Can this be the missing link to healing from Lyme?

I have a strong suspicion that the reason that many of us don’t get better or continue to have issues after being under treatment for long periods of time has to do with us having a deficiency in our endocrine system.

You see, I have been infected for almost two years now and on antibiotics for 8 months. Some symptoms have gotten better while others persist. My LLMD and I have tried many different medications, and although they have helped, there are these symptoms that just won’t go away, no matter what we throw at them.

Then recently, some people on this forum have posted about adrenal fatigue and thyroid issues. I had seen some earlier posts on the subject and did not pay attention to them because my blood work had come back “normal” so I had crossed this out of my list. However, some references were made to some specific symptoms that matched my symptoms and those of others here with similar issues where they are not getting healthier, even when under treatment. So, I decided to research this further.

Oh my Lord! Did I get the shock of my life! Every single symptom that I have that persists can be caused by a deficiency in the endocrine system. I started to research this further and ordered some reading material on the subject. The more I read about it, the more I find out that this is my problem. Remember how you felt when you finally found out that your symptoms were because of Lyme and not because of whatever the doctors were telling you? Well, this is how I felt when I learned that my symptoms are because of the adrenals or thyroid not working properly.

I am in the middle of reading a book on the matter, and as I read, I am finding descriptions of issues that I, or people on this board have written about to request help. I almost want to go back to each post and say “Hey!, I just found out what may be wrong with you!”.

So the more I read, the more I am convinced that we can’t beat Lyme or its co-infections until we address this issue. The hormones in our body and the endocrine system play a very critical part in our immune system. If the endocrine system doesn’t work properly, our immune system doesn’t function properly and will not be in shape to kill the bacteria or other infections, no matter how many herbs or antibiotics we throw at it.

I went back to earlier posts by some people on this board that have healed from Lyme and found references in their earlier posts to them treating the endocrine system as they treated their Tick Born Infections (TBI). While looking up and reading earlier posts, I began counting the posts that mentioned symptoms that can be attributed to a deficiency in the endo system. And I was stunned by the high number of people who are afflicted by this.

I have theorized that sometime during the infection, the endo system gets impacted by a TBI and this gives the TBI an advantage, gets stronger, and we feel worse. I also think that this is the difference between those people who get better with a short course of antibiotics and those who continue to be sick. I think that if the infection is controlled before it impacts the endo system, that a person has a much higher chance to get better than if the Endo system has been impacted. I have read that after six months, Lyme is considered Chronic Lyme and it is harder to kill. Can it be that this is when Endo system gets impacted?

I have also read from people on this and other boards that after some time of being under treatment, you can get to feel 70% better. The last 30% seems to be the hardest to control. I think that when you get to that point, the bacteria is well under control and the endo system is just beginning to heal. This may be why it takes so long to feel 100%. I wonder if this period can be shortened if the endo system is supplemented to help it heal faster or it is treated along with the infection.

Well, as you can see, most of the above is just my opinion on the research that I have done. But, I really think that this is the link that I was missing in the road to recovery and wonder if you too are missing this link to getting healthier. If doesn’t hurt to look into it and see if you come to the same conclusion. You have very little to lose and a lot to gain.

My LLMD told me that I have a thyroid problem because of some previous environmental toxin exposure. I was not sure what to think of it until I started my extreme detox and that is when I got a breakthrough. I am also being tested for every endocrine disruptor under heaven so we will see what shows up!

My dr thinks my lyme caused my hashinotos, which a lot of you in sure know is auto immune. I was diagnosed at age 9 which was when I started with facial numbness, palpating heart rate, burning red ears and electrical sensations in my head with an impending sense of doom. I would think that when I got home from school my house would be gone, really weird thought processes and intrusive thoughts that came on suddenly. Since I was about 17 or 18 I've been telling drs I dint think it's any coincidence that I had all these symptoms and hashinotos dx the same year. Also I told my mom I was too tired and my knees hurt too much to walk up stairs, I'd have to skip ballet and gymnastics and my mom though I was lazy. I was a skinny sickly thing too off and on. Your ednocrine system regulates EVERYTHING in your body so clearly if it's suffering so will everything else, you are right healing! You seem to be very proactive and helpful, thank you for sharing!

EXCUSE MY SPELLING AND TYPOS, I have a hard time typing due to joint pain and I used to be a grammatical genius... Okay that's an exaggeration but I'm affected. ;)

Post Edited (Maine76) : 2/15/2014 7:31:15 PM (GMT-7)

I agree 100% that the adrenals are very important in our healing. I knew I had adrenal fatigue via testing and thought THAT was what was causing all my issues. It wasn't until I realized it was Lyme/co that I started to also put two and two together.

I've been told and also read that a highly nutritional (organic foods due to higher nutriton and no gmo or toxic chemicals, no sugars, carbs, processed foods) diet will be, no MUST be a very intregal part of healing from the Lyme. It's a lot of work, commitment, and expense but it will be highly beneficial in the long run.

My LLND has me taking Adrenal Complex 1 at 3x daily. This contains (licorice root; rehmannia rhizome). It will be interesting to see what changes in my body and the supplements will be as I continue on my path.

Thanks for writing about this and bringing it to our attention.

Lymebabe-I'd be interested to know what your extreme detox is as well! :)

Another point in regards to the Adrenals... many of us deal with sleep issues, unable to get to, or stay asleep. The sad thing is about the Adrenals is that sleep is essential in healing to strengthen and heal the Adrenals.

The adrenals get replenished while we sleep. Doesn't that just make perfect sense?
Since many of us deal with insomnia no wonder our adrenals have taken such a beating, along with the stress, another adrenal drain.

If one is able to get a few extra hours of sleep in the morning, or take a nap during the day, please do yourself a favor and do it.

Hi there I hope all is well Healing98! I actually did a saliva test last year to test my adrenal function, gluten sensitivity cortisol levels etc. the results were alarming but the good news is that it's reversible. I don't have an adrenal fatigue but I do have a high cortisol level from morning until night! so with proper supplements and some of the work I've been doing on my body we're safely bringing it back down. I'm due for another test soon I'm praying that my levels are close to normal by now. but yes it is hard when your adrenal system and everything else is not functioning right. I'm glad you found that research in the book you're reading.