Chlamydia Pneumoniae coinfection

It seems that there have been a few posts here in the past about Chlamydia Pneumoniae (Cpn) but I thought I'd highlight it again because it doesn't seem like many are considering it to be a potential major factor in keeping them from getting well.

In a nutshell it's an airborne bacterium that initially infects the respiratory tract. It's related to the STD chlamydia but it is distinct. It's extremely easy to catch and most people have been exposed to it by the time they reach old age. The problem is that in immunosuppressed Lyme patients it is likely to become another chronic infection in your menagerie.

There is a site devoted just to it: cpnhelp.org/ . Imho they are a bit too narrowly focused on it and their combined antibiotic protocol is likely killing other coinfections at the same time. However they do have some great strategies that I think could benefit people here.

A microbiologist who was among those responsible for pioneering the treatment of Cpn discovered that N-Acetyl Cysteine (NAC) kills one of the forms of the bacteria (the elementary body spores). www.davidwheldon.co.uk/NAC.html

Because the testing for Cpn is unreliable, members of the cpnhelp forum generally use a protocol they call the "NAC test". It involves taking 2400mg of NAC daily for a few days until you get a die-off reaction that is fairly unique to Cpn. I did this several years ago and got a fullblown "NAC flu" with runny nose and cough, along with more typical herx symptoms.

NAC is generally good for you, it's an antioxidant and boosts glutathione. However if you suspect Cpn it's probably best to slowly increase the daily NAC dosage starting with 600mg as the initial NAC flu/Cpn herx can be intense.

If you are already taking broad-spectrum antibiotics or herbs for Lyme they probably kill the active intracellular Cpn to some degree. However the key is that in order to eradicate it you need to be continuously taking something that targets the elementary body spores directly or they will simply keep reinfecting your cells. The known agents that do this are either amoxicillan or NAC.

Very interesting. I'm glad my LLMD had me take amoxocillan for awhile and I'm really glad I've been supplementing with NAC and increased the dose twice since I started treatment.

Thanks so much for sharing!

In 2008 with the change of llmd, I was tested for C. Pnemoniae and was shocked to find out that I tested positive. Amoxicillin alone wont get rid of it. I had to take AZith and INH - which is an old tuberculosis drug- for 4 months. When I went on treatment I couldn't believe that I would wake up with a wheeze. It quickly went away. I made great progress with the Lyme after that.

Unfortunately, the remission didn't last. I had a long stretch before the Lyme woke up again. I have my suspicions why.

I think all Lymies should be tested for C. Pnemoniae

My LLND says that my biggest issue is CPN. It's very difficult to get rid of as its an intracellular AND it teams up w/the HHV6!

I've been on NAC for little over a year now and it did clear up my wheezing. However, The bugs have left my chest and moved on elsewhere...CPN has been found in arteries of peeps who died from atherosclerosis, in Alzheimer's, and Cpn causes arthritis.

Cpn is just as bad, if not worse than Borrelia!

Strange! I've been taking large amounts of NAC over the past 2 years, I currently take 5g of NAC daily as part of my Lyme treatment, but that doesn't produce any herx reaction, although my blood tests say I have Cpn. I buy pure NAC powder in bulk bags from bodybuilding online stores, it's a lot less expensive, but the taste is horrible.

I don't know! Unfortunately, I have no doctor able to tell me how much to take...

There seems to be a lot of confusion with this 'supplement'. I have read both that it can cause increased blood clotting and that it causes a risk of bleeding - sometimes on the same page!!! Grr! Make up your mind!

But this is a source I'd be more inclined to believe:
/rawlsmd.com/herbs/nac-n-acetyl-cysteine

Anyone treat successfully with herbs alone? I see cowden suggests bayberry.

I've never been tested but when I see intercistal cystitis and heavy chest...also symptoms of bart. ..it sure does make me wonder why it was never suggested I get tested. I did see in researching today that CP feeds hh6, which I did test igg positive.

Grrrrr. This never ends does it?

To my knowledge high doses of various essential oils used topically should kill it, but it may take a long time

Yes I did. Thanks!