Topic: Ammonia and neuro symptoms - just "thinking out loud"
Razzle
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 30398
posted
I know Lyme bacteria makes ammonia. So do some bacteria in the gut (one reason SIBO is nasty).
I also know I have mutations in my methylation cycle that create excess ammonia (CBS C699T +/+) and reduce my body's ability to detox the ammonia by reducing BH4 production (MTHFR A1298C +/-).
Research shows low BH4 is most certainly involved in Diabetic Gastroparesis (and suggests also low BH4 involvement with Idiopathic Gastroparesis - which is what I have).
Within the last week or so, I have increasingly experienced more muscle tremors - my trunk, legs and now hands. Feels like someone has their hands on my spine and is shaking me back and forth.
Applying Copaiba essential oil to my lower back seems to help with the trunk/leg tremors. The hand tremors cause me to drop things and I can't open the oil bottle to put any on...so I don't know if the oil helps my hand tremor (worse in my dominant hand, of course).
I have to wonder if the excess ammonia (and I know I have this because my sweat stinks like ammonia) is causing/contributing to the tremors...
I was just overcome with a massive wave of nausea (I've had this type of "nausea attack" before, many times). I wonder now what role the ammonia has in these "nausea attacks" too...
Nothing shows abnormal on brain MRI or other tests of neurological function.
So my theory is, the ammonia builds up and depletes BH4 to the point where my stomach crashes (Gastroparesis flare). So I go on TPN (food via PICC line) and it takes me more than a year to even begin to think about food without getting nauseated.
Must take that long for the BH4 to regenerate and get through all the back-log of ammonia, so my stomach can start to work again...
But now I have vertigo and these tremors too. Maybe they are also connected with the ammonia issue? I don't know.
Just thinking out loud. Any comments or thoughts welcome.
I'm hopefully going to be able to use my feeding tube again next week, which will enable me to try some of the ammonia detox stuff (L-ornithine & alcohol-free yucca tincture to start with)...
Oh, and I should mention I've been on IV Flagyl for a long time, and was recently put on IV Cefazolin for a severe skin staph infection (the infection has cleared up, doc wanted me to stay on the Cefazolin for a bit after to make sure the rash doesn't return)...
Thanks,
-------------------- -Razzle Lyme IgM IGeneX Pos. 18+++, 23-25+, 30++, 31+, 34++, 39 IND, 83-93 IND; IgG IGeneX Neg. 30+, 39 IND; Mayo/CDC Pos. IgM 23+, 39+; IgG Mayo/CDC Neg. band 41+; Bart. (clinical dx; Fry Labs neg. for all coinfections), sx >30 yrs. Posts: 4166 | From WA | Registered: Feb 2011
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posted
Dr Jernigen believes that ammonia buildup causes many lyme and associated symptoms. His antitox remedies are supposed to help with that, but we have never tried them.
He also suggests that many people are erroneously trying to over-alkalize themselves. The upper portion of the gut as well as our skin is really supposed to be acidic.
This is an older paper, but links sauna and exercise with BH4 production:
I think molybdenum is one of the required cofactors.
-------------------- 13 yo DX PANS/Tourette's/Asperger's/ADHD treated for Igenex positive bartonella/IND lyme with 2 years of abx treatment. Weaned off abx April 2013 at 80% improvement. Continuing with Buhner bartonella/babesia protocols. Aug 2014 99% improvement. Posts: 265 | From Canada, Ontario | Registered: Jul 2013
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posted
I don't have an answer but I have excess amonia too. Anytime I sweat I smell it and often times when I feel very symptomatic i get wifs of amonia and other chemically smells i can't identify. i have have c677t mutation. thanks for sharing these ideas. could be.
Posts: 342 | From Philadelphia | Registered: Dec 2011
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Marnie
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 773
posted
The tremors (like those in PD) are linked to this:
Moreso in women who normally have more Cu in relationship to Zn than men. Women need Cu to make DAO which goes up 500 fold in pregnancy to protect a fetus from high levels of histamine.
Homocysteine -> methionine and this is involved: betanine via Zn dependent BHMT !) to DMG to Methionine in the remethylation pathway to lower homocysteine. Bob posted the picture for me as it also includes the MTHFR links to understand how we clear high levels of homocysteine.
Zn level low? The only way to rid excess betaine would be then thru the skin.
GretaM
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 40917
posted
Hi Razzle,
I have the same mutations as you.
(Plus some more, but same in regards to ammonia)
I too think that detoxing ammonia is an issue for me.
-My sweat smells of cat urine/ammonia. So much so that others around me comment on smelling ammonia.
-When I go too low in "low carb" way of eating, my brain swells. Low carb is notorious for increasing ammonia levels.
-L'Ornithine supplementation HELPS dramatically! L'ornithine at night time, is recommended to help facillitate excretion of ammonia.
If you have any Ketostix handy, if you pee on them and they are in the dark pink to purple range, there's a good chance you have higher than usual levels of ammonia. (As well as ketones, from using fat as fuel).
Anyways this is a great thread. I am so grateful you started it because I believe ammonia is a big issue for me also. Causes brain swelling in me.
Posts: 4358 | From British Columbia, Canada | Registered: Jun 2013
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