can't do abx or abx herbs, what to do (c. diff.)?

I'm with Mr. Magoo! You NEED to be killing the bugs somehow. You can start taking very short warmer baths, being careful to know your limits and not allowing yourself to herx. Hot water can kill the bacteria, just be very careful and it doesn't get anymore natural than that!
Even if that worked great, you still need to cover all your bases and take antimicrobials like Samento, Banderol, and A-L Complex. How much does your coach know about Lyme protocols?
Dan

Hi folks,

I know it's hard to understand, and I would have been with you completely, had I not almost died from a drug-resistant strain of c. diff., which, unfortunately, was caused by antibiotics.

He's actually a great coach. Since the FDA has put a temporary hold on fecal transplants (lots of GI doctors were doing them), he's helping do one, using a donor's sample, and my doctor (regular doctor) is all for it.

Since I came so close to dying (most people don't want to hear this, which is why I didn't mention it in my first post), I have to be really, really careful about antibiotics.

Otherwise, I'm all for them as far as working with Lyme, and he is too.

I've done probiotics out the wazoo, but I have an immune globulin deficiency, which predisposes me to all kinds of infections, and antibiotics can be bad news for me personally.

I guess I need to do more research.

I will read the link, Mustelid. Many people say that Fibro. basically is Lyme. Of course the Fibro. people say that Lyme is Fibro. Big controversy. I don't know if Fibro. exists outside of Lyme or not! Lyme is a certitude, that I know, having just received yet another bull's eye rash!

Margaret

Digestive coach? Never heard of that.

Has he/she done a stomach enzyme test with you?
What probiotics are you taking?
Did he/she check your B12 and your intrinsic factor?

For now you should be on LOTS of S boulardii

teragram,

I am sorry to hear that antimicrobials of all stripes cannot be tolerated by you. I agree that herbals are more gentle than conventional ABX, but many of them indiscriminately kill the good intestinal flora as well as the bad- just not as quickly.

The overwhelming majority of treatment approaches rely on using antimicrobials (whether conventional or herbal) to kill the offending microbes. There is another approach that has worked for many people when the mainstream approaches have failed. This approach seeks to assist the body to kill the offending microbes without disturbing the beneficial flora.

My daughter was healed at the Hansa Center. They performed a lot of different treatments. One of the treatments was to use these essentially non-toxic nutriceuticals that provides information to the body so that it can itself regain control from the runaway microbes. My daughter used these products during her 2 week stay at the clinic as well as for approximately 6 months after she left the clinic. These products certainly helped her, and she has remained well for over 3 years.

You don't have to go to the clinic to use these nutraceuticals. Many people on this forum have used them and have benefited greatly, others have reported that these nutraceuticals have not helped them. I think that it is worth a try. I do not have any financial interest in recommending these products whatsoever. I am just a happy and satisfied parent because these products have greatly helped my daughter.

Here is a link to Jernigan Nutraceuticals. Please click on the link "click here for more information." I noticed that the "Borrellogen" has Cats Claw listed as the last ingredient. You may want to speak to the owner of the company to see if she can custom blend that product without the Cats Claw. They also have a product called "Lymogen" that is also effective against Borrelia,, but without the Cats Claw. I would talk to Dr. Sarah Jernigan on the phone and tell her your situation. I have heard that she is very helpful and can make suggestions as to the appropriate product to use.

http://www.jernigannutraceuticals.com/Lyme%20Disease.html


There is no need to despair over your situation. There is a solution with which you may start to make some progress. Good luck with it, and please keep us updated with your journey.

Don

Heather's Dad, thanks for your input.  I will look at the website and consider ordering the products, depending on the expense.  I'll let you know/

Traveler, I do have coconut milk kefir, and I looked into making my own, but I was researching so much stuff, I had a problem with information overload.  You've confirmed that that's what I need to do.  I'm definitely going to order the grains.

You're absolutely right about using a holistic doctor.  The thing is, I'm in a rural location.  There is one not far from here who is a naturopath, but apparently doesn't know much about Lyme.

In Raleigh there is an LLMD who uses a lot of natural medicine in addition to abx and even iv abx, but he's reputedly extremely expensive, and he sells his own products, the fact of which always makes me a bit suspicious.  You have to prepay before you even have your first appointment.  Notwithstanding, I've heard good things about him.  I guess I could give him a try, even though it's kind of a long haul, and there's no good public transportation! 

Does Dr. J. use alternative medicine?  It would almost as fast for me to fly to DC.  That's what I've thought of doing, but I need to know how alternative-medicine friendly he is.

The oncology center nearby has a great social worker (I'm a breast ca. survivor); I should ask her about naturopaths and Lyme Disease.

I'm starting to like this forum.

Thanks all of you, Margaret

Hi Heather'sDAD,

Sorry, I don't see any links.

I did look up the Hansa Center. I kind of like the idea of a residential treatment program (I don't mean drug rehab, ha ha). But $6800!!! Phew!

Can you send me that link again?

Thanks so much, Margaret

Thanks,

Actually, it was the link for kefir I was looking for, but now, it has appeared. 

Margaret

I finally found your email. The little envelope thingie doesn't work for some reason, ie default mail client, or something like that.

I looked under "moderators."

Thanks!! Margaret

That's a very good idea.  I've heard of those being used for Lyme.  Do you mind if I ask which essential oils you use?  I'm assuming you take them internally? 

Margaret

 

Thanks so much for your info., sknight. 

I did google essential oils and c. diff., and the only thing I've found so far is oil of oregano used in conjunction with betain HCL. 

My understanding, however,is that oil of oregano actually is an antimicrobial.

Thanks, again.    Margaret

sknight,

I appreciate your desire to not violate forum rules. I don't think that you would be violating any rule if you provide a link to info that happens to contain ads for products. We know that your intent is not to sell supplements.

The same thing applies to product names. We are all on the honor system here. I have mentioned many product/company names in the past, yet have never sold any of them.

Thieves Oil is a product made by "Young Living." We have used many of their essential oils, but do not sell them. It is true that they are generally antimicrobial in nature, although some moreso than others. Essential Oils also have other uses depending on the oil. They are a wonderful tool if you know how to use them.

Don

Yes, rest assured that we know that you aren't here to sell something, but are sharing info that was asked of you. Major difference.

We encourage everyone to share information, since no one treatment will work for everyone and just because one treatment worked for someone, it doesn't mean that it will work for you. BUT - with sharing information, we wind up with many products being spoken about so that if someone isn't healing, they can see what else is out there that might work for them. Much better than just relying on one source for your information.

Now, do I have everyone confused enough yet?? Giggle!!!