luvs2ride
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 8090
posted
This is so important to me that I can't say it enough.
No matter what your symptoms or your treatment protocol, you must also change your diet.
Lyme depends on a clinical diagnosis. Lyme, Yeast and Rheumatoid Arthritis share the exact same symptoms, so how does a clinical diagnosis differentiate between them?
Other chronic illnesses may also share the same symptoms such as chronic fatigue. No matter which diagnosis, diet is an essential part of the healing process. Especially if you take abx/NSAIDS which are very damaging to the gut.
I was bit by the tick in 1995. Despite a negative ELISA test, my saavy GP treated me for lyme for 6 mths after which time my symptoms cleared. Then over the next 10 yrs, I developed migraines, stiff neck, memory problems, hearing problems, allergies, etc. Was it Lyme still lurking or was it gut damage from the 6 mths of abx? Afterall, my saavy doctor said nothing about taking probiotics or offsetting the gut damage with a good, gut supportive diet. I'm sure he didn't know. It took 10 yrs for the arthritis to appear, but when it did it was rapid and very debilitating. Two LLMDs clinically diagnosed Lyme. Igenex said I had had lyme but could not determine that I have it now (how ironic). Both drs felt abx would do no good for 3rd stage Lyme arthritis. I was treated homeopathically for 5 mths which cleared up the other symptoms but the arthritis grew worse until Jan 06, I was diagnosed with RA.
Only then did I research and learn about leaky gut and it's possible connection to RA. I tried a vegan diet for 2 weeks and enjoyed an amazing 75% (my estimate) improvement in my pain and functionality. It told me diet had a lot to do with my illness.
I do not think any one diet is the correct diet for all. Each of us is different and must determine which foods our body needs. One thing for sure, none of us need sugar and processed foods. Poison to us all!!!!
For some, meat is bad. For some, carbs are bad. For some, gluten is out (many more of us than we realize). Diary is bad for many.
I found a doctor who specializes in nutrition to help me heal my gut. My first meeting with him was not stellar. He is very blunt. He said "I'm not convinced you have lyme". "I'm not convinced you have Rheumatoid Arthritis". "You have been duck hunting but instead of shooting at the duck, you are shooting at the sound of ducks". In other words, clinical diagnosis can be wrong!!! For instance, he was sure my thyroid was enlarged, but bloodwork said it was functioning normally so he left it alone. My DHEA, however, was so low it was almost non-existent. He is supplementing my DHEA. Tests showed heavy metal toxicity, heavy yeast infestation, parasites in my blood.
He is working specifically with what is wrong with me. We ran the ALCAT food allergy bloodtest and I have eliminated the foods I am allergic to.
I am thriving! Furthermore, I can now tell which foods trigger my joint pain. Avoid them and I am pain free.
Diet is absolutely #1 treatment no matter what your diagnosis and/or your symptoms and should be done in conjunction with any other treatment. Especially important if you are on abx because the abx are so damaging to the gut. Of course, probiotics are a must as well. Probably need enzymes (mega) and many other things. Each of us will have specific deficiencies that need to be addressed.
Until we do, we won't get well no matter whose protocol we follow.
It is no fun to think you have to deny yourself your favorite foods, but it is necessary in order to get well. A recent post here at lymenet linked us to a research study on AIDS that found the virus lurking in our gut. That study determined 70% of our immune system is in our gut.
You have nothing to lose by changing your diet (except fat of course) For those of you who struggle to retain weight, nuts are an excellent snack.
A good simple rule of thumb and I steal this quote from Susan Powder "If it didn't grow that way, don't eat it!".
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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treepatrol
Honored Contributor (10K+ posts)
Member # 4117
posted
I found a doctor who specializes in nutrition to help me heal my gut. My first meeting with him was not stellar. He is very blunt. He said "I'm not convinced you have lyme". "I'm not convinced you have Rheumatoid Arthritis". "You have been duck hunting but instead of shooting at the duck, you are shooting at the sound of ducks". In other words, clinical diagnosis can be wrong!!! For instance, he was sure my thyroid was enlarged, but bloodwork said it was functioning normally so he left it alone. My DHEA, however, was so low it was almost non-existent. He is supplementing my DHEA. Tests showed heavy metal toxicity, heavy yeast infestation, parasites in my blood.
He is working specifically with what is wrong with me. We ran the ALCAT food allergy bloodtest and I have eliminated the foods I am allergic to.
I am thriving!How long have you been Pain Free months weeks? What? Furthermore, I can now tell which foods trigger my joint pain. Avoid them and I am pain free.
-------------------- Do unto others as you would have them do unto you. Remember Iam not a Doctor Just someone struggling like you with Tick Borne Diseases.
luvs2ride
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 8090
posted
Since July 5. If you search my name, you will see I ran a post that day about my great day I had.
Now that isn't to say, I never have some joint stiffness or pain. I do on occasion and I have seen a clear correlation between the pain the what I eat.
The pain is never great enough to make me limp, miss an activity or take any kind of pain killer. So I am talking really minor stuff.
All in all, my life is back to normal. I have a couple of bumped out joints in my right hand to remind me of what I have been through but so far no handicap.
As with Lyme, RA can relapse. So I'm not claiming cure.
Not enough doctors understand the effects of food on the body. Well people should learn how to eat to stay healthy and sick people absolutely must pay attention to their gut.
-------------------- 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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posted
I agree, prior to finding out I had Lyme I used a anti-inflammation diet to help control pain. It wasn't enough but I could sure tell a huge difference in joint pain and stiffness when I had any sugar or refined carbs.
I also did an elimination diet with my naturopath to try to find out if I had food issues causing any of my problems. Lyme was my underlying issue and the diet didn't help any more than cutting out sugar or refined carbs.
I also did some type of stool test with her and a million other tests, thankfully the Igenex was among them and I am now on my way to being well.
Even though I am only 9 months into Lyme treatment I am 3+ years sugar and processed/refined carb free.
Good things to think about.
-------------------- Lucy Posts: 342 | From Hawaii | Registered: Nov 2005
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luvs2ride
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 8090
posted
^
-------------------- 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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