Many people post about their progress/questions etc. there.
I've tried some of his herbs in the past but many of them are vasodilators which I've had problems with and worsen my dysautonomia issues.
I plan to retry when I've made more progress.
Posted by VB (Member # 16824) on :
Thanks brf! I'll check the group out.
I'm mostly wondering about ppl's expieriences with andrographis, and any neuro herxing from it.
Posted by pamoisondelune (Member # 11846) on :
I've taken Andrographis, 1600 mg , 4 times a day, for about a year and a half, along with Polygonum, 2000 mg, 4 times a day, plus other herbs and antibiotics. That's Buhner's maximum dose.
I need all of everything to keep my symtpoms down. I've never been in remission, i don't herx much, and if i stop taking pills i immediately get worse.
I don't react much and am not highly sensitive. I take plenty of milk thistle and probioitcs with every meal and have no GI problems, except candida now.
I didn't follow the pure Buhner protocol , because of inability to take Cats Claw long term because it causes me tendon pain. Also i was afraid to take Stephania, (is it Stephania tetrandra?) because some Stephania species are carcinogenic, and i worried that maybe they picked the wrong one or got them mixed up.
But i still rely on Andrographis and Polygonum, seemingly permanently.
Posted by Keebler (Member # 12673) on :
You can find andrographis detailed in Buhner's book, "Healing Lyme . . ." It's best to read ALL about it before starting. His book has the best detail I've seen. And the instructions for starting slowly should be followed.
Andrographis may upset the stomach at first (take with food when beginning it) and will definitely increase fatigue for the first few weeks (which is understandable due to it's effectiveness so don't fight it - plan to rest). It helps tremendously with sleep and it calms down some of that excitatory brain stuff very nicely.
Andrographis was remarkable for taking nearly 2 inches of edema off my ankle area - but you will be a frequent flyer at your closest restrooms. Seriously. You will need to plan around this - and still be sure to drink lots of water.
Unless I am confronted with a huge sensory surprise/startle that unexpectedly shocks my eyes or ears, it has helped reduce seizures. Even then, the ones that sneak up are less severe than they used to be.
I found, though, that I was not quite as exhausted when on the Zhang protocol. (Other than allicin raising tinnitus for me, a depleted bank account was the only reason I switched).
Thanks Keebler and Pam. I have read Healing Lyme and am working through the stomach issues--those I can handle (even though not fun).
I'm just having really bad neuro issues come back and those are just almost unbearable to me. I'm not sure if it's from the andro, the amoxil I started taking, or if I'm getting worse again.
My twitching is worse and I have terrible myoclonic jerking and really sensitive reflexes. I'm also getting painful nerve zaps in my teeth again.
I was hoping that it was just the andro, as I've read it crosses the BBB easily, so I was hoping it was just getting into my brain and killing a lot of stuff.
It's been happening for about a month. Can a herx last for a whole month?
Posted by Keebler (Member # 12673) on :
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VB,
Do you have a LLMD or a LL ND you could ask?
As for the possibility of andro and the myoclonic stuff - of course patients react differently, but it is a sedating herb and, for me, it has calmed down the myoclonic seizures and sudden jerks from startles.
Andrographis helped my teeth sensitivity AND it cleared up a mouthful of apthous ulcers and burning that had been constant for 4 straight years.
I've had none of the problems you describe increase from andrographis. However, why not stop it and see?
You say you are also taking amoxicillin so it might be that - or the combination - but my guess is the liver stress from die-off.
Are you keeping up with your liver support to keep the toxins down? I also take NAC for my liver. Milk thistle may be an option but check with the amoxic. instructions and your LLMD.
You ask if a herx can last a month. A herx is really the liver saying "TOO much!" - so, yes a herx can last as long as the liver is overpowered. Supportive measure are required with any lyme treatment. You might want to go over your liver support and see if making some adjustment helps.
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[ 03-23-2009, 01:52 PM: Message edited by: Keebler ]
Posted by SForsgren (Member # 7686) on :
I have used a product called Quintessence from BioPureUS.com that has many of the Buhner herbs in it.
Posted by Keebler (Member # 12673) on :
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Scott,
Thanks for that info. Wow! all rolled into one. How handy. It's taken my months to get around to all the different places to gather all this stuff and still have not gotten to some of it.
I'm glad to see this site. I think with the dose of andrographis I'm up to that the tincture might then be far too much alcohol. Still, even if not for everyday use, this would certainly be good for going out. Andrographis tablets could be added to adjust the to optimal dose, too.
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Posted by MariaA (Member # 9128) on :
Some of the Buhner herbs have active constituents that don't go into alcohol well which means you can't get high enough doses. He specifically warns against tincture for some of them, I think andrographis being one.
Posted by cottonbrain (Member # 13769) on :
i took the core protocol plus a couple extra for about nine months and really could not tell if they were helping or not...so, maybe not.
the first six months i did the buhner protocol without abx, then added abx.
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