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Posted by lymesly (Member # 8528) on :
 
Hi,

My husband was looking for a support group for people with loved ones with Lyme disease and he found this. I'm the one with Lyme and thrilled he found you guys.

I have been on antibiotics on and off for a long time...the IV and bicillin shots, now mepron and amoxicillin....I was diagnosed with Babesia, too. This round has been about 6 months so far and I'm not feeling better. I've been wondering if I should just go off the abx and see what happpnes. Has anyone done this? Any suggestions?

Thanks, Susan
 

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Posted by lymesly (Member # 8528) on :
 
Thanks....I'm sure that's true. I don't know if I'm herxing or having side effects to the abx....that's one of the problems. But having most of the typical symptpms I've always had....tiredness, memory problems, pains, etc.

Probably herxing....just would like to believe that I'm getting better.
 

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Posted by JimBoB (Member # 8454) on :
 
IF you are not getting GOOD results WITH antibiotics alone, TRY Stephen Buhner's HEaling Lyme book and HIS protocol of antibiotics along WITH herbs.

IT is working good for me so far. Quite good as a matter of fact.

MANY, many people NEVER get better on antibiotics alone, and many, many more have relapses when on antibiotics alone. Much less herxing, from what I have gathered, when on antibiotics too.

I had antibiotics alone, Cipro, and after 8 months off of them, relapsed. Started herbs alone, 6 weeks ago, and added tetracycline 6 days ago. Doing quite well. Was doing well before the abx, but even better now; after a couple of slightly down days.

Jim
 

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Posted by surfbabe (Member # 8157) on :
 
HI Jimbob - which herbs are you taking with success?
 

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Posted by riversinger (Member # 4851) on :
 

quote:

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Originally posted by JimBoB:

I had antibiotics alone, Cipro, and after 8 months off of them, relapsed.

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Just to put this in perspective, Cipro is not one of the preferred antibiotics for Lyme. It is more commonly used for some of the coinfections. Your relapse may have been related to an antibiotic that wasn't targeted properly to your infection.
 

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Posted by lymesly (Member # 8528) on :
 
I think checking out the herb angle sounds good. I'd love something to help.

I was on abx (doxy - IV & I think rocephin....now my memory isn't so clear on that & shots of bicillin...definitely remember that...lol) about 4 yrs ago for 1 1/2 years.

I went off for a while, but wasn't feeling better....then was diagnosed with Babesia. So I started Artemesia and Mepron and now Amoxicillin for any Lyme that may still be in my system and strep. I've been on 6 months again.

I'm still feeling pretty bad. May be herxing? But not sure...that's the hard part. If so I've been herxing ever since I went on the Amoxicillin. Which sounds like a possibility, after reading some of the posts. Thanks for the response!!
 

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Posted by farah (Member # 8496) on :
 
Hi Lymesly,

I would only go off of antibiotics while using some form of alternative treatment in its place, or otherwise, a relapse is likely. It takes hardly any time at all for the bacterial load to increase again and for the bacteria to emerge out of hiding after it is no longer under attack. Take herbs and other alternative therapies alongside antibiotics, and then wean off the antibiotics when you feel like these other remedies are controlling and killing the Lyme in place of the antibiotics. Generally speaking, it is hard to completely stop treatment for Lyme while still having Lyme in your system. A person can't expect to stay stable at the condition where they stopped. Degeneration can happen rapidly and unexpectedly. So even if it isn't antibiotics, do something consistently to treat yourself as long as you feel that you still have this disease. I got off of antibiotics completely while relying on chinese herbs and essential oils. Now, I hardly take the herbs and essential oils even. I take a few vitamin, mineral, and amino acid supplements and I am 99.9% better. Any magical thinking that this disease can be controlled without constant treatment can result in relapse. That is what I have seen. I also think that antibiotics don't do the greatest job of eradicating this illness, either. They kill some bacteria, and then the rest go dormant till treatment is over. Antibiotics work best combined with other therapies, anyway, in my personal opinion.

