C4a and CD57

Cholestyramine is a powerful binder even used for some with lyme who have a hard time getting rid of biotoxins. So I think it's useful for mold and lyme.

New to lyme -

I am LOVING your LLMD!! I am so thrilled that he is prioritizing mold treatment over lyme tx - many LLMDs don't do this and it's completely out of sequence.

If you'd like to learn more about mold - check out Dr Shoemaker's website. He has a lot of good info for those starting out. www.survivingmold.com

Cholestyramine
I gotta tell ya - I have some wonderful things in my arsenal that have produced significant improvements in my treatment. But NOTHING I have ever taken in my entire life has been as effective as cholestyramine. It literally shifted my treatment into high gear. I'm on 2 different IV antibiotics and have a history of yeast/fungal challenges but now off antifungals entirely because the cholestyramine is so effective. Will post more on that later.

But you really want the PURE cholestyramine - any other manufactured form is cheap but filled with fillers and even sugar or sugar substitutes and very little of the raw drug. It's expensive, too. But for your mold levels, I strongly encourage you to invest in it. You may love it so much you'll take it forever. I plan to. I have a great compounding pharmacy - let me know if you'd like more info or have trouble getting it. Please ask your LLMD to prescribe it over the cheap stuff.

Benefits I have experienced (nearly overnight):

PERFECT bowel movements (I had no idea how perfect they could be - color, form, most of all - frequency, since taking it I've not once felt constipated, had issues not being able to "go", no loose stools or diarrhea) which were a common experience.

It has helped heal the mucosal lining of the intestines - it's either doing this by keeping things moving or it is also just clearing stuff that shouldn't be there.

I'm sleeping better.

My cholesterol must be better now (it skyrocketed w/ thyroid treatment) because my LLMD hasn't brought it up - but I'll check to be sure. It binds cholesterol very well so that is a known benefit.

It has reduced herxing significantly and really helped me transition onto a new abx without too much drama - I think because of the gut-brain connection it is helping clear mycotoxins that affect brain function MUCH more effectively before they even get to the brain.

A few tips on taking binders like cholestyramine:
- Start very slowly. I mean S-L-O-W-L-Y. You don't want to detox mold or anything else too quickly or your body won't be able to keep up with it. For you, I'd start with 1/8 teaspoon pure cholestyramine (or the equivalent of the manufactured forms) in a full glass of water, then chase it with another glass. One problem many people have is they start too quickly with too much and experience NASTY herx problems because they've just dislodged a bunch of toxins their bodies cannot process quickly enough. Then they stall their treatment for days/weeks to get recalibrated again.

- Drink copious amounts of water with every dose and in-between so that nothing gets backed up.

- Wait 1-2 hrs after eating/drinking/supplements/meds before taking a binder; wait 2-3 hrs after taking a binder to eat/drink/take supplements/meds.

- Be careful with intense fiber products like psyllium husk (which is a great product) - just don't over do it by taking too much fiber with too much binder. This can be a little rough on the gut and any of us who is healing from lyme & co and/or mold, and/or yeast/fungal issues, and/or gut/digestion issues also needs to be careful to do things that HEAL the gut, not just clean it out.

- The best time for a binder is at the end of the day after you've taken your antibacterial medications and herbs and have finished your final meal. (Binding twice/day is optimal but very tough to fit into a packed lyme & co protocol). Your body's digestive system goes into a different gear at nighttime (yes, it is always working 24/7) and it's also easier on the schedule since you need significant buffer periods before and after the binders.

- Also good for the end-of-the day schedule is to take the binder and follow with a soothing product like aloe vera juice (very soothing) and your probiotic and then off to bed to heal while you sleep.

Hope this is helpful - please let me know if you have q's!!!

-p

Post Edited (Pirouette) : 5/26/2016 2:51:11 PM (GMT-6)

krimp-

Candida can raise C4a as well, its yeast, similar to mold. Mine has been 50,000.

Normal 4a is higher than 650, someware between 1000 and 2000.

Many unknowns can lower CD-57, even immune issues some think.

Pirouette- do you think antifungles for candida go after mold too?

astro--
Not from what I've read. In fact, some antifungals are molds just like some abx are from mold.

Have you tried using a very powerful binder? Choestyramine is often prescribed for mold - if you get the pure stuff and work up to a good high dose at night before bed (like 6g or more) you might have some impact. I'm leaning more and more toward a good binder as my best friend.

-p

I just posted this article to another thread - will repost here, too. Unfortunately there is a lot of controversy over what CD57 really tests us - even with a baseline and repeated tests over time.

I was on my deathbed before treatment and my CD57 was 37. Then a year later in pretty good shape I was 43. Then a year after that and greatly improved I'm still only 54.

Here's a good article on C3a, C4a and CD57:

www.publichealthalert.org/role-of-c3a-and-c4a-complement-proteins-in-chronic-lyme-disease.html

-p

My c4a test came back 'sky high' (don't have the numbers yet but will tomorrow) and my cd57 is at 98 (which the doc considers a gray zone). All this time I thought I was suffering through a long protracted withdrawal effects from quitting Paxil last year but now with these tests, I believe it is a mold situation.

I am hoping the dr has a good plan for me as I'd like to start treatment soon.

(i think my old house was the culprit as we discovered serious mold issues in the attic when we were selling the home - it was remediated but we lived there for 5 years while the mold was growing). A year after moving out of that home is when I started to really suffer adverse effects, but at the same time I was quitting Paxil, so chalked it all up to the Paxil. Which I understand, the trauma and stress of coming off an SSRI can jump start this sort of reaction. ( i read somewhere and need to find the article).

Hope I can heal quickly, and I've caught it in time to reverse things.

I think will get my C4A checked aswell as i think i definitely have some mold issues.

A lot of food allergy too which will cause instant diarrhea dont know why will ask the doc on my next check up.


My cd 57 last time was 240 is that a good sign???

My latest test tesults in June my C4a is 907...it was 15,941 is March. My CD 57 sucks at 11. It was 3. Will be rechecked in late September.

P - have you ever tried psylllium husk? it works similarly to cholestyramine, but I am wondering if I should make the switch.....although I am doing great, I am still kinda treating Candida, bc i know it isn't gone, and I want to get to the point where it is almost completely out of my system. still have a ways to go.

toulouse - i had frequent urination (and a VERY strong urge) when I started psyllium, I believe that is normal bc psyllium and cholestyramine work the same way and bind to all of the bad stuff and flush it all out!