Re: My Lyme “success story”

[Guest guest]

Hi,

I may have had it for 3 years before I started on the Buhner

protocol, but the whole story is that when I first

had symptoms in '06: rashes, joint pain, fuzziness, I went for a Lyme

test and it came up negative, but I took 3

weeks of oral antibiotics anyway. The problem is that I thought I was

taking the antibiotics when I was really

taking the Ibuprofin that was prescribed along with it, because the

instructions and bottles were not in separate

bags when I got them from the pharmacy and I mixed them up. So I was

actually a month delayed in getting

on the antibiotics. They did not completely cure the symptoms so I

went to a chinese herbalist, and the itching

ceased somewhat, but I discovered a naturopath who put me on a

slightly different formula (pills instead of the horrid tasting

Chinese herbs that you have to decoct). I felt much better but still

had residual aches and pains so I went to yet another

naturopath who did kineseology with me and he said although what I

was taking helped my symptoms, they were not

in the overall picture good for me so he gave me some more stuff (L-

Thyrosine was one thing I remember) and I stopped

taking what the first naturopath was giving me (formulas called

“Clear Heat” and “Skin Balance” and the other things called

VRM 1 & 2 I believe).

I thought I was cured of whatever had been ailing me but last winter

started feeling really tired so I went for blood tests

and sure enough, this time I tested positive for Lyme. I took a round

of three weeks of amoxycicline and went for another

test and I STILL had it, so that's when I discovered the Buhner

protocol. I have just a few weeks left until I reach the recommended

minimum 8 month marker. I had a set back when I couldn't find a

source for the herbs (the combined pills) a few weeks ago and began

to feel

achy again. In about two weeks I regained my regular energy level and

feeling pain free, so I am hoping I can stop at the end

of 8 months, but I am thinking now I might want to stay on them for a

while year. My fear is when I stop taking the herbs, the critters

will come out of hiding.

My only recourse if I still test positive after 8 months or a year is

to go on long term IV antibiotics. Though the oral antibiotics didn't

seem to work, maybe the intravenous will.

On Jan 24, 2010, at 11:35 AM, y093666 wrote:

> -

>

> Thanks for your sucess story! Did you have late stage lyme or neuro

> lyme/symptoms? How long do you think you had lyme?

>

[Guest guest]

> My only recourse if I still test positive after 8 months or a year is

> to go on long term IV antibiotics. Though the oral antibiotics didn't

> seem to work, maybe the intravenous will.

if you have had Lyme for more than a few months, a few weeks of ABX (either oral

or IV) is certainly not going to work. I don't think IV ABX is a good idea

except for acute infections, or if you have special gut problems. There are oral

ABX that have penetration in the nervous system similar to IV ABX like rocephin.

IV has some additional risks (from the PICC lines etc.) and of course much

higher cost.

Don't rely too much on the tests, except if it is a Western Blot with multiple

specific positive bands for both IgG and IgM. The test is at best a historical

record that does not reflect the actual situation regarding Bb infection.

I suggest to continue Buhner protocol, and if you feel your symptoms get worse

(or do not improve) maybe add oral ABX to the protocol.

[Guest guest]

>

> Is there another ABX other than rocephin that will penetrate the nervous

> system? I had a reaction to rocephin way back. thanks

yes, there are several but I don't remember the details. You can probably check

it out in the recent ILADS guidelines.

I would use Klacid (Clarithromycine) plus Plaquenil if I go on ABX again. I

already have a month of stock available but didn't start yet because of gut

problems. Klacid will penetrate into the nervous system and should be about as

effective as rocephin, except maybe for acute infections.

I had an allergic reaction to rocephin; this typically happens around the 10th

day and is very scary, similar to anaphylactic shock (like what some people get

from a wasp sting). Had to continue the rest of the treatment with slow dosing

plus some additional prednisolone to dampen the immune reaction.

Oral ABX is not good for the gut, but I prefer that problem to the potential

problems of IV (PICC line problems, galbladder etc.).