Farah
 

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Posted by BugBarb (Member # 210) on :
 
I was on antibiotics for Lyme for about 6.5 years. Add another year of antibiotics for resistant staph infection/scalp folliculitis.

When I got sick/disabled with lyme, Life sucked and i wanted no part of living if this was how it was going to be. I felt like I was a bug being slowly tortured to death, but with my head left intact so I would be aware of all of it. I wanted to die as that was the only way out I could see. After a visit to a good psychiatrist and appropriate medication and counseling, I regained my desire to live. A year later, when I was diagnosed and began treatment for Lyme, I was willing to do anything to get better.
Nothing was worse than the destruction lyme inflicted on my life. I willingly put up with the side effects. The price was worth it.

I had neuropathy from flagyl, sunburn from doxy, crippling tendinitis from levaquin and then diahrrea when I stopped all antibiotics and had to take xifaxin for that.

Today, after being off all antibiotics of a year, if my doctor told me I had to take more antibiotics or relapse, I would do it in a heartbeat. To me, lyme was a living death.
 

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Posted by JimBoB (Member # 8454) on :
 
HI;
I took the Cipro for 24 days, because my doctor at the time, (5.5) years ago, said it was the strongest oral abx out there, and IF I really had lyme it would get rid of it. What did I know?

Well, it did wonders for about 8 months, and then it slowly started coming back till it got so bad this past summer and fall, that I really didn't think I was going to see my 65th birthday in June of 2006 so I could get medicare to help with expenses.

Then a met Vicki from Iowa who told me about this group, and so I went to it and saw the Amazon.com advertisement to the left of my screen and there was an adv. for the book by Stephen H. Buhner on Healing Lyme. So I ordered it.

THis was all taking place in November. I started taking herbs recommended by Buhner, on November 25th, and now have been taking tetracycline for the past 6 days along with the herbs. And I feel MANY, Many times better than I did on November 24th. Unbelievelable HOW MUCH better I feel, now. I did feel a little down the first two or three days since taking the Tetracyline, but now feel even better.

Am I perfect already? NO! But some days I almost feel like it I feel so much better.

I agree with Cave76 to be careful WHAT we do, and have SOME KIND of guidance. THAT is why I try to follow Buhner's book as cosely as I can, for MY symptoms. (Which were many, by the way).

I ALREADY know more than my duck about Lyme disease, because in the past two months I have STUDIED VERY HARD about it and the different kinds of treatments for it and what is happening to people on different regimens. But with the knowledge of most ducks, that is not saying too much. I have a lot more to learn.

As far as WHAT I take for it, I started with one cats claw, one devils claw and one Smilax pill per day. I am now up to 6 devils claw, 9 cats claw, 9 Smilax, 9 Andrographis, 9 Resveratrol, 12 Stephania root, one vitamin E, two vitamin C per day herbs, and two 250mg tetracycline. I plan to add three more pills per day of the herbs this coming Wednesday, then maintain that for about two months, then gradually taper off three pills per day till down to one per day again, and THEN see HOW I feel before either stopping or doing something else.

The Tetracycline will stay at two per day. At the end of 28 days, I will stop for 7 days, then go on Amoxicillin for 28 days, then stop for 7 days and then on to Doxycline for 28 days.

Also this coming week, I am going to add Milk THistle and acidophilus for the duration.

IF this is not totally rid of the Lyme, then I will have to see what else is out there that looks promising, IF anything.

Jim.
 

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Posted by luvs2ride (Member # 8090) on :
 
A thought about relapse. I think we can all agree, you don't get "cured" from Lyme, you just get it under control. I am sure I have had Lyme for at least 10 yrs and perhaps as long as 44 yrs, however, I have lived an incredibly healthy, active (I competed in 50 mile endurance races on my horse which requires me to run with him quite a bit) life until 4 mths ago when I began to have the migrating joint pain.

Like JimBob, (and I'm sure many of you) I have done nothing but research this hideous disease since August. Here is what I think.

