MichaelTampa

I have venous angioplasty scheduled for tomorrow morning, to clear blocked jugulars. This is a relatively new discovery that most with lyme with neurological symptoms have blocked veins contributing to the symptoms. It was originally discovered by Dr. Zamboni from Italy, applying to MS patients, and Dr. Klinghardt has found the situation applicable to neurological lyme patients as well. I have tested positive for the blockage and tomorrow we are hoping to unblock them. We'll see! Excited but nervous. Anyone wanting to send prayers or healing energy my way would be appreciated, thank you!

Glad to hear things are heading in a good direction, and you feel like things are getting a little bit more in control. As far as ups and downs, my treatment has had plenty of them, some a result of changes in treatment, and perhaps a couple that never really were understood in terms of why.

What I have read is that some docs don't consider it meaningful for children as they don't start making the natural killer cells being measured until the age 13-15 range. I would consider it pretty worthwhile to look at for a 16yo.

That's a pretty borderline score. I have had mine tested about 8 times over the last year and a half. As treatments have stopped and restarted here and there, things gotten better and worse, I have found it useful in helping understand what is going on and what is the right next step. So I guess I am recommending periodic testing.

Such an interesting topic. The lingering thought I had after my latest post on this thread were, in some sense, it has to be unrealistic to think that homeopathy can just fix anything and return it to health. To an extreme, tied to a tree with killer bees swarming and people with bows and arrows approaching and shooting? At some point, you need to stop the emergency first, and classical homeopathy isn't going to be the first thing to do in that situation. On the other hand, what about infection related issues of PANDAS or lyme disease, a pretty significant infection these days, or HIV/AIDS, or cancer? It does appear the U.S. feds had some ex-nazi scientists working on the lyme bug off the coast of long island, trying to find a way to win the "war" over the russians, and that really could have changed the nature of the bug. A number of studies with mice show once infected with lyme bacteria, the mice do not eradicate it. It doesn't seem an easy thing to handle; of course, eradication is not necessarily required to be healthy. If all those things Stephanie lists can antidote a remedy, I can certainly see/make the argument that my remedies did a little bit for me but at some point all the antidotes limited the progress, resulting in a situation where they had done all they could for me (given what else I was doing/taking). Indeed, very hard--where to find a vegan toothpaste that will effectively clean my teeth and not have mint in it?! Probably at this point it would be wise for me to learn more about it so I am prepared to make a good decision on that at the time. Stephanie--Are there books you could recommend on the topic for me? I am particularly interested in discussion on how it might still work in the face of all the environmental issues going on (toxic chemicals, microwave radiation from wireless devices and towers) and a likely genetically engineered lyme infection. I still have a very depressed natural killer cells and vitamin D levels, and would also welcome discussion or perhaps case histories showing these issues being solved using classicial homeopathy rather than the variety of supplements (which admittedly have not worked for me to this point). I am also concerned about the gut flora and restoring it, and have had plenty of antibiotics. As things were not restoring after stopping abx and using some antifungals and probiotics, my LLMD did recommend the fecal transplant from a healthy family member. It was the first I had heard of the idea, so it did feel crazy and out of left field, but does make some sense. Of course, I do not have any of those health family members in any event. Your thought about helping the body to regrow them is a nice one, and hopefully that can be accomplished. I am certainly struggling in that area and looking for a real answer to that issue. I do think that getting to live symbiotically with the bugs is an important goal. We will be continually exposed to bugs everywhere, so a PANDAS style body is a problem, no matter how many bugs you can kill, and a lyme infection is a problem unless you can get a symbiotic relationship, because killing all the ones in your body is almost certainly not going to happen (and then to put forth a herculean effort to do that, only to get reinfected from any of a variety of insects or humans...). I think that is what attracted me to homeopathy the second time, and what in the end, will attract me back to it the third time at some point. I do see that as sort of an end game, but am more reluctant with all these other issues (killing bugs, building immune system levels, ...), and that is probably where I could use some reading or other education to see what it is really capable of in that respect.

