After 18 months of seeing my much beloved LLMD, I had to discontinue all future appointments due to lack of financial resources. I am not healed yet.
Presently, I'm at 75% after an AWLFUL 4 1/2 month relapse. Planning on returning to work (again) this week. Wish me well with that...
My treatment protocol was changed last month to Cipro because I was so ill. I haven't taken it yet due to FLOX research. Of coarse I'm saving it for some unforeseen drastic measure. I have enough Doxy and nystatin to last 2 months. Just stocked up on supplements so I'm good there.
Energy levels are wacko good. Struggling with spinal pain (still), painful feet, tinnititus, fluid filled ears, and brain fog.
Any ideas or suggestions welcome. But it MUST be on the cheap ! Thanks ahead of time.
Posted by sixgoofykids (Member # 11141) on :
Maybe turn to Buhner's book Healing Lyme. There are a lot of ideas on herbal treatments and you don't have to buy name brand herbs or expensive combinations. He's an herbalist, not a manufacturer.
Posted by Robin123 (Member # 9197) on :
Turmeric powder takes down almost all inflammational pain for me!
Brain fog for me was connected to low thyroid. I got bloodtested, went on Armour thyroid and no more brain fog.
Posted by LisaK (Member # 41384) on :
sorry to hear this! I don't have any good ideas, but I am wishing you luck and sending warm thoughts n prayers!
Posted by randibear (Member # 11290) on :
wow...sorry to hear.
I went to one and he charged $175 per hour. cash or credit, no insurance.
it's hard to come up with that kind of money for alot of lyme patients.
Posted by Blackstone (Member # 9453) on :
If you've built up a favorable rapport with them, before discontinuing your appointments I would suggest speaking with them honestly about your financial issues.
Assuming your LLMD is not accepting your insurance , they can be discretionary in how they wish to handle billing on a patient by patient basis. Perhaps this physician would be willing to work out an amended fee schedule for you or some sort of payment plan. I know there are LLMDs that do this (I'm afraid I don't know any in your area) and it isn't something that is advertised of course, but it is certainly worth discussing.
This goes for anyone seeing a LLMD and under financial strife trying to attend to their health! I wish you the best of luck.
Posted by koo (Member # 30462) on :
I second Sixgoofykids. You can do the Buhner protocol through Green Dragon Botanicals. The Lyme Core protocol is 360 capsules for $44. You would probably want to take 3 capsules at least twice a day.
Posted by Bartenderbonnie (Member # 49177) on :
Great responses !
My first Lyme practioner was a ND. I did not do well on herbal treatment. Gosh, I was SO ill. IMO, I really needed the antibiotics to knock down that gigantic load and give me a fighting chance. I remember it like it was yesterday. I mean really, how do you forget almost dying ? Wish I could.
I'm a firm believer in paying someone for their services. But since I come from the food and beverage industry, I love their buisness model of buy 10 drinks or 10 dinners, get the next one free ! Called a rewards program.
I also believe in tiding, paying it foward, pro bono, and the mercy of others.
Just checked out the Cowden program through NutraMedix. Ouch !!!! 9 month program at 350.00 per month.
I'm going to implement each and every one of your suggestions because they are all AWESOME.
Posted by koo (Member # 30462) on :
Sounds like you did the right thing. I am a believer of letting ABX do the initial heavy lifting so to speak. I will never bash ABX like some do.
Now it's time to clean up and support using herbals and supplements. Do you have Buhner's book or Dr. Rawl's book Unlocking Lyme? The latter is free the month of May, only pay S&H.
They will address support suggestions with herbals and supplements.
Posted by Bartenderbonnie (Member # 49177) on :
Hey koo
Yeah, I'm reading Unlocking Lyme. Ordered it last week, delivered in 2 days. Since then, they must have sent me atleast 5 e-mails ! They clearly have a HUGE marketing budget.
