posted
Hi Jeff - I did buhner's protocol along with biaxin, plaquenil and pulsed flagyl....did this for 6 months until I started to get some weird brusing - liver tests were okay but dc'd everything but the flagyl - now have a picc for rocephin....didn't seem to make any progress on buhner's stuff and biaxin and plaq...but am doing somewhat better now so maybe it accomplished something behind the scenes.... good luck, deb
Posts: 122 | From richmond, ca, usa | Registered: Feb 2004
| IP: Logged |
posted
My personal opinion is that a combination of many therapies is the best approach to these bugs. Hubby has taken antibiotics, oral colloidal silver (Argentyn 23) and the Healing Lyme herbs all together.
But he takes lower than normal doses of both the antibiotics and herbs. I would add one thing at a time and go slow -- much slower than the book recommends. You have to learn to listen to your body and know when to back off or ramp up doses. This is something you have to do yourself -- a doc can't tell you what is right for your body -- just use commonsense and read and research everything you do.
The more you know the better you can anticipate any potential problems. Most of the herbs in the book have few side effects and contraindications. Make notes on doses and symptoms and see what works for you. Always be willing to stop or decrease doses of any herbs or meds at any point in time if herxing gets out of control.
Be sure you inform your LLMD what you are doing. Most are openminded enough to let you experiment on your own with herbs if they do not prescribe them. If something really helps then be doubly sure to tell the doc as that is info they can only learn from their patients -- the guinea pigs.
Good luck and keep us posted.
Bea Seibert
Posts: 7306 | From Martinsville,VA,USA | Registered: Oct 2004
| IP: Logged |
luvs2ride
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 8090
posted
Hi Jeff,
Be careful mixing herbs and abx. Let your doctor know before you begin in case there is a contraindication.
Also, consider this. Too much herxing is not good and can be harmful to the body. Pain is not gain. Do not attempt to kill off more than your body can eliminate.
In my case, any attempt to kill lyme or yeast resulted in horrific joint pain. My initial LLMD used homeopathy (he is board certified homeopath). Don't let anyone tell you homeopathy is not potent and effective. I am here to tell you it is very effective. In fact, it was so effective my body could not handle the die off and I eventually went into Rheum. Arthritis. A scary place to be. That doctor believed in toughing it out through the herxing. I wish I had not taken that approach.
I stopped working with this LLMD and began with another who felt we should build up my elimination systems before killing anything. Through bloodwork and urine analysis, he has identified what areas of my body are not functioning normally and is treating those areas with supplements, herbs etc. After 3 mths, we are not yet ready for chelation of my heavy metals or killing the systemic yeast much less the lyme, but we are close. Meanwhile, I am having miraculous improvement (I do give much credit to God) just by improving my elimination system.
For 2 weeks now, I am enjoying nearly painfree days. My only symptom is some minor stiffness in a few fingers. I am able to do everything I did prior to illness including (ESPECIALLY) lots of horseback riding. Yes that is what I luvs2ride.
Diet has played a key part in recovery as has many supplements. The only abx I have taken throughout this round of lyme, 11 mths now, is 100mg minocycline taken on Mon, Weds, Fri. This is a rheumatoid treatment that pursues mycoplasma as the cause of joint pain. I have only been on this 4 mths and usually it takes longer to see improvement but can happen in 4 mths, so I don't want to overlook the contribution minocyline may be having.
Once I am 2 mths painfree, I will drop the minocycline and see how I fair.
Before you add herbs to your arsenal, I urge you to work with a doctor on identifying what areas of your body are not functioning normally. Take care of them first so your body is functioning optimally. Then if that doesn't remove your symptoms, add in herbs or abx whichever you and your doctor feel are right.
Susan
-------------------- When the Power of Love overcomes the Love of Power, there will be Peace. Posts: 3038 | From america | Registered: Oct 2005
| IP: Logged |
johnnyb
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 7645
posted
I've currently started the Bruhner protocol on my own, since I haven't seen my LLMD in awhile, but a friend advised me to go back to her, so I am hoping she will be open-minded and let me continue this protocol while possibly adding low doses of doxy or mino if she feels it will help. I can't tolerate too much abx.
Susan, is mino newer / more effective than doxy? Sunlight issues with it as with doxy? PM me if this is going to take this thread off-topic.
Thanks,
- JB
Posts: 1197 | From New Jersey | Registered: Jul 2005
| IP: Logged |
I just want as much experience of those here bcs even she doesn't really know.
I agree with taking it slow. It's been over a year, I have madee progress but a couple of these herx's almost killed me.
-------------------- Jeff Posts: 533 | From CA | Registered: Mar 2006
| IP: Logged |
luvs2ride
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 8090
posted
Johnny,
Are you wanting to do the doxy or mino for lyme or RA?
Mino is preferred for RA as it seems to be more effective and the least likely to give you yeast problems. Also, most people can tolerate sunlight while on the mino. I'm not sure yet if I am one of those or not.
The low dose I take is not supposed to be effective for lyme. This protocol was researched for 50 years by Dr. Thomas P Brown. He wrote a book called "The Roadback" which may no longer be in print. However, another book by Harry Schammel titled "The New Arthritis Breakthrough" is also about this protocol and includes Dr Brown's Roadback book in it.