I really don't know what the classical homeopath view is, in terms of what they expect the remedy to do. If they really expect it to return us to complete health, the reaction I was having seemed to indicate it was simply not going to do that, at least under the circumstances (still working in a microwave-polluted environment which would cause my fungal infection to fight me harder, taking other supplements for support, and so on). Is that what you're hearing that they expect their remedies to do? Really, I've never asked them that question or discussed it with them. If they expect it to change some aspect of my constitution, maybe it successfully did that, I am not sure how we would know. I use energetic testing to determine to take things, and noted in both cases that they tested very strong initially and over time tested as no longer useful. I think that is consistent with the view that the homeopaths have going in, that they expect them to do some job and be done with it at some point. What that job is, I guess is the interesting question.

The first time I did it, I am pretty sure this was before I was on antibiotics. I was probably taking nystatin as the only prescription med, but likely 60-80 supportive supplements to help me function at some minimum level. I needed a lot of support back then! The second time, I was on a combo of 2-3 lyme antibiotics with perhaps 10-15 supplements, along with prescriptions for nystatin and cholestyramine. So, for those that think this can interfere, there was plenty of opportunity for interference. The homeopaths tended to focus on spacing it out with 5 or 10 or 15 minutes from other substances, and didn't seem concerned about the other supplements. (Maybe they thought the other stuff wouldn't affect it, or maybe they just accepted that the other stuff was higher priority, in my view or in reality, who knows.)

I have used classical homeopathy a couple times over the last couple years, each time for 2-3 months. Each time I feel the remedy was substantially helpful, although nothing close to change-your-life helpful, or no-longer-need-all-the-other-crazy-treatments helpful. Each time I feel the remedy ran its course and did for me what it was going to do. I do plan to get back to that in another couple/few months, but have too many other situations/treatments going on that it seems the wrong time for it. I remember I did get a headache for a couple days starting out with the first treatment, which the homeopath had warned me that or other things could easily happen in terms of things getting worse. The second time, gosh, if there was any worsening, I do not remember it now. I think both homeopaths told me that is the type of thing that can happen, it doesn't have to happen, but it does a good bit of the time. I don't think they would expect it to be for weeks/months, which doesn't mean it isn't the getting worse before getting better, but at some point it's tough to assume that. I think particularly with infection related issues and the immune system, we reach a point that you can only ask so much of classical homeopathy. Perhaps it can get the body reacting more properly to substances and to infections inside our body, whatever "properly" might mean. But what if by the time we get started, the body is so weak and the substance is so toxic at such large quantities, or the infection is so strong and in control? It just seems at some point, you are only going to get so much out of it. Perhaps that is what happened with S&S--maybe the remedy was "right" and got the body doing what it should, but the body was not up for that kind of fight and upheavel. If we are detoxing perhaps you can push and suffer through, and come out better in the end, maybe, if the damage done by pushing through is not too great or too permanent. If we are fighting a real infection, I believe at some point it just won't be enough to win that fight, but perhaps in some cases can help win the fight. I do wonder about treating people with classical homeopathy when their condition we are trying to treat has changed their makeup/personality so much, and I am talking here about things like anxiety and OCD and sensitivities/allergies. I have asked about this, and all they do is treat the patient as they are, but as these remedies are intended as permanent changes, it is an interesting question if that is really a good idea in some cases, as there is a real question as to what the true personality even is behind all of the illness.

One reason to want the tonsils longer-term you're probably aware of, is they serve a function in the body to help deal with infection. I can't speak to how important that is. If you really want to do something about the tonsils but still want them longer term, they is a kryo freezing off procedure where they do grow back, but not available in the U.S., I believe only available in Germany. So, not in any place to suggest how important any approach would be, but just want to make sure you're aware of that possibility. Apparently there is a freezing off procedure available in the U.S., but not in a way to grow back, more as a similar result to cutting them out.

SAMe is supposed to be good for liver, but it is a supplement to. I suppose anything that helps with detox will help the liver over time, as it lightens the load of the liver to detox ... epsom salt baths, chlorella, apple/grapefruit pectin, ... ?