His protocol is 269.00 for Restore Program but I have a 70.00 coupon. So basically 200.00. Still pricey.
Gonna go with Buhner core herbs only for now. Plus my left-over meds.
Quick question. . . Do I still have to take Japanese knotweed if I take high quality resvervatrol ? Bad reaction to JK.
Posted by Keebler (Member # 12673) on :
- Q: "Do I still have to take Japanese knotweed if I take high quality resvervatrol ? Bad reaction to JK.?"
A: A bad reaction to anything means you stop. It's not right for your body, for whatever reason.
That said, 1) it was "clean" - not counterfeit or adulterated, or spoiled in some way, or
2) assuming you did not just start at a regular dose or higher. If you did not slowly ramp up.
and
3) as long as it's not just well within the range of the expected herxheimer for which there are many ways to mitigate that kind of effect with good liver support.
If you started low & slow and had proper liver support on board and still have a bad reaction, - maybe gave it 2 or 3 low dose tries and still a bad reaction - stop. Just stop.
There are so many herbs from which to choose. A bad reaction should never be perpetuated. -
Posted by sixgoofykids (Member # 11141) on :
Yes, the Cowden program is expensive! And I did better on Buhner herbs! I ended up with photons , but I did do better on the lesser expensive Buhner herbs.
Posted by koo (Member # 30462) on :
I came across a site on Sunday that unfortunately I cannot find. It was a man (not better health guy) who treated himself with a LOT of herbs and supplements, must have been 20-30.
However, his method of taking them was unconventional. He would take a pinch of this and that. He wouldn't take the same things every day. I remember reading that if a protocol required one tsp. a day of an herb, he would maybe take one tsp. a month.
I remember he worked in finance and he is now back to running. I will keep searching.
Posted by koo (Member # 30462) on :
And I think it's more than 30! Yikes! Interesting approach though.
Posted by Lymetoo (Member # 743) on :
Please do NOT take Cipro!!!
Posted by Bartenderbonnie (Member # 49177) on :
Update:
Off all antibiotics 7/18. Continued on supplements(rotating), Sillercillin, Oil of Oregano capsules(nasty), garlic, smoothies, probiotics, Glutathone, IVIG, 2 herbs(new), high dose Vit C.
After 2 weeks, extreme fatigue re-appeared. Bedridden 5 days, then it diminished. Each day a new symptom returned. Blurry eyes, muscle pain, crying jags, nightmares, painful sore throat, tinnititus, loss of short term memory, strange brain thingy, and yesterday that AWLFUL Flu feeling. No one had to tell me what this meant. . .it was back.
Today I feel fantastic ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? Well, fantastic for a Lymmie.
I believe I've finally figured out the growing cycle in my body. And it only took me 1 1/2 year. This time my immune system got me back to my baseline.
So to recap;
No symptoms appeared until week 2. Symptoms remained active approximately 1 week. Beginning of week 4, symptoms are manageable.
I can live with this but remain cautious and defiant. Keep fighting and never give up.
Posted by Rumigirl (Member # 15091) on :
quote:Originally posted by Lymetoo: Please do NOT take Cipro!!!
I second that!! I got tendon ruptures THREE times, due to fluoroquinolones (that class of med). And the last time, it was a teeny dosage; well it still caused a separated shoulder, which is permanent damage. Awful stuff.
Ironically, years ago, Dr. H put me on one (forget the name), and my neuro symptoms went away magically in short order! But then I looked in the mirror one day and saw double lips on myself! And a double moon. Arggh, a tendon in my eyes, I believe. And the progress didn't last after I stopped it.
One time both thumb ligaments totally gave out permanently. After having Prolotherapy to them many times for previous injuries. Th FQ totally undid the rebuilding that the Prolo had done---bam.
Posted by Robin123 (Member # 9197) on :
Someone who took just a couple Cipro pills ended up totalled, and is now in the process of finding out whether stem cell injections will help to heal her body. I'll report back when I hear something.