I may be losing my insurance. What will replace it will not be very good, I'm afraid. I can expect copays of $30-50 for each RX. for me, that is something like $300 / month that I don't have.
I am at the end of my rope, financially. There are no immediate prospects of getting a job that pays more. I sometimes consider giving up TX and letting the disease kill me. It is certainly the cheaper option (and perhaps the only one for me)
But I digress. What I'm wondering is, if I decide to give up the abx and go the herbal route (which may be a good idea), what can I expect to spend per month? Is the treatment effective? Is it effective alongside herbal TX? I am tired of abx. It has been over 3 years, and I'm wearing down. My eyes and face are sunken in. I look like I have a drug problem (I do, I can't afford them!) I cannot afford the supplements that I need to help rebuild the damage they are doing.
Can someone help me? My LLMD will be open to new ideas, I think. I'm just looking for some ideas at this point. I've already bought a bunch of parasite ABX, that may be a good start. Thanks!
Posted by GretaM (Member # 40917) on :
I think cowden is around $220 per month.
Buhner, the start up will be high, but monthly should even out. Cryptolepsis is around $40 a month for me.
Posted by Summer3 (Member # 35286) on :
I am in the same boat Lymeboy except I lost my LLMD so I have no access to abx. I am starting Cowden as affordably as I can. I'm sticking purely to the antimicrobials.
I am at the point of wanting to give up also. I've been treating for years with no improvement. I'm very sick and getting weaker day by day and now I have no medical advice either so I'm completely on my own. I have to determine my own treatment which is fine. I've done enough research to help myself and no doctor is going to invest the amount of time to my case that I will for myself.
I bought about a month's worth of Cowden herbs for about $110 shipped. One bottle of Cumanda, Banderol, Samento and Quina. I will alternate between them one per week. I'm not following the entire protocol by the book because of cost reasons and I'm not buying the detox; pinella, burber, parsley, etc. Other detox methods are cheaper.
Posted by surprise (Member # 34987) on :
Please don't give up. If you have to go on an anti- depressant, get on an anti- depressant to see you through-
A regular Dr. should be able to get one for you- it's better than thinking of dying!
Lymeboy, treating parasites has been unreal- a game changer in my health.
Summer, Cowden has a chart which tells you which products can be combined at the same time, otherwise, take 20 minutes apart- you can google for it, or call and have them email it.
I think if anyone is this depressed (and I get it, and I've been on anti- depressants before, now off) Please: ask for help- you are worth it, your life is worthy.
Posted by Keebler (Member # 12673) on :
Protocol for Borrelia and Lyme Co-Infections & Most Chronic Conditions
Scroll down: COWDEN SUPPORT PROGRAM
Protocol for Borrelia and Lyme Co-Infections & Most Chronic Conditions
The Cowden Support Program (CSP) is a 6-month protocol developed by Wm. Lee Cowden, MD initially for the treatment of Borrelia and Lyme Co-Infections.
Since the protocol helps to resolve the majority of the root causes of most patient's symptoms it can also be used to treat most chronic health conditions.
The Cowden Support Program utilizes 14 different Nutramedix products including 6 Microbial Defense herbals (3 pairs of herbals) that are taken rotationally over at least 6 months. . . . -
Posted by Keebler (Member # 12673) on :
- 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 ND (lyme literate naturopathic doctor) (or similar) 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, and has completed the ILADS Physician Training Program (see: www.ilads.org )
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.
Be aware that integrative doctors can have various levels of formal herbal &/or nutritional education, perhaps even just a short course. Do ask first. Some have learned on their own from experts in the field. There are many ways to acquire knowledge and most are eager to share basic details about their training. You want someone with a deep knowledge.
Some of the specialities above may not actually treat lyme yet, for things such as physical adjustments, it is just good that they are also LL, at least to some degree (to know never to suddenly twist the neck or spine).
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,
BIOPHOTON - BIONIC 880 (& PE-1) links, and
RIFE links. -
Posted by Catgirl (Member # 31149) on :
Don't give up Lymeboy.
I no longer do abx. My body just seemed to adapt to them, and made me worse. Herbs have been my saving grace. I love Byron White and Cowden herbs. I test stronger for BW most of the time. They are stronger than Cowden's, but Cowden's still work.
If you go slow upping your dosage like I did, it will help stretch them further. Plus, Doc H said that too much too soon causes treatment failure (read Byron Whites website-- www.byronwhiteformulas.com). I took that to mean go uber slow. It worked for me. Last year they knocked me into remission. I went at a baby snail's pace.
You can buy both at good prices at greenandhealthy.com. Great resource for lyme patients.
Also, parasite treatment has helped me so much. It's so worth it, IMO. Remember to use binders if you go this route. Food grade DE is inexpensive (amazon).
If money is an issue, even if it's not, learning how to muscle test has by far been one of the best things I've learned to help my body. Then you will know what herbs to take daily, rather than random guessing (throwing your money away).
