Complexities of the Lyme Infection

     Lyme Disease is such a complex disease it is almost too hard to grasp what it does in your (my) body. There are many layers of the disease and symptoms.
     The spirochetes entered my body, and I started to feel sick. I went to a doctor. Many doctors. This is where the information got twisted and greatly misleading. As I have posted, I saw many doctors over many years before it was 'proven' on paper that I really did have Lyme disease. I went through twenty years or more of simple to very complex symptoms and help was askew and discouraging. The more doctors I went to, the more I felt I was never going to get better, and that I was just a mess by design.
      Over the years, and with a LOT of research and the help of Lyme specialists I have begun to understand the complexities of the disease. Which by the way, I would like to refer to as an infection, not a disease. It may be called many different diseases because as it progresses it becomes what doctors have recognized for years as other things. I, for one, do not appreciate the word disease. Lyme is an infection. Period. If you will bear with me, I will call spade a spade and refer to Lyme as an infection.
      With that out of the way, when the infection was delivered into my body, it was very happy. It found it's way through my blood, muscles and finally to my nervous system, where it kind of settled down, and made an home. Not just one home, but many, as it slowly reproduced. This infection is one of the slowest to reproduce of any infection, including TB, which is very slow. As the spirochete enjoyed living off my nerve cells, my body began to malfunction.
     The spirochete is intracellular. That means it can actually enter into a cell and live in it. It makes a meal out of the innards, and then the cell wall collapses around it, and it stays there as long as it wants. When the cell wall collapse over the spirochete, the antibodies can no longer find it, as they think the cell is a regular cell, not a home for a spirochete. This is one way the spirochete lives. The infection even at this stage can cause as many symptoms as it please. Depending on where it decides to live, it causes the symptoms that result. In my case, it seems to me the infection is in my brain, spine, and nerve cells, causing problems with my nervous system and muscular movements. Not to mention tics, spasms, unbearable joint pain, burning sensations, and many other symptoms. At this point of my infection though, I believe the spirochetes are everywhere, to a lesser degree. As antibodies to search for the infection, they find toxins from the moving, hiding spirochetes. The result is tremendous inflammation. Again, wherever the spirochetes, and or co-infections reside equals what my symptoms are, and how decreased my abilities become.
      Spirochetes also form colonies, covered by a protective covering called bio-films. These bio-films again protect the spirochetes from being detected by antibodies. Combine this with any other-co-infections I may have, and no wonder  I have been a complete mess.
       Having been treated, in the past, by only oral antibiotics, I experienced a tremendous amount of herxing. This is when the antibiotics find the spirochetes which are out of hiding, and vulnerable to attack. When they are killed, they give off toxins which cause more inflammation, which cause a great deal of pain, nausea, brain fog, extreme fatigue, etc.. All Lyme infection symptoms, times ten. It is the only way to get to the other side.
       I have been blessed to now have a treatment plan which takes all this into consideration and supplies my body with antibiotics, on and off, and always with supplements which replicate and replace the damaged cell innards. This way, as the spirochete and their toxins are kicked out of my body, (their home), the new cells that replace the damaged ones are healthy. The herxing is less severe in this case.
        This is the top of the iceberg of the Lyme infection and co-infection habits. I believe I am close to the truth in the description. As I go along I learn more and more. I have an insatiable desire to know all I can about these infections, and to share what I find. So, more to come, but right now I have tired myself out.

How Lyme Disease and it's Treatments Work.

A reminder. This is not an endorsement of any treatment plan.

Thanksgiving and work

 Thanksgiving was draining. Dinner, company, and lack of sleep all led to a nauseous, pained, fatigued self. Not to mention I have taken a temporary job through the Christmas season. I am happy to be working and making a little money. It is a good trial for possible future work. The good news is that despite all the activity and symptoms, I have bounced back fairly well. Work leads to some pains and fatigue, but it amazes me I can wake up in the morning feeling well again. That never happened before IV treatment. What a welcome relief. The bad part is, for now, I have less time to blog.

ILADS Live Streaming of 2012 Boston Lyme Disease Conference

ILADS Live Streaming of 2012 Boston Lyme Disease Conference

This is showing Dec. 1 and 2. Check website for your country and time zone.

MY STORM: Battling Lyme--Amber Van Wyk

I'm Lyme De-stressed

     Here is  the remedy I used to de-stress myself the other day when some things went south. I kept a positive attitude and faith that all things will work to the good for us. Then, after painting a while and cooking dinner, I ran a HOT bath. I know I've said this before, but I forgot a few tidbits. Run the hot water to about 1/2 to 3/4 full. When the water is running, close the tub doors or curtain so steam accumulates. Add about 2 cups of Epsom Salts, about 1/4 cup hydrogen peroxide, and a bar of pure lavender soap. The water should be hot when getting in, a bit tricky. But you do adjust. If you feel beads of sweat on your forehead, congratulations! You're in the zone! Sit there for at least 1/2 hr., and longer if you can. Always have a bottle of either cold green tea or as I like to do, a glass of water with a bunch of lemon slices squeezed into it. Keep hydrated. Bring a good book and soak. A friend of mine told me to rub on aloe vera gel  after I get out. I don't have any right now, but could easily get some. I usually let the salt keep working on me until my morning shower. When all is said and done, the muscles are relaxed, the toxins extracted for the day, and I feel 'light as a feather'. I always picture Ebeneezer Scrooge at the end of the story when he repents and jumps around the room feeling light as a feather. Whether you are in active treatment, or maintaining the ground you have gained, this is an easy way to detox.

