I have been following the postings regarding the Bionic 880. I think the treatment sounds promising.
I am faced with a difficult question. My LLMD has recommended IV antibiotic treatment (after one year of orals with no clear progress).
I work for a school district--so I couldn't possibly leave work for one month to travel to Germany for treatment(until next summer).
I am wondering if I should try the IV therapy in the meantime or not. My current thought is that I will try IV in the fall--and maybe take a break in the spring if I am seeing no results.
Any thoughts on this? Thanks.
Posts: 83 | From Minnesota | Registered: Dec 2006
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sparkle7
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 10397
posted
That's a tough one. My opinion is that if the abx aren't working, why take larger doses? You have given them a chance.
Prior to using the infrared light, I was taking the full Cowden protocol & no abx. The abx didn't seem to be helping me so I figured there had to be something else to try.
There are alot of alternatives to abx you can try. I don't know what your full situation is, though.
I think the abx can work well if you catch it right away but it's much trickier after you've been ill for a while.
I'm not a dr. Some people may think my opinion wrong. It's just based on my experience.
[ 27. July 2008, 02:18 AM: Message edited by: sparkle7 ]
Posts: 7772 | From Northeast, again... | Registered: Oct 2006
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posted
It seems that IV antibiotic therapy is sometimes successful when oral antibiotics have produced limited (or no) results. At least this is what I have gathered in my reading.
Posts: 83 | From Minnesota | Registered: Dec 2006
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posted
I did orals from March 2007 to November 2007, barely made a difference. Went on the IV Rocephin in November for 12 weeks, made a Major difference. All panic, anxiety and heart palps stopped after IV, but it got to a point where they just couldn't completely kill the bugs, so they opted to take me off the IV after 12 weeks. Today, I'm glad I did the IV, I believe it took out some of the lyme or one of the other co-infections..I'm still sick, but not like I was before IV....Rich
Posts: 208 | From Hudson Valley, New York | Registered: Mar 2008
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GiGi
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 259
posted
Hiawatha, The residual damage from longterm abx would be my major consideration in the decision.
I have no doubt that people pay the price sooner or later.
I would give it a lot of thought.
Take care.
Posts: 9834 | From Washington State | Registered: Oct 2000
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Vermont_Lymie
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Member # 9780
posted
IV-Rocephin is the standard of care for neuro-lyme. It has helped many people (thousands?) to get well, according to llmds I have spoken with.
If you have bad symptoms, you should consider your llmd's recommendation, in my humble opinion. For me, late stage lyme was a progressive disease, and I could not leave it untreated, unless I wanted a slow painful death!
I think the residual damage from untreated lyme is far worse than what some call "residual damage from antibiotics." I have been on abx for two years, and they have saved my life and given me quality of life back. Far from damaging me, they have given me my brain, energy and stamina back without bad side effects. But, the herxes were pretty rough in the beginning of treatment.
I do hope that antibiotic myths posted on lymenet do not discourage anyone from actually treating their lyme.
Best wishes.
[ 27. July 2008, 02:21 PM: Message edited by: Vermont_Lymie ]
Posts: 2557 | From home | Registered: Aug 2006
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posted
Ideally, I would treat with the Bionic 880...and track my progress. But, in my situation, it seems unlikely that I will have access to Bionic 880 treatment before next summer.
What sort of residual impact can long term antibiotics produce?
Posts: 83 | From Minnesota | Registered: Dec 2006
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posted
Just for clarification, I would probably start with the Bionic 880 because there seems to be less risk--less invasive.
Posts: 83 | From Minnesota | Registered: Dec 2006
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bejoy
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 11129
posted
It is so nice to be on a forum where people feel free and safe to express different opinions about their differing experiences.
We know that there is no one answer that is going to work for every individual, based on illness, philosophy, and financial resources.
It's great to be on a forum where people have access to such a wealth of experience and knowledge, so people can do their own research and make up their own minds.
My opinion, for what it is worth, is to make sure you stick with aggressive treatment, whatever you choose, while waiting for access to the Bionic.