Hope this helps.
Susan
-------------------- When the Power of Love overcomes the Love of Power, there will be Peace. Posts: 3038 | From america | Registered: Oct 2005
| IP: Logged |
posted
I would stick with the Flagyl + Ceftin and add Bicillin LA to it. Forget the herbs
-------------------- You're only a failure when you stop trying. Posts: 945 | From U.S | Registered: Oct 2004
| IP: Logged |
Jill E.
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 9121
posted
quote:Originally posted by luvs2ride:
The low dose I take is not supposed to be effective for lyme. This protocol was researched for 50 years by Dr. Thomas P Brown. He wrote a book called "The Roadback" which may no longer be in print. However, another book by Harry Schammel titled "The New Arthritis Breakthrough" is also about this protocol and includes Dr Brown's Roadback book in it.
There is a website at www.roadback.org that was just recommended to me yesterday by a wonderful person here on Lymenet.
Jill
-------------------- If laughter is the best medicine, why hasn't stand-up comedy cured me? Posts: 1773 | From San Diego | Registered: Apr 2006
| IP: Logged |
luvs2ride
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 8090
-------------------- When the Power of Love overcomes the Love of Power, there will be Peace. Posts: 3038 | From america | Registered: Oct 2005
| IP: Logged |
johnnyb
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 7645
posted
quote:Originally posted by luvs2ride: Johnny,
Are you wanting to do the doxy or mino for lyme or RA?
Mino is preferred for RA as it seems to be more effective and the least likely to give you yeast problems. Also, most people can tolerate sunlight while on the mino. I'm not sure yet if I am one of those or not.
The low dose I take is not supposed to be effective for lyme. This protocol was researched for 50 years by Dr. Thomas P Brown. He wrote a book called "The Roadback" which may no longer be in print. However, another book by Harry Schammel titled "The New Arthritis Breakthrough" is also about this protocol and includes Dr Brown's Roadback book in it.
Hope this helps.
Susan
Oh, I meant for the lyme, since both doxy and mino are good at crossing the BBB. I figure that IF my LLMD wants me back on abx, maybe mino is the way to go during the summer, since doxy causes sunlight issues.
Thanks,
- JB
Posts: 1197 | From New Jersey | Registered: Jul 2005
| IP: Logged |
JimBoB
Unregistered
posted
Yes, by all means START slow, but ramp up steady.
The herbs SHOULD be much easier on your system than the abx are.
For me, I had to stop the abx. But I used Tetracycline and Doxycycline, which were killers on my stomach. I didn't need that with an already disastrous stomach.
Now that I am on herbs, only, along with C-Salts, my stomach is feeling fine. I have also added a B complex about a week ago. I also have taken Vitamin E, right along.
But yes, you can even overload your system on herbs also. Some of the herbs are VERY strong. Coptis is one of them. I had to quit it after a few days on it. BUT I AM going to try it again in about 3 weeks. BUT MUCH SLOWER this time.
Anyone who WANTS to herx hard is crazy in my book. It is scarey and IMO dangerous. SOME herxing is fine, but keep it DOWN with the RIGHT herbs.
Milk Thistle, Red Root tincture, AND Sarsaparilla are all VERY IMPORTANT in keeping your herxes to a minimum. Red Root, is especially good at that.
When reading, studying, Buhner's Healing Lyme book, you MUST go beyond the basic Protocol, and on to his expanded protocols and especially pay attention to getting the right herbs to keep the herxing to a minimum by cleansing your lymph system and blood. (Your liver IS part of your Lymph system).
AND be sure to keep ALL herbs compatible, ie, COLD herbs are important in healing Lyme and its coinfections. You can also use NEUTRAL herbs, but NOT Hot herbs. HOT and COLD make lukewarm. It doesn't do much for you at all.
STICK to Buhner's protocol exclusively, IF you are going on it. Along with abx, IF you can handle it. Don't use other herbs someone may tell you about. They MAY not be compatible. Buhner did a lot of research on his book. More than any of us can or will.
luvs2ride
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 8090
posted
JeffM
I believe minocycline is also a good choice for Lyme but in larger doses than I am taking.
I'm still not clear about the sunshine. Seems some can take it and some cannot. Vit D levels are involved somehow too.
-------------------- When the Power of Love overcomes the Love of Power, there will be Peace. Posts: 3038 | From america | Registered: Oct 2005
| IP: Logged |
luvs2ride
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 8090
posted
JeffM
I believe minocycline is also a good choice for Lyme but in larger doses than I am taking.
I'm still not clear about the sunshine. Seems some can take it and some cannot. Vit D levels are involved somehow too.
-------------------- When the Power of Love overcomes the Love of Power, there will be Peace. Posts: 3038 | From america | Registered: Oct 2005
| IP: Logged |
The Lyme Disease Network is a non-profit organization funded by individual donations. If you would like to support the Network and the LymeNet system of Web services, please send your donations to:
The
Lyme Disease Network of New Jersey 907 Pebble Creek Court,
Pennington,
NJ08534USA http://www.lymenet.org/
UBBFriend: Email this page to someone!
![[Cool]](cool.gif)
Printer-friendly view of this topic