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Herx reaction to Cholestyramine and Cat's Claw means lyme?

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Posted 4/29/2014 11:49 AM (GMT -5)
Recently, I've been trying toxin binders because of suspected mold illness. However, I've been having really bad herxes with the binders. The worst herx was with cholestyramine, then charcoal, then bentonite. I'm presuming they're herxes, anyway as within 10-15 minutes I accumulate a worsening of neuro symptoms, a deep chill, confusion etc.

Sometimes I feel better after a meal. Sometimes I feel like garbage for the rest of the day.

Yesterday, I decided to try Cat's Claw, which is Buhner's lyme protocol, to see what would happen. I had a herx reaction that was very similar to my old yeast herxes (I currently, since I left my old moldy apartment, can't produce any yeast die-off to speak of with any kind of antifungal). I even passed out for a couple hours. This sleepiness has not been a part of my toxin binder reactions, only the cat's claw.

Like I said, I was working under the assumption that I had a mold illness, however, am I correct in understanding that these herx reactions indicate lyme? If anyone could shed some light on this, I would appreciate it a lot.

Shoemaker suggests 4 doses of 9 grams of cholestyramine to get the toxins out, but it looks like I will only be able to handle maybe 1 gram (at the most) once per day for the time being (I also think I have to rotate it with other binders--diatomaceous earth, charcoal, bentonite, apple pectin as I build up immune reactions to everything so quickly). Will I even be making a dent at this dosage?
Posted 4/29/2014 3:12 PM (GMT -5)
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Posted 4/29/2014 3:12 PM (GMT -5)
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Posted 4/29/2014 8:35 PM (GMT -5)
I don't know if I can offer any help at all... but here is something to put into context for what it's worth since no one else has responded:

I may/may not have reacted to mold exposure or may/may not be having problems detoxing it... or my symptoms are all lyme-related. But I've been having these nasty stomach/upper GI cramping episodes (8 hrs or more) that have ended in projectile vomiting that makes me nearly pass out and other stuff. Dr & I cannot tie these episodes to anything.

Due to other GI issues and generally not feeling better after being on antivirals and antifungals for 6 wks, Dr changed my binder from charcoal to cholestyramine. Immediately after the first dose of cholestyramine, my cramping came back and never left - continued through the 2nd day after the 2nd dose (if you've ever experienced food poisoning you'll understand what these cramps feel like). I had to stop taking it.

Let's say I do have mold issues in my GI that aren't being addressed by anything else I'm taking - does that mean the cholestyramine was effective in trying to eliminate/detox it?

I switched to bentonite and had some much more mild cramping... so I'll stick with it.

I've always understood that in general, you should be experiencing some reaction - although not severely - to whatever you're taking (unless they're an organ support, say turmeric for liver detox) or the effect is benign.

-p
Posted 4/29/2014 8:50 PM (GMT -5)
Sorry -
Also meant to add (in response to your question about mold vs lyme reaction) that I vaguely remember reading somewhere - could have been Shoemaker's site but my memory sucks now - that symptoms for both mold and lyme can be very similar and it's recommended that mold be treated first or lyme treatment won't have much impact. I deduced from that, that in order to understand the source (mold vs. lyme) you have to assume it's mold first.

-p
Posted 4/30/2014 1:02 PM (GMT -5)

Pirouette said...
Sorry -
Also meant to add (in response to your question about mold vs lyme reaction) that I vaguely remember reading somewhere - could have been Shoemaker's site but my memory sucks now - that symptoms for both mold and lyme can be very similar and it's recommended that mold be treated first or lyme treatment won't have much impact. I deduced from that, that in order to understand the source (mold vs. lyme) you have to assume it's mold first.

-p

I think I agree. I became sick in a moldy apartment. When I left my symptoms changed substantially. Some went away and I gained a whole set of new ones. But there's no reason, I don't think, to treat both at the same time. And from what I understand from Shoemaker, is you need to bind the lyme toxins anyway to get better.
Posted 4/30/2014 1:02 PM (GMT -5)
Does anyone know if cat's claw is likely to cause significant die-off to anything that isn't lyme related?
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