As usual, Dr. Jemsek took his time, listened closely, and moved me in a new direction. He always listens to my complaints with respect, and without taking them personally.
I saw him last in May. Since then we have been attacking the Babesia. He felt it was time to stop that attack, as that was either at bay or gone, and move in another direction. The symptoms which have cropped up over the summer were different, and pointed in another direction. My complaints included: diarrhea all summer, (sorry...), pain in my SPINAL CORD, (not my 'back'), left abdomen pain, (an old symptom I lived with for many years, but had not experienced since starting treatment with him), and left hip pain, deep in my joint, (same story as left abdomen). Also, I had fevers on and off lasting 2 weeks or more at a time. At the same time I experienced another old symptom, a stiffening of my thigh muscles making it hard to walk with a full stride. Before treatment I used to experience a hardening of my legs which felt like they were made of cement. It took a great deal of energy to move them.
I explained to him that my spinal cord felt like it was bursting out of my back, and was being pulled at both ends by someone. I asked if this was a complaint he hears often and he said it was.
After listening to me whine, he did an exam. This consisted of starting at my jaws and tapping them. With every part of the exam he asked me if I felt any pain. No pain in jaws, (first time!) Then to my shoulders, yes some pain. Next was my heart, no reply from him, and I don't know why I didn't ask how it sounded. I will read it in his report. Next in line was my left abdomen and hip. He wanted to know exactly where the pain was occurring. While laying on the exam table for this part, I had a big spasm in my left shoulder. I have not had that since treatment began. My guess is that the exam prompted my left side to react. Someone without Lyme would not do this. He did stop for a moment, wheels churning, when this happened. After that, he palpated my spine. Ouch, yes it hurt all the way down. He tested my knee reflexes and as usual, my lower legs just about cleared the room. That got a smile and a little shake of the head from Dr. Jemsek.
Next was an in depth discussion of what was happening in my body. He explained the reason my left abdomen and hip were inflamed and hurting was due to the fact my spinal cord was very inflamed. He had studied my med. list as usual. Med. lists include the dosage of each medication. At the last visit I had expressed an interest in lowering the dosage of my neurotropics because I was in so little pain. He agreed. He commented now, that my doses were very minimal. Due to the inflammation in my spine I should increase the dosage again during this next cycle of treatment. He explained that it was inflammation in my lower brain that was causing the inflammation in my spinal cord. The lower brain and brain stem have all your nerves coming together before they reach your brain, or go down your spinal cord to be distributed throughout your body. He explained I must have spirochetes still being active. I suspect they are in my brain and spinal cord, as they love the nervous system. The symptoms he saw and heard were some of the same complaints I had when I first met him, though extremely diminished. Therefore he suspected that there were still spirochetes that were in biofilms. These very hard to break up and get to the spirochetes themselves. Because of my understanding of the research going on, and of the infection, as well as my personal experience, I had to agree. If you are not aware of biofilms, research them.
So, we moved into the treatment phase. He increased my neurotropics a bit and gave me a range of dosages I could use to get at the pain and inflammation. These meds. are Lemectal and Lyrica. Don't faint please. They are wonder drugs in my situation. He also put me back on a regiment of oral antibiotics, detox meds, and other meds. I cannot remember right now. All another many sided attack on the spirochete biofilms. The treatment plan includes natural herbs such as artimesia, and many supplements. The supplements I have been taking all along. They consist of naturally occurring cell structure components. They support mitochondrial functioning. These supplements I'll post at a later date.
He layed out his plan on paper and reviewed it with me. I have the next two weeks off as a 'holiday' from meds., as this gives my immune system a chance to work by itself, becoming increasingly stronger. I will them do the spirochete treatments for two weeks 'on' and two weeks 'off'' for four cycles until I go back in January. I will take the supplements ongoing.
I then asked him some slightly off the topic questions. Since Parkinson's disease exists on both sides of my family, I asked if the agreed with new research showing spirochetes in a large number of Parkinson's brain autopsies. He said yes. So naturally I asked if we could prevent the decrease in functioning known in this disease. He was confident we could do this, with ongoing treatments that he will decide on, as we go along. That was actually a trick question, as I had already decided the research was correct. I was glad he agreed and gave me hope it was not going to happen to me. Thank you Lord.
I asked him if I had permission to use his name and describe his treatments in my blog, and he graciously said yes. He also complimented me as to the improvement of my mental capacities. He said he remembers my first visit where I couldn't even talk to tell my story. He has taken me a very long way. He suggested I reach him with any questions as I go along with my blog. I can't express how grateful I am that I chose him to be my "Lyme literate' doctor. He is much more than that. He just plain knows how the body works at the cellular level, and how spirochetes and co-infections live and hide and die off.
Detox will consist of the same things in the past. He explained the detox happens best through sweat, but it is hard for me to sweat due to energy issues. He suggested a sauna. hmmmm, I'll figure something out. The spirochetes/toxins come out of your body best through your skin. This is the reason for sweat. If you are someone who is able to exercise, do it. In the long run it will help.
One last point. In the time since I saw him, just 4 days ago, the pain in my left abdomen and hip is gone. My spine is less inflamed, and I am happy with these results.
Time to do one jumping jack and take a nap.