Goodness, so sorry for you loss! Regarding your abx question, I can't give you any direct expeirence, as I have never taken zithro or mino, and really have always treated bartonella from an abx perspective with gemifloxacin, a fluoroquinolone which, like levaquin, is likely thought to be inappropriate for children. In case you had not run across it recently, Burrascano's guidelines mention for that drugs like zithro are used for children due to this issue. Then in another section, he mentions biaxin as somewhat more effective than zithro, although potentially tougher on GI.

I used it for a while, I found it okay, but had better luck with Reishi.

I get it compounded with no artificial yuckiness, sweetened just with stevia, and while it is just a touch gritty, I do not find it unpleasant, and really the only taste is just the stevia.

On various message boards, I have seen plenty of posts in the mid 20's and also in the teens, so both are common to see. I remember once seeing someone post a single-digit score, my goodness! While some lab tests might indicate 32-100 as a normal range, most docs I run into want at least a score of 50 or higher and would consider 32 very low/unacceptable.

I don't have any links, but low vitD is VERY common for those with lyme. Some speculate that the body keeps the level of this hormone low on purpose to help deal with the lyme better (as the vitD can help the critters too). Some people supplement with vitD and it really increases levels, and others supplement and supplement and it doesn't make a difference to their levels.

I have also heard that regular glutathione taken orally is just destroyed during the digestive process. So, you might find cheaper stuff, but it might not be very helpful. But what your LLMD is recommending is liposomal, meaning, if taken on empty stomach, it could be readily absorbled into the bloodstream before getting destroyed, so it might be a good one. IV glutathione has been extremely helpful for some people, and can almost instantly put an end to a herxing situation. But, it won't be cheaper than your pills you're asking about. Other than that, there is trying to help your body make your own. pandas16 is suggesting vitamin D3 can help with that. Another thing that can help is supplementing with amino acids that are the building blocks for glutathione. For most people, cysteine is the limiting factor regarding how much they can make, so supplementing with NAC (n-acetyl-cysteine) can be very helpful for some. You will find NAC to be cheaper than your pills, and it is very effective for some. I have never tried glutathione, so I can't compare NAC's effectiveness to that of glutathione.

Well ... people who don't treat lyme day in day out miss the diagnosis all the time. I would say, gee ... immune deficiency, neurological/psychiatric symptoms, combined with antibodies very specific to lyme (such as band 39) ... your son having lyme would certainly be the simplest explanation for all of that, for those who are inclined to look for the simplest explanation. How does this doc think your son ended up with immune deficiency, if not from lyme, would be a fair question. I do agree looking into mold and some more tests of that nature might be helpful.

Yes, I do think chelating helps with biofilms, but also works better if treating biofilms, so things for biofilms and heavy metals can work well together. I had very good results from cistus incanus tea (biofilm) and serrapeptase enzymes (biofilm) with detoxamin suppositories (EDTA for chelation).

A few of my thoughts on this: - First off, this was an excellent conference, I was there. This looks to be a pretty in-depth summary of what was presented. The DVD's are available for purchase and can be well worth it. While the bullets are great, there is nothing like listening to the actual presentation, as certain points will be relevant to your situation and level of understanding that will not make it to someone else's list of what was said. - The comment on homeopathy was in context of how a number of things used to work very well a couple/few decades ago. People could come in with a problem and acupuncture or classical homeopathy or something else could give a really great treatment, miraculous almost, and now these treatments just do not have the impact anymore. It was not a rant specifically on classical homeopathy, but more pointing out from his experience/perspective, being there, seeing that things really have changed in medicine and the old treatments do not do what they did anymore. The world has changed, and it is worth acknowledging that. At least here, he did say "rarely", so he is not denying the difference it has made for Stephanie2's kids. - Symptoms are caused from many things. He does think autoimmunity is a big part of it. But clearly, he does not think that is all, as he talks about how CCSVI causes major neuro symptoms, and this is caused by biofilm clogging up neck veins. Count me as yet another who has now tested and found myself with this blockage, and eagerly anticipating angioplasty for it in about 4 weeks. Also, fungus will respond to EMF's (not a big issue decades ago, yes, the world has changed) by generating massive neurotoxins. These are two examples where it is not just the autoimmunity causing symptoms. This is where the context just is lost, but it is not a contradiction even here, he is blaming the fungus and the biofilm and the autoimmunity (and perhaps more), but the spirochete itself, not so much. This is where the idea of living with the infection and dealing just with autoimmunity can be very problematic over the long-term. One thing to live with spirochete infection, but when you add the biofilm and the fungus, and allow parasites to grow and collect heavy metals (that everybody is breathing, eating, and drinking, sorry to say), then you will have clogged veins which will cause serious oxygenation issues, and you will have neurotoxins when exposed to EMF's, and the heavy metals will cause additional symptoms when exposed to EMF's. This is why he believes the infections must be treated. - Regarding treatment options, I have heard one of his nurses joke about compliance he gets from his patients, compared to others in the office. Perhaps that comes from taking the worst-of-the-worst, hard-up cases, so, you get to him, you'll do what he suggests. Yes, some kids/grandkids might help with understanding the reality, and might push him to come up with friendlier treatments, and we all would benefit from that. Reality is, for his actual patients, he probably does not need to. Auto-urine therapy, by the way, can be done by drinking but also by spraying in the nostrils. Adding liquid iodine (SSKI) will preserve it for a while, though saving some new stuff can still be helpful every couple/few days. Dr. K. recommends both, but acknowledges the spray version can be very valuable.

