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Lyme Disease
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Posted 12/30/2019 9:48 PM (GMT -5)
about 3 years ago I got a big bite on my right leg. My indoor/outdoor cat had been sleeping with me so I figured I got a bit by something that came off him. Two days after the bite I got very sick with a fever, migrating pain, muscle weakness, gi distress, and muscle twitching. I had no idea what was going on.

I live on the west coast and Lyme wasn’t even on my radar. I spent months going to doctors and specialists. I didn’t have MS, or autoimmune issues. My labs all looked normal. I was finally told I had anxiety and put on meds and told once I learned to deal with my stress I would get better. But I didn’t get better.

I knew something was wrong beyond anxiety. I came across Lyme symptoms and thought, “That sounds really similar to what I’m going through.” I’m not very outdoorsy but I live in the country and have a herd of about 30 deer that are in and out of my front yard. I have several cats that go both indoors and out. So it made sense that I could have been exposed to a tick bite even if I never saw a tick or had the tell tale bullseye rash.

I’m currently house bound and self treating. I’m several hours away from any Llmds, but I would eventually like to see one. I don’t dare go to any of the doctors around me, it’s just a waste of time. I’ve already told two doctors here my theory about having Lyme. One told me my symptoms don’t match a Lyme diagnosis and the other told me we have no Lyme here and even if he were to test me for it (which he wasn’t going to do) and the test came back positive, it would have been a false positive.

I’ve been using internet sources and this forum to come up with a protocol. I don’t seem to have Babesia, so I’ve just been focused on the Lyme/Bartonella/Viruses I might have. Right now I’m taking Samento, Houttuynia, Olive Leaf, Red Root, Monolaurin, Grapefruit Seed Extract, Garlic, L-lysine and different vitamins. I’m thinking of adding in Biocidin and Auntie - Vi Formula from Woodland Essence. I just wish there was a place I could type all theses herbs and supplements into and find if they’re ok to take together. I’d love to hear from anyone here if they have any recommendations for me, about anything. Any words of encouragement would be much appreciated too, this is a hard thing to fight alone.

Post Edited (PippiTea) : 12/30/2019 8:02:26 PM (GMT-7)

Posted 12/30/2019 9:57 PM (GMT -5)
On top of all that I also have an allergy to every antibiotic I’ve ever been on, so that route will never be an option for me.
Posted 12/30/2019 10:22 PM (GMT -5)
Do you herx on these? Experience any bad side effects, or a reduction in symptoms?
Posted 12/30/2019 10:38 PM (GMT -5)
I feel so awful that I can’t tell if I’m herxing or if it’s just my regular symptoms getting worse. Is there a clear way to tell which is which? I’ve taken one scoop of monolaurin for years without problem, I just upped it to 3 scoops with this new protocol. The rest is new to me and I’ve been doing for about two weeks and I feel no better. Since I’ve started my already sore left lymph node in my neck is huge and painful and there seems to be swelling under my tongue on that side. My eyes are red and painful, and my cheeks feel swollen. But all those things were already a problem, they just seem worse now. The one new weird thing I have is pain in my nail beds.
Posted 12/31/2019 12:51 AM (GMT -5)
PippiTea - Herxing should let up after awhile...with effective detoxing and sometimes backing off treatment for awhile is needed.
Posted 12/31/2019 1:03 AM (GMT -5)
Girlie if my increased symptoms let up after a while, then that’s confirmation that I’m herxing not getting worse? How long would you expect a herx to last?
Posted 12/31/2019 1:09 AM (GMT -5)

Sleepy4 said...
Girlie if my increased symptoms let up after a while, then that’s confirmation that I’m herxing not getting worse? How long would you expect a herx to last?

Generally, yes. A herx can last a short time ; ie a day or two...or a longer time...I've had herxes that slowly dissipated over 3 weeks. That's the longest for me.

...... if your body isn't eliminating the toxins...it's possible for a herx to take even longer to subside.

Focus on detoxing. Do you take warm epsom salt baths? That's my favorite detox.
Start off slowly - ie just a few minutes in the tub...and then increase time.

Are you drinking plenty of water?
Do you take probiotics for your gut health?

