Afraid of the unknown. Fran
Posted by Keebler (Member # 12673) on :
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Actually, if your doctor appoint is not until next month (unless this is a NEW case of lyme), I'd take just garlic capsules before you see your doctor. Or, best, call your LLMD and ask what s/he suggests.
How long have you been dealing with lyme? Have you been dx? Do you have any good doctor guiding you right now?
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I hope the "phobic" response and "anxiety" response to this will soon shift to concern and attention to detail, like homework. It is normal, natural and healthy to have some concern. By shifting to the girl scout or boy scout approach of "being prepared" the tenseness around this will lift.
To lighten the concerns about abx, knowledge is power. You must take some very specific supplements when on abx. in order to support and protect your liver, especially. The liver MUST be protected. I cannot stress enough how much that helps.
Also supplements to help adrenal and brain function are nearly required for the best chance of success.
If you have a LL ND (naturopathic doctor) who is ILADS-educated, that can be very helpful. Acupuncture has a tremendous effect with the right ND or L.Ac. (Licensed acupuncturist). IMO, it is vital that they be LL and ILADS educated, otherwise, they tend to discount the effect of lyme.
Be sure to read Burranscano's guidelines and Singleton's book.
Start there and then, I'd look over the other books listed below.
Dr. Burrascano's Treatment Guidelines (2008) - 37 pages
Sections regarding self-care:
Go to page 27 for SUPPORTIVE THERAPY & the CERTAIN ABSOLUTE RULES
and also pages 31-32 for advice on a safe, non-aerobic exercise plan and physical rehabilitation ((It's too early to do that full PT plan just yet, though. Movement is good but, for now, be consistent but gentle.)
Lyme Community Bulletin Board: RIFE machine - with lyme and TBD (tick-borne disease).
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FAR Infrared Sauna has been very helpful for many (low heat but great penetration for releasing and sweating out toxins). High heat saunas are not suggested and can put lyme patients at risk.
Heavenly Heat Sauna is the best brand recommended for those with lyme or chemical sensitivities. However, a budget, a warm (not) bath in epson salts can be very helpful, too.
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Posted by ping (Member # 6974) on :
Hi Fran_40,
Please see the post I just wrote to jennie46 about probiotics. I can't stress enough to NOT go out and start spending bunches of money on all sorts of "supports". Lyme treatment is expensive enough. Start with the acidophilus, find one that you like, then add things AS NEEDED.
Best to you.
ping "We are more than containers for Lyme"
Posted by gemofnj (Member # 15551) on :
Hi Fran,
You will be ok, and Its very good that you want to build up good flora and immune strength before you start your treatment.
Antibiotics actually kill good intestinal flora as well as the bad.
So that is why probiotics are very important, and the best kind should be refrigerated, high live culture and high strain.
There are so many out there and not all are created equal. The reason they have to be refrigerated is because they are live cultures.
Probiotics should also be taken at bedtime and away from all other supplements or abx.
My LLMD sold IFlora Professional Strength by Sedona Labs right in the office. It contains 20 billion live cultures and 16 different strains. It is very good, but you have to get it from your doctor.
As recommended in the guidelines, I rotated and alternated my probiotics.
Personally I use Renew Life Ultimate Flora, CRITICAL CARE, or Renew Life Senior Care, 30 billion and 10 strain, which may be found in your local heath food store.
There are others that folks might suggest too, I just happened to do well with this over the counter product.
If I may suggest, it would be best to now avoid all sugars and carbs, as they will promote yeast growth, and that can be nasty.
Always check in with your doctor when adding something new to your protocol. He/she should also be advising you at your visit which supplements to take as well.
Good luck and keep us posted. Posted by Fran_40 (Member # 20176) on :
Thanks to all who replied. This is all helpful,
info. Just a bit confusing with all the products
out there Posted by Abxnomore (Member # 18936) on :
Yogurt won't do what a good probiotic will do but a good plain organic one will certainly help.
There are many good brands of probiotics as listed above. Don't delay your ABX treatment.
You have been given good information. The refrigerated type is the best and Florastor (saccharomyces boulardii) should ideally be combined with a good probiotic.
A good heath food can help you with advice. Any probiotic will do in the interim. Start your ABX today and take any probiotic until you feel you have found the best one for you.
The above suggestion are all good. Garlic is good but not a substitute for probiotics but does kill off yeast.
Don't fret too much about this. It's all a learning process. Take the ABX today, get the best probiotic you can find to get going and continue on from there.
Also, my doctor has told me that it's best to take probiotics after a meal. Everyone has a different take.
Good luck.....keep us posted.
Posted by ping (Member # 6974) on :
Fran, Abxnomore gave you GREAT advice! If I might add one more thing to promote the effectiveness of your abx and probiotic tx's:
GUIDELINE: Take probiotics at least 2 hours AFTER you've taken your abx, or at least 6 hours BEFORE you take your abx (later in the day), for most effective treatment.
This GUIDELINE helps to avoid interactions with abx tx and most supplements.
START THOSE ANTIBIOTICS (ABX) NOW! Please don't put off your treatment.
ping "We are more than containers for Lyme"
Posted by Fran_40 (Member # 20176) on :
Thanks guys..I'm off..took the first dose today! Wish me luck! Posted by ping (Member # 6974) on :
Good Luck, Fran! It's a long road with many twists and turns and will require lots of patience.
Have plenty of good, pre-prepared or cooked food and drink in the house for those times when you're herxing and don't want to go anywhere or cook anything.
Call us if you need us.
ping "We are more than containers for Lyme"
Posted by Abxnomore (Member # 18936) on :
Glad to that you have started your ABX, Fran. You know this is the place to come when you need help or advice. Stop by frequently, we want to know how you are doing.
As Ping said, you may face many twists and turns but you are doing the right thing.
It's understandable that you would be nervous but everyone reacts differently. Don't worry until you need too and hopefully things will go smoothly!!
Good luck to you and hey you know we are here pretty much 24/7!!
Posted by Aniek (Member # 5374) on :
I took Biaxin and had no problems with it.
As far as probiotics, my doctor and many people on this board recommend Theralac (www.theralac.com) and my doctor also recommends taking Sacchoromyces to get to the lower gut. I'm also starting the acidophilus pearls because they are one of the few that don't need to be refrigerated but are still supposed to work, so I take those mid-day when I'm out and about or at work.
Posted by Fran_40 (Member # 20176) on :
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