Buhner Protocol for Bart

[NancyD]

Anyone use his protocol for treating Batonella or other co-infections? Would live to hear about your experience, good or bad.

 

Dedee, norcalmom, LLM, Wendy, Elizabeth?

Edited September 11, 2013 by NancyD

[LNN]

We didn't use Buhner or Cowden. DS never seemed to respond to A-Bart or resveratrol or tinctures. So we stayed traditional. I think Rowingmom is having success tho.

[sf_mom]

We have been using herbs along side antibiotics since starting treatment but not specifically Buhner protocol. In our experience the herbs have been helpful. Sometimes the herx'ing is as dynamic as an antibiotic rotation. We hope to eventually move to all herbs once we are done with antibiotic therapy.

 

The three things I have found to be the most helpful in treating chronic Lyme et al for myself beyond antibiotics has been HD IV Vitamin C (better than IV glutathione), Ozone Therapy, Larium (powerful anti-malarial... a lot stronger than any herb used).

[rowingmom]

We are using the Buhner bartonella protocol now, and are slowly adding back A-Bart per the LLMD. DD was taking Japanese knotweed the whole time she was on abx, but probably at too low of a dose (1 cap SourceNaturals BID). She is now taking 3/4 tsp decoction throughout the day and 1/4 tsp tincture TID. I suspect that dosage of knotweed may have helped with herx produced inflammation, but I didn't see the real difference it could make in brain inflammation until I increased the dosages.

 

After 2 years of multiple combo abx she weaned off in April - 5 months now, and is doing really well. We are having blips ramping A-Bart but they have resolved in 3-4 days (some headache, shin pain, emotional lability, but executive function and ticcing are fine).

 

She had a herx reaction with panic attacks when I tried to increase her dosage of houttuynia to 1.5 tsp decoction taken throughout the day. After talking to Buhner's associate, she said a lower dose (3/4 tsp) was fine for a 75 lb child, but that we would have to stick with it for a year or so.

 

DD is taking 1/4 tsp sida actua tincture TID and 5 drops teasel tincture TID.

 

We are using low dose astragalus (500mg QD, Mon, Wed, Fri) and ColdFx (extract of American ginseng) (2 caps Tues, Thurs) to boost the immune system - these infections can't be overcome without some immune function. Buhner's associate suggested cordyceps instead of astragalus, which is less stimulating on the Th1 pathway. This gave DD a huge boost of energy, too much really as she is no longer dealing with fatigue. Because of this I haven't given it to her again, but should perhaps try at some point as Buhner thinks it is important. However the dosages he suggests (1 tbsp TID) are a lot larger than what I had used (1/2 tsp BID). Not sure what the reaction to that would be.

 

I use the protocol myself and had the same initial jolt with cordyceps, but this reaction seems to have leveled out as I keep taking it (1 tsp BID, morning, afternoon). I also herxed with 1/5 tsp houttuynia, but my reaction was more body/muscle/joint inflammation which resolved by decreasing the dosage. I seem to tolerate the same dosages of the herbs as DD. Not sure what that means as I weigh twice what she does.

 

We continue with some of the other supplements we had been using during abx treatment. Liposomal glutathione and methyl B12 QD, NAC and l-glutamine QD 3x weekly, methylfolate and P-5-P QD 3x weekly, TransferFactor QD, phosphatidylcholine QD, curcumin QD, CoQ10 QD, probiotics or fermented vegetables daily.

 

After all that, DD continues to improve after discontinuing abx in April. Whether or not this can be attributed to our present protocol, I am not sure. Would she be at this place if we hadn't used abx, initiated methylation and immune boosting protocols, and could we have gotten here with Buhner alone? IDK. I notice the difference Buhner has made in my brain fog, foot and muscle pain, but I have not been tested for bartonella/lyme, so don't have a positive diagnosis.

 

If you don't have the book and are thinking of using the protocol get his mycoplasma/bartonella coinfections book. It is very informative.

Edited September 12, 2013 by rowingmom

[Dedee]

I do not use his total protocol. I do use some of the things he suggests but I can't get all of what he suggest into my daughter in a day. My LLMD wanted us to try Japanese Knotweed but my daughter lost her taste with it. We switched to cordyceps which she tolerates better. We do use some of the other supplements he suggests but we are also still on traditional antibiotics as well. I wish I could get the courage to go all natural but I haven't been able to go that direction as of yet. My daughter's moods still fluctuate easily and she will flair with any change in antibiotic or any minor illness. I love his new book as well and recommend it to anyone with lyme or co infections.

 

Dedee

[NancyD]

Thank you everyone. I like Buhner's Bart/MycoP co-infections book and am thinking of trying his protocol on DD. I was particularly interested in trying his recommendations for anxiety.