Congenital Lyme mild symptoms...herbs or antibiotics?

New here. So glad there is some form of support for people and families suffering.

I was diagnosed 3 months ago with Lyme and bartonella. I suspect I have had it since birth but can definitely trace symptoms back at least 26 years when I had Bell's palsy and stroke-like episode. Fortunate to not have symptoms that have knocked me out completely but have definitely impacted quality of life (depression, anxiety, fatigue, low libido) which Has taken toll on relationships. Entering month 4 of Cowden protocol and so far so good. I was fortunate to have started a paleo diet one year before I was tested for Lyme so that definitely helped with inflammation. Also heterozygous for Mthfr and have non-celiac gluten sensitivity.

Just learned yesterday that both my boys tested positive both for cdc criteria and igenex. 😞. I thought they were a symptomatic but realizing all the little insignificant symptoms are due to Lyme or bartonella.

I have decided to treat them but not sure how yet. My mother at 62 developed a rapid onset of frontal lobe dementia...I don't want that for me or my boys future.

I chose Cowden protocol for me because I heard stories of others doing antibiotics only to relapse and move to an herbal protocol. Plus I'm really nervous about long term side effects of antibiotics.

Has Anyone else had to make this decision and can anyone help me weigh pros and cons. I realize how fortunate. I am to have received a diagnosis as clearly and quickly as we did. Should probably have husband tested too. 😁

Hi Smcalumni96!
Welcome! I'm so glad you joined our community!!

Girlie has already given you some really great information, and I would agree on starting the boys, slowly, on Cowden as well. And since you have already been on it for a bit, you will have an understanding of what to watch for and how to handle it!

We are here to help with information and for suggestions of things you can try, plus we can be a shoulder to lean on when needed!!

Thanks you all for your wisdom and support. If I'm being totally honest with myself then yes, I have already made my mind up about going with the herbs...if I made that choice for myself why wouldn't I for my kids (meaning the negative effects of antibiotics). Issue is, I'm only one part of the decision. My husband (who has not done any research/reading) is the conventional medicine approach in general, doesn't know if we should treat bc kids don't have major symptoms and he is weighing the facts that antibiotics are covered by insurance where Cowden protocol would run is close to $900 a month (that's with me and two kids on herbals).

Husband is very analytical and doesn't make decisions based on emotion. He researches everything when it comes to his interests (cars) and spends plenty of time on mindless games on his phone. Can you sense my irritation? He just doesn't inderstand the potential impact. Does anyone have any good articles or resources that I can put under his nose? Blog posts don't seem to be helpful.

He doesn't think he wants to be tested. He said why test if I'm not sure I would treat myself bc I'm symptom free. He's in good shape and exercises, works hard but it constantly stressed and just so moody to live with. Very bitter man a lot of the time. Can hold everything together for work and puts on a good face with others but at home he has no patience with family, is very type a personality and is emotionally immature (imo). Stomps, slams doors, ignores me when he's mad. I say all of this because he says he's asymptomatic but is he? Or is he this way bc of my 27+ years of depression, low libido, aches and pains??? All his "complaining" about me is actually a blessing in disguise bc it is what made me pursue the source of my symptoms.

He's not as bad as I'm making him sound but I do know not many would have the patience to put up with his excessively high expectations and his constant over reactions. He's a good man and great dad who works hard to provide for his family. Not trying to paint a worse picture than it really is. But if his personality traits are symptoms I want to know! He had some aches and pains but he is constantly fixing stuff and working in yard or on a car. He just pushes thru pain and figures its part of life. Ok, enough for now. Would love feedback.

Dr. Mercola doesn't believe in long time use of abx for Lyme, so I'll see if I can find that again.