Attacking Lyme Disease

jowens,

Sorry to hear of your plight and glad you brought to the CR4 community's attention. We are a community not just a nameless/faceless question/answer web site!

My wife dealt with a bout of Lyme disease when we lived mid-way between Lyme, Connecticut (the town for which the disease is named) and New Haven (where the disease was identified at Yale-New Haven Hospital). That area, too, is a hot spot but I do believe the Maryland shore has more deer for transmission and warmer weather, too. When my wife contracted the disease, we were all vigilant about not walking in high sea grasses, wearing long pants/long sleeved shirts, checking ourselves at the end of the day, etc. And, she sought medical advice as soon as she felt ill, was given a blood test that was negative. Four weeks later she had a rash on her leg and given other persistent symptoms, the doctor gave her an antibiotic and the symptoms subsided. Still, many years later, I have a hunch (and it is no more than that) she still has some vague symptoms.

My point in sharing this story is to say that even when we are vigilant and given the best medical care, there is still much to be learned about this disease. And, from what you've shared, it's a good thing that you received the timely and thorough treatment that you did.

Strictly from a layman's point of view, it is possible that the symptoms (exhaustion, joint pain, swelling) you still notice are related to the Lyme Disease. But, it's also possible that you're are just getting older (as I am!) and more aware of your aches/pains. Either way, work with a doctor or a Physicians Assistant (my choice) who can meet with you on a reasonably regular basis (every three months?) so you can monitor the situation. While you might think I'm crazy, it's also possible that your head is messing with your body rather than your body sending a signal to your brain. Please don't discount that possibility; as macho as many of us are, it happens all the time. Regular monitoring and discussion with a professional healthcare provider will help with both the body and the mind.

And, so, I know I haven't answered your question regarding new technologies or treatments. I don't know of any magic bullets. But, if you remain vigilant and collaborate with your medical provider, that will be the breakthrough you desire.

Dear Guest, Thank you for your response. I always try to maintain an open mind. And I don't think I fall in the Hypochondriac category. I've heard there has been some good results (Alternative Medicine) through the use of oxygen beds.

Like I said I'm exploring all possible venues. I don't doubt aging accounts for a percentage of my symptoms. The severity of some of some of them still leads me to believe there may be something more to consider. Maybe I'm searching for a miracle, but they do happen. (Most of the time with much research by very devoted and gifted scientists.)

In the meantime, if I learn of any major breakthroughs I will be sure to pass them along to the community.

I can identify with your issues.

My good friend was a surveyor, he got a tick and didn't know it. About a year later he came down with all those symptoms. I have watched for the last 5 years as a complete healthy, outdoor type big guy wither away to half his size. His depression is now worse then the symptoms.

I hope he gets better, but he says nothing seems to work, and some of the medication makes the issues even worse.

I hope you overcome this terrible disease.

Best wishes and good luck

Jowens,

Google Dr. Steven Luger. He was my Dr. when he practiced medicine in Old Lyme, CT. I believe he was the one that originally identified the disease as a result of himself being afflicted with it. I believe he has done probably more research on the treatment of it than anyone else. Good luck!

Joe

My sister has it pretty bad for months she was taking different antibiotics. Some continuously where she carried a IV bag around with her. She seems to have gotten better. I can ask her. She lives in York PA.

One thing I don,t under stand is every one talks about the treatment of the disease. In some people the progression is slow and the doctors don't diagnose it fast enough. Like my sister she had it for months before they finally diagnosed it. Then to much damage is done. Why not hit the disease at the source. Salt blocks could be put out for deer with some type of tick killer. We treat are pets for ticks. One of these means should work on the deer. Will not eliminate the disease but i believe sure would reduce the number of people infected. The cost to the public would be way less then their spending for treatment of the people that have contracted Lyme.

Sorry to hear of your plight and I certainly will speak to other family members (including 4 MDs, 3 working at NIH). However, the title of the post indicates attacking Lymes Disease. It seems to me that since we know the vector allowing the spread of Lymes Disease, the threat could be substantially limited or eliminated if we just eliminated all the over population by deer. I live in NE OHIO where the deer herd has increased to about 15X the size of a few years back. But the politicians wont take the necessary action to eradicate the menace, because of all the Bambi lovers. I like them too, but allowing propagation at this level is a health hazard and a menace, brought to you by the radical environmentalists and the HUS-US.

Dear Jowens, Although I live in Oregon, I have traveled to the east coast frequently. I have Lyme Borreliosis (LB) and Babesia specific to my area. Along with others in our area, we work on diagnosing and referrals. When not fully treated for LB and any possible co-infection (which you should be tested for using MDL or Igenex labs), relapses are serious and usually mean more infection in more places. Fatigue, brain fog, headaches, poor sleep are indications of neuroborreliosis and should be treated with a combination of antibiotics, tinidazole, to reach the cyst forms and anything you might need for co-infections. While you are still up and around is a good time to get going. You are doing well to listen to what is happening and you know when things are not right. Best of luck, email me if you need to, Rosemarie. rcarnese@gorge.net I was a communications engineer until this got me.

two words...flagyl and minocycline

for a month

http://www.healthcentersofamerica.com/information.cfm?id=145

http://www.amazon.com/gp/browse.html?ie=UTF8&marketplaceID=ATVPDKIKX0DER&me=AQLU3OWDZA6RD

They should have prescribed it for a month but even then it would have forced the Lyme into cyst form, a sleeper for it can take when attacked by antibiotics.

You then need to do a pulse treatment, week on then week off and excercise a lot when you are on the meds so that all your capillaries open up and the antiobiotic gets to every single part of your system.

Aerobic exercise makes antiobiotics work 16 times better!