Thank you everyone. I know I get really dark sometimes. The neuro stuff gets hold of me and sometimes it feels like my brain is boiling. On my better days, I'll reflect on things I have said and wondered who the hell that person was and why he has chosen to take up residence in my body!
Rife is a consideration. I know there are people that swear by it, as well as the Biophoton tx, but I have heard varied reviews. It's also hard to find good solid info on how they apply to Lyme. I'm still open to the idea, but hesitant.
Thank you for the good info Keebler. I think my doc could do a good job helping me through an herbal protocol. They'd even have some ideas of their own. I'm just trying to weigh the prices here. I don't think I can do abx much longer either way.
It is VERY hard to keep doing high doses 2-3x / day every day. Definitely has taken its toll. So it might be good to move on to herbs anyway.
Without the bad neuro stuff, I'd be almost normal (though that is a big "without"). But physically I am doing good. I've even had some big stretches without herxing, and actually feeling fantastic. I think there's a reason for that, but I went into it on another thread. Don't want to derail this one with my crackpot theories.
So the abx have been very helpful. I don't know how helpful they will continue to be though. I suppose I'll tough it out until either my wallet or my body says stop.
Posted by Keebler (Member # 12673) on :
- The herbs that are highlighted in Buhner's books are the most affordable, I've found. It takes a bit more homework to find one's stride but I think that's the best bet if on a very tight budget.
I also really appreciate his books, his web sites and generosity in sharing research.
With Rife, though, I think there is more chance for lasting remission -- and to have a machine that can address many things as time goes along. -
Posted by lymeboy (Member # 24769) on :
Can you do Rife alongside Herbal protocol and parasite treatment? I'd like to know how many people found it to be ineffective as well as those that it worked for.
Posted by daphnesmom1 (Member # 39433) on :
I don't know the answer to your Rife question, lymeboy, but I wanted to let you know I have felt everything you are feeling
Sometimes I still do.
The herbs have helped alot of people, so they will probably help you.
Posted by Rivendell (Member # 19922) on :
Lymeboy,
I don't know your income, but if your state is offering expanded medicaid via the new healthcare law, it might help you.
I think to quality, you need to make $16,000 per year or less.
My state started expanded medicaid several years ago, and everything is covered. You only have to pay a small premium.
Regarding herbs, buying a few herbs at a time for the Buhner protocol is a good way to start.
His site lists sources for the herbs, but some can be found more cheaply from other online stores, such has www.iherb.com or www.swansonvitamins.com
A few of his herbs can be bought by the pound very inexpensively at www.herbalcom.com Posted by lymeboy (Member # 24769) on :
Samento and Cumanda really did nothing for me. No tinctures have. A-Bart was not effective. I've traken a handful of other tinctures and got nowhere with them.
16000 in NJ is a joke. I cannot believe anyone can live on a salary like that. There's no way. I make a bit more than that. But not enough to cover LLMDs, supplements, along with rent, heat, a daughter...I'm pretty much screwed.
Posted by Catgirl (Member # 31149) on :
Then I would just focus on treating for parasites like Dr. K does with his patients. And like people have said above, you can try Buhner herbs, rife, etc. Also some light weight lifting every other day (Burrascano). Burrascano said you can't get well without exercise (anaerobic).
Have you considered MMS? The autism community uses it to pull their kids out of hell.
Posted by RZR (Member # 20953) on :
After 3-1/2 years of heavy abx treatment, I switched to Cowden 8 months ago and rife over a year ago. I am getting close to remission!
I am still battling parasites (over 3 years now) and think that is why I cannot get to 100%.
I have heard each LLMD can recommend one patient to Nutramedix for financial assistance for the entire Cowden protocol.
Posted by Rivendell (Member # 19922) on :
Lymeboy,
I've been reading a little bit about the new healthcare act, and it seems that the govement will help with the premiums and other costs based on income.
You have to find the website for your state which gives you access to the healthcare exchanges.
"If you make less than $15,856 ($32,499 for a family of four) you likely will qualify for Medicaid, the federal-state plan that has been greatly expanded.
If you make up to $45,950 ($94,200 for family of four) you may get a subsidy that will reduce your premiums.
If your income is low enough, you can qualify for a second type of subsidy to help with cost sharing (out-of-pocket costs). It also will link you with various other services, if you qualify."
(Quoted from the Louisville Courier-Journal).
So find the healthcare link for your state, and check it out. There might be a healthcare plan that can work for you.
[ 09-30-2013, 01:51 PM: Message edited by: Rivendell ]
Posted by Rivendell (Member # 19922) on :
About neurolyme.
Boy can I relate to that one.
Herbs that help me are Japanese Knotweed (Buhner herb), fish oil, and green tea.
Eleuthero help with depression, energy, and immune system.
Ashwagahda helps with depression, immune, and insomnia.