Lyme and Stress

     Everyone has stress. It is when stress is derived from an overwhelming situation, that it effects your bodily symptoms, and ability to function in an everyday way. For instance, the sudden death of a young person, parent, or child. A divorce, abuse, threats, or someone with an addiction. These are examples of highly stressful situations which take you out of the ordinary and place you into a state similar to shock.
     Yesterday I had one of these types of stresses suddenly happen in my life. Today, I have been experiencing a variety of  Lyme symptoms. Stress at that level can effect anyone, but even more so if you have a disease. For me, I have a sudden increase in shaky hands, the feeling that my body is being stretched like an elastic both upwards and downwards, which I haven't felt treatment. Brain fog, which had long disappeared, I noticed as soon as I got up. And fatigue, that overwhelming feeling of sleep is here. I am taking my meds, but I think they are so strong this week that it increases my sickness as well.
     I thought I would share this occurrence in Lyme Patients and others who may be in an overly stressful situation with no control in the outcome. Taking care of myself is the best way to make it pass without lingering. It helps me to accept things. Today I will start with an Epsom salt bath. I will follow up with lots of green tea. I will take all the supplements and antioxidants I have in my arsenal. I will nap. I will eat healthy foods. And I will paint. A hobby may be one of the best ways to move on from the shock of your situation.
     In doing all this, my symptoms will fade more quickly, and normalcy will arrive with a pleasant peace.
     One more thing: when you are ready, find a good friend, a pastor, a counselor, just some you trust. Spill out your emotions, and description of the event which caused distress, Emotional health is just as important as physical help, especially when your body is already stressed by fighting a disease. In my case, I ask for prayer as well. It is a very powerful force in changing situations, and people's hearts.
     Fellow Lymies, I hope this helps you.

Today

OK, haven't got the nerve to start, but I am going go take about 6 antibiotics and detox pills right now. That's after taking four supplements and five prescritions of support to treatment. Here I go. If you don't hear from me for a while send me a post of encouagement!

Next Treatment Cycle

     Holiday over, new treatment cycle starts tomorrow. This time I had limited herxing. A big change from the past. No longer do I have the night sweats, nightmares, heart palpitations, blackouts, Lyme Comas, the list could go on. However, I still get anxious starting a new treatment cycle. It is tricky business to keep everything in balance. It means sticking to my supplement schedule every day, at the specific times, most beneficial. It means detoxing daily, to decrease the herxing during holiday. (steam baths/Epsom salt baths/green tea/lemon water/ and especially finding limited exercise to make me sweat it out.) It  means sticking very close to my diet. (which I have been slacking off on this holiday) It means taking all prescriptions at all the right times. It means taking all antibiotics and supports at all the right times. Like I said it is a lot of work, and a delicate balance. Even though I know this is a good thing, it is going to create a sickness of sorts as I kill off and detox the bugs etc. from my body.
     No rest for the weary, on or off treatment. Thank God I have improved or there would be no incentive to go on.

Face Book Page

   FYI: I have recently started a face book page. This page is for information, treatment strategies, and support. Please check out this Lyme focused page and leave a comment.
You can find it at:     Lyme Disease/Maine Lyme Lady.

ILADS Action - URGENT CALL TODAY to comment on Lyme Disease objectives to be added to Healthy People 2020ILADS Online Store and Media Center

 A VERY IMPORTANT CALL TO ACTION FOR LYME SUFFERERS! ILADS IS THE MOST RESPCTED ORGANIZATION FOR THE LYME COMMUNITY. PLEASE SUBMIT ASAP!!


ILADS Action - Urgent call to comment on Lyme Disease objectives to be added to Healthy People 2020ILADS Online Store and Media Center

UNH prof closes in on Lyme disease breakthrough- The New Haven Register - Serving New Haven, Connecticut

Exciting. Eva Sappi worked with Dr. Alan MacDonald, who discovered the biofilm. They both continue to work on being able to break it up and get to the bacteria enclosed in the biofilm. Something no one seems to be able to do. Knowing this, is it any wonder Lyme is invincible? Another note of interest, Lyme has been around LONG before the Lyme CT. outbreak.

UNH prof closes in on Lyme disease breakthrough- The New Haven Register - Serving New Haven, Connecticut