The "fight-or-flight" response is chemical and hormonal and is said to be designed to deal with crisis, such as if you were being chased by a big bear that wanted to eat you, or a small child were trapped underneath a heavy object and you need to garner strength and energy to deal with the situation. Hormones and chemicals do this-and-that to make it happen, the adrenal system is a key part of this. Somehow these days people can end up being triggered by too many things and they end up stuck in that mode. Of maybe they have a serious incident that causes PTSD and they have trouble getting over it. Or perhaps in some cases it can be more hormonal/chemical imbalance from the lyme disease and not emotionally based at all. In my case, I sure don't know what is behind it at this point. But that is what that phrase is referring to (the idea that you have to quickly fight the bear or run away from the bear, ...).

Heard about them at a lyme conference a few months ago, on the radar but not close to pursuing as pursuing other things at the moment. Also heard that hyperbaric oxygen treatment can activate stem cells to some extent.

Pretty amazing, congratulations!

I know a lot of those with lyme have adrenal issues, just like other hormones are also issues, and fatigue goes hand-in-hand with the adrenal insufficiency. A new doc I recently went to did an office test that suggested I am caught in the "fight-or-flight" mode, and did ordered some more official testing to confirm that. So, sounds like adrenals are still an issue. At this point, nobody has suggested anything fancier or more official such as Addison's.

Well, a couple thoughts on the zeolite. One, when people say "there is no scientific evidence ... ", it is not the same that such-and-such can't/won't/doesn't happen. But also, the zeolite is probably much gentler than the detoxamin, so maybe it really does not have the strength to pull any metals away from worms and harm worms. I saw worms with the detoxamin (not the zeolite). Yes, very sure I saw some worms. I saw a lot of things that looked a lot like threadworms I have seen, basically long white things about the thickness of thread. That, perhaps could be mistaken for something else, that I really can't imagine what, and am pretty confident they were some type of worm. But I am absolutely positive those thing the thickness and roughly the color of those yellow pencils, that had segments, were worms--they just couldn't be anything else. Yes, many parasites (such as babesia) are microscopic, and I imagine many of the worms are too. But then, some are much bigger. If you look on the internet, you can see plenty of pictures of people infested with worms, very sickening. I did that trying to identify the yellow things I saw, wasn't able to, and really, when I say "plenty", I mean, "enough to get you sick, but not enough to see a really great variety".

What a tough situation! It seems most llmd's are not really equipped to handle detox situations. Can you find a local acupuncturist or other holistic style doc that could energy test supplements and help with detox. It is possible the pills you are giving are hurting, or not helping enough, or you need more or different ones. Before I started treatment I was on probably 80 supplements, they all energy tested good, and some I noticed made a huge difference for me. That number whittled down a lot once treatment started, but the point is there is a lot to explore regarding what can help there. Dr. Burrascano's guidelines on the ILADS website are a good start there, and you already have some of them in there, but energy testing what is good for your son is key. Hopefully it is just more/different detox needed, but it is also possible the antibiotics need reworking as well.