Hi Carla,
Welcome to our community! I'm so very glad that you have found us! I'm from Arkansas as well! I've been here for 20 years now and adore it!
The one doctor that says they treat these infections, I refused to go to. After researching them, I honestly didn't feel that they were qualified. Maybe that's changed by now, but I have my doubts.
With the introduction that I got from CD (
), I feel like I should know more than I do! LOL! But I did survive not only being infected for over 40 years, and heal well, but also got reinfected, so I'm back in treatment again. Not fun, but at least it's not new to me any more!
I had every single symptom on the Lyme Disease Master Symptom List (in the New to Lyme? thread) except the major heart issues and 'male only' issues, plus most of the recorded symptoms of Bartonella, Babesia and others. I'm also an abx (antibiotic) failure, so I had no choice but to use herbs/alternative medicine before it was even an accepted things! I was actually only the second person on this board at that time to try using something other than abx to heal.
I too would encourage you to look into Buhner's protocol. This will give you an idea of what to expect, but if you should decide to use his protocols, I would greatly encourage you to purchase his books. Not only are they not very expensive, but they are updated and packed with information that is easy to read and understand.
Buhner's protocols have healed a great many people and Buhner states a 90% (I think) success rating if his protocols are followed closely. I did use something else the first time around, and I'm using what I know works for me this time as well, but this time I need a Babesia protocol, so I'll be using Buhner's Babesia protocol this time.
With the experience that I had personally, and what I've watched others go through, here is what I believe needs to happen for many of us to heal:
a)Detoxing - gene mutations, mold exposure and multiple tick-borne infections can all prevent us from detoxing well, but we must be able to get those toxins out of our bodies. I have not had any of the gene mutation testing done, although I do seem to have the same kind of issues as those that do - so I figured it was best for me to assume that I did and work to get my body to detox much better. It took a lot of diet changes as things with my body changed, I used a foot soak daily, dry skin brushing, making sure my bowels moved at least once a day (sorry if it's TMI!) pushing myself to drink at least 64 ounces of lemon water each and every day, liver/gall bladder flushes (all natural), oil pulling, taking activated charcoal and keeping the amount of stress in my life at a bare minimum. You can find some really good detoxing suggestions in the "New to Lyme?" thread that sits at the top of the forum:
www.healingwell.com/community/default.aspx?f=30&m=1606610And this is another good list of possible detoxing routines:
www.tiredoflyme.com/detox-methods.htmlb)Supporting the body functions/systems. We have to have the body working at it's peak performance to heal from something as devastating as these infections. Supporting any gland, organ, body system that is struggling will allow the body to switch it's 'concentration' from just trying to function over to healing.
c) Raise the immune function. Many legitimate Lyme researchers now believe that it's the lowered immune function that determines who gets chronic Lyme and who heals right away. We already know that Lyme lowers the immune function and when a person has Bartonella and/or Babesia, the immune function is further compromised, so to heal we must raise our immune function.
d) Lastly, oddly enough, are anti-infective treatments. Many of us have experienced treatment failures or set backs, so we can see that the treatments aren't the only thing we need to have - there has to be more to the equation, but anti-infective treatments are very important!! Lyme bacteria are one of the most complicated bacteria! Although it takes only hours or days for most bacteria to replicate, Lyme bacteria only replicates in the body every few weeks.
The learning curve is incredibly steep with these infections, but you are far from alone!!! Not only do you have this whole forum full of people that can be of help, you can feel free to email me any time and I'll do what I can to be of help as well. You are NOT alone in this! We are here to help you get through this.