Can you do light exercise? walking....stretching...light weights?
Posted 12/31/2019 2:02 AM (GMT -5)
What would be an indicator of a herx vs a bad reaction to herbs or supplements? Allergic type symptoms?
Posted 12/31/2019 2:15 AM (GMT -5)
Pippi
One scoop jump to three is huge! Back off to the one and then up One more scoop or half scoop at a time
Read, research bartonella and what you can do to self treat,
Byron white has an ABart but I’m not sure if you can get it without a dr

Detox is crucial
For me CBD is very important
Hang in
VCL

Post Edited (Village Crazy Lady) : 12/31/2019 12:27:13 AM (GMT-7)

Posted 12/31/2019 3:20 AM (GMT -5)
Yeah, I always have this pedal to the metal mentality. If I’m doing ok on a little bit of something I figure I’ll go waaaay up and speed up the process. It’s not a great idea, I know. Nothing I’m doing is making me absolutely miserable and I’m only feeling a little worse than usual so maybe I can keep where I’m at with things? Unless herxing symptoms take a few weeks to kick in, I think I’m ok.
Posted 12/31/2019 3:23 AM (GMT -5)
Also I might be a bit of a non-absorber. So I’m not sure how much of the monolaurin I’m actually getting.
Posted 12/31/2019 7:47 AM (GMT -5)
I didn’t see Japanese knotweed in your list. It’s the best overall herb for Lyme and bartonella and can be taken for life.
Posted 12/31/2019 10:11 AM (GMT -5)

sandyfeet said...
I’m sorry to hear what you’re going through PippiTea.

If you’re planning to self treat using herbs I’d highly recommend getting a copy of Stephen Buhner’s Lyme and Bartonella books as he has detailed information on each herb and any specific things to consider or look out for. It’s also worthwhile to introduce each herb individually so that you can look for adverse reactions. I also keep detailed notes so that I can go back and uncover trends that might not have been obvious at the time.

It can take several months, following an herbal protocol, before you start to see definite improvements.

Best wishes for healing.

Thank you for the kind words. I’ve got a couple Buhner books, they're what inspired me to give it a go on my own. I just have to remind myself to take this thing one day at a time. I’ve been suffering for so long and now that I’ve gotten serious about treating I’m gung-ho to take as much as I can as fast as I can. And I know that way of thinking is a recipe for trouble. I’ve got to just work toward little improvements. It’s helpful to have this forum for any of the bumps along the way I’ll encounter and to be reminded this isn’t a race to the finish.

Post Edited (PippiTea) : 12/31/2019 8:23:07 AM (GMT-7)

Posted 12/31/2019 10:16 AM (GMT -5)
I have Japanese Knotweed but I had read on here some people had issues with it, so I've been hesitant to use it. I believe someone once reported that it caused them to have issues with swallowing and others said that it could mess up your sense of taste? I know that everyone reacts differently to different things, but for some reason the accounts I read really gave me pause.
Posted 12/31/2019 1:29 PM (GMT -5)
Well I think I did it, I think I threw myself into a herx. I’m having the worst panic attack. My skin feels like it’s crawling and I’m really tired but jittery and anxious at the same time. Increased pain I can cope with, but Holy Hannah, this is beyond awful. I’m an idiot for pushing forward so fast and I have no one to blame for this but myself.
Posted 12/31/2019 2:03 PM (GMT -5)
the garlic needs to be allimed or zhang quality and consumed til the oder permeates your skin....for a baseline herx try andrographis ticture or decoction.
there is a happy medium of treatment where pathogens are not digging deeper and mic levels of "killers" are high enough in bloodstream
Posted 12/31/2019 5:28 PM (GMT -5)

PippiTea said...
I have Japanese Knotweed but I had read on here some people had issues with it, so I've been hesitant to use it. I believe someone once reported that it caused them to have issues with swallowing and others said that it could mess up your sense of taste? I know that everyone reacts differently to different things, but for some reason the accounts I read really gave me pause.

