I keep dealing with severe anemia and even with intravenous iron it goes to my organs. I think the body hides the iron from opportunistic infections and pathogens that want to feed on it.
It is a catch 22, I need iron to live but so do they and the body is helping and hurting me.
Anyone else in this boat?
Posted by Horizon (Member # 50800) on :
This should have gone in medical questions. My bad. If a mod wants to move it.
Posted by Lymetoo (Member # 743) on :
I'll move it for you.
What other symptoms do you have?
Posted by Keebler (Member # 12673) on :
- Stinging Nettle LEAF was far better for me than RX iron pills (they caused so much stomach pain & nausea).
Iron from plants also is more balanced as it's not a sole player. IV iron just seems really harsh to me.
Also consider that many with lyme may not do well with the liver trying to absorb iron in concentrations as with an IV. Many with lyme can have issues with porphyria related "stuff" in that the liver does not make all the necessary enzymes to work. It's rather complicated but do keep an eye on liver at all times.
Also, the body is not meant to have any nutrient just dumped all in at one time. It should be slow and steady, in a rich combination of nutrients that all work together: like food, 5-6 x a day.
Nettle also is very nutritious plant / herb / food. It brought my iron levels up from near "empty" -- I suggest not worrying about "feeding" infection with any particular nutrient as if the body requires it and it's been gobbled up / or blocked by some infection,
you must find some way to correct that action and in the mean time, still feed your body so it has a chance. We still need nutrients.
The first thing to consider for anyone with lyme and anemia is that they might most likely also have
BABESIA, assessment is essential. No point of doing anything for anemia if BABESIA is the cause and it's not addressed.
Babesia is a very common coinfection and often goes hand in hand with lyme. But antibiotics do not have any effect on it. It requires a different combination approach whether Rx or herbal.
Do you have an ILADS educated LLMD? Testing for both babesia m. and babesia d. seems important.
See IGENEX' website for details on testing. -
Posted by Keebler (Member # 12673) on :
read about it here and then find it in the U.S. Best to buy at a natural foods store so you know it's not been in some hot warehouse forever
After opening, keep in fridge and consume within the time frame on label. It does not last more than a couple weeks. Still, a very good mix of plant nutrients. -
Posted by Keebler (Member # 12673) on :
Search Google for: Babesia, anemia -
Posted by Tincup (Member # 5829) on :
Babesia causes this type of anemia. Treat it successfully and you should see an improvement.
Posted by sixgoofykids (Member # 11141) on :
I had to supplement iron through treatment. I think it's pretty common, especially with babesia.
Posted by Horizon (Member # 50800) on :
I tested negative for Babesia on 2 Igenex tests but do test positive for Ehrlichia and Bartonella although I do not think those impact iron like Babesia does.
I know I am always short of breath, a common sign of Babs. Also, my red blood cells are very low and keep going down (another sign).
I did a see a LLMD who didn't even know anything about co-infections affecting iron. So I am a bit surprised about that.
I also have to note that I have crohn's disease and multiple bowel resections so the iron issue could really be that and unrelated to lyme + but it just seems odd that I constantly need iron infusions and they dissapear and goto the liver and spleen. The fact that it deposits in the organ makes me suspicious of an infection.
I had chlorophyll (source stinging nettle and sadly it didn't bump me up but I will get the supplement in full form and see what happens.
What natural stuff fights babesia? Thanks guys!
Posted by Keebler (Member # 12673) on :
- Please do not underestimate Ehrlichia and Bartonella. You don't say if you are being treated for these but I sure hope so.
For basics, get books by both Q. Zhang . . . & by Stephen H. Buhner, in the set here.
Best to consult with an LL ND for a comprehensive assessment of what's going on, why, and a thoughtful long term plan of action tailored to your specific situation.
When considering herbal / nutritional / adjunct methods, because lyme is so very complex & unique, as are possible coinfections:
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 )
so they really know all they can about the science of lyme . . . how lyme (& other TBD) act and what we can do about that in various ways. Proper ASSESSMENT of not just lyme but coinfectoins is vital. Someone trained by ILADS is best to assess.
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.
For those considering complementary support methods / or other avenues entirely:
Herbal Safety considerations & reference books; etc.
BOOKS - Links to many articles and books by holistic-minded LL doctors of various degrees who all have this basic approach in common:
knowing which methods offer assertive & direct impact, which are only support and which are both. And when to use what, how to combine, & when to step back.
You can compare and contrast many approaches with links to articles, books, methods . . . -
Posted by foxy loxy (Member # 47053) on :
Horizon, try Curcumin/turmeric in high doses... like up to three grams or more if you can stand it.
Also Arginine, Cryptolepis, Artimesinin are very helpful. Best wishes on your Babesia war.. I'm fighting too!
Posted by Carol in PA (Member # 5338) on :
quote:Originally posted by Horizon:
...I have crohn's disease and multiple bowel resections...
Those are factors that may cause problems with absorbing Vitamin B12.
I am in the middle of reading "Could it be B12?" by Sally Pacholok.
You may want to look into this to find out the tests you would need and the suggested remedies. Many of the symptoms of B12 deficiency are similar to Lyme, and I wonder if they are somehow related.
Posted by sixgoofykids (Member # 11141) on :
Quinine fights babesia. So does arteminesin.
Posted by Horizon (Member # 50800) on :
My B12 is fine, but I will definitely contact ILADS regarding an LL-ND to see if anyone in my area can help me sort this out in a natural fashion.
So many variables and factors make it hard to figure this out on my own.