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Please help so discouraged - started Buhner's herb for Lyme/Bart and now tight chest/deep exhale.

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Posted 11/7/2016 7:39 PM (GMT 0)
Hey great people, I'm feel really sad and worried. As you may recall, I have recent tick exposure with early diagnosis and treatment for Lyme. As I was nearing the end 3.5 months of antibiotic treatment, I was feeling about 90% but sort of convinced the last 10% might be an undiagnosed Bart infection. I had some Bart symptoms in the past: burning soles for 24 hours, two nights in which I felt like heat was emanating from my forearms, recurring pink and some swollen lymph nodes. Most of the Bart symptoms had resolved except for super cold feet at night and no appetite. So I decided to start with Buhner's herbs to see if it could help. Did fine with Cat's Claw, but just one capsule of Japanese Knotweed and my Bartonella symptoms started to flare up - mostly warmth in my arms and soles of my feet, as well as continued cold feet and no appetite. Even though I knew this could be a herx and confirmatory of a Bart co-infection, it was still pretty discouraging to feel worse after feeling better.

What's even worse is that I've started to have a tight feeling in chest with an involuntary desire to exhale/sigh all the time? IS this what they call air hunger? I'm just so sad and discouraged that I may have to deal with yet another co-infection.

Plus, I've noticed that my baby (15 months) was breathing very heavy last night and I'm worried she might have babesia as well and I was hoping that she was the lone family member out of 6 unaffected by Lyme.

This all feels so hopeless. My husband who has lyme as well as my parents thinks I'm worrying myself sick, but I'm getting no guidance from my local doctors especially pediatric. I'm going to take the kids to Dr. J asap.

Please tell me it gets better...I need to hear that there is hope because I feel like the unluckiest person in the world right now
Posted 11/7/2016 7:51 PM (GMT 0)
Air hunger for me is seriously feeling like you can't breathe. When this happens I try to relax and sometimes I take oregano oil as that helps with respiratory. But that sighing is a symptom of Lyme and/or co. Can't remember which.

I think most of us have those 😩 hopelessness feelings at times. From all that I have ever read on this forum it does get better but it takes time and no one can predict when you will feel better. It's just such a rollercoaster ride that no one wants to be on.

I know it's hard not to stress out because we all do or have, but we do have to keep that to a minimum as much as we can. It just further suppresses our immune functions.

There are many on here that are self-treating due to a variety of reasons. But with little ones I too would be seeking a doc for guidance.

Perhaps others with little ones will be along to give you some guidance and support. 1000Daisies has 3 children that are being treated as well as herself. But I know there are others that have been at this for awhile with little ones.

Hang in there!
Posted 11/7/2016 8:27 PM (GMT 0)
Thank Krimpet. I guess it's a little reassuring. How did you make your air hunger go away?

It's hard not to stress when I'm dealing with the future of these 4 little people. I feel so terrible that they've been exposed to this on one week vacation. My doctor friend asked for referrals on a doctor mom group on Facebook and none of them could believe the whole dang family got Lyme disease.

I hate their pediatric infectious disease doctor and if I'm going to travel to a pediatric LLMD, I might as well go to one of the best, but unfortunately that means I will have stick to my mediocre LLMD because Dr. J doesn't see adults. I love into some other Lyme experts in DC and PA who see both kids and adults, but their wait times are too long. Really hoping to avoid them going chronic or at least a few of them.
Posted 11/7/2016 8:28 PM (GMT 0)
When I had air hunger it was like I couldn't get a full deep breath...that symptom only happened at night.
During the day I was also sighing a lot.

If you are taking your kids to THE paediatric Dr. J. they will be in good hands.

I am so sorry you're dealing with all this - but it DOES get better...
Take a deep breath and one day at a time.

(((Hugs)))
Posted 11/7/2016 8:34 PM (GMT 0)
Girlie do you think you had Babesia? Or Bartonella? What did you attribute the air hunger and sighing too?

Did anything improve it?

Should I lay off the herbs until I can tolerate it better?
Posted 11/7/2016 8:42 PM (GMT 0)
Not to throw a wrench into things but, Lyme also causes air hunger...

Would you consider a consultation with one of Buhner's recommended herbalists?

buhnerhealinglyme.com/resources/herbalists/

Their rates are usually a fraction of that charged by LLMD's and they often do phone consults. I regret not contacting one sooner. Having professional recommendations have made a big difference in my healing.
Posted 11/7/2016 8:53 PM (GMT 0)

lymebug said...
Girlie do you think you had Babesia? Or Bartonella? What did you attribute the air hunger and sighing too?

Did anything improve it?

Should I lay off the herbs until I can tolerate it better?

I don't know for sure if I have Babesia...I have herxed on some of my rounds of Artemisinin...especially the first round. My herxes have never been easy to identify...as I have daily flares on most days....so not sure if I'm always recognizing them.

My air hunger/sighing went away prior to any treatment.

The jury is still out - whether or not i have Babesia.