I have read many accounts of people getting well on IV treatment, although I do think that lots of antibiotics cause other serious problems down the road that need to be addressed.
I've done very well on herbals, homeopathics, bee venom ointment, loads of detox, and very little antibiotics.
If it were me, I would focus specifically on rehabing the gut, after so much time on orals. Assimilation of nutrition = better health.
Good luck with your decisions. There are so many good options, and you will make progress. Sounds like you know it is time for a change.
-------------------- bejoy!
"Do not go where the path may lead; go instead where there is no path and leave a trail." -Ralph Waldo Emerson Posts: 1918 | From Alive and Well! | Registered: Feb 2007
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sparkle7
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
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posted
The abx can cause the bacteria to change into a different form & hide in the body where they are harder to reach. They can stay dormant & come back after people stop taking the abx.
The abx also have many side effects such as damaging the immune system, fungal overgrowth, & even cancer in some cases. I'm sure you can find further info on the internet about side effects from taking abx.
In my opinion, abx are not meant as a long term treatment. Even after a long term treatment, many people find the Lyme comes back when they stop. They are left with the damage from taking abx for so long plus the Lyme symptoms.
This is just my opinion from studying about Lyme. I also find that using infrared light is very powerful. I believe that it can cure Lyme with fewer side effects.
Posts: 7772 | From Northeast, again... | Registered: Oct 2006
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sparkle7
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
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posted
PS - I agree with Bejoy. I'm very glad for this forum to express our opinions & that people can choose which direction to take, freely.
Posts: 7772 | From Northeast, again... | Registered: Oct 2006
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luvs2ride
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 8090
posted
I agree with Bejoy especially concerning the need to heal your gut. 70% of the immune system resides in the gut.
Nutritional healing is the foundation to getting well no matter if you go the abx route or the alternative route or a little of both.
I have personally known a person who got well and returned to work after IV antibiotics. I also know another person who got well on Dr Zhang's treatment.
I have gotten well on a combination of natural and abx and absolutely know that change of diet alone made me 50% better. I know this because changing my diet was the first thing I did. To this day I eat very healthy and supplement.
Hiawatha,
I know you are big on alternative and you probably do eat very well and take supplements like probiotics to protect your gut.
I don't blame you for wanting to try that which is safe first, but if your doctor feels you will benefit from the IVs, I would strongly consider it.
Does your doctor also provide you with nutritional and alternative care? If not, you may want to get a 2nd opinion from an LLMD who does treat integratively. Then you have an opinion from a doctor who has knowledge in both conventional and alternative medicine.
I would not even work with a doctor who did not work with me nutritionally, supplementally, herbally as well as antibiotically.
Good luck to you. I know you will listen to your body and make the right choice.
Luvs
-------------------- When the Power of Love overcomes the Love of Power, there will be Peace. Posts: 3038 | From america | Registered: Oct 2005
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My doctor does provide integrative care--I am taking a variety of supplements and following a gluten free, sugar free, diet.
Right now, I am following a forty day parasite protocol. When this is done, I will again consider the possibility of IV antibiotics.
My biggest concern with IV is the level of risk--including any sort of negative long term impact. I am also concerned about the possibility that it will interfere with work.
Nevertheless, if there is a strong chance that it will help in my treatment, I will give it serious consideration.
Posts: 83 | From Minnesota | Registered: Dec 2006
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daise
Unregistered
posted
Hello everyone,
Vermont-Lymie stated it beautifully.
quote: IV-Rocephin is the standard of care for neuro-lyme. It has helped many people (thousands?) to get well, according to llmds I have spoken with.
If you have bad symptoms, you should consider your llmd's recommendation, in my humble opinion. For me, late stage lyme was a progressive disease, and I could not leave it untreated, unless I wanted a slow painful death!
I think the residual damage from untreated lyme is far worse than what some call "residual damage from antibiotics." I have been on abx for two years, and they have saved my life and given me quality of life back. Far from damaging me, they have given me my brain, energy and stamina back without bad side effects. But, the herxes were pretty rough in the beginning of treatment.
I do hope that antibiotic myths posted on lymenet do not discourage anyone from actually treating their lyme.
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