this year with ringing ears, chills, sweats then to
the joints.
I feel blessed that I was quickly
directed to test for Lyme. My Igenex test was
positive. Results: IgM: 23-25 +, 41++
IgG 31++, 34+, 39IND, 41++
This was taken after my PCP's ELISA was negative.
I have a visit scheduled with Dr. J in PA on the
28th. In the mean time my PCP has prescribed
Doxy at 100 2x daily. (Even though he said he isn't sure I have Lyme!)
My joints haves stopped
hurting. My left blurry eyes seems to have
improved as well. I am not 100 percent, I
know. But does everyone have a multiple year
treatment plan and even that with small results.
I am feeling better and hopeful.
Can't some
folks have small easily treated infections or am
I just too ignorant?!
Could someone please give me some good advice on
how to supplement ones body while on treatment?
Thanks in advance!
Posted by sutherngrl (Member # 16270) on :
If you start treating lyme early then I would say you have a good chance of getting well. When people are ill for a year or more before getting treatment it can become chronic and that is when the trouble starts. Then it can takes years to recover.
Glad that you caught it early!
Posted by adamm (Member # 11910) on :
Some actually do--I know one woman who, after having it for quite a while, recovered w/ 2 months of doxycycline. Cases like hers, which pretty much perfectly fit the IDSA/EIS model of the disease, are pretty rare, though.
Posted by schnuddelka (Member # 8031) on :
My son got antibiotics right away, and was treated for two months on azithromiacin and then amoxicillin. He's fine now, and it's been two years. But always keep in mind that it can come back. Especially if you experience a really stressful situation.
It could be years down the road, and if you have a major life stressor, like a death or move or something else along those lines, I've heard of it coming back and people just think, I'm stressed or tired, and ignore it.
Then, it can be harder to get rid of.
It's not all dire and grim. Acute lyme is thought to be curable! Good luck!
Posted by AZURE WISH (Member # 804) on :
Yes there are "easy" cases.
Alot of us that you see on this board over a long time went many years before diagnosis and have a coinfection(s). So what you end up seeing is mostly posts by people with chronic lyme and often coinfections too.
The people that get well go back to their lives and typically stop posting.
Posted by lou4656 (Member # 10300) on :
I was an "easy" case. Six years misdiagnosed . . . but I had no co-infections.
One year of antibiotics did the trick for me. And a good LLMD can make all the difference!
I've been off of antibiotics since Dec. 2007 and remain symptom free.
Very lucky me!
Posted by yanivnaced (Member # 13212) on :
Whether or not you will be an 'easy' case depends on how many coinfections you picked up, not necessarily the length of time you've been sick. Each additional coinfection can complicate the picture by a lot.
But you seem to be responding positively to even low dose doxy and that's a very good sign.
Posted by Geneal (Member # 10375) on :
I think a straight case of Lyme without co-infections
Would be easier to address.
That just doesn't happen very often....but it does happen.
I would venture to say that I believe most of us
Who are treating for years have other issues like co-infections.
Hugs,
Geneal
Posted by Keebler (Member # 12673) on :
-
Yes, some people can have much easier cases. A lot depends on which strain of lyme is involved and the health of your liver.
Since you are addressing this early, you have a far better chance. Still, treatment is likely to be at least several months. One expert suggests a minimum of 30 weeks' treatment.
Since you are feeling better on the doxycycline, that is a very good sign. Your LLMD will be able to better determine what to expect after you are examined and assessed for coinfections, too.
Bottom line: You will probably do well and not have to go on for years all because of getting this treated early on. Be sure to follow self-care guidelines and you will have a far better chance.
Best of luck.
=========
You asked: :Could someone please give me some good advice on how to supplement ones body while on treatment?"
Nutritional Supplements in Disseminated Lyme Disease
J.J. Burrascano, Jr., MD (2008)
Four pages
--
That Supplement section is part of Dr. B's larger work will you will also find sections on "self-care" and "rehabilitation" -- you can search this document by terms, making it easy to find exactly what you need:
This book, by an ILADS member LLMD, holds great information about treatments options and support measures (especially for adrenal/endocrine and cardiac issues):
. . . Individual variations in our cytochrome P40 enzymes help to demystify why there are so many variations in how we respond to drugs and herbs. . . .
