Trying to be done w Lyme

Hello Lyme community,
you all have helped me in many ways, my last topic was due to my elevated liver enzymes, and with good detox milk thistle and maybe time, the #'s came down, thank you all so much.

I write now looking for some advice on where to turn next to advance my progress, become closer to "healed" if there is a such a state, either continuing the same ABX or switching to an all-herbal protocol like Cowden.

I have been on ABX for supposed Babeesia (Borellia and Bartnonella maybe too..?? )now since Oct '15, on and off, pulsing, along with Serra Peptase, Glutathiolone, on & off Jap Knotweed, etc. I have made lots of progress, I'm way better than i was (on Cefuroxime, Azith, Tinidazole- then dropped both Azith & Tini, added Mepron)....but I feel like I have this last bit, that just won't go away. I remain between 85-95% healed it seems. This last bit has been the toughest. I'm looking for tips on where to turn now, to reach towards complete healing. I am aware some never become fully healed, but I am aiming to do so.

My main symptoms still are related to inflammation I'm sure. I still feel like I have arthritis, achey, achey muscles and knees. Although I continue to exercise, and have taken Circumin which didn't help me feel a difference. I have been a very active, healthy, athletic person before the Lyme....always working out, healthy weight and very happy. Now I am very sore after working out, some days more than others, up and down (and seems to follow my cycle too, always has through this). I also feel more anxious than before (could just be worrying about having the disease itself, but majorly panicky once in awhile in the night now). I get achey, fluey feeling if I stay up too late, and I have feelings of being bloated, retaining water, frequent urination. I also have occasional yeast infections. I will say I try to follow the Lyme diet, but not always am I perfect, I try to forget I even still have this, thus, acting like a regular person having a glass of wine....I know, it does not help to have sugar and starch, etc.

I have a lab slip from the LLMD to get a test perfomed to see if I have Mold. On the last visit my LLMD seemed perplexed I wasn't done yet also and wondered if Mold is causing much of my problems. I don't seem to have too many of the mold symptoms and can't imagine where it might be in the house, but maybe we should test the house? I will get that blood test done next. But in the meantime, I still wonder about switching to all herbals, although no insurance paying for it and it seems so pricey and I worry about side effects. Should I?

Here are some of main Q's I have right now, I hope these make sense: any perspective appreciated! Sorry so long.

- should I test for Candidia? I read it can cause anxiety and frequent urination (?), and I get the yeast infections

- should I try the Cowden approach from Nutra-Medix ....$285 a month, wonder how long I would need it?

- should I be done w ABX? Maybe I've become immune or resistant to? My LLMD says you can't become immune, and they don't become ineffective if there is bacteria still there?? I'm not sure I don't need a different Dr too!!

- Maybe it's time to try a new LLMD? I feel he isn't real sure what to do next either, he's having me tested for Mold though, I appreciate him catching that, but wonder if the prescribed ABX are the right ones. Presently I take Cef 2X a day, Mepron 2X a day with Serra Peptase and Pro-biotics, Vitamin B. My LLMD is very caring and smart though, I cannot imagine having to start all over and most cost way more than what mine is charging.


Thank you all so much, I am sorry so lengthy, I imagine though something in here just might help someone else, I read them all too and find nuts and bolts to help heal myself.
Good luck to all in the journey to becoming well.

Pinkroses

Are these lasting symptoms somewhat new since being on abx? I think the yeast infection is a good indicator to explore candida. Have you been on nystatin at all with the abx? I'd almost want to do a trial of diflucan... I've been told candida testing can be inaccurate.

k07:

thank you.....I'm not sure I'm explaining my experience as well as I could .....so when I pulse, I generally feel really pretty good OFF the ABX, but then something will flare up, like a fluey feel, or a swollen knee and I'll know I'm not done treating with the meds. When I get back on, I have herxes all over. I'll feel worse in the very spots I started, acheyness all over, so aren't I supposed to be happy to be Herxing?

So hence I continue the "Herxing dance" of pulse on and off and herx on and off. The whole reason I pulse is to give my gut a rest, detox, and bc that's what I thought you do to blast the cysts. So to answer your Q, no, same symptoms, just worse when I suspect I'm Herxing after having taken a break for awhile.
Hope that makes sense.

I'll explore Candidia, and test for the Mold, re-try the Japanese Knotweed I guess.

my first LLMD told me the last 5-10% is the hardest to eradicate. i know that's no help but wanted to share that you aren't alone here.

What abx were you on to treat Bartonella?

As I was reading your post, I was thinking mold. Then I got to the part where you mentioned testing for it. I would take it one step at a time. I would see what the mold test says and treat for it. That may very well take care of the last little bit and get you to 100%. If not, then I would move on to herbs.

I would definitely encourage you to look into yeast issues too, since you have yeast infections. There's a great, detailed post by Pirouette at the bottom of page 2 of our "New to Lyme?" thread that you can read.

And, as Rikky pointed out, we often hear that the last 5 - 10% is the hardest to get rid of.

From what I've seen, the people that have switched over to herbs at that point seem to have an easier time of getting that last bit of improvement, but of course, it varies.

Keep up the good fight!! You're almost there!!!

Rather than spend $$ on testing I've always opted for treatment. I would definitely integrate herbs, either the Cowden protocol, or another protocol, choosing the one you are drawn to. I started with Buhner herbs, and integrated Chronic Tonic recently. I am at the last 10-15%.

I don't know a lot about Cowden..but there is a schedule online..msybe look at it and see when the herbs are added in...you might not need to buy them all now.

Ok, thank you Krimpet. Are there any in particular that treat the arthritic symptoms specifically? We think I have Babeesia and Bartonella, but not entirely sure, really my symptoms are mostly arthritic and some lethargy due to the stiffness and inflammation of joints I guess. I know Japanese Knotweed is supposed to be helpful, but I haven't had much success with it, not sure if I used it wrong or what. Kind of confused as herbals go.

Bvt has helped my arthritic sx...