posted
Hi everyone, It has been awhile since I've been on Lyme.net. Mostly because of our move. But I also went into drug induced liver failure. I was on a treatment protocol for 6 months when my liver enzyme levels began to rise and rise. It came to a point when my LLMD referred me to a liver specialist and I have been off of all antibiotics since mid-March. I really haven't had any problems or symptoms for awhile. But I am sad to say that they are beginning to come back. I called to schedule an appointment with my LLMD today. I am EXTREMELY nervous about going back on a antibiotic regiment. My liver did not recover as fast as other Lyme patients. In fact, my numbers just came back ro normal about a week ago. That means it took 3 1/2 months for my liver to fully recover. Is there any way I can treat Lyme without antibiotics?
Posts: 151 | From california | Registered: Dec 2009
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I would use meds that are less toxic to the liver...amoxicillin, bicillin, zithromax, cephalosporins. I would avoid ketek, rifampin, . I have to stay away from all tetracyclines because I get a drug induced hepatitis with those, I recovered rather well...but that was before Lyme and was given steroids for it. Now I am very careful with my meds. I also avoid bactrim and rifampin and erythromycin because my liver doctor told me to avoid those for their potential in liver damage. Good luck. He did say flagyl or tindamax was ok,
Posts: 747 | From Utah | Registered: Apr 2010
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Keebler
Honored Contributor (25K+ posts)
Member # 12673
posted
- When you were on abx before, were you able to take Milk Thistle, NAC, Bupleurum, Dandelion or other liver support?
No need to answer, it's just a check-list for yourself. Now, even the best liver support can't fully protect - but you might want to rethink whatever you used and get professional guidance on how to improve on that.
It also helps to avoid acetaminophen or other Rx / OTC things that are hard on the liver. [For pain relief, Curcumin &/or Corydalis can help without stressing the liver.]
Your LLMD may have some suggestions and perhaps a LL ND (naturopathic doctor) can help you with a support plan.
After hearing what your LLMD has to say about your symptoms, etc., you might discuss RIFE - or something like Buhner or Zhang's protocols.
Might this be something besides lyme? Are heavy metals or other toxic exposures involved that could mimic lyme? Other infections?
In addition to the usual coinfections from ticks (such as babesia, bartonella, ehrlichia, RMSF, etc.), there are some other chronic stealth infections that an excellent LLMD should know about:
I would encourage EVERY person who has received a lyme diagnosis to get the following tests.
- at link. -
[ 07-31-2010, 02:03 PM: Message edited by: Keebler ]
Posts: 48021 | From Tree House | Registered: Jul 2007
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Keebler
Honored Contributor (25K+ posts)
Member # 12673
posted
- The doctor with whom you would be working should have full knowledge of every approach below. He may also have suggestions that are not on this list - hopefully from his communication with others LL doctors or from his experience with other lyme patients.
To compare and contrast the work of authors regarding some of the most common complementary or integrative paths. Note that many still incorporate antibiotics.
This is not at all a complete list . . . just a start. It's far easier to have a LL doctor with lots of experience so that you don't have to do all the homework. Suggestions here are, in no way, intended to take the place of a good LL doctor. This is for patient education and also to serve as a basis for discussion with your LL doctor.
HEALING LYME DISEASE: An Integrated Approach to Curing Chronic Infection by Daniel A. Kinderlehrer, M.D. (2004)
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It's very important to have this book as a reference tool for self-care and support measures. It answers so many questions in detail that is impossible here on the forum.
A synergistic formula of 6 rainforest botanicals which are traditionally used in South America for syphilis (a type of spirochete bacteria) and other bacterial conditions.* This product was featured in an article by the Health Sciences Institute (see page 4).
ITM - Chinese Medicine research site - They have good articles regarding "SAFETY" & "INTERACTION" -
Posts: 48021 | From Tree House | Registered: Jul 2007
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Keebler
Honored Contributor (25K+ posts)
Member # 12673
posted
- As many sleep and pain meds have toxicity issues and are hard on the liver and kidneys, here are some suggestions for sleep support that can safely nourish & calm the body: ---------------
PAIN MANAGEMENT -
Posts: 48021 | From Tree House | Registered: Jul 2007
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Keebler
Honored Contributor (25K+ posts)
Member # 12673
posted
- HOW TO FIND A NATUROPATHIC DOCTOR (N.D.)
Of course, beyond the training and licensing credentials, any ND who works with a person with tick-borne infections should also be ILADS-educated (so to speak) and actively still keeping up with ILADS research.
You also need to know that many N.D.s also often incorporate antibiotics just as many LLMDs incorporate support measures.
Check the lyme support groups in the area to compare notes from those who have worked with some LL NDs.
Association of Accredited Naturopathic Medical Colleges
These colleges and universities often have patient clinics that usually offering sliding scale payment options. While the residents and interns may not be LL, they also may be.
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Individual states have their own licensing boards, different from MD boards.
Currently, 15 states, the District of Columbia, and the United States territories of Puerto Rico and the United States Virgin Islands have licensing laws for naturopathic doctors. In these states, naturopathic doctors are required to graduate from an accredited four-year residential naturopathic medical school and pass an extensive postdoctoral board examination (NPLEX) in order to receive a license.
Licensed naturopathic physicians must fulfill state-mandated continuing education requirements annually, and will have a specific scope of practice defined by their state's law. The states that currently have licensing laws for naturopathic physicians are:
* Alaska * Arizona
* California * Connecticut
* District of Columbia * Hawaii
* Idaho * Kansas
* Maine * Minnesota * Montana
* New Hampshire * Oregon
* Utah * Vermont
* Washington * US Territories: Puerto Rico and Virgin Islands
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Many N.D.s are also licensed acupuncturists (L.Ac.) and there may be a few L.Ac.s who are also LL. Both N.D.s and L.Ac.s have several years of post-graduate education in herbal medicine. You can search the sites to explore the differences in their training - and ask the practitioner in person about their training and experience. They are usually glad to share that all that.
WHAT IF YOUR STATE DOES NOT LICENSE N.D.s?
Some states allow N.D.s to practice in other ways - such as with a M.D.
Normally, you'd want a licensed N.D., however, in states where there is no licensing, if you find a state professional organization, USUALLY those who belong meet certain professional standards and have the appropriate medical degree from an accredited college of naturopathy.
Search at Google (Yahoo, or Bing):
State name, licensing ``naturopathic physician''
If no results, search: [state name], naturopathic (or acupuncture or Ayervedic, etc.)
you want to find some sort of professional organization.
The Accreditation Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (ACAOM)
- the national accrediting agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education to accredit Master's-level programs in the acupuncture and Oriental medicine profession.
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