.

If it was really the caffeine, I would suggest that you have his adrenals tested first - if you haven't lately, that is. Caffeine works on the adrenals and "boosts" them. I have serious adrenal issues, and caffeine is VERY helpful, but, in order to heal them, I can't have caffeine as it pushes them into overdrive all the time.

The other possibility that comes to mind is the sugar (unless you've seen him consume sugar without the caffeine and not seen this response). The sugar gives us energy - granted, we usually crash afterwards, but if he has a fungal/yeast issues that are overwhelming his system, it would 'feed' the yeast/fungal issue, and 'relieve' his symptoms of die off for a bit.

Those are the only two things I can come up with as possible explanations this morning. LOL! I need some caffeine!! Ha ha ha!

I know this sounds strange and counter-intuitive, but I have found that caffeine unsweetened tea can bring my anxiety down. I don't drink it very often, but I accidentally made that discovery. I have no idea why.

Sissy63 said...
I know this sounds strange and counter-intuitive, but I have found that caffeine unsweetened tea can bring my anxiety down. I don't drink it very often, but I accidentally made that discovery. I have no idea why.

When I was married to my first husband, he had a younger brother that was diagnosed as clinically hyperactive. He was around 8 when I first met him. Rather than giving him the pharma drugs to help with this, they allowed him to drink coffee - and let me tell you, there was a MAJOR difference in how well he could "control" himself with and without the coffee. He explained to me a couple of years later, that it works opposite on him than it does on most people, that it actually helped him stay calm.

Traveler said...

Sissy63 said...
I know this sounds strange and counter-intuitive, but I have found that caffeine unsweetened tea can bring my anxiety down. I don't drink it very often, but I accidentally made that discovery. I have no idea why.

When I was married to my first husband, he had a younger brother that was diagnosed as clinically hyperactive. He was around 8 when I first met him. Rather than giving him the pharma drugs to help with this, they allowed him to drink coffee - and let me tell you, there was a MAJOR difference in how well he could "control" himself with and without the coffee. He explained to me a couple of years later, that it works opposite on him than it does on most people, that it actually helped him stay calm.

I guess that is why it is hard to treat a chronic illness like Lyme because we all respond so different with drugs and supplements.

Before I was diagnosed, I was being treated for a yeast overgrowth and my reaction was over the top with symptoms. The main one was anxiety. I assume while treating the yeast, it was also attacking the Lyme disease and was just too much for my body.

 

 

 

Traveler said...
Yes, Sissy, that has a lot to do with why Lyme is hard to treat, and because not enough research has been done on effective treatments. Most doctors will usually stick with what works for those in their area, since there are different strains of bacteria in different areas of the world/country.

The other possibility, and from what I understand the more likely possibility, is that candida will produce many of the same symptoms as Lyme when you herx. Yeast infections are treated with anti-yeast products, not abx that will attack any of the bacterial infection a person may have.

 

I was on grapefruit seed extract and high amounts of probiotics for the yeast. I can't remember if I was on anything else that was specific for that. It was not pretty. I am slowly increasing my probiotics.

Traveler said...
And you believe you've conquered your yeast overgrowth? That's wonderful. We have a member, Pirouette, that had a severe yeast/fungal issue that had to be tamed before she could move on with treatment for her tick-borne infections. She's created a really great post that is at the bottom of page 2 of the "new to Lyme?" thread with the information that she had to learn/figure out in order to heal from her yeast/fungal issues.

 

I don't know if the yeast overgrowth is completely eliminated. We moved on to treating the Lyme. I definitely don't have the oral thrush like I had, so hopefully it is under control. I assume there is an overlap in treating Lyme and yeast. I have no idea why I would have a yeast issue unless it has something to do with the Lyme.

1000Daisies said...
I definitely believe it was the caffeine. He has had sugar before, and he does not react to sugar like that. Like regular, non caffeine root beer. I definitely suspect the caffeine. I will test this out over the next few weeks. And I will follow up with the NP on the adrenals at the next visit.

But if caffeine allows him to smile and able to go to school, I certainly would give it to him as band aid until we can figure this out long term. But it goes against my thinking and reading, for sure!

PS I can drink a can of caffeine soda and go right to sleep afterwards, so it clearly does not affect me the same!

 

How difficult it must be to have three ill children. My heart breaks for the children who have to go through this.

Not-there-yet said...

Sissy63 said...
I know this sounds strange and counter-intuitive, but I have found that caffeine unsweetened tea can bring my anxiety down. I don't drink it very often, but I accidentally made that discovery. I have no idea why.

Sissy, you're a textbook example of somebody who has AHCY polymorphisms. Result of that polymorphisam is sometimes high adenosine which will dampen the central nervous system and you will get anxiety. Caffeine will block adenosine receptors thus lowering anxiety. You probably can't eat high protein meals and anything with sulphor as it will worsen the condition.

This is a good, well researched read that should be a great starting point for you.

https://ihateticks.me/2014/10/28/the-ahcy-polymorphisms/

I just had a high protein lunch and now I am shaking. Would that be possible?

 

Sissy63 said...

Before I was diagnosed, I was being treated for a yeast overgrowth and my reaction was over the top with symptoms. The main one was anxiety. I assume while treating the yeast, it was also attacking the Lyme disease and was just too much for my body.

Since you were treating for yeast you were probably on high protein diet which was probably causing the sympotoms.

Wow, very interesting post. Because I too feel better after coffee. I don't drink it often so I can tell it's the caffeine.