posted
My LLMD and gastro concurred about putting me on 6-MP (an oral chemo drug) for my UC. My hubby and I are confused by my LLMD agreeing to it and so we had questions about the immune system.
We thought if the Lyme shut down the immune system and the purpose of treatment was to get the immune system fighting why would we want to take a drug to shut it down? And again, why do we need to if Lyme shut it down?
LLMD said there are 2 immune systems - the inflammation response (over active) and the anti-inflam (good). Is this so? We are so confused!
Can you build it and knock it down, too? She said one won't cancel out the other.
She said the 6-MP can actually help the Lyme and may kill some of it. Explain.
I was really frustrated trying to understand and she said sometimes you just have to trust the drs.
She said I need to get my UC under control. I told her I don't think it's that bad. It's true that my med is not controlling it, but it isn't what I would call serious.
I started LDN a few wks ago (2mg and scaling up) and asked her opinion about giving it a chance. She agreed with me and told me to have my gastro look into the studies of LDN.
It is true about the two immune systems. I would not personally use a chemo drug. I took methotrexate (chemo drug) before I found out I had Lyme. Bad stuff.
-------------------- --Lymetutu-- Opinions, not medical advice! Posts: 96220 | From Texas | Registered: Feb 2001
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posted
OH.. are there any other treatments for it ?? How has Lyme/bart/babesia treatment gone for you??
Sometimes Lyme & Co treatment will help "fix" things.
-------------------- --Lymetutu-- Opinions, not medical advice! Posts: 96220 | From Texas | Registered: Feb 2001
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chiquita incognita
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posted
Here is what I have been reading by naturopaths on the healthy.net site. Keep in mind that schools of medical thought vary and that professional opinions vary.
Where chemotherapy is concerned, the naturopaths are saying that a) it drops T cells, which weakens immunity very significantly b) it sounds like this is being prescribed for ulcerative collitis rather than cancer. In the case of cancer patients, the naturopaths are saying that the chemo takes the lives of cancer patients more readily than the disease itself, because of the drop in T cells. c) They are saying that the chemo will take away tumors but won't get rid of the disease, that to treat the underlying causes is key to recovery.
Again that's with cancer and I am happy/relieved to know that is not your battle here. PHEW!!! However, with what the naturopaths are saying are the severe side effects of chemo, I would definitely suggest you ask for a second opinion. I am not a doctor and this is not medical advice. Instead I am quoting other sources and suggesting you check it out, with a physician whom you trust.
If you are interested, you can locate a naturopath here, in your area: www.naturopathic.org
You can do a search for ulcerative collitis on www.healthy.net there is a LOT that can be done naturopathically.
It is partly (and importantly) a matter of eliminating food allergens. Chew your food very thoroughly, liquify it in your mouth.
Use mucillage-rich herbs (a gel-like substance in some herbs) such as marshmallow root, if you can obtain meadowsweet somewhere (it is difficult to find) this would be ideal because it contains mucillage (which soothes intestinal linings) AND the anti-inflammatory salycins from which aspirin used to be made. The cool thing about the herb is that thanks to the mucillage, which protects the stomach lining, the salycins from the herb will not irritate the stomach. Not even a little bit, if the whole herb is used. This would be a great anti-inflammatory for the gastric system. I will research this if you are interested, where you can buy it (probably would have to be in large quantities).
Also licorice as herb is anti-inflammatory to the digestive tract.CAUTION: The glycerrizin in the herb can raise blood pressure, use the deglycerinated licorice marked DGL on the bottle, this should not raise blood pressure.
Calendula (marigold) flowers can be soothing to irritated digestive linings. Aloe vera, ditto but it can be a habit-forming laxative causing dependence, use for short-term and not long-term.
Lots of probiotics!
Here is a mucillage-rich tea that would greatly aid an inflamed/irritated digestive tract:
www.christopherhobbs.com see the herbal prescriber database, click on ailments, look up ulcerative collitis
The above information has not been evaluated by the FDA and does not substitute for a physician's individualized advice. This information does not diagnose, cure or prevent any disease. DRugs and herbs may interact, talk with your doctor.
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onbam
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posted
I'd take anything before I'd take a chemo drug.
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chiquita incognita
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posted
PS I add marshmallow root to the tea for extra mucillage. The marshmallow root is by far the richest source and has very soothing qualities for the gastric linings.
Take it about three hours apart from medications if using the marshmallow root, the mucillage may interfere with drug absorption unless taken a few hours later.
The herbs are available very inexpensively in bulk in most healthfood stores. This tea tates like a cross between mint and licorice, is actually fairly pleasant tasting.
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posted
Thanks, I will keep these suggestions in mind, but don't want to start everything at one time. I want to give the LDN a chance, no need to do anything else if this works. I am taking a lot of sups (and meds) already.
I started coconut oil, too.
I still would like to know how you build one part of the immune system and tame another.
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