Thanks Steve. I wish this site had a forum just for alterntive therapies.
I'm starting to disagree that alternative therapies should not be used to fully replace antibiotics. I think that they can and if the right choices are made, and before the use of dangerous chemical drugs that toxify the body and damage detox pathways, the chances are good.
My recovery is going well and I haven't taken one milligram of pharmaceutical drugs.
Although this site has been important to me for further understanding of the disease, diagnosis, its complications and treatment options I would certainly like to communicate more regarding alternative therapies.
I've learned to stay off of the threads that deal with antibiotics. People don't want to hear what I have to say about how dangerous they can be and how they can imped their recovery and I dont want to hear about how alternatives can not be a stand alone therapy.
I'm proving that they can be a stand alone therapy, at least in some cases.
My cost, starting Oct. 4, so far has been about $800 in diagnostics, naturopathic physician consult, and supplements. The used rife machine was the most costly which I hope to recuperate at some point in the future.
Today I'm thinking that I have no active symtoms left. My hands are still stiff in the morings but loosen up as the day progresses, and I'm thinking that this is damage done, not active disease, but even this is impoving with time.
Posted by Keebler (Member # 12673) on :
- Adding to the collection:
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,
& WHY you need an ILADS-educated, Lyme Literate Doctor (whether LLMD or LL ND, or both) -
Posted by LisaK (Member # 41384) on :
My dr told me to get off abx. I am using monastery of herbs through my llmd. So far so good. we shall see.
thinking to drop all my abx is making me crazy. today I came here to post some things not related, but found so many posts about dangers of abx that i feel they were there for me to see!
I am stopping my doxy today and see what happens. I hope I can function
Posted by Keebler (Member # 12673) on :
- Lisa,
Thanks for reminding me that Monastery of Herbs makes some excellent formulas. I used them many years ago and did find they made a difference.
I have chosen not to take antibiotics at all. But I would not go for long without some antimicrobial that is known for killing lyme,
For this I have chosen Nutrasilver colloidal silver, which I stopped a couple of weeks ago and Im now taking MMS. I also use rife.
I also use enzymes to break open the cysts so the antimicrobals can get at the spirochetes.
I suppose its not impossible to get over lyme in theory just by boosting the immune system but I'd want to see the clear cut evidience that its possible, what products do it, how much and for how long. So far I haven't seen this... although it is alluded to and perhaps I haven't looked in the right places. I havent read Burhner's book. So many start out with a poor immune system frome even before they are sick so its a double edged sword for them.
Posted by phyl6648 (Member # 28522) on :
So happy to find this as my body doesn't tolerate abx.. Would love to hear more about alternative treatments.. tks
Posted by MattH (Member # 30846) on :
Carmen,
Sounds like we are on a similar path.
After 20 months on several ABX my liver said enough. I was concerned about an alternative approach because the ABX had knocked my Bart down (but not out) and my CPN cough was gone. So when I quit I did not have an alternate plan ready but the liver pain was getting intense. My Bart pain quickly returned and my cough did as well.
I now use:
- Buhner herbs (both Green Dragon and 1st Chinese) - Doug Coil (I can rife every other day on Bart for 40 minutes and about 2 times a week for Candida and Lyme without too much herx) - MMS about 5 days a week and will go to 6 this week. I do the 30 drops in a 26 ounce bottle and and drink about 2 ounces an hour. - Ondamed about 3 one hour sessions a month. This really knocks down the Bart lower leg pain. - Started back up with the enzymes, and will increase the amount I take based on my ND's recommendations. - Lots of minerals and some tinctures that I think help but not sure how much.
I work full time and seem to tolerate that fine now but I have to rest/recover on the weekends. Adding modest workouts is next.
I still have a good ways to go but I feel much better now than when I was on the ABX. I had Lyme at least 9 years before starting the ABX.
One thing my Doug Coil does not do that I wish it did is frequency sweeps.