Many of us have been infected by Lyme but we are not symptomatic because our bodies are in a state of health that is a hostile environment to the bacteria. Life is good until something compromises our immune system and creates a favorable environment for the bacteria to thrive and multiply. Stress and poor diet are two very effective ways to provide the acidic environment the bacteria needs.

Now that the bacteria is active, we become sick. Antibiotics work by killing some of the bacteria and causing the rest to encapsulate themselves and go dormant. Now our symptoms ease up. However, if we do not correct the imbalance created in our body which allowed the bacteria to thrive to begin with, then we are just going to relapse once we get off the abx.

Enter alternative medicine which is really just healthy habits to get your body back in balance. Once your body is healthy, the
immune system is able to deal with the invaders and they don't cause harm. But, just like losing weight, getting and staying healthy requires a lifestyle change.

JimBob, thanks for your many times you have promoted the "Healing Lyme" book. I have just ordered my copy as I too am trying to get well.
 

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Posted by Monica (Member # 224) on :
 
I have had Lyme Disease for a long time. At least 17 years.

I did not receive any medical treatment for it until 1997. I was treated by my PCP who, in all fairness, did not have the experience to deal with what I was experiencing. I was on and off antibiotics for 7 years.

In hindsight, I was spitting in the wind. I believe all this "on and off" accomplished was to eliminate the weaker bacteria and strengthen the stronger.

I have now been on aggressive abx treatment since early March 05. I have been experiencing painful herxes. My recovery has been slow, but I believe the doctor I am seeing now, with his 20 years of experience, is better equipped to deal with my illness.

I will not go off abx until my symptoms are gone and for at least months afterwards.

Just my experience and belief.
 

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Posted by elle (Member # 7721) on :
 
Does Stephen Buhner adress co-infection ie babesia in his book? or offer any herbs that might help/support the mepron/art mix?
 

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Posted by Lydie (Member # 8327) on :
 
Lymesly, just a small thing to add. You might just need to change antibiotics. Sometimes there is a plateau after a few months on a drug, and either adding or changing helps get the progress going again.

I wish I could stop abx, myself! After 5 years, I can function but after only missing one or two doses, I start relapsing.

I bought the "Healing Lyme" book recently and am going to go to an integrative medicine MD, once I can afford it. Right now I am paying for my daughter to go, and it is helping a lot.
 

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Posted by JimBoB (Member # 8454) on :
 
Elle:
Obviously you do not have Buhner's book, Healing Lyme, correct?

By all means, BUY IT, just go to Amazon.com to the left of your screen and order it. It is CHEAP compared to everything else we are doing for his hideious disease.

AND to answer YOUR question: YES, his book DOES cover not only Babesia, but also Erlichia and Bartonella, PLUS other Lyme coinfections. HE devotes a WHOLE CHAPTER to the coninfections of Lyme.

You NEED the book. Period. Don't take MY word for it.

Jim
 

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Posted by lymesly (Member # 8528) on :
 
Thanks so much, everyone. This has been so helpful. I'm going to buy that "Healing Lyme" book and stay on the abx.

I heard of one dr. that thinks the spirochete cycle only 2 days a month....anybody have any info on that? I'll start a new thread.

Susan
 

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Posted by JimBoB (Member # 8454) on :
 
I would also like to add that antibiotics destroy parts of our bodies, whereas herbs on the other hand do just the opposite and build UP our bodies. You don't have near the side affects with herbs, because they are more natural things in nature. NOT manmade.

Man has NEVER been smarter than God, and never will be.

Everytime man changes something, he has to change something else or suffer. IF we as mankind had stayed with the original design for our bodies, we wouldn't be in this fix we are today. Man is killing the evironment and we are all suffering for it.

I am just as guilty as the next person, but after living for 64+ years in this old body, I am finally at least TRYING to treat it better. I still ain't doing it perfect, but better.

I was always too busy to be bothered before. NOW I HAVE to do something about it all, OR go away.

