Sorry I missed this earlier. I haven't said "Hi" in a while-------just been lazy and had some pain this week.

How are you doing now? Are you doing any better on Flagyl? How is your vision? I sure hope you're making some progress. Sometimes it comes in tinsy ways!

I had left ear pain for years, but amazingly no dizziness. It was probably infection & inflammation of the left TMJ. Minocycline can also bring the pain back in the worst way.

I still can't believe how much pain Mino can cause after 2 years of ABX.

Mepron made me dizzy, but I think it's a side-effect of the meds.

Let me know how you're doing. I do worry about you. Just wish we had the perfect answers.

Take Care,
Jan

The other thing that has helped for me is using medical grade ozone. It's seemed to stop the chronic problem - Thank God. I use it every day.

Angie

But at least something is working.

There is hope.

I havent tried the ozone yet will do though.
I wonder why the hydrocortisone works.

You can't give up. You just haven't landed on all your answers yet. You were sick a long time before being diagnosed, so it takes a while to figure everything out. I'm in the same boat.

We're always either treating infections, detoxifying or rebuilding the body.

You've got to look at where you were when you started and where you're at now. Aren't you better in a few ways? A little bit? I do know you want to be completely well. I hate to say the dreaded words-------"it's a process."

And yes, I know it's frustrating as all get out because many struggle here in ways others can't really see. Don't stop searching until you've checked under every rock. Maybe it's many answers for you ------not just one.

Yep, it was me that worked part-time in a small health food store for only 3 months? Does that count? LOL

Back then in l997, I read books constantly on nutrition and we made informational flyers for customers and yes I was in my niche. (that was back when I could actually read easily)

I learned about all the new products and talked to sales reps----got to try free samples.

But we needed the money, so I went to work for a dept. store almost full-time because I didn't have to get to work until l0 a.m. due to insomnia problems---------all prelyme diagnosis.

About the cortisone:
I really don't know about Angie's situation. But maybe you could ask your doctor about it and tell him that it's a one-time deal? just guessing-------don't know at all.

But some here take daily "tiny" doses of Cortef to support adrenal function until it's at a normal physiological dose.

Today, there is a post on cortisol levels. You might be interested in that post-----for adrenals.

LD does whack the heck out of your hormones. Also, ask your LLMD to to do a simple blood test for DHEA levels. I know you're in your twenties, but your doc may want you to take DHEA and recheck the levels again.

Please don't take it without having blood work. DHEA is the "grandmother hormone" of all the hormones and it will really mess you up big time, if you take DHEA and don't need it-------- expecially in a young person.

Most healthy people don't start using DHEA until after about age 40. But I have seen folks under l8 use it on the board, but their levels were tested & monitored.

Your insurance should cover the DHEA blood test. One girl in our support group said her DHEA level was 0. (She was very sick. She also had a severe case of mycoplasma pneumonia which was not being treated---I was shocked.)

Here's my little spiel on thyroid. Don't think it'll cure you, but it does help the body fight infection.

Sorry, I'm rambling, but take your early morning temperature on your days off. If it's below 97.8 even with a normal thyroid test------you may very well be low on thyroid hormone, or your body's not utilizing it properly.

Here's a link about thyroid:

Scroll down to my reply. You can print it out------sorry, but it's long.

http://flash.lymenet.org/ubb/Forum1/HTML/032550.html

What about taking B12 shots at home just to help a bit. I use a slender insulin needle and it doesn't hurt at all. My prescription has infinite refills. Mine is prescribed daily 1 cc.

The reason I mention B12 is because it's food for the nerves. LD loves the nerves and vertigo has got to involve the nerves somehow------just a thought there.

The form of injectable B12 vitamin best for the brain is methylcobalamin which is only available from compounding pharmacists---- I think.

http://www.mts.net/~baumel/B12.html

Also, Source Naturals makes a sublingual tablet called:

MethylCobalamin (Vitamin B12) 5 mg.

It's cheapest at www.iherb.com
or ask your health food store to order it for you.

