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10 days into possible infection - round rash, arm and leg symptoms

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Posted 5/30/2015 3:41 PM (GMT -5)
Think about this - if they are pushing you to do their protocol, it's wrong. I healed too, yet I have not ever pushed the protocol that I used on anyone -ever. Never will either.

Anyone that is making broad statements like that about other protocols is obviously wrong - "only my protocol works"????? No one treatment works for everyone.

And if it's who I think it is, I would never suggest anyone follow someone like that. If they can't follow rules and behave well enough to be allowed on this - and many other forums - I wouldn't follow them into the woods, much less follow them for my own healing.

Maybe you should be asking WHY they were banned and from how many forums???

No, so far so good with the astragalus and energy levels. I buy my herbs in bulk and fill my own capsules, so I'm not sure brand to actually recommend.
Posted 5/30/2015 3:44 PM (GMT -5)
I see, thank you - I appreciate your perspective. I'm a little worried that it says on buhlers site not to take astragalus if you have chronic Lyme - how could I know if I was exposed at some point....it's possible.

Will I get some severe reaction if I already had Lyme before I was bit? I'm going to a store right away...
Posted 5/30/2015 4:41 PM (GMT -5)
Some people with chronic Lyme actually feel better while using astragalus, according to Buhner:
buhnerhealinglyme.com/herbs/feel-better-on-astragalus-with-chronic-lyme/

Astragalus' use is much better explained in this post though:
buhnerhealinglyme.com/herbs/astragalus-contraindicated/

Just be sure to start off on a very low dose (500 mgs/day) and stay on that dose for several days. If you still feel okay, raise it up to 1,000 mgs a day for several days.

If you still feel okay, raise it again and wait. Keep doing this until you either start to feel worse, or you reach 3,000 mgs a day (divided into 3 doses each day) and hold at that dose.

Buhner says here: buhnerhealinglyme.com/the-protocols/
"For new tick bites, Stephen typically recommends taking astragalus – 3,000 mg daily for 30 days, 1,000 mg daily thereafter, indefinitely."

If you find you are still having symptoms or wish to just add this in, Buhner says: "You can start with astragalus (3,000 mg daily), knotweed, and cat’s claw."
buhnerhealinglyme.com/herbs/herb-protocol-for-early-lyme/

There are many ways to heal from these infections, as we all need something at least slightly different due to the fact that we all have a unique body with unique issues.

Please let me know if I can be of any further help.
Posted 5/30/2015 5:38 PM (GMT -5)
Thank you kindly traveler - I really appreciate it.

My ND called, he said that we need to push the antibiotic route as far as it will go. He says it's the only proven way to kill the bugs. He's going to send a letter to my doctor re the latest research, and he thinks she'll change her mind about the dosage and term. I don't. I was thinking though, that if I tell them honestly that I'm reacting they'll give me another drug and I can then use them both - for a longer term. Sneaky, but if necessary I should do it.

Then he said that maybe if I really react then I can get iv therapy - at 100-200$ each - 10 of them (of what he didn't say). He told me to strengthen my liver with milk thistle to help the antibiotic not accumulate too much in my system, seeing I have a sluggish liver. He thinks that's why I'm so sensitive skin wise.

I don't think he's entirely wrong. I just hope I can deal with this med. Unfortunately it's summer and we have 2 short months of it here, and I'm supposed to stay out of the sun. My garden is my joy. I will have to come up with a better way to garden while staying protected.

I will definitely do some more research on astragalus in the meantime. And, I think fish doxy might be in my future..... :(
Posted 5/30/2015 6:37 PM (GMT -5)
I don't agree at all with that statement, abx are not the only proven way to kill the bugs. It may be that it's the only way he recognizes, but that's different. I wouldn't be here if the herbs didn't work, and I know of many others that the herbs or natural protocols worked very well for and they are out living their lives now.

It's your choice, not his. If you choose to do the abx, that's fine, but know that the herbs work sometimes better than abx - and what's more, those on abx combined with herbal protocols do better than those on abx alone.

Proceed carefully and thoughtfully. Know that we are here to help you.
Posted 5/30/2015 6:47 PM (GMT -5)
Oy..... Ok thank you. Couldn't just get a normal bug.

I was looking at my schedule - we went birding, and I picked up some wild plants for the house. They sat in the car, and a tick probably came off of one and bit me. I did this.

How do you not condemn yourself daily over this. I had to get those plants?! No, I had to go photograph birds in the wild? No. That bug had to be there when I was there? It's so easy to go there...
Posted 5/30/2015 6:55 PM (GMT -5)
But we can't go there. Many different bugs that can pass these infections to us - mosquitoes, ticks, horse flies, deer flies, sand flies, ants, spiders and more. We can't beat ourselves up every time we get bit by something!! It's their nature to bite and draw blood is all - and we happen to have the blood they are looking for.

