Two years ago I was hospitalized for almost a month with Lyme, Babesia microti and Bartonella. As a result of the Lyme and coinfections I developed meningitis and myocarditis. I probably had these infections for about
three months before my doctor rushed me to the hospital where they conducted a spinal tap and determined the seriousness of the situation. Since that time I have tried literally everything to get my body and mind back to where it was prior to this illness. about
a year ago I started seeing a new doctor who is a godsend. My doctor has chronic lyme and is incredibly smart and sympethetic to his patients. I've tried all the painkillers and new variations of the old stuff like Ultram and ultrex and all have given me different levels of comfort from the daily grind of dealing with the fact that everyday I deal with a new problem. The constant is always my two thighs feeling weak with a strange sensation but this is almost always accompanied by some sort of joint burning in the knees and shoulders. Then there is of course the different levels of mental capacity and brain fog. For the last few weeks I have been feeling as close to normal as I ever have. I am using Savella to treat my Lyme symptoms and it seems to be doing the trick. For antibiotics I am copying my doctor and carrying Artemesia pills in my pocket and taking them twice a day whenever I start to feel rundown. For some reason they seems to bring comfort. At the beginning and end of the day I take Plaqunel with myocycline. On the last week of the month I substitute rifampin with the Plaqunel and take it for as long as I can tolerate it. It seems to be working and the Artemesia is an essential part of this type of pulsed therapy. The only drawback of the therapy is you must wake up at 5am to start taking the Savella of you won't be able to sleep at night (you will most likely still need sleepinol, valium or ambien to get to sleep still but if you start taking it later even those sleeping aids won't help you). My goal is to be antibiotic free in a few months. I know how awful this disease can be and have always thought "if I ever find something that works I will share it with as many people as I can." Well this therapy seems to work and of course it needs to be accompanied by excersise and an attempt to carry on a normal life. Hope this helps some of you.
