clinical diagnosis

[smartyjones]

so. . . if lyme is a clinical diagnosis -- what are you using to judge recovery? a clinical recovery? or clinical resolution of symptoms in addition to blood tests?

 

do you think you ever really rid the body of the bacteria or do you think it somehow resides in the body always like herpes viruses?

 

thanks.

[lyme_mom]

so. . . if lyme is a clinical diagnosis -- what are you using to judge recovery? a clinical recovery? or clinical resolution of symptoms in addition to blood tests?

 

do you think you ever really rid the body of the bacteria or do you think it somehow resides in the body always like herpes viruses?

 

thanks.

You are done with treatment when your symptoms have been gone for two months. I know many believe you never get rid of it but that is an awful way to think about lyme. I believe you can get rid of it but that you should also try to stay healthy after lyme (which you would want to do anyway) so as not to tempt fate or ask for problems. I stopped antibiotics in August after two years of treatment and I have not had any symptoms so I feel like I am finally well. I believe that the mind plays a huge role in illness and that it is better not to think it is still there when you have not symptoms. Pamela Weintraub told me that she has been well for over five years and that always gave me hope. If you read Cure Unknown you know that she was as sick as anyone so obviously you can get well. So many go to doctors who don't know how to treat lyme and coinfections so it is no wonder that so many never get rid of it. Also I am a big believer in a holistic approach to healing lyme-detoxing metals, boosting nutrition, etc. Finding a doctor who does this too can make a huge difference. The vitamin ivs (myers cocktails) that I got when I was at my sickest really infused life back in me. They gave me energy and therefore put me in a good mood with all those b vitamins. It also helped with detoxing the dead lyme toxins. These things helped immensely and I can't imagine how I would have felt without them. It reminded me of those old movies about the vampire biting someone and all the color would return to their cheeks after being bitten. That is how I felt after I got a myers when I had no energy and felt like I was 100 years old. So think positive and find a good integrative lyme doctor and you will get well.

[kmom]

Lyme Mom, I love reading about your son's and your recovery. It's so uplifting! It's also comforting to know we're seeing your doctors! I have heard of the Myer's Cocktail but not sure what it entails. Could you share? Also, any tips on detoxing? We take 2 charcoal capsules/day. I do have bentonite clay but out of convenience we do the charcoal mainly. Been looking into Burbur drops. I read today on another post not to take Milk Thistle w/ Rifampin. My kids do that daily. Dr. never told me that. So now I am questioning our med/supplement regimen. Any tips/guidance would be greatly appreciated!

[MichaelTampa]

Symptom resolution is key, yes, clinical recovery.

 

A couple thoughts to toss in.

 

For those monitoring with CD57 before and during treatment, this can help gauge also. Getting back to healthy levels--200--or enough to maintain recovery--150 or perhaps 100--is another sign you're in the right place. Some people find this test doesn't tell them much, and for young kids we hear that. But, for the many who it works for, it is something to add to the picture.

 

Myers Cocktail contains vitamins and minerals, given in IV. Vitamin B complex, vitamin C, and a variety of minerals. It's a way of getting good nutrition into your body where it can actually be used, can really help.