Sponaugle wellness

I have never heard of it until now. I looked it up and it seems alot like Envita Medical Center in AZ without the use of antibiotics. The patients seem to have to commit to an unknown period of time however. They also don't give an inkling as to how much it costs which is always a little worrisome. I understand they tailor treatment to each patient and not all patients will need the same amount of treatment etc., but it would still be nice if they listed a ballpark figure.

I've been on this forum for a year and I have never even heard this name before so it will be interesting to see if anyone else pipes in on this. Great question, glad you asked!

Hey all -
I just got back from Sponaugle Wellness and was actually there while Yolanda was there. I can tell you that the program is ever evolving so things are constantly changing based on new research and new protocols that they develop. From when I started until when I ended, people coming in were on different payment plans and in some cases treatment plans. It is expensive but from the people I met who left before me, most all seem to be doing really well and those who took off early seem to be struggling more then others.

Here is what I can tell you... about 80% of the patients have the HLA genes for multi-suceptibility (Sponaugle's group refers to it as Mold and Lyme gene) or the Mold gene. These genes keep you from being able to build antibodies to mold, lyme and other toxins depending on which genes you have. Because of this, your body stores these toxins into your tissues, muscles and organs and over time it adds to your biofilm. The big focus at Sponaugle Wellness is on your brain gut connection and how to balance out your hormones and imbalances in your brain chemistry so that you can then clean up your gut to build up your immune system since the majority of your immune system is in your gut. If you break up enough of the biofilm with an improved immune system, you too can fight lyme, mold, and other tb illnesses that come along for the ride.

There is a big look into mold at this center which has been a huge eye opener for me and my family. We have had mold in the past but were unaware that how we remediatied it likely only opened up our lives to more micotoxins from mold spores. The belief here is that if you don't get rid of the mold in your body and break up the biofilm that you will never get better. So the focus seems to be more on that first and then the lyme and some of the other treatments will get the rest that you have brewing in you. It turns out that after having my family tests, we all have mold levels higher then the CDC allowed levels so we are clearly living in a moldy environment.

There is a misnomer about this clinci... they do use a small dose of iv antibiotics if you have certain issues like bartonella. They will also use mepron if you have babesia (I think that's it but I don't babesia so I can't speak to that). They will also use some prescription drugs when you need them like those to block the over electrification of the brain. Because of their use of supplements, herbal protecols, prescriptions and vitamins and minerals, they seem to keep the herxing to a minimum which is pretty nice. Everything is used for a temporary bit of time and based on you and only your needs. They will use bioidentical hormones to help with plummeting hormones during a killing cycle and they watch you like a hawk. It is outpatient, everything at the clinic is basically via IV and a lot of proprietary IVs with lots of good things in them. I can tell you that as someone with a huge science and brain background, they have done their research. I have seen and read some of the same research and they are really pretty ahead of the curve in a lot of areas compared to some of the other LLMDs out there.

This is not for everyone but it seems to work for a lot of people. They have about a 9% failure or relapse rate which is pretty impressive for the over 12,000+ patients that have walked through those doors. While there I saw many people who were wheeled in and were on their last leg with things like organ failure in addition to lyme and mold and the rest of it. Many walked out or moondanced out and it was quite amazing. From what I have found from staying in touch with about 50+ people that after leaving the program and being home for about 4-5 weeks, they are feeling amazing and their post treatment testing is showing that they have done a massive job at getting rid of most of the lyme/mold/etc. at least to the point that we can say we've gotten rid of it.

As for cost for the program I would contact them and talk to a patient coordinator who can answer what their current plan is. From what I heard it's $3000 a week including the majority of the supplements and doctors visits as well as daily nurse visits and all of your IVs. You do get multiple IVs on most days and are on a lot of supplements while in the program. When I started we were doing weekly blood draws, weekly external kits to test for mold and weekly amino acid testing and seeing the doctor with your nurse weekly. I was also seen by a nurse daily who checked my symptoms and was able to work with the doctor on the spot to change up my IVs and add or subtract what was needed. The majority of the patients I met were there for 7-9 weeks.

It's a big time and money commitment and I will have to see how I feel as time goes on. I've only been home for a few days so I can't say how I'm going to be but I'll let you know in a month or so. I would say that this group was able to identify issues that I've been having for a long time, show or tell me why (which other docs have not been able to) and were able to provide me with some different testing that showed my assumed diagnosis like bartonella and lyme. My doctors were treating me based on symptoms but could never get a positive antibody test for these, not even Igenix. When I saw all of my biofilm and then saw the spirochetes in it I realized why. As I've broken up the biofilm, I've been able to get some positive antibodies which is pretty cool so I'm finally getting the validation that my science based mind needed.

