had lyme in 2010 and was treated on and off by llmd until Dec. 2013.
Have been fine since then, except last July - red burning swollen knees that went away after a month of acupuncture - 5 visits.
It's back again since beginning of June - Had 4 acupuncture visits and am getting nervous because it's not totally gone. Thinking of giving it one more week with acupuncture and then going back to llmd.
Anyone have any advice.
Thanks
Posted by Tincup (Member # 5829) on :
I am so sorry you are having this pain and these problems.
My first thought is if it is Lyme, new case or old one reactivated, acupuncture won't address the bacterial infection. You'd need to have that addressed.
Second thought- Every July when I am in a certain area (and only in that area), I am bitten by mosquitoes and I am nearly 100% sure they are passing along Lyme and or another TBD.
I get what feels like RMSF and I know what that feels like cause I've had it at least twice in the earlier years.
Could you also be exposed to more ticks or mosquitoes, chiggers, etc. this time of year and this happens?
Wish I had some solid answers for you, but can only toss out some ideas.
Whatever it is, hope it is much better soon!
Posted by DebraKelly (Member # 24925) on :
Thanks. I'm very careful about being about with the ticks and mosquitoes and I have thought about that but it feels so similar to last year.
I won't hesitate to go back to the llmd if it lasts much longer.
Posted by lookup (Member # 44574) on :
I would try homeopathic Bryonia 30c once an hour for 3 doses then back off to one dose 3 times (total of 6 doses for the first day- if needed. If the pain backs down then I back down on dosing because I do not need the remedy as often)for the rest of the day.
If there isn't any change in a day of dosing AT ALL then I would deduct it did not have an affinity for my case, it should though...
Directions are on the tube. Boiron and Hyland make it and it can be found in the health food store for about $8.
Any action of a homeopathic remedy can be stopped with strong mint- like an Altoids or Fisherman Friend Mint, so if this remedy is helping it is best to avoid those.
Posted by lookup (Member # 44574) on :
I'd also try topical Traumeel or Topricin if I could not find Bryonia.
Posted by DebraKelly (Member # 24925) on :
Thanks lookup! I have been using Rhus Thox because that's what my homeopathic Dr. used to give me.
I will try the Bryonia asap.
Did homeopathy help you with the Lyme? I had been seeing a homeopathic MD but he couldn't really help me with the lyme at the beginning and then I started with acupuncture and that's what I've been doing. My homeopathic dr. was fantastic but he passed away last year and I have a question maybe you could answer.
Can you do homeopathy with acupuncture? I have read that you're not supposed to.
Thanks again so much.
DK
Posted by lookup (Member # 44574) on :
Hi DebraKelly,
We used homeopathy for many things- to remove layers and to deal with herxing and acute situations.
Diet and rest and no stress plus some great supplements also helped. Rife too and also acupuncture tune ups and Chinese herbs here and there were used.
Infrared sauna, coffee enemas, etc also were part of the picture. Did Buhner protocol but didn't see much change there.
Diet was key in that it stopped feeding inflammation and the cytokine loop. Hypothalamus PMG by Standard Process helped with anxiety, sleep and water regulation. Asea and Restore were also key.
It's a good question about using homeopathy and acupuncture together. When the two are mixed then you don't know how to interpret the results.
If my case was pooping along with acupuncture after 4 visits I would use the Bryonia and if the symptoms went away then I would think the Bryonia was a better fit.
And visa-versa, if I was using a remedy and nothing was changing I would feel no hesitation to see what TCM/acupuncture could do.
Best of luck!
Posted by lookup (Member # 44574) on :
There is a relationship between Rhus tox and Bryonia. Rhus tox would be used while the joint still felt better for gentle movement.
But, if it slips into a state where it is too painful to move and red and hot and swollen then it has left the sphere of Rhus and moved into Bryonia, maybe even Apis 12c or 30c
(12c and above because there is not anything left of the original substance- honey bee. Therefore, it would not be possible to have an allergic reaction.) if the joint is like a bag of water and shiny from the skin being stretched so far.
Apis acutes feel better for cool compresses being on them whereas Bryonia likes warm compresses.
Celery and cornsilk tea, lemon water will drain excess water and one can help take heat out of the joint with peppermint tea compresses on the knee.
Avoid heating foods like butter, lamb, ginger, black pepper basil...