Also, finding an ozone sauna place to try & see if it helps to detoxify you from the toxins of the Gym's vinyl mats might help you a lot. I'm sure that would be expensive, but maybe if you tried going just once-----just do a trial run.

I still need to try an ozone sauna, but it's very far from my house.

Here are some ideas for research:

http://flash.lymenet.org/ubb/Forum1/HTML/032044.html

For the link below, scroll down to the article, "The use of Pharmax neutriceuticals in Lyme Disease." I believe your doctor has to be the one to order these for you. But it's still great information.

http://www.neuraltherapy.com/articlesProtocols.asp

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If you're interested also in detoxification:

S.R.,MD in New York has a practice for Environmental Illness. She's written several books and has a newsletter. I tried to look up some old newsletters, but you even have to purchase those!

Here's a site for her books:

Detoxify or Die by S.R., MD

www.prestigepublishing.com

You can see what books she written and try to find them at the library; inter-library loan; or used book store. If there's a local support group for Environmental Illness, they may let you borrow their books???

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I know alpha lipoic acid also detoxifies the liver. Dr. S.R. believes it's a crime if someone is not on alpha lipoic acid (or, R-lipoic acid) as it recycles Vit. C & E. It's also effective against a broader range of toxins in the body.

The stronger form is R-lipoic acid. You'd get more bang for your buck with this form.

www.iherb.com

does carry R-Lipoic acid, but you have to put that name in to pull up the strongest kinds.

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Also, here's a link that lists a good
foundation for basic nutrients. If you decide to try them, I'd request a catalog and review them first. They'll send you coupons to save money.

These are strong. The dosage is 1 packet twice daily. Because you're chemically sensitive, I'd try one packet and see how you do.

I've always wondered if you couldn't write (via snail mail) some of the vitamin companies and explain that you're chemically sensitive, and ask for a sample packet of a day's worth of vitamins/minerals.

Tell them you're serously considering purchasing them, but wanted to try them first. Couldn't hurt.

You want to see the orange 2-page chart of nutrients. There's always a pop-up ad, so click that off to see the list.

http://www.drwhitaker.com/c/store_daily_prod_forwar_pop.asp

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A good tonic is Blackstrap molasses from the health food store. I like Plantation Barbados Unsulphured Molasses because it comes in a glass bottle $4.50.

It's a great source of potassium. You'll have to find your own dosage. I can tell a difference in terms of energy as long as I take this. But I believe you have to take daily magnesium to hold the potassium within the body.

If you take blood pressure medicine, many are told not to take potassium supplements; but best to check with DOC.

It contains sugar, but with all the minerals. It can have a laxative effect if you take too much. You might try 1 teaspoon 2 or 3 times daily stirred into water----whatever works for you. I even do a tablespoon.

Many add it to their energy shakes. It's the best nutrition in the health food store.

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Hang in there Lymeherx. You will get better and find the answers. Let us know how you're doing.

It just occurred to me. Don't know if you're interested, but see if there are any Lyme Support Groups in your area. They all have varied experiences with LD & what comes along with it. More good ideas maybe?

Take Care,
Jan

The problem is that no one could ever tell me the cause of the vertigo, so it's hard to know why it works, but thank God it does. Now that I know I'm dealing with lyme and babesia, I see it's a common problem. I'm still not sure why the med works though.

By the way, Cortef is actually hydracortisone in a pre-made pill. It gave me stomach aches so I had pure hydracortisone compounded into capsules.

Unless you are tested to be very adrenal insufficient, I would stay away from daily cortef, cortisol or hydracortisone treatments. It can cause your own adrenals to shrink, and your body can become dependent. It happened to me. I would use it only as needed, for short periods of time, or every other day if you need regular supplementation.

Angie,

Thanks for the explanation it was very helpful to learn your experience. I had left ear pain pre-lyme diagnosis for l3 years.

Thankfully I was spared vertigo. For pain, my first LLMD allowed me to use Oticort ear drops occasionally (low percentage of steroid) & only for my worst ear pain. It kept me out of the ER and from going out of my mind.

Very interesting info.