I wouldn't lay off the herbs...was the herx from the one cap of JK tolerable? Were you able to alleviate it with detoxing?
You could buy some empty capsules...and open up the JK cap...and put 1/2 of it in the empty cap...and try that - but wait until you are feeling better.
Posted 11/7/2016 8:56 PM (GMT 0)
CD, I absolutely would but I checked with Julies and she's booked thru February so while I may take something for then I need something sooner. Unfortunately I can't do tinctures with my kids. I tried some astralagus and they acted like I squirt burning acid ín their mouth. Even the baby spit it out, there's no way they could do that on a regular basis. Maybe a day or two thru threats bribery and trickery. My8 year old can swallow tablets. I ordered astralagus that is supposedly now kid friendly but have no idea how potent that will be - I imagine not as much. I doubt they have kid friendly cats claw and Japanese knotweed. So the herbs consult would be more for me and my husband.
Posted 11/7/2016 9:06 PM (GMT 0)
lymebug,

If you check that link I shared, there are many more herbalists than Julie. I was able to speak with Tim Scott within a week of my first phone call.

Since that time, I've been able to get Tim on the phone for short consults within 2 days of my call.

Herbs just don't come in tincture form....there is powder, capsules and tablets. I'm aware of some mothers making herbal Jello shots for their kids.

Good luck to all of you!
Posted 11/7/2016 10:21 PM (GMT 0)

CD3764 said...
lymebug,

If you check that link I shared, there are many more herbalists than Julie. I was able to speak with Tim Scott within a week of my first phone call.

Since that time, I've been able to get Tim on the phone for short consults within 2 days of my call.

Herbs just don't come in tincture form....there is powder, capsules and tablets. I'm aware of some mothers making herbal Jello shots for their kids.

Good luck to all of you!

CD, Thanks so much. I will look into setting up something with Tim Scott. The problem is that I have 4 kids - two are confirmed positive, one was borderline with a lyme specific band and the fourth was totally negative WB but can't be sure as I was cosleeping and nursing while on vacation. So that' s 4 different dosages of jello shots. Sounds tough but definitely will try to speak to Tim about our family.
Posted 11/7/2016 10:23 PM (GMT 0)

Girlie said...

I wouldn't lay off the herbs...was the herx from the one cap of JK tolerable? Were you able to alleviate it with detoxing?
You could buy some empty capsules...and open up the JK cap...and put 1/2 of it in the empty cap...and try that - but wait until you are feeling better.

Well, it was one cap 2-3 times day. Maybe just go back to one a day and work back up. It's tolerable other than the fact that it makes me totally panicky that I'm never going to get this thing in order. It's more the psychological fear of a never-ending Lime & co battle than any physical pain.
Posted 11/8/2016 12:56 AM (GMT 0)
Do you think it's possible that the Japanese Knotweed kicked up anxiety associated with Bart and is causing the sighing and chest tightness? I'm not a overly anxious or depressive person but the few times in my life where I've been very anxious or nervous about something - I tend to sigh, have no appetite and just feel like I can't breathe.

I've had a very bad day after many many good days. I think as bad as some of those early doxy herx days, but that was more physcial discomfort.

I just don't know if to take as a sign that it's working or just lay back.
Posted 11/8/2016 1:51 AM (GMT 0)
okay - yes go back to 1 capsule per day...and stay for awhile...see how you feel.

Yes, it's possible that the JK cause bart associated anxiety.
sighing, chest tightness - is usually attributed to Babesia...but your Babs could also be coming to the forefront.
...although, I had some rib tightness that I attribute to bart.
This was separate from my air hunger/sighing.
It felt like I had a vice grip on my ribs - right under my breasts...and it wrapped from front to back.

Some times it's not easy to tell what is going on - which infection it is..
Posted 11/8/2016 2:13 AM (GMT 0)
Lymebug,

I am so sorry you are going through all of this. Truly sorry. Of course you are stressed and anxious. I never experienced anxiety like when I got lyme. My son was just diagnosed and I have been having setbacks. Wise Trav, knew it was from stress about my son, making my own lyme symptoms worse. It may be the same for you. I was told to try and stay calm, build up my immunity, work on the lyme. Maybe try not to worry so much about the co infections right now. I also would sigh when anxious so didn't know if I had babs (turns out I do). I guess we aren't going to fix it all at once. I was told by our LLMD that kids heal much faster than adults, so hopefully there is some comfort in that for you.

Prayers and hugs to all of you.
Posted 11/10/2016 5:19 PM (GMT 0)
So sorry to hear that you all have been infected. That is so sad. There are so many families in the same situation. Including ours. :( We have only one family member who is not ill and I am dreading that my oldest daughter could get it from me or from her sister.

Air hunger is horrible and makes me very scared as well. I dont have it all the time but when I herx and change treatment. Or when I relapse. I also have episodes of POTS and I can not stand up. It is also very scary. I used to go to ER forts times, but now I am just trying to get through it. I am off sugar but during those episodes I sometimes take valeriana tea with sugar. Seems to help me to calm down, to breathe slower. I hope you will be feeling better soon. Start slowly to kill bugs. Those herbs are powerful.
Posted 11/10/2016 6:06 PM (GMT 0)

VeryLuckyGirl said...
We have only one family member who is not ill and I am dreading that my oldest daughter could get it from me or from her sister.

Veryluckygirl, You're scaring me more now? How could your daughter get it from you or her sister?
Posted 11/10/2016 6:33 PM (GMT 0)
The Lyme bacteria has been found in saliva. Some people have reported being infected by tears, and - while not related to getting it from family members, but the Lyme bacteria can also be passed between sexual partners sometimes.
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