Long time lurker, first time poster here. If its OK I'm bundling 3 unrelated questions into one.
Background: I just began treatment April 1st. Pretty aggressive--two weeks of Minocin, Septra, and Bactrim with Flagyl added on week two, and then the 3rd week off. At first I felt great during the off week--more energy and clear head. However, I've been going downhill since Saturday with bad headaches, brain fog, vibrations, loose stools (stool test revealed klebsiella), anxiety (and I'm almost nevver anxious) and rapid heartbeat/palpitations. Also for what its worth, my week two "safety lab" blood draw was apparently unable to be analyzed due to "thick blood." I've read a bit about that and apparently it isn't uncommon. I'm wondering if its related to my heart symptoms. The safety labs are important because I have had difficulty with high ammonia levels. I was unable to start treatment for four months because I could not get my levels down into the normal range, and now they can't tell me my ammonia levels because they can't analyze my blood. So whatever is going on, it has me pretty scared.
So here are my questions:
1. Does anyone have tips for reducing ammonia? I have read many helpful posts from Bea Seibert on this. Bea I would love your advice if you see this. I'm currently taking 4 teaspoons of l-ornithine, l-aspartate twice a day to help remove ammonia. Also taking charcoal twice a week. But am concerned that the first two weeks of abx may have spiked my ammonia levels.
2. Does anyone have experience with "thick blood"? I read that it is common with Lyme. While I have a Q into mmy LLMD about this, I don't want to wait if there are home remedy or diet changes that can help. I've taken baby aspirin the past two nights out of desperation, but i know that is a bad idea long term.
3. Does anyone have short-term tips for rapid heartbeat or palpitations? These are probably the scariest Lyme symptom for me right now as they snowball and create anxiety and dizziness that just makes it worse. All I know to do is put on relaxing music and drink calming tea. There has to be something else.
THANKS SO MUCH FOR ANY ADVICE!!
-------------------- Diagnosed 11/2014. Bit 5/2013 (I think). Started abx treatment 4/2015. Taking Minocin, Bactrim, Flagyl, and Septra.
MTHFR 677++
High ammonia problems Posts: 11 | From United States | Registered: Apr 2015
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I had severe issues with all of the problems above and I have resolved all of them. Best
Posts: 123 | From Washington State | Registered: Dec 2013
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posted
Thank you SLML. I will look into all three. Have heard about zeolite and nattokinase. Praying they will work. Can I ask-- did you get formally diagnosed with thick blood before starting the nattokinase? I've asked my LLMD to have this tested but the response is slow and I'm thinking about just going to a hematologist
-------------------- Diagnosed 11/2014. Bit 5/2013 (I think). Started abx treatment 4/2015. Taking Minocin, Bactrim, Flagyl, and Septra.
MTHFR 677++
High ammonia problems Posts: 11 | From United States | Registered: Apr 2015
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Judie
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 38323
posted
Here's info on hypercoagulation (thick blood):
I was diagnosed with this from lab tests. Blood gets thick when there are a lot of infections.
Boluoke got it back in range. Trying Nattokinase because of cost.
You might want to look into l-theanine for heart palpitations (ruling out other major health causes first). L-theanine also helps with anxiety.
Posts: 2839 | From California | Registered: Jul 2012
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posted
Never diagnosed for thick blood - however my legs would severely swell on airplanes and Nattokinase reversed that.
Posts: 123 | From Washington State | Registered: Dec 2013
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posted
Thanks again. Turns out they told me to take nattokinase just today so I will start as soon as it arrives in the mail.fingers crossed, definitely going through a rough patch
-------------------- Diagnosed 11/2014. Bit 5/2013 (I think). Started abx treatment 4/2015. Taking Minocin, Bactrim, Flagyl, and Septra.
MTHFR 677++
High ammonia problems Posts: 11 | From United States | Registered: Apr 2015
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LisaK
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 41384
posted
welcome!
I can't read your entire post today. my brain hurts, but I get those heart things you are refering to and yes they can be scary.
I found they are hormonal for me . I think you might be a guy? I am a woman. so I am not sure about all this, but I have asked many drs and they say it "could" be hormanally related, but no one seems to know for sure about where this comes from.
keeping in mind tha ti have never seen a 'real' full blooded "lyme" dr ... ...
I do know that after my treatment so far I see a huge decrease in this heart symptom. I have been in treatment for about 18 months or so. I think the heart stuff really decreased about 6 months ago.
so I think if you keep treating you will see a change in this heart thing.
mine got so bad . i had all kinds of tests and sometimes felt like I was giong to die from it.
I hope you feel relief ASAP.
-------------------- Be thankful in all things- even difficult times and sickness and trials - because there is something GOOD to be seen Posts: 3558 | From Eastern USA | Registered: Jul 2013
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