posted
I've posted here before, but not enough that anyone would remember me, so I'll start at the beginning.
When I was 10 years old or so (15 years ago), I had Lyme, which was "successfully" treated (3 weeks doxy), and symptom free until this year.
Around December, I started having paresthesias and a few other random issues. I was worried about MS at first, but when the joint pains started up a month later or so, my mind went right back to Lyme.
I did some research online, which backed it up, and saw my MD, who put me on six weeks of doxy. I knew that wasn't going to fix it, but I figured it was better to get some treatment while I found an LLMD.
After the six weeks, I was about 50% better. I found a good LLMD who I'd easily recommend to anyone else in the RI area, who put me back on the Doxy, as well as Omnicef.
After a month or so, I was probably back to 85% The Omicef gave me horrible stomach problems, though, so he took me off it and put me on Plaquenil instead.
He also warned me that because Plaquenil can draw out the cyst form of the bacteria, it'll often make the disease worse before it gets better.
Unfortunately, he seems to be right on that one. After a month and a half on the abx (100mg doxy 2x daily, 200mg plaquenil 2x daily), some of my symptoms are better, but some are persistent and some are definitely worse.
Right now, the worst are significant fatigue, extremely poor muscle stamina (climbing stairs tires my legs, holding my arms over my head for 30 seconds makes them feel like I've been doing hard labor all day), lightheartedness, visual problems (hard time focusing on or tracking objects, especially moving), and poor concentration (though I have mild ADD, which I refuse to be medicated for, so that might be more to blame than the Lyme for that one).
I'm hoping the abx will work, but I've heard so many mixed stories; some claiming they got better, others saying the disease isn't likely to ever go away.
I'm trying to keep from getting depressed over it, but it's not easy; thankfully I have a wonderful, very supportive girlfriend who's helping a lot.
Anyway, the symptoms I have are troubling, but not crippling; I'm still working full time, and the Lyme really only interferes enough to keep me from doing something I want to do maybe once a week or so. Most of the time, I can force myself to just do my best to ignore the pain and other issues.
Thing is, I have a ton of plans for this summer that have been laid out for a year or more (lots of traveling, lots of amusement parks to hit - I live for roller coasters), and I definitely want to do everything I can to keep the Lyme from interfering with them.
So, now that I've wasted everyone's time with the overly long post (sorry! I do that a lot!), I've heard a lot of people swear by herbal supplements, detoxing, etc.
Is there anything I can be taking in addition to the abx that will even possibly speed along recovery, or at the least help lessen some of the symptoms (especially the muscle fatigue and visual symptoms), so I can try to make the most of the coming summer?
Posts: 23 | From Rhode Island | Registered: Dec 2007
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sixgoofykids
Honored Contributor (10K+ posts)
Member # 11141
posted
Unfortunately, I don't think you can really speed up the process.
You can only kill bugs as fast as you can detox the abx and the dead bacteria left behind, so detox is important. I've used -- FIR sauna, coffee enemas, glutathione cream (prescription), drinking undenatured whey protein, lemon water, parsley/burbur and epsom salt baths -- and it's helped.
Get fresh air, sunshine and exercise. Do what you can to make your body stronger so it can help the drugs fight the infection. Make your food count -- don't waste the opportunity to eat something that will help instead of something that is just an additional toxic burden.
Have fun at those amusement parks! We live down the street from one, so we ride our share of roller coasters. I found though, when I was sick, they affected me in a bad way ... I plan on giving it a try this summer after a summer off last year. Go on a less stressful one first ..... trust me, you don't want to get stuck on one that aggravates your symptoms! It makes for a long ride.
-------------------- sixgoofykids.blogspot.com Posts: 13449 | From Ohio | Registered: Feb 2007
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groovy2
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 6304
posted
Hi Raiden
Eat Good - get rest-
do not allow your self to get depressed - it very hard to comeback --
Drink Gallons of tea a day-Green is best -Jay--
Posts: 2999 | From Austin tx USA | Registered: Oct 2004
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posted
I'm doing my best to stay optimistic. So far, I've done pretty well with just going about my normal life as much as possible. That's why I'm trying to keep all my summer plans.
I definitely won't mind drinking more green tea. I love it, I just never really think to make tea for myself. I've always been more of a soda person (bad, unhealthy habit that I've more or less kicked in the last couple months, in favor of lots of water).
As for getting more rest...yeah, I definitely do need to work on that. I always tell myself I'm going to get myself to bed early, then I'm up until after midnight anyway.
I'll say one thing; if I do get over the Lyme even reasonably quickly, it's quite possibly going to be a good thing for me in the long run, considering how many healthy changes to my lifestyle it's forcing me to make, that I should have been doing years ago anyway.
Posts: 23 | From Rhode Island | Registered: Dec 2007
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CherylSue
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 13077
posted
good post on plaquenil and doxy
Posts: 1954 | From Illinois | Registered: Aug 2007
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posted
keep up with that positive attitude too! it was so refreshing to read your post and you reminded me that I have lost my optimism.
Posts: 127 | From Toronto, Ontario Canada | Registered: Nov 2007
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METALLlC BLUE
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 6628
posted
Who did you see in RI? You can PM me if you wish.
-------------------- I am not a physician, so do your own research to confirm any ideas given and then speak with a health care provider you trust.
METALLlC BLUE
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 6628
posted
There is no doubt what so ever that herbal therapies (Depending on the manufacturer and the chosen herb) that they're as potent as antibiotics from your pharmacy.
There is also no doubt that detox is important.
The methods I use for detox now are the Olive Lemon, Exercise (Sweat shirt/sweat pants), as well as Samento and Banderol. Burbur works well for detox as well.
You can also use Charcoal -- which you can purchase from your pharmacy -- during a herxheimer reaction. Keep it far away from other medications.
Chlorella is another weapon, so is Glutathione, ALA, and NAC.
I'd keep it simple. Lemon Olive is dirt cheap, easy to make with home supplies, and exercise, combined with one or two herbal remedies. Pick the two strongest. Most people would probably agree on Samento, but I'm not sure which the second would be.
I use Nutramedix (I buy it from another store though, cheaper price).
Anyway, do your homework on Detox and Herbal therapies, and you'll find some top notch methods.
Oh and while on such incredibly heavy antibiotics, it may be worth your time to talk to your doctor about probiotics. VSL #3 is the one I use. I'd say most people agree that it's in the top 3 best brands.
A good idea to help answer a lot of questions is also to buy some books on treating Lyme Disease. I've read Bryan Rosners book on Rife, but his other books I've been told are good. Stephen Burhners book Healing Lyme was a good read if you're looking for an education in herbal therapies and vitamins, supplements etc.
-------------------- I am not a physician, so do your own research to confirm any ideas given and then speak with a health care provider you trust.
Aniek
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 5374
posted
Read Dr. B's guidelines, link below. There are many supplements that can assist in recovery and exercise is crucial. Dr. B dicsusses what type of exercise is helpful. You want to stay away from cardio. I personally do yoga.
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