Many are way ahead of me when it comes to taking care of their body. I just had the light bulb lit and SEE the light for MAYBE a little better future IF I follow their lead. Here in America WE have probably the worst lifestyle of most countries as far as our foods, land management, air and water pollution, etc.. We have not kept our "home" clean. Soooo we deserve to suffer at least a little.

BUT, DO we have to suffer forever? Do we WANT to?

I don't. THAT is why I am promoting Buhner's book. I don't see where all the years on body destroying abx have helped ALL that much, at least NOT longterm. For short, interrupted, bouts with them yes. Longterm, especially ALONE, NO!

I also want to point out, that when I take the 7 day break after each 28 day bout with the abx, I will STILL keep taking the herbs full bore during that time.

Jim


 

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Posted by luvs2ride (Member # 8090) on :
 
I agree totally with JimBob. If you have to remain on abx indefinitely to avoid relapse, you are on a vicious cycle you will never be able to escape.
 

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Posted by Healing in Santa Cruz (Member # 7798) on :
 
I have the Healing Book and also Lyme Disease and Rife Machines when antibotics fail. by Bryan Rosner. My library ordered both for me. Also salt and C. Check out lyme photos and lymestrategies. ALL have lots of alternatives to antibotics. We are all different and need to check in and listen to our bodies. Blessings to everyones health.
 

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Posted by luvs2ride (Member # 8090) on :
 
I started my treatment homeopathically. It produced plenty of swelling and pain but the brain fog immediately cleared up as did the migraines and hot flashes. Even though I was having such physical pain, I felt very strong, positive and confident mentally. I did not have to take counteractive medications such as probiotics for the dangerous side effects, because homeopathy does not have any dangerous side effects. Also, I had two good days each week with no pain which allowed me to enjoy life.

Fear drove me to a conventional LLMD (trust me, the first doctor is also very lyme literate)for a 2nd opinion. He was very impressed with the results homeopathy was achieving for me, but still he wanted me to take a short round of Flagyl (5 days) and 30 days Ketek so he could get DNA from urine testing. The Igenex tests showed I had had Lyme and still had the antibodies in my system but was indecisive as to whether or not I have lyme now.

Well, by the 6th dose of Flagyl, my throat closed up in an allergic reaction. So I stopped that. I am tolerating the Ketek so far and have had some very mild swelling/pain, but nothing like the homeopathy produced. I am experiencing chronic fatigue with the antibiotic which is what I experienced 10 years ago when I last exhibited symptoms of Lyme and was treated with doxiclyine and other abx for 6 mths. Yesterday, the doctor said he wants some lab tests run after I'm on Ketek because it can damage the heart. COOL!!!!! Lyme disease or heart disease.....hhmmnn, tough choice!

I sought out accupuncture to try to help with the swelling and pain. Instead of reducing the pain, it seems to increase it significantly for 3 to 4 days after which I begin to feel a lot better. Not sure why, but seems to be bringing on a herx. The swelling does go down.

Bottom line is: I got my best results from the homeopathy. No way do I want to remain on a dangerous antibiotic indefinitely. I don't find it encouraging when I read your posts of how you are on antibiotics for years and aren't well. I will be happier to be on homeopathy for years and not be well, at least I haven't brought additional problems into the mix.

I totally agree that each of us has to find an individual approach that works. I do not believe we ever eradicate the bacteria from our bodies. We can only hope to reduce the load to a level our immune systems can handle. Then we become asymptomatic. In order to reach that point, we must strenghten our immune systems while reducing the bacteria load. Antibiotics can be a very effective way to reduce the load initially, but I don't see how they can do so longterm because the bacteria just builds an immunity to the antibiotic. Also, the antibiotics damage the immune system. This, I believe, is why so many of you remain sick for so many years in spite of antibiotics.

IMO conventional and complimentary medicine combined give us our best chance at achieving optimal health.
 

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Posted by JimBoB (Member # 8454) on :
 
I agree with you luvs2ride.