I thought the doctors were great, the nurses were pretty good and all in all, I had a great experience and as we go through follow ups I hope to find more results from my blood testing as well as just feeling better that show that I'm on the road to healing after 20+ years of struggling. And as for Envita, I don't know much about this center but there were at least 5 or 6 former patients from there, two of which were local to the Envita area in AZ and they were all being treated here after unsuccessful treatment at Envita. I am sure you can say this about any program but I liked to listen to them complain about what didn't work there. I think Envita sounds great but from the chatter I heard, I think their program is slightly different, treatments are less aggressive at Envita and they don't spend much time focusing on some of the same mind/body connections or enough on the mold connection at Envita. I don't know if that's a good or bad thing but that's what I heard.

I hope this has helped. I will gladly share with you more as the time goes by. Right now I am trying to get readjusted to life after being away for a while and trying to figure out how to remmediate the mold in my house. And one thing I did learn was that Candida is interpreted as a mold in your body. IF you have have the mold or lyme and mold/multisuceptible genes that you have to get your candida under control for the rest of your life. They do focus on candida cleanses to help with that as well at Sponaugle Wellness. Just something for others to think about. I know I've fought candida for the past 10 years and had an uphill battle so hope I can get that under control!

just a scarf, thanks for the info

the way you write, you seem clear, you wrote a lot so that is a good sign

Knice, I will let u know later on.

hang in there. gentle hugs

Justascarf,

How are you feeling? I am starting at Sponaugle this week for chronic lyme. Please let me know how you are feeling. Healing hugs sent your way.

up

I just finished reading all of the thread on the Sponaugle Center. Someone I know is down there now and I spoke with his wife and got the impression that it is $3,000 per MONTH, not per WEEK. Can someone clarify this? Also, if one has insurance does insurance pick up any of the cost? I am sure like most other specialty practices they don't accept insurance but can I file out-of-network?

Can I file labs and other tests with my insurance? Or, is it a flat fee for everything? I am not giving up on my doc up here in the DC area but he has a different approach, treat symptomatically and does very little labs. I have MTHFR which makes it hard for my immune system to fight off Lyme and co-infections. I have not been tested for mold. Is there a specific test that I can do up here in Virginia for mold without having to come all the way down to FL?

How much a night does the hotel cost? Is there a shuttle to the clinic? How much time a day does a patient spend at the clinic?

Sorry for all the questions but I have been very sick for 17 years and gone from wheel chair, to walker, to walking, to bed rest every day. I have all the co-infections, parasites, protozoans, etc.... I do detox but have trouble clearing biofilms. My Lyme is very neurological and I am permanently disabled....pretty much NO LIFE from age 20-46. I am upbeat but want to get better before all the abx kill me!

Hi All,

I am new to this site.  I was recently diagnosed with Lyme and had already been diagnosed with Protomyxzoa.  I called Sponaugle and spoke to a patient coordinator.   When I asked about the price, he said it was $3000 a week.  He also said that the cost for the initial testing they do is about $4500.  He named some other costs for tests along the way.  He said that the average stay was 8-12 weeks but you should stay until you are better.  The hotel they recommend costs $65 a night.  So I estimated it would cost me close to $50,000 for a 10 week stay there..  I told the person I spoke to I would have to think about this. 

I live in Maryland and was also wondering if the mold testing could be done here in the DC area instead of going to Florida.  I have a doctor I like in VA but I don't know if he does that testing or not.

this message is for justascarf2 above. I am interested in talking to you in more depth about the spunaugle clinic as at one time I was looking into this for my wife but got scared off by negative chatter but am looking at them again and was very encouraged by your post...I do not know much about how to personally talk to someone on here but I am desperate to get some help for my wife...how can we talk? david

Ravensgirl ~

There's a company that tests for mold. You need to have a Dr's signature. This might be what your doctor could take care of for you.

http://www.realtimelab.com/home

Good luck and all the best, and welcome!!

Does anyone have any updates on how they fared after going to Sponaugle? I am going Nov 2 and am nervous about the treatment, cost, if it will work. If someone could let me know I would so appreciate it!

Hi AngelSB and sareiob,

From what I have researched this clinic uses holistic medicine which I am all for.  Have you read books so you know what to expect if you go and what to expect when you get home?   I suggest reading:

Stephen Buhner's book called "Healing Lyme" (www.amazon.com) and

Dr. Jernigan's book "Beating Lyme" (www.hansacenter.com) and click on store.

Please do your research and learn as much as you can about lyme disease because I get scared that people will go to these clinics and expect to walk out 100% better which is usually not the case.   Getting better from chronic lyme entails so many different aspects, not just taking botanicals..   

Once again, I believe a person should educate themselves before committing to any type of clinic or treatment protocol.

Best of luck!

Denise