Who has had success with natural treatments & do you have an LLND?
Thinking of going this route with my boys and I. Need a doc (posted in find a doc too).
Just looking to see how others do on natural? Also if anyone has a natural lyme doc to recommend? We are willing to travel. East coast is best.
Just a little info on why... One of my sons is not improving on abx and getting worse (19 months in treatment) He also doesn't herx. Main symptom is fatigue. My other son and I did improve but stopped.
Thanks!
Posted by joalo (Member # 12752) on :
Up.
Posted by LymeMom Kellye (Member # 24807) on :
We see an LLND. We are prescribed abx as well as supportive supplements and alternative therapies.
My family is early in treatment, but it seems to be working. I think that it is important to be tested for co-infections too. Also, it's a must to be treated with more than one or two abx at a time to target the infections as well as the many forms of bb.
The LLND helps with detox issues and dietary stuff. I like that she does both abx and supplements/herbs together. I think we will get well.
I am just another Lyme Mom but it sounds like you are on the right track as far as getting a 2nd opinion. IMHO, I will say this, that I don't think that herbals alone will kill all of the bacteria and parasites. I think that they have a time/place in treatment, but not in early treatment.
Good luck and healing thoughts to you and your family!
Posted by Keebler (Member # 12673) on :
- Key supplements have saved my life. I'm far from a success as there have been limits on what I could obtain, though. Lack of energy and brain power has also slowed down my own ability to help myself to the optimal degree.
I can't tolerate pharmaceuticals but I also never had the chance for consistent treatment with either a LLMD or LL ND. I've had consults with both, though, so had initial guidance. In my state, LLMDs are not allowed. It was years before we even had a LL ND as most NDs thought just getting the body stronger would work. It did not.
The regular NDs were uneducated about the devastating ability and nature of the spirochete - or other tick-borne infections. But a few of them learned more and became ILADS-educated.
The LL ND whom I consulted a couple of times ran more tests and it doubled the number of chronic stealth infections on my plate. That knowledge helped, even if I wound up still on my own to get well.
The LL ND had wanted me on IV Rx. But I could not afford that (as I'd have no medical backup in my state and could not afford the support measures that would have been needed for me to tolerate the Rx). We discussed orals but, for various reasons, that did not work out and I tried to be my own doctor. Not a good idea and it has not worked well at all.
So, see, many LL NDs know that herbs may not be enough. In some states, NDs are licensed to prescribe Rx and even order Rx IVs - and supportive treatment, too.
So, if you can find an ILADS-educated LL ND, that would be best. Some states license NDs to prescribe a range of pharmaceuticals and they also know how to balance those with key supplements.
So, after all that, YES, naturopathic medicine can offer help if guided by a very smart and educated LL ND. But, can herbs alone work? Well, most LL NDs also prescribe abx (at least as some point), so that is to be considered.
Here are some links to help you find a good LL ND or equivalent:
Topic: How to find a LL ND (naturopathic doctor), acupuncturist, etc.
Includes how to find an ILADS-educated LL ND, an Acupuncturist, a doctor of Oriental Medicine (O.M.D.), or a doctor of Ayurvedic Medicine (D.Ay.), certified herbalists or nutritionists, etc.
Includes many articles and books on complementary / integrative methods - & RIFE links.
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Not in that set of links, but you might also consider an infrared sauna. Heavenly Heat is the best for those with chemical sensitivities.
Heavy metals are often a huge issue for lyme patients. The infrared sauna can really help with that. However, the cost is out of reach for most. Still, otherwise considering heavy metals and other ways to address such may be the ticket to success. -
[ 10-02-2010, 01:47 PM: Message edited by: Keebler ]
Posted by Keebler (Member # 12673) on :
- You mentioned fatigue as the major symptom. Of course, unreconciled infection can cause deep fatigue. The adrenal system can also be devastated by lyme. Here are some things that a LL ND would consider:
ADRENAL LINKS: -----------------------
This book is specific to lyme and other chronic stealth infections. The author discusses the endocrine connection and effects of STRESS on a person with such infections. You can read customer reviews and look inside the book at this link to its page at Amazon.
The Potbelly Syndrome: How Common Germs Cause Obesity, Diabetes, And Heart Disease (Paperback) - 2005
by Russell Farris and Per Marin, MD, PhD
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Remember that lyme really messes up the HPA axis (Hypothalamus/pituitary/adrenal network). The pituitary has much to do with weight/growth. Mess up any part of the endocrine system and other parts suffer, too.
Curcumin Prevents Some Stress-Related Changes (By CP Staff)
Excerpts:
A recently published study investigated the effects of curcumin, a constituent of the botanical turmeric, on changes in cognition and memory caused by stress. . . .
. . . In this new study, researchers investigated the effect of curcumin supplementation on stress-induced learning defects in mice. . . .
. . . In addition, curcumin reversed the stress-induced increase in the levels of serum corticosterone, the primary hormone secreted during the stress response. . . .
. . . The researchers concluded, ``Thus, curcumin may be an effective therapeutic for learning and memory disturbances as was seen within these stress models, and
its neuroprotective effect was mediated in part by normalizing the corticosterone response, resulting in down-regulating of the phosphorylated calcium/calmodulin kinase II and glutamate receptor levels.''
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This is not a lyme book.
This book has only one reference to lyme (in the historical use of sarsarparilla for another spirochetal infection). However, it is a vital first book to read - or a reference - for anyone interested in understanding nutritional methods.
Search for Ashwagandha; Cordyceps; Siberian Ginseng in this book:
Graciously, much of this book is on line. It can also be purchased from this site or through Amazon where you can look inside the book and see many customer reviews.
The Rhodiola Revolution by Richard P. Brown, MD and Patricia L. Gerbarg, MD, et.al.
See this at Amazon.
[But note that Rhodiola by itself, especially at first, can be a bit too stimulating for lyme patients who are often very sensitive. It's best to start with others - or with rhodiola as part of a formula.]
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Medical abstracts for the most common adaptogens (adrenal support):
Adaptocrine (by Apex) -
Posted by Keebler (Member # 12673) on :
- In addition to the usual coinfections from ticks (such as babesia, bartonella, ehrlichia, RMSF, etc.), there are some other chronic stealth infections that an excellent LLMD or LL ND should know about: