posted
Hello everyone i just joined this group and am interested in learning more about lyme. My LLMD thinks i've had it for at least several years. I am on a break from antibiotics right now but i was wondering what people use for depession/anxiety? Does anyone use anything natural? I've had some friends mention things like SamE, 5-HTP or Saint John's Wort- does anyone have experience with these? My grandmother i know has used Saint John's Wort but she doesn't have lyme.
Anyway i am grateful for advice and to find a new group, i don't know how often i can contribute but it's nice to find this site.
Posts: 6 | From Louisiana | Registered: Apr 2010
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posted
Oh i just rememebered my other question- does anyone know what else i can do to treat my co infection anaplasma/ehrlichia while off antibiotics?
Posts: 6 | From Louisiana | Registered: Apr 2010
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Keebler
Honored Contributor (25K+ posts)
Member # 12673
posted
- Actually, of the three you mentioned: SamE, 5-HTP or Saint John's Wort - I would not start with any of those right now. I've had problems with each one. Others here may do okay with them but it's best to start with liver support.
SAMe can cause anxiety. St. John's wort is not for everyone and can make things worse nor is 5-HTP (as those with a liver condition, porphyria, don't process tryptophan very well).
Are you on good LIVER SUPPORT? THAT is key, absolutely the key as a stressed liver will cause depression and anxiety.
Milk Thistle is number one for liver support.
Are you taking Magnesium? Magnesium and B-6 (P5P) are very helpful to settle down the excitatory NMDA receptors (that wired, but tired cycle hit so hard by the toxins).
Topic: NATURAL SLEEP - Links to articles & supplements
====================
To safe to your computer file or print out for reference -- you can compare and contrast the work of some authors regarding complementary methods: -------------------------
A GLUTEN-FREE DIET can also help tremendously to decrease depression, brain fog and pain. Many LLMDs strongly suggest their lyme patients avoid gluten. More here in general (not about lyme, though):
WHAT IT DOES: Turmeric root is bitter in taste and warming in action. It strongly reduces inflammation and mucus in all parts of the body, protects the liver, lungs and intestines, and helps prevent and treat cancer. . . .
SAFETY ISSUES: Due to mucin-reducing effects, do not use the concentrated extract (curcumin) or oil in high doses, especially if you have bile duct obstruction, gall stones, or stomach ulcers. Use turmeric as a spice freely.
STARTING DOSAGE: * Crude powder: 500 mg two to three times per day. . . .
- full article at link above. From ``The One Earth Herbal Sourcebook'' (Tilltoson, et.al.)
A recently published study investigated the effects of curcumin, a constituent of the botanical turmeric, on changes in cognition and memory caused by stress. . . .
In this new study, researchers investigated the effect of curcumin supplementation on stress-induced learning defects in mice. . . .
The results of the study showed that curcumin reversed memory deficits in a dose dependent manner, meaning increasing dosages of curcumin provided increasingly improved memory in the mice.
In addition, curcumin reversed the stress-induced increase in the levels of serum corticosterone, the primary hormone secreted during the stress response.
The researchers also found that the effectiveness of curcumin was similar to the effects of a tri-cyclic antidepressant.
. . . inhibited changes due to corticosterone-induced toxicity including preserving nerve cell connections, and inhibiting the corticosterone-induced activation of the enzyme calcium/calmodulin kinase II and stimulated glutamate receptor expression, which play a role in neurotransmitter secretion and certain kinds of memory and learning.
The researchers concluded, ``Thus, curcumin may be an effective therapeutic for learning and memory disturbances as was seen within these stress models, and
its neuroprotective effect was mediated in part by normalizing the corticosterone response, resulting in down-regulating of the phosphorylated calcium/calmodulin kinase II and glutamate receptor levels.'' -
Posts: 48021 | From Tree House | Registered: Jul 2007
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Keebler
Honored Contributor (25K+ posts)
Member # 12673
posted
- 3/4 of the way down page one, there are lots of LIVER SUPPORT LINKS:
Underactive Adrenal Gland - Stresses and Problems with the Body's 'Gear Box' - by Dr. Sarah Myhill, MD
=======================
This is a VERY IMPORTANT BOOK. Many libraries carry this book and you can read 95 customer reviews here (average 4.5 star out of 5) AND see inside the book:
(excerpts above in another post) --
Posts: 48021 | From Tree House | Registered: Jul 2007
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Keebler
Honored Contributor (25K+ posts)
Member # 12673
posted
- Lonni7Lyme,
I do things a bit backward, task oriented first and then welcoming if I have any energy left. So, WELCOME - but, of course, sorry you are in this boat.
I know there's a lot posted above and, as the risk of being overwhelming, there is not one single link that I would not have wanted right up front when I started my search (but I had no doctor). Be sure to discuss anything you take with your LLMD.
I don't know WHY you are taking a break now and that concerns me as lyme and all TBD (tick-borne infections) must be addressed straight-on.
If you could find a good ILADS-educated LL ND (naturopathic doctor) for the interim stretch, that would be best. Being a lyme patient requires a lot of study (actually more than even in grad level programs) but, it's really best to have a ND guide you with herbals as an individualized approach is best. But, only LL ND will do as most NDs (as MDs) are just blown away by the complexity of lyme. A LL doctor is best.
No two persons are exactly alike and their needs can be very different even if they have the same symptoms.
When you start ANYTHING: start with ONE thing and ONE capsule. See how it goes. Don't push.
And, I'm glad you are finding this site helpful. Don't worry about contributing - you are doing so just by coming here to learn. Take care of yourself, first.
Good luck. -
Posts: 48021 | From Tree House | Registered: Jul 2007
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posted
My daughter's LLMD just put her on the SAMe - she hasn't had any problems with it yet.... been a week now. Shes 14 so it must be pretty safe.
Posts: 163 | From Central New Jersey | Registered: Jan 2010
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Keebler
Honored Contributor (25K+ posts)
Member # 12673
posted
- Lauriemay,
SAMe is safe. Still, it can be stimulating. For someone who has anxiety issues, it can often be too stimulating and further increase anxiety. Therefore, as anxiety was mentioned, I thought SAMe may not be the first choice. That's all I meant.
I had the same reaction with St. Johns Wort - it was far too stimulating for my system and really "wired" me. For those who have stronger adrenals, though, either one may be just right. -
Posts: 48021 | From Tree House | Registered: Jul 2007
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posted
First of all, thank you Keebler for all the links and information Secondly, yes- i take milk thistle, magnesium and fish oil along with some other things- alpha lipoic acid and NAC Thirdly, i'm off abx b/c i want to approach things naturally (at the moment i'm doing vit C and samento)-
yes, i'm aware about anaplasma's affect on immunity but aren't all the co infections basically dangerous? My bloodwork indicates a "past infection" so i'm not so sure how active it is, and if it was a past infection -it should have killed me already because i've probably had it a darn long time. Anyway, i know for certain my lyme is active.
Thank you everyone again for the advice I'd love to hear if anyone is maintaining with natural things- i do love the turmeric Keebler- great stuff and has SO many beneficial properties! I think just about everyone could benefit from it and should be on it!
Good night for now! I look forward to learning more!
Posts: 6 | From Louisiana | Registered: Apr 2010
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BoxerMom
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 25251
posted
Untreated anaplasma can cause kidney disease. Undertreated Lyme can cause all kinds of problems, including autoimmune conditions.
I know it feels good to take the natural approach, but if you can tolerate antibiotics, please consider taking them again. These infections are stealthy; they hang out and do damage that you can't see. Herbs alone are often not enough to kill the pathogens.
Your body will love you for taking herbs and supplements to support it through treatment.
Keebler
Honored Contributor (25K+ posts)
Member # 12673
posted
- Blood work that shows a "past infection"? Well, that often means a chronic active infection that is "stealth" in nature. Chronic stealth infections can destroy, too.
I assure you that Vitamin C and Samento will NOT adequately address these infections.
I wasted a year of my life on the promise of Samento and Vitamin C. At the time, I had no other option. But I never could find the third-party research on Samanto. The company never did send me what they promised. It is not at all the cure it is touted to be. As part of a protocol, it can be helpful and many have seen it improvement. But not by itself or with Vitamin C.
Regular Cat's Claw works much better for me but, even with that, it is not enough alone. It is support.
From all the links above detailing complementary approaches, they ALL have much more rigorous methods. I hope you will read over all those links. Look for the main threads: aggressive treatment. Combined approaches.
You will find no one here more interested in "natural methods" - and still, I loudly echo the very wise BoxerMom:
"Herbs alone are often not enough to kill the pathogens."
We are not saying this to be critical.
Can herbs be powerful? Yes. Some more so than others. Still, a great deal of homework is involved. Combination is best. Having a good doctor best of all.
You might also explore RIFE (see link above).
You might find a good ILADS-educated LL ND (naturopathic doctor) or a LL L. Ac. (Acupuncturist). They have years of education in the field of herbal medicine. But only an ILADS-educated one will do. They must have the science behind all the tick-borne infections and that comes from ILADS. -
[ 04-13-2010, 02:00 PM: Message edited by: Keebler ]
Posts: 48021 | From Tree House | Registered: Jul 2007
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posted
Hello again everyone, so sorry to just be getting back now- we had an emergency in the family that required me to leave town for quite some time.
Thank you very much for the concern boxermom it is greatly appreciated and the advice is well stated. I do not plan to remain solely on naturals and will speedily resort to antibiotics if my LLMD advises that on our next appointment- i'm sure she will.
Thank you also Keebler for the info on samento- it is interesting to note you found the regular kind more helpful than the toa free, but i am sorry you have not seen much improvement with it. It amazes me all the different things being used to treat lyme.
Posts: 6 | From Louisiana | Registered: Apr 2010
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I'd love to hear if anyone is maintaining with natural things- i do love the turmeric Keebler- great stuff and has SO many beneficial properties! I think just about everyone could benefit from it and should be on it! 
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