I take Japanese Knotweed and have not had any problems with it. I've been doing Buhner's protocol for 5 months and have been feeling better, though I definitely have ups and downs.
Posted 12/31/2019 6:11 PM (GMT -5)
This is just an option since you don’t have much to lose doing this. I bought Zhangs book ...$19. I contacted them via their website. They told me to fill out a form and then set up a free phone consultation. I think his herbs can be pricey. I’ll update the thread if I decide to give it a try. If anything it’s a free consultation... well $19 for the book. It’s a different approach so I’m not even sure if I’m going to do it yet. Cost and what he says will determine what I do.

Also Cowden is about $350 a month do it yourself through nutramedix. I’m contemplating that one too. I do respond to banderol and cats claw (aka samento) which are a big of his protocol.

Marty Ross has his protocol outlined on his site. He appears to use Cowden and Buhners protocols with modifications. I started using that at first and I did respond slowly. He also has phone consultations but can’t prescribe his the phone. I think it’s $550. His practice is outside Seattle. He was under review for treating Lyme patients but they didn’t find anything wrong so he’s able to practice again in Seattle area.

Buhners website has old questions and answers too. I think he mentions green Dragon Botanicals’s and woodlands . I tried the combo pills and I had a reaction. I do recommend doing one at a time like one person said for reactions.

It’s kind of a trial and error game. Unfortunately. 🤪 hope this helped! Happy New Years! 🎆
Posted 12/31/2019 7:37 PM (GMT -5)

PippiTea said...
I have Japanese Knotweed but I had read on here some people had issues with it, so I've been hesitant to use it. I believe someone once reported that it caused them to have issues with swallowing and others said that it could mess up your sense of taste? I know that everyone reacts differently to different things, but for some reason the accounts I read really gave me pause.

Don’t worry about. I seriously doubt those things will happen. Do start low and slow, though. Even though Buhner talks about its anti inflammatory properties, it still causes herxes for some people starting out. It’s the most important herb, IMO. It made me herx with joint stiffness, but also helped that symptom over time as I kept with it, slowly increasing.

Chinese skullcap is indispensable for someone who herxes easily. I can’t get enough of that stuff.
Posted 12/31/2019 7:47 PM (GMT -5)
Walking, what did Chinese skullcap do for ya? Every time I start taking it I get dizzy for a couple days, but never sure if it’s doing anything after that. Curious what you experienced
Posted 12/31/2019 9:49 PM (GMT -5)
dcd,

Here’s where I posted about it.

https://www.healingwell.com/community/default.aspx?f=30&m=4052382

If it makes you dizzy, that sounds like a bad reaction, though I am not sure why. I wouldn’t keep trying it if it made me dizzy. Could be an allergic reaction of some sort.

Post Edited (WalkingbyFaith) : 12/31/2019 8:00:23 PM (GMT-7)

Posted 12/31/2019 10:33 PM (GMT -5)

F*Lyme said...
This is just an option since you don’t have much to lose doing this. I bought Zhangs book ...$19. I contacted them via their website. They told me to fill out a form and then set up a free phone consultation. I think his herbs can be pricey. I’ll update the thread if I decide to give it a try. If anything it’s a free consultation... well $19 for the book. It’s a different approach so I’m not even sure if I’m going to do it yet. Cost and what he says will determine what I do.

Also Cowden is about $350 a month do it yourself through nutramedix. I’m contemplating that one too. I do respond to banderol and cats claw (aka samento) which are a big of his protocol.

Marty Ross has his protocol outlined on his site. He appears to use Cowden and Buhners protocols with modifications. I started using that at first and I did respond slowly. He also has phone consultations but can’t prescribe his the phone. I think it’s $550. His practice is outside Seattle. He was under review for treating Lyme patients but they didn’t find anything wrong so he’s able to practice again in Seattle area.

Buhners website has old questions and answers too. I think he mentions green Dragon Botanicals’s and woodlands . I tried the combo pills and I had a reaction. I do recommend doing one at a time like one person said for reactions.

It’s kind of a trial and error game. Unfortunately. 🤪 hope this helped! Happy New Years! 🎆

Happy New Years to you as well! Marty Ross’ website is what I’m mainly going off of. I’ll definitely look into Zhang - a $19 book and free consultation is about as good as anyone could hope for. How did you feel about the phone consult? What kinds of things did you go over?
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