Ellen101
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 35432
posted
I have issues with my adrenals according to saliva testing. My cortisol is low in the am and too high at bedtime. My LLNP put me on pregnenolone in the am and phosphatidylsirene in the pm. I started to experience hair loss and severe headaches while on this combo. My thyroid is out of whack despite , levothyroxine showing hashimotos. I am on a low dose estrogen due to a hysterectomy several yrs ago, but according to testing my estradiol level is too high so she added in estradim, which has caused horrible hot flashes.
On top of all these wonderful issues I also according to allergy testing am allergic to dairy, eggs, and gluten. I have tested positive for candidates as well...
I feel like I'm on so many different supplements for so many different thing. I really don't understand what to do for each issues. I am currently taking b12, magnesium, vitamin d, digestive enzymes, probiotics, vitamin c, pregnenolone, phosphatidylsirene, estradiol.
Feel like each visit just results in more supplements, which are becoming costly. If my gut and my adrenals are my issue then who would be the best to treat?
Sometimes I feel as though the offices that have apothecaries or carry supplements are quick to push them.
Posts: 1748 | From United States | Registered: Dec 2011
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posted
I let my integrative/holistic doctor handle adrenals, hormones and thyroid. He is the expert.
I feel our Lyme doctors can't be an expert on everything. I make sure my LLMD knows what my integrative doctor is doing.
Pregnenolone should not cause headaches. Not sure about the phosphatidlsirene. As far as thyroid is concerned, I feel the natural medications work better. I did not do well on the synthetics like levothryroxine, I use Nature Throid. It has T4 and T3 in it.
-------------------- Faithful
Just sharing my experience, I am not a doctor. Posts: 2682 | From Colorado | Registered: Oct 2009
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Razzle
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 30398
posted
You may be getting too much estradiol if you are also taking pregnenolone...
I think it would be wise to consult an Integrative or Naturopathic Physician who is well-versed in hormonal issues.
-------------------- -Razzle Lyme IgM IGeneX Pos. 18+++, 23-25+, 30++, 31+, 34++, 39 IND, 83-93 IND; IgG IGeneX Neg. 30+, 39 IND; Mayo/CDC Pos. IgM 23+, 39+; IgG Mayo/CDC Neg. band 41+; Bart. (clinical dx; Fry Labs neg. for all coinfections), sx >30 yrs. Posts: 4166 | From WA | Registered: Feb 2011
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kgg
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 5867
posted
I could not tolerate Pregnenolone. But I don't remember the symptoms. When I mentioned it to the compounding pharmacist, he said many of his clients don't tolerate it.
I agree with the others, I would look for an Integrative doc.
Posts: 1680 | From Maine | Registered: Jun 2004
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Keebler
Honored Contributor (25K+ posts)
Member # 12673
posted
- As for the feeling that some places that sell supplement push them, that is usually not the mark of a professional.
I think it's best to see a LL doctor for as many issues as possible because lyme changes so much about the body and if they are not LL, great harm could be done.
Still, the LLMD is usually not enough, alone. When at all possible, it's great to have a LL ND or one of similar holistic training and also be LL.
As for their having certain supplements for sale at their office, often that is a convenience. They've taken time to explore the best, the purest. Often, if you ask, they can give a discount. Remember they have to pay for all this in advace and it takes a lot of money to stock a decent supply.
Still, most NDs I've seen will tell you why they suggestt something and why it is either so important or less important for you in a range of priorities. Most will also tell you where eles you can look for these - but a safe source.
There may be some out there who push only theirs and offer no discounts ever, but that has never been my experience. I have know of that, though. And it is not a quality of someone who want for a doctor. And it's also not typical.
Overall, though, I trust the academic study they put into figuring out the best of the bunch as that can save me a whole lot of time - and they have access to information that the general public does not about certain companies practices, etc.
Mostly, though, about why one brand may be far better than another for a particular person.
Still, anytime I've said that I could not afford - or even had trouble affording - the ND went out of their way to figure out how to make something important happen - or another way to approach it. -
Posts: 48021 | From Tree House | Registered: Jul 2007
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Keebler
Honored Contributor (25K+ posts)
Member # 12673
posted
- When considering herbal / nutritional / adjunct methods:
if at all possible - because each person & each case is different - it's best to consult with an ILADS-educated LL (lyme literate) doctor who has completed four years of post-graduate medical education in the field of herbal and nutritional medicine -
- and someone who is current with ILADS' research & presentations, past and present.
Many LL NDs incorporate antibiotics (depending upon the licensing laws in their state). Some LLMDs and LL NDs have good working relationships.
When possible, it's great to have both a LLMD and LL ND and even better when they have a long-standing professional relationship.
Integrative / Holistic M.D., etc. (Be aware that those in this category can have various levels of formal herbal &/or nutritional education, perhaps even just a short course. Do ask first.)
Links to many articles and books by holistic-minded LL doctors of various degrees who all have this basic approach in common:
Understanding of the importance of addressing the infection(s) fully head-on with specific measures from all corners of medicine;
knowing which supplements have direct impact, which are only support and which are both.
You can compare and contrast many approaches.
BASIC HERBAL EDUCATIONAL & SAFETY links,
BODY WORK links with safety tailored to lyme patients,
LOW HEAT INFRARED SAUNA detail,
BIONIC 880 (& PE-1) links, and
RIFE links.
===============================
While the links below seem more geared to lyme treatment, itself, the importance of having LL doctors for any aspect our our care applies to specialists, too,
because lyme changes so very much about the body but also the therapies for other things for someone with lyme often MUST be approached in a different manner -
- especially adrenal matters. And heart concerns. And anything that stresses the liver or kidneys. Also anything that affects the nervous system - or the inner ear system.
Lyme changes everything and while lyme is not the cause of all symptoms, only someone who is LL (or as much as possible) is able to really properly assess treatment options that are safe for the patient, IMO. Even then, one's LLMD should be consulted before any new medicine for other things is started.
& WHY you need an ILADS-educated, Lyme Literate Doctor (whether LLMD or LL ND, or both) -
Posts: 48021 | From Tree House | Registered: Jul 2007
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Keebler
Honored Contributor (25K+ posts)
Member # 12673
posted
- One main reason that a specialist should be LL is due to fact that many with lyme often also have variations of porphyria.
Now, not even all LL doctors are aware of the complications of this but most are aware that those with lyme can have a very hard time with certain medications when the liver is stressed.
Most LL doctors are also well aware of MCS, however, they may not be as expert as those who've made it their career.
For anyone with MCS, it's vital to see an expert in MCS because their scope is much more expansive and can uncover things that will then help lyme treatment be better formulated.
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