I can't imagine anyone being on antibiotics for many years.

I have been on for a week now and have been herxing the past two days. I did not have these symptoms when only on herbs. BUT I DID feel better on them after a couple of days.

BUT since, Buhner recommends them, at least for awhile, AND I decided THIS was what I wanted to do, I will stick with the abx along with the herbs for about 3 months. Then gradually taper off of the herbs and see WHAT happens. Here's hoping.

Jim.
 

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Posted by Lydie (Member # 8327) on :
 
I think that people need to realize there is lot of individual variation in our situations.

I tolerated a lot of Lyme symptoms w/out using abx, for 20 years, some quite severe (such as cardiac) but 5 years ago, suddenly, I could no longer speak properly, and I could not feel my arms, or half my face, and they were also on fire and in severe pain. I think abx were the only recourse for that situation. Many are in true medical crisis and fooling around with alternative medicine as the main treatment should probably wait a bit.

I also think that, if I had done abx sooner, this disaster would not have occurred. So, while some of you may feel you are making progress w/alternatives such as homeopathy, or by "keeping things in balance," this illness is like a natural disaster waiting to hapen. It may, one day, suddenly, overcome your attempts to hold it at bay, and you will wish, like me, that you had done abx sooner.

The other thing is, there is a lot of research available on the complex reasons why people react differently to this bacteria. No offense to anyone, but please be careful speculating on why some people remain sick- which verges on blaming the victim.

A small percentage of Lyme patients have genetic HLA-DR types that predispose them to autoimmune problems with Lyme. Some of us (me and two of my daughters) have very high antinuclear antibodies (ANA's) with Lyme, which indicates that for some reason, the body is attacking itself, which causes further illness beyond the Lyme itself.

The Journal of Microbiology recently published some research using mice, that showed that Lyme is similar to strep in this way. With strep, only a small minority actually will get rheumatic fever, which is an autoimmune illness triggered by the bacteria. These people have a genetic predisposition that leads to this autoimmune reaction. It is NOT because their bodies -or their lives- are out of balance.

The study found that the same was true w/Lyme. And guess what... Rheumatic fever patients are on antibiotics for the rest of their lives! (preventatively, admittedly).

One of my children has type 1 diabetes, which is also an autoimmune disorder, triggered by an organism, probably coxsackie. She had a genetic predisposition for this (my other kids had cocksackie and didn't get diabetes). It won't go away.

Hypothetically, if the Lyme could be totally eradicated, the autoimmunity would stop too. But, since many of us agree that total eradication is impossible, use of anitbiotics keeps the autoimmune problems at bay, too.

When we "herx," our ANA's go way up- a definite clue.

There may be many other factors that predispose some people to more severe or more chronic illness. Those who are able to improve with homeopathy need to count their blessings, but not extrapolate from their own experience that antibiotics should therefore be replaced with other methods, for all.

Yes, many of us are on antibiotics for years, maybe forever, but we are generally a lot more functional than we were off.

Supporting our bodies is a great idea. However, building our immune system up will only increase the immune system's ability to attack ourselves (autoimmunity) so we need to be careful.

I would LOVE to have the option of getting off, but I don't think it's going to happen. I am a relatively happy woman in my 50's, with three great kids and things I love to do. I take great care of my own body, and of my familly. We just have bad genes, apparently.

Dr. L., Dr. D, and many others have written about the autoimmune problems with Lyme. Dr. J. (pediatric) also knows a lot about this. Just a final note: this is a different point of view than Steere's: Steere feels that "post-Lyme" is SOLELY autoimmune, and that noone should be on antibiotics past a few weeks. Some of his earlier writings are actually quite informative on this subject, but stay away from him now!
 

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Posted by luvs2ride (Member # 8090) on :
 
Lydie,

What I would like to see is not a either or approach ie: alternative v abx, but a recognition that this disease can be dealt with in many instances as successfully with alternative (under supervision of a competent doctor) and with less side effects as abx (under supervision of a competent doctor).

