stevia as a cyst buster (or is it biofilms; are they the same? anyway…)

Ava Sapi has mentioned at recent ILAD confrences that Stevia shows some promises in treating Lyme. Maybe look into her research and presentation material for more information.

I remember that thread. I have used stevia for many years now, so I don't know if it actually helped me heal or not - other than not using sugar!

To answer the other question - no, cyst forms of the bacteria are not the same as biofilms. Biofilms are colonies of bacteria that form a protective covering - a film - that protects them from any anti-infective action -whether from our own bodies or from medication.

Cyst forms of the bacteria is one of three forms the Lyme disease bacteria can go into. The three are spirochete, cell wall deficient and cyst. They are functions that each individual bacteria can (& do) accomplish on their own, as opposed to the biofilm which is a 'community' of bacteria.

I really like this chart that shows the three forms of the Lyme bacteria and a few of the basic differences in them:
www.lymebook.com/top10forms

I saw my LLMD about 3 wks ago and he suggested using something to get rid of my biofilm. I went to the local nutrition store, which has helped me so much, and they recommended Wobenzym N. Wow!!! I noticed results right away with my muscle pain and weakness!! It has to be taken on an empty stomach and no food after for about an hour but it has really made a difference! Has anybody used this to treat biofilms? Traveler, have you had any experience with this one?

I am taking serrazymes for biofilm forms and AL complex for cyst busting - I think? Is AL complex a cyst buster? I am confused now. Bc I was originally taking Grapefruit seed extract and I know that was a cyst buster, but my Dr stopped it bc I was not reacting well to it.

thanks for the input and thoughts everybody.

I think I'll keep giving him the Stevia in lemon water and if it happens to be helpful in the fight against lyme that's perfect!

I'll have to ask the Dr. about that AL complex. She did say at our last appt. (a phone consult) that when we see her next in early June she may add Tindamax (I think that's the one she mentioned). So he may end up having that soon. She said to "clean up anything still there". So, I think it's positive that he's getting to the point of cleaning it all up, but I've also read some posts on another forum (for parents of lyme and PANS kids) that have kind of scared me. some parents said that the tindamax caused horrible herxing, but really the worst was it caused in some (I'm sure not all) an exacerbation of the PANS symptoms, like OCD, ticcing, etc.
The good news is my son hasn't ticced since late Nov. or mid Dec., but I sure don't want that to start again!
and he never developed OCD, but I still worry.
My son has done great with the other meds, and again hasn't shown PANS symptoms for months, so maybe it will be okay, but I worry.

I'll ask the dr., but has anybody heard similar things, or maybe good reports instead?
I did see in a faq page on a website talking about Dr. J out east (the pediatrician lyme dr.) that he says Tindamax is good for cyst busting in children.

Maybe I'm worried for nothing.

Hi all, I just joined ( my daughter, husband and I all have Lyme for years now) and have a question for Traveler, and anyone else!.
From your post in May it seems that you use primarily herbs. Did you treat only with herbs? I am interested in this as I have tried antibiotics but with chronic Lyme not working well. I am currently on Cowden protocol, and trying to find something for my daughter whose main symptom is terrible pain and muscle spasms in the pelvic area ( docs have called it cystitis, vaginismus, etc) but nothing has worked to give her relief and it started with Lyme so I am trying to help her. I have read it could be Bartonella. Any thoughts would be so welcome.

Hi towanda,

I did use Wobenzym and like another user said Wow - it did pack a punch. It was later in my treatment and one of the only things I had a notable herx to. On the bottle I believe it says you can take up to 12 pills/day. I was petite - 95lbs - so my max dosage was 5 pills 2/x day for a total of 10 pills a day. I was not herxing when I started and relatively asymptomatic so I started at 3 pills 2x/day. If you are not feeling so good or herxing I would recommend starting at a lower dose.

Wobenzym is also relatively expensive - at least I thought so. My herbalist had me rotate and do one month of wobenzym and one month of nattokinase which is a bit more affordable.

To another user that responded in May - I believe the synergy protocol uses bromelain as a cystbuster which is also an ingredient in wobenzym.

~beth