like most of you, I have numerous symptoms that seem to add up to Lyme Disease.
Posted by mojo (Member # 9309) on :
Probably not a coincidence - I always feel better when I eat alkaline.
If you ditched the Gatorade you'd be even better off. It's full of sugar and it's acidic.
Adding the juice of 1/2 lemon to a glass of purified water is a great way to alkalize. You can add Stevia to make it sweeter like Lemonade if you want.
Posted by Niere (Member # 14387) on :
How do you know if you are alkaline or acidic? Do you use the paper test strips, and if so, how, with your saliva?
I've only been doing the lemon juice, but I like apple cider vinegar and it's a lot cheaper. Posted by Jeffrey Hatzenbeller (Member # 14416) on :
Mojo you make a good point that just occurred to me. I was mixing lemon juice with plain ordinary water for the first three weeks. I just started adding it to Gatorade over the past week.
To answer the other question that I saw posted, I have no idea where my blood PH is frankly. Never had it tested. Just passing along something that made me feel a lot better these last few days.
I should also point out that I was buying store bought lemon juice but would use real lemons whenever it was convenient. The lemon juice is very convenient and quite inexpensive. Apple cider vinegar is also very inexpensive.
Posted by Lymetoo (Member # 743) on :
I've heard good things about apple cider vinegar, but have been afraid to take it since I have acid reflux.
For some people, the vinegar "cures" the reflux....and for others it makes it worse.
I'm just afraid to try it...but you are encouraging me!
welcome!
Posted by sixgoofykids (Member # 11141) on :
I took apple cider vinegar through the years, perhaps it helped some, but in the end I needed treatment. I still take it when feeling acidic or dehydrated, it helps.
I also take the lemon juice in water .... for a change of pace sometimes, I use Pellegrino (sparkling water) with lime in a wine glass.
Remember all this stuff because if it helps now, it will really help you when you are going through treatment and experience herxheimer reactions.
My LLMD says that if lemon water helps you that you should read about an alkaline diet because it probably will, too.
I'm glad you found your doctor and Lymenet. Welcome.
Lymetoo, get some Bragg's Apple Cider vinegar .... both hubby and 9 year old daughter swear by it ... they drink it before anything with tomatoes, or if they have reflux .... it helps them a lot.
Posted by HamDune (Member # 14139) on :
quote:Originally posted by Niere: How do you know if you are alkaline or acidic? Do you use the paper test strips, and if so, how, with your saliva?
Niere, I have used pH strips by ENZYMEDICA and they are available at most health food stores and possible some pharmacy locations. I know there are a few other brand names that are suggested, just don't recall the names.
I don't believe salivary pH is sufficient; I, as well as many that I have spoken to in the same situation have determined pH via urine. Of course, the urine cannot be in the toilet or mixed with anything else. (I only mention that because I knew someone who checked their urine pH in the toilet and had very skewed readings!
Hope that helps!
Posted by Jeffrey Hatzenbeller (Member # 14416) on :
Lymetoo, I also have acid reflux and I've never had a problem with apple cider vinegar. There's a strong vinegar taste as you put it down, but it disapates in just a couple of seconds. Plus you can dilute it by drinking a small glass of water afterward. If you ever have a salad with balsamic vinegar for dressing, that should tell you how your stomach handles it.
Posted by mojo (Member # 9309) on :
I use urine strips too. To really know if you are acidic measuring first thing in the am after at least six hours of not urinating is best (read it in a book about being acidic)
I juice vegetables and that's what keeps me the most alkaline. The basics in my juice are cucumber, carrots, celery, bok choy and beets. I used to also juice spinach and parsley but they are very hard on my juicer (and we've alread worn out two!) Now I use swiss chard if it's fresh enough and am experimenting with other things like ginger root (hint use a tiny amount only - it's a very strong taste)
I also have a fruit smoothie everyday with lunch made from Organic Plain Yogurt, berries sometimes banana and some Organic Greens (Alkavision).
I do like my meat and grains so I have to compensate.
I can't seem to get into the Apple Cider Vinegar, in fact suddenly all vinegar is too strong for me so I just use EV Olive Oil on my salad.
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Hope that helps!