canefan17
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 22149
posted
Two Choices:
1) Salt/Vit C Protocol
2) Cowden Protocol
I will let Lymenet.org choose my next step.
I've been on abx's for 6 months and have made GREAT strides.
I'd consider myself at about 80% some days 95%.
Posts: 5394 | From Houston, Tx | Registered: Aug 2009
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sixgoofykids
Honored Contributor (10K+ posts)
Member # 11141
posted
I don't think a group of Lyme patients can accurately chose a person's treatment because it depends on so many factors. I know I'd be more comfortable answering "Which treatment do you think is superior" rather than "choose my next treatment."
-------------------- sixgoofykids.blogspot.com Posts: 13449 | From Ohio | Registered: Feb 2007
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-------------------- --Lymetutu-- Opinions, not medical advice! Posts: 96239 | From Texas | Registered: Feb 2001
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gwb
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 7273
posted
Can't answer your question, but when I was searching for a herbal protocol to begin January 1, 2010, I learned of Dr J's protocol which is not a herbal protocol. After doing some research, and reading of other people's success with this protocol, I decided to take the risk and give it a try.
This was the best decision I've made regarding my lyme treatment protocol to date. It may not be the right protocol for you, but I encourage you to research it and keep an open mind before you decide which protocol you will chose.
By the way, why would you consider changing protocols if you are doing well on abx? There's people on this forum that would give an arm and leg to be at 80-95% like you are.
Are you following Dr. B's guidelines and doing exercises, eating right, etc? My wife got well on abx but she believes that doing her exercises was the key to helping her get completely better along with the abx.
I'm working on another post to update it with the latest news. Hope to add it tonight, but if not it will be on tomorrow.
I wish you the best as you decide which protocol you'll go on, or at least consider staying on the one you're on now and follow Dr. B's guidelines more aggressively.
posted
Stick with the abx until you are well.
Posts: 770 | From USA | Registered: Jul 2006
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Keebler
Honored Contributor (25K+ posts)
Member # 12673
posted
- Please don't limit yourself so. Six months is a very short time to be treating such a serious disease.
It is really vital to maintain a working relationship with a good ILADS-educated LLMD or LL ND (or other kind of LL doctor with training and credentials needed).
If abx are taxing your body, you might want to look at your support protocol. THAT is very important. The abx, alone, are not enough.
But support supplements, alone, are not enough, either. However you do it, the spirochete must be fully addressed. It has to be faced head on - from every angle.
While I have only passing familiarity with Cowden, from what I have read, I am not convinced of its ability to address the spirochete in all manners of importance.
While addressing parasites is important and the Salt/C protocol has helped some, that is not necessarily for everyone so it should be first studied as well other methods to address parasites. There are many ways to do this.
And, still, as important as it is to address parasites, that would not address the spirochete or other TBD.
At the thread below, links to many of the most well-known protocols are listed - pharmaceutical and complementary.
You can compare and contrast and then expand your search from there - and then consult your LL doctor as there is so much more a really good LL doctor should be able to add to our basic research.
gwb
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 7273
posted
I understand how you feel about the abx taxing your body. They do indeed do that, however, you're so close to getting well it's important you don't do anything at this point that will hinder your progress.
Talk you your LLMD about how you're feeling and see if he/she would want you to cut back or take a abx break for a brief time. Sometimes it's good to take a abx vacation, but only your LLMD can tell you that for sure.
We all go through confusion at one point or another with this disease. I feel like I've been in a confused state of mind since this disease attacked my body.
Things will get better. Fortunately for you--you're making great progress!
posted
Why leave off abx? Lay off the sugar, get probiotics, and keep on! You're the dream for many of us (and if it ain't broke, you know!)
-------------------- IGENEX DX Day Dec 2, 2009 IgM western blot: POSITIVE 18: + **31: ++ **34: ++ **41: IND 58: + **83-93: +
IgG western blot: Negative **31: IND **34: IND **41: +
Antibody Titer B Burgdorferi G/M/A: Indeterminate 1:40 Titer Posts: 20 | From Vermont | Registered: May 2009
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sutherngrl
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 16270
posted
Defintely stay on the antibiotics. You have already proven to yourself that they are working.