I seriously doubt that you did anything intentionally to make yourself more attractive to those insects!!! What happened, happened. It's like getting into a car accident that you had absolutely no fault in - would you continue to blame yourself for having gotten into the car that day, or would you do your best to get past the bad part of what happened so you can carry on with your life?

Know that you didn't do anything wrong. None of us did.
Posted 5/30/2015 7:59 PM (GMT -5)
Well, then I can certainly wallow in my bad luck... Lol

After a lifetime of health problems this is the last thing I need. I've been sick for 20 years and I'm only 39.
Posted 5/30/2015 8:15 PM (GMT -5)
I can certainly understand and sympathize. I know I was infected with RMSF at age 7, chronic Bartonella at age 8, late stage Lyme arthritis by age 9. I didn't get effective treatment until age 47. That was three years ago, and since then I've been diagnosed with severe adrenal fatigue, hypothyroidism and then got reinfected with Lyme last summer. I'm healed from Lyme again, and in treatment for the adrenal and thyroid issues though.

I'm tired of beg sick and of being in treatment, but the life I'm after is worth it, so I continue. I had one year where I felt really great, so my expectations are small and realistic. Think of what you have to gain by finding how to heal your body more, and think of that when you feel down.

We're in this together, we might as well help each other when we can. :-)
Posted 5/31/2015 12:05 AM (GMT -5)
Wow, that's a lot... I'm sorry that has been your experience. That's worse than me... I feel for you. Thank you for your help.
Posted 5/31/2015 8:31 AM (GMT -5)
I didn't say that for sympathy, I promise. Only to let you know that you are not alone in your feelings. Life can get rough with these infections and it's usually the worst thing we have ever experienced - that's why we need each other in my eyes. It's something that can't be adequately described to someone that has never had these symptoms to the severity we have them.

Besides, if after all of that I managed to find a way to heal, it should give you hope that you can too!! yeah
Posted 5/31/2015 11:07 AM (GMT -5)
It does. I just wish my ND was more supportive of the natural route. He talked to "Lyme colleague of his" who spoke at some Lyme conference recently for an 1.5 hr, and all the speakers were experts in their field. What fields I don't know. If any of the docs that make the protocols were there I don't know. It could've just been medical doctors. But he is aware that 28 days is recommended for Doxy for Lyme - so the conference must have had some latest research - though many tell me 2-3 months is needed.

I want to buy the astragalus. If for nothing else than to support my system fighting back. He said the reason natural protocols don't work to kill the Lyme is because they just aren't strong enough. All they can do is suppress, or make them hide and wait - which contributes to chronic Lyme coming back time and again. He said that's why people keep getting symptoms.

I think he just wants me to nit have to deal with this disease, and he's trying to help me - he's very kind, and knowledgeable.

Last night was total hell - almost went to er. Turns out I've been taking multi Vit with vit a in it - with which there can be a dangerous reaction to Doxy - the head pressure. I won't be taking it anymore, but I hope I didn't hurt myself - I thought my head would explode. It's a very high quality multi so now I won't get a lot of things I need to stay well through this, including my b vitamins. Guess I can buy them separately.
Posted 5/31/2015 11:22 AM (GMT -5)
Mtmand - I'm just coming back to post about what you previously reported:

"my entire leg fell asleep and then blood came rushing back in very slowly. My arms are also very weak, and hands are tingling. Other than that I have had no fever or chills, but have had some headaches (but I have migraines anyways)."

Have those symptoms subsided entirely? Have any new ones developed?

Those symptoms plus the rash you had would warrant: treat until symptoms resolve plus one month - minimum 6 weeks treatment.

the 28 days is for a rash - without any symptoms. I wouldn't want you to under-treat this.
Posted 5/31/2015 12:25 PM (GMT -5)
Well, it's hard to say what caused what. My hands were tingling before I started the antibiotics, and before the bite. It's a symptom of hypothyroidism. I haven't had any falling asleep of limbs since the last time - but that has happened to me before as well - just not so close together.

I have new symptoms but for all I know it's the Doxy - most of them are on the side effects list too - because that makes it fun to know what's going on. Not.

I have head pressure, sore and fat tongue, weak arm - feels like carpal tunnel, chest pressure on left side (had that before too - might have an ulcer), dizziness, nausea, spine and neck aches and tingling. I believe most of these are either Doxy, or I've had before - but it may be some Lyme too. I guess for the rest of my life I'll be asking myself what is causing what. The spine thing is new, but I know Doxy causes increased pressure in your head - maybe it's related....

Remember I'm only taking 200mg per day - not the 400mg that's recommended until I get more Doxy from doc - might not happen though.
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