If you will re-read my post, you will see I had Lyme 10 yrs ago and treated it solely with abx. An interesting note, you talk about the elevated ANAs and the autoimmune response. I had the same thing 10 yrs ago. This time, after 3 mths homeopathy and before beginning abx, I had normal ANA. Makes me wonder if the abx have anything to do with the elevated ANA.

I'm not trying to talk anyone into or out of a course of medical treatment. But I have documented (by an LLMD) evidence the homeopathy was working just as it should. I don't understand how, in the face of all the evidence of the dangers of antibiotics, so many of you can just stick to your guns about using it longterm, but then warn us about the dangers of promoting alternative medicines.

This is a slow growing disease making it a good one to try "that which is safe first" before moving onto the stronger meds with dangerous side effects.
 

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Posted by Marnie (Member # 773) on :
 
Watch your pH like a hawk. Get your system more alkaline.

Too acidic overall = cell and mDNA/RNA damage.

Way too many damaging free radicals. Use every antioxidant you can get your mits on.

ALL lyme symptoms are Mg deficiency symptoms. Until that level is restored, the symptoms continue even WHEN and IF the infection is gone.

We need a way to know exactly WHEN this infection is gone (decent testing) so that we can focus on rebuilding the nutrients (which are depleted) to alleviate the symptoms.

NEVER give up hope even if/when you are dx'd "autoimmune".

Mg "stimulates DNA repair". Wow!

Given the right nutrients in the right balance, the body will heal itself. But...not easy to figure out which nutrients, how much, how often! The body heals slowly...this takes TIME.
 

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Posted by Lydie (Member # 8327) on :
 
Just to clarify, I am not a big fan of antibiotics, theoretically, and am not anti-alternative either. My teenage daughter is currently under the sole care of an integrative medicine MD, for Lyme but also for the damage done by the antibiotics and other meds used on her.

However, for some, avoiding antibiotics may be like a cancer patient avoiding chemo. I have even had well-intentioned people say we should try certain herbs instead of insulin, for this same daughter's diabetes. She would die in a few days.

If my message seems mixed, it's because this is a very complex situation, with a lot of mysteries and uncertainties. I am just advising anyone who reads anything here on Lymenet to remember that none of us really KNOWS anything beyond our own experience, and there may be many approaches to help. For some, at least, antibiotics are crucial (whatever the side effects) and for some, like me, they may be lifelong.

p.s. antibiotics "stir up" the Lyme, which causes the immune system to react, which can cause or raise ANA's. The negative ANA is from the same phenomenon as false negative Lyme tests: the bacteria are dormant or hidden in tissues and the immune system is not reacting w/antibody production. ANA's are antibodies. In the same way, my Western Blot became dramatically positive AFTER a few weeks of antibiotics (and my ANA wnet up too)
 

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Posted by luvs2ride (Member # 8090) on :
 
Ok Lydie, peace to you. I think we really are closer to agreeing than it seems. Just, I do think alternative care should get equal time when overseen by a competent physician. Mine is an M.D. and a board certified homeopath.

To clarify on my ANA. My Igenex test for Lyme showed the correct antibodies in my bloodstream thereby proving even to CDC criteria that I have had Lyme.

My normal ANA came from a rheumatoid test.
 

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Posted by lymesly (Member # 8528) on :
 

quote:

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Originally posted by luvs2ride:

I am experiencing chronic fatigue with the antibiotic which is what I experienced 10 years ago when I last exhibited symptoms of Lyme and was treated with doxiclyine and other abx for 6 mths.

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quote:

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Originally posted by JimBoB:
Elle:
Obviously you do not have Buhner's book, Healing Lyme, correct?

By all means, BUY IT, just go to Amazon.com to the left of your screen and order it. It is CHEAP compared to everything else we are doing for his hideious disease.

AND to answer YOUR question: YES, his book DOES cover not only Babesia, but also Erlichia and Bartonella, PLUS other Lyme coinfections. HE devotes a WHOLE CHAPTER to the coninfections of Lyme.