Posts: 4035 | From Mississippi | Registered: Jul 2008
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canefan17
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 22149
posted
Thanks guys.
I'll be making my decision in 2 weeks when I see my LLMD again : )
I probably wouldn't mind the abx's if I didn't think that they were causing my hair to fall out.
Malarone + zith definitely is. And it's beyond depressing.
I'm too young to lose my hair.
/knows he gripes about his hair a lot /doesn't care / : )
Sorry about your hair, but I'm thrilled to hear the antibiotics are making you better.
Consider your doctor's advice about your treatment, but remember, your hair will grow back after you're better. At least I don't recall reading about anybody saying it didn't.
My friend's mom who is on a second round of chemo for cancer has lost her hair and grown it back twice.
I know of teenage girls who have voluntarily shaved their own heads in solidarity with a hairless cancer patient friend, and a woman who grew her hair long and then cut most of it off to donate to Locks for Love. Theirs all grew back.
My dad lost his hair in college in his early 20s, and he didn't even have a disease causing it or anything--just genetics. His never came back, but my mom still thinks he's darn good lookin'.
And I think some people can lose their hair from Lyme symptoms, so it could be your reaction to the drug working--if it's that, instead of a side effect of the drug itself, then you could lose your hair on a successful natural protocol too.
Just remember, bald men are more distinguished looking and/or intimidating. Some men actually shave their heads on purpose so they can look cool too. Lots of famous TV and movie stars and professional athletes are bald, some by choice and some not. You are lucky to save the cost of the barber.
My dad would tell people that his brain got larger from his increasing intelligence in college, and the pressure of all that new knowledge just pushed his hair right on out from the inside. Maybe all the research you have to do as a Lyme patient is doing the same to you.
My vote: Get yourself a couple of fun hats and stay on the treatment that will do the most good for your long term recovery.
-------------------- Don't forget to laugh! And when you're going through hell, keep going!
Bitten 5/25/2009 in Perry County, Indiana. Diagnosed by LLMD 12/2/2009. Posts: 756 | From Inside the tunnel | Registered: Jan 2010
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canefan17
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 22149
posted
Haha appreciate the encouragement.
Nothin too intimidating about a 135 lb weakling with no hair lol
Sorry... had to say it.
Thanks for the kind words. Fun hats I will do for sure.
I'm in Tx... so cowboy hats ain't too hard to find round here.
I feel like I could accept all of this easier if I wasn't so young and single.
I should be out minglin and finding my future wife!!... then I can get sick at age 50 and complain and moan to her for the rest of our lives
Posts: 5394 | From Houston, Tx | Registered: Aug 2009
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posted
Being from Texas, I say cowboy hats are sexy! (gotta be the right hat though!!) and goes along with a starched white shirt and tight jeans....oh.. and BOOTS!
-------------------- --Lymetutu-- Opinions, not medical advice! Posts: 96239 | From Texas | Registered: Feb 2001
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D Bergy
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 9984
posted
Why change Horses if ABX is working for you?
Hair will grow back, if it is just a side effect.
Dan
Posts: 2924 | From Minnesota | Registered: Aug 2006
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lymebytes
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 11830
posted
I choose #3, lol. More abx. Detoxing wil help you feel less poisoned (or taxed) by them. The bacteria die off is what is making you feel that way.
6 months of tx in the world lyme isn't hardly anything really. Tick borne diseases don't die easily and a relapse can be worse than the initial sickness.
Cowden is great after you have completed abx at keeping you well.
Make sure before you quit abx that you have done different combo's, killing all co-infections, free-form, L-form and cyst form. I have learned that I can feel better, pretty good, start a new combo and I can't believe herxing begins again. It just goes to show you that it seems there is more to kill and I have been at this 3.5 years. I sometimes can't believe there is still more to kill, but there is.
My son stopped abx when he felt that he wasn't progressing further on any combo or high doses even, plus he felt about 90% all of the time. Now he does Cowden and is doing really well.
posted
Even though i am not a believe in abx- If it's working for you i would stay on them for 6 more month's then maybe go to S/C at say 3 grams each for a while or go to the cowden.
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