Is it the beginning of the end for me?

I hope so! ;)

Those who know my story are aware of the fact that it's been a challenge for me to rid myself of some lingering neuro symptoms. Bryan Rosner's words about the last 10% of healing taking longer than the first 90% have rung true for me.

My improvements have been slower than slow to come after following Buhner's full Lyme, Babesia and Bartonella protocols for a year now (admittedly, it took until December to get up to full doses of the Babesia and Bartonella protocols - even then, we're still talking 8 months)

I finally consulted with one of Buhner's recommended herbalists last week - Tim Scott, fellow Lymie healed by Buhner's protocols and owner of Green Dragon Botanicals.

Tim believes that the herbs/doses I've been taking have been keeping my infections in-check and I need to hit the remaining infection hard and fast.

He recommended me stopping most of the herbs I'd been taking....and upping the doses of several herbs while taking them 4x daily rather than 3x daily as I had been.

Tim also recommended that I switch to powder form (vs. tinctures) because he believes powder provides for more "continuous coverage".

Ironically, in his new Lyme book, Buhner states that his preference is powder form of Japanese Knotweed. I somehow missed this - most likely because he recommends JK tincture in his Bartonella protocol.

I also note that Buhner recommends dosing up to 6x daily for certain herbs and I clearly forgot about that nor appreciated the implications.

Tim also recommended that I increase my daily intake of animal protein and gelatin with the reminder that Lyme feeds on collagen.

As I wait for the arrival of Tim's dosing recommendations in the mail, I opted to up the doses of the various herbs I'll be taking and dose 4x daily.

You have to know I'm consuming more animal protein and gelatin on a daily basis now ;)

Yes, I herxed with full facial numbness when I first started but that was the only symptom! I cannot believe it but, I've already experienced improvements!!!

It's been only 5 days but I've had just a few instances of numbness in the left corner of my mouth (vs on and off throughout the day).

Urinary urgency already seems to be a thing of the past.

The transient buzzing I'd get in my left knee hasn't happened every day and the "internal twitches" I'd get in my lower legs have calmed down a LOT.

Yes, I'll get a light twitch here.....or maybe there. We're talking 1-2 times per day tops.

For the time being, I plan on continuing with my tinctures because I made them....it took a lot of brain power for me to figure out how to make the various "recipes" (you know, 1:5 50%, etc.) My heart and soul went into making those tinctures and I want them to bring me to full healing.

I ordered Japanese Knotweed powder from 1st Chinese Herbs and will integrate it once it arrives.

Still, to experience soooo many improvements so quickly is absolutely thrilling for me ;)

Maybe I'll be fully healed by Christmas - one can only hope :)

I obviously had to share :)

CD...that is great news! I am so glad you shared this. I feel more determined then ever to "stick with the plan" which is to do what it takes to get well!

Thanks, Trav, Denikeef and PeteZa!!!

And, thanks to PeteZa for the link to another brand of gelatin! It's actually less expensive than what I've been paying for Great Lakes - I might just switch when I need more ;)

In addition to the 2 tbsp gelatin I'd been putting in my daily lunchtime smoothie since I first switched to Buhner's protocols, I now put 2 tbsp in my AM oatmeal and the same amount in my afternoon guacamole ;)

Another thanks for the reminder about whey protein - it's also been a part of my daily lunchtime smoothies (since 2011 ;) Naked Whey is the brand in my house as well ;)

Yay, CD! You're almost there....good for you!

Also, how are you fitting in 4th dose? Right now I do breakfast/lunch/dinner, so are you adding at bedtime?

That's great! I know you are thrilled and I am thrilled for you. Wow...almost there.

Thanks, Krimpet and blueberry muffin!

I was a bit nervous to make all the changes I did - especially since I ditched some detoxing herbs and supplements.

The fact that I had such mild herxing as well as improvements so quickly makes me hopeful.

I'm sure the fact that my thyroid is FINALLY stable again is helping with the healing process. My thyroid went really wonky starting in November - my doctor couldn't increase my doses fast enough to keep me out of hypo levels and then I suddenly went hyPER on meds.

And, my "regular" life is somewhat stable....for now ;) Several very close family members had significant things going on in their lives in recent months....some good, some not-so-good....all of which took up my time as well as much of my mental and emotional space.

Thanks to all of you for your support!

I wish all of you the utmost in healing!!

What great news CD! That is awesome to hear. I order from Green Dragon too, how were you able to get in touch with Tim? Did you have a face to face appointment with him?

Peteza: can you taste the gelatin in your coffee?

CD, what were the few most important herbs that you have upped the dose on? Congrats on the healing!

Yea! Congrats! That's awesome!!!

I know what you mean about being frustrated! I am heading into my 10th month of treatment and it took 5 months to get to 90% and now 5 months for the other 10 % to happen. I too, hope to be done by Christmas, so here's hoping to all of us healing 100%

My neuro lyme was always the worst for me and I am just now noticing big gains in that area the last 3 weeks. Feel aren't numb and tingling anymore (well, most of the time now). I started Lion's Mane, so maybe thats helping...

Thanks everyone!

bluelyme - I figured the title of my thread might be a bit confusing but that's the term I've been using to describe where I hope I am ;) I am officially an "herbal hippie" ;)

evianangel - per Buhner's recommendation in his books, I googled Tim Scott and got the phone number for Green Botanicals. He does phone consults.

Denise - thanks for the votes of confidence! I wanna be healed like you ;)

PeteZa - thanks for the link for the lotion (w/MSM ;)! I agree about the ease of collagen use....much more "blendable" than gelatin. I love how creamy guacamole gets with the addition of collagen.

bdavis - all per Tim Scott: the "biggies" in my situation are Japanese Knotweed, Gou Teng (Chinese Cat's Claw chosen instead of "regular" Cat's Claw only because my issues are neuro) and Red Root (to keep addressing Bart). And, I'm keeping with Eleuthero, Rhodiola and Cordyceps not only for immune health but, in my case, to support my adrenals which will hopefully help with the thyroid disease I've had long before Lyme.

cr8ativegirl - congrats on your level of healing!! You're doing great and let's look forward to celebrating 100% together!!

Georgia Hunter - thanks for the support. I felt like I was working on my last 1.5% when I spoke with Tim and the reduction of symptoms makes me feel like I'm at 99% already.

Thanks for the clarification on Borrellia and collagen. I'm a lifelong exerciser and continued to exercise throughout my Lyme journey. My workouts are comprised of aerobics and strength-training and I have no intentions of stopping ;)

While I can appreciate your words about Borrellia and its response to meds (abx), I must admit I've put my faith in Buhner's words that herbs have too many constituents (that can change somewhat by the seasons, the stressors the herbs faced when growing, time of harvest, etc) for the bacteria to develop resistance. Pulsing abx makes sense in this regard but I know Buhner says pulsing herbs has led to relapse for some people.

Once I'm able to go 2 months without any symptoms, I plan on taking small doses of Japanese Knotweed and Cat's Claw for the rest of my life - the benefits are just too numerous for me to consider otherwise. I also plan on continuing with Eleuthero, Rhodiola and Cordyceps for their immune and adrenal support to help with my autoimmune thyroid disease.