You NEED the book. Period. Don't take MY word for it.

Jim

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I second the notion. It is a GOOD book!

- JB
 

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Posted by JimBoB (Member # 8454) on :
 
I might add; That Mr. Buhner is quite courteous and answers emails to pertinent questions quite fast. I have sent him three emails in the past week and he has answered all questions in them, within one day.

Jim.
 

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Posted by elle (Member # 7721) on :
 
Thanks - I'll order the book. I was doing really well after 5 months on abx's and 4 months on mepron.

Now I think they are making me sick. I know I know . . . its a herx . . . but it could be my body saying its had enough abx.

elle
 

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Posted by brentb (Member # 6899) on :
 

quote:

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Originally posted by lymesly:
This seems to be what is happening to me. I went on the Amoxicillin and BAMM - exhaustion.

Would love some opinions...Thanks!!

Susan

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quote:

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Originally posted by lymeloco:
http://www.ninds.nih.gov/news_and_events/news_articles/news_article_ALS_ceftriaxone.htm

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ALS and other neurodegenerative diseases are currently poorly understood,?!?
------------------------------------------------
I've read borrelia is the cause of ALS in nearly half the cases of ALS in men in Lyme endemic areas

http://actionlyme.org/ALS_&_Lyme_47%25.htm
 

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Posted by efsd25 (Member # 2272) on :
 
Abx for too long can't be good for you.

I stopped abx 2.5 years ago and used rife exclusively to control my symptoms. It worked very well and am feeling the best I have in years. I was just retested and my immune system is strong enough now to show antigens for Ehrlica and Bartenella. So I have just started a multi-month abx program to get rid of these co-infections, then I will go back to rife for the Lyme.

Ernie
 

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Posted by rosesisland2000 (Member # 2001) on :
 
Sorry, but I due to time, I was unable to read through all the posts.

Wondering what you are talking about for a lone time...weeks, months, years.

I am in and have been in a remission since possibly last Spring. I quit antibiotics after I'd been on them for 36 months...3 years actually.

My best advice for you getting better, is find a highly recommended Lyme Literate Medical Doctor, an LLMD, and come here often and read, read, read, then read some more...you'll get a great benefit from this website.

Good luck and God bless,
 

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Posted by JimBoB (Member # 8454) on :
 
How true, Cave76.

Speaking of knowledge. I have read and studied Buhners book many times, and it seems like each time I read it I find something new. It was there all the time, but my brain evidently didn't comprehend it all before.

Case in point: I was reading about Sarsaparilla Root, (Smilax) today and though remembered some of the things it is/was used for, didn't remember it all.

A paragraph quoted as written is, on page 126:

"Functions in Lyme disease: smilax is a systemic herb with a wide range of actions in the body, many of which are specific for Lyme disease and its symptoms. Specifically: It lessens Herxheimer reactions from die-off of spirochetes (and Lyme coinfectious organisms) by its ability to bind endotoxins in the blood stream, it is antispirochetal, modulates immune response (lessening autoimmune reactions and stimulating specific immunity), enhances immune response to Lyme spirochetes, is antiinflammatory for arthritic symptoms, a neuroprorier), enhances cognitive function, reduces skin responses to Lyme disease (helpful in reducing and preventing symptoms of acrodermatitis chronica atrophicans which is common in European Lyme disease), enhances the actions of other herbs and drugs used in Lyme treatment, lessens fatigue, gives pain relief, and protects and enhances liver function".

Quite a lot, for one little natural herb, eh?

THIS probably explains WHY I have not had such bad herxes as many of you have had who are on antibiotics only. I am going to run out of Smilax tonight, and my order from California that I thought would be here by this last Tuesday, probably won't be here till next week.

I just ordered a 1000 empty capsules, a machine for filling them and several pounds of powdered herbs today from StarWest Botanicals in California, and hope THEY get here sooner. Free shipping from them on orders over $100.

Jim
 

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