- Full chapter at link above.
===================
There are hundreds of herbs that can help liver function. A couple dozen are discussed here:
The important thing to remember is that the liver is a hot (metabolically active) organ, and so tends to get congested and inflamed.
. . .
Protection
Turmeric root, wheat sprouts, schisandra berries, amla fruit, beet root and milk thistle seed are among the major sources of protective anti-oxidants for the liver cells, as are fruits that contain flavonoids, especially citrus fruits.
These should be used to prevent development of inflammatory disease, or for damage protection as in the case of persons taking strong chemical drugs or undergoing chemotherapy.
Deficiency
The liver can become weakened and deficient. If this is not corrected, it can lead to liver atrophy and depletion of glycogen stores, even hepatitis. Signs include fatigue, low blood pressure, hypoglycemia, dry eyes, headache, heat symptoms and irritability . . . .
Heat and Inflammation
To remove excess liver inflammation with heat signs or toxins . . . .
. . .
Pain
If there is liver inflammation with signs of pain and tension, use herbs that calm the liver and move the blood . . . .
If milk thistle is not on your plan, NAC might be considered:
This, from a protocol for Chlamydia Pneumonia (Cpn) which is a similar chronic stealth infection. This treatment protocol is also similar to that of chronic lyme.
This is what one of the protocol authors says about the power of NAC to help protet the liver:
. . . "Surprisingly, the only anti-chlamydial agent that did not cause hepatitis in some patients was NAC. In fact, NAC is recognized as being protective.
See attached references.
My conclusion is that NAC should be the first agent in an anti-chlamydial regimen and should be a constant part of the therapy for this protective effect, not to mention it's effect against elementary bodies.
Liver Protection: Laying the Foundation for Optimal Hepatic Health - By Kathy E. Acquistapace, DC, NHP, CNC
-
Posted by sonee123 (Member # 18632) on :
Cheriann,
I started treatment about 8 weeks ago and also took doxy 100 x2 a day.
First few days were horrible and then after that i started feeling much better with my neuro symptoms. Just like you i was no where near 100% but better.
On my 4th week of med everything just crashed. I have become more sick than before i started treatment. I have developed GI issues that was never the case before and of course my best friend neuro lyme is making me suffer.
I think it was a herx or H pylori bug that is making my stomach really bad. I dont know.
I had to stop doxy and start on other abx to kill the stomach bug.
I hope you won't have a downfall with this med.
Truly wish you all the best,
Soni.
Posted by CheriAnn (Member # 19673) on :
Thank you everyone for your encouragement and responses.
I have true empathy for those who have suffered so long with this mess.
4 weeks of pain and distress is all I care and hope to experience with Lyme!
Posted by baileygirl (Member # 19658) on :
Make sure you treat long enough. I was considered an easy case. My Western Blot was positive after only have one symptom. I was treated for 28 days on Doxy (100mg bid). It came back with more symptoms. I was then treated with Doxy for 2 1/2 months (200mg bid) and I relapsed 3 months later. Now here I am on antibiotics again. Just like previous posters said, treat long enough.
Posted by adamm (Member # 11910) on :
Yeah--what I've heard is that treatment should last 3 months past the resolution of all symptoms to minimize the odds of relapsing.
Posted by hezzer926 (Member # 17902) on :
I went only one month without diagnosis.. my symptoms came on strong and fast.. i treated w/doxy and herxed badly.. it wasnt until i found out in november after 3 months being treated that i had bartonella and babesia...
now, after almost 4 and a half months, i can say im finally seeing the light at the end of the tunnel.. im not 100 percent.. but i am SOOO much better than i was.. i know ill get there w/just a bit more time...
I think the most essential thing is getting tested for co infections because as previous posters said, it complicates the situation and requires more medicine... It's definitely great you caught it early!
Posted by bettyg (Member # 6147) on :
i'll ditto adam's remarks as that was what i was going to type!
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