Buhner Protocol Questions & Breastfeeding

Hi. I found out in January that I've been struggling with Lyme for the past 2 years (symptoms begin in the fall and progress to become debilitating in the winter). I'm doing much better now and the symptoms I do have are manageable. I am trying to slowly introduce the full protocol from the 2nd edition of his book. I have everything in my possession except Eleuthero, and Vit C.

So far I'm only taking the following:
Cat's Claw (3 caps/day)
Japanese knotweed powder (3/4 tsp x3)
Chinese skullcap tincture (5 drops x3)
ashwaganda (3 caps/day, though I just ran out)
Uncaria Rhycophylla tincture (I took 10 drops this morning for the first time -half dose according to bottle)

I have to add the remaining: red root, cordyceps, licorice, and andrographis.

I am also on Biaxin 500 mg 2x/day (my very first abx for lyme treatment), selenium, fish oil, vit D, just ran out of magnesium, and a very low dose of thyroid meds that I haven't taken in weeks. My LLMD recommended that I just take the basic 3 herbs, but I had already read the book and wanted to do them all. She also isn't addressing inflammation, diet, other underlying issues, etc (yet?).

My questions are:

What herbs have caused herx symptpms? After taking the half dose of gou teng this morning I had a return of weak/slow feeling in my hands, and tingling in my tongue. Or maybe it's this cold, awful weather??? Also, I've had some insomnia the last few nights that was a little different than what I struggled with before (since adding the chinese skullcap, but I may have stared at my phone too long before bedtime.)

Should I continue with introducing all of the herbs even though I have improved greatly since the end of Jan/Feb?

Do you follow Buhner's dosage guidelines exactly or the directions for each herb?

Has anyone found any more info about herbs contraindicated for breastfeeding? There is no mention of it for any of the herbs in his book. I'm breastfeeding a 20 month old 1-3 times a day. I don't think he is getting much breast milk anymore at all. He very well could have been exposed by now, considering I believe I first contracted Lyme about 8 years ago.

Thank you!

Hi jlESVA, Welcome to our forum.
My experience is that you need to go slow with the herbals and only introduce one at a time to see how you react/tolerate them.

You can get a herx from them.

If you arn't detoxing , it's a good idea to start so you can lessen the herx symptoms.

All new members are encouraged to take a look at the thread on top of page that says"New to Lyme Start Here"

There are detoxing methods posted there and lots of other great ,helpful information.

Others should be along to answer any questions you have.

Take care ,Jo

Thanks for the replies. I'm really glad I came across this forum. I can read blogs and articles until I'm blue in the face, but it helps to hear personal experiences more than anything! I'll take a look at the New to lyme thread.

I am currently detoxing with epsom salt baths and dry brushing. I have introduced all of the herbs one at a time to gauge my reactions and my sons. I've also made adjustments to his dosing since I read that he bases the doses on a 160# person, and I'm 116.

Here is what Buhner says --

Published studies and the history of use for the past few thousand years. If I were nursing, I would tend to concentrate on knotweed, cat’s claw and astragalus, which are all useful when they go into the breastmilk.
Stephen

buhnerhealinglyme.com/transmission/herbs-safe-for-nursing/

I you notice that your babe is more active than usual, I would stop the ashwaganda. That herb can be stimulating.

I hope he has no lyme, but I think the herbs you are taking will help him via the breast milk also. So I don't think it is a rush to wean him, just like Buhner doesn't think it is either.

I'm in similar boat. Long term infection- about ten years. Found out a couple years ago just when had baby.

I'm still nursing. And praying. And just gearing up into treatments. Went to llnd- naturopath, and had been under treating. Now I'm doing
Bruhner and one antibiotic. I Need to ramp up everything.
I'm only on some of his herbs as of now.
I haven't had any reactions to the herbs I'm on. Except possible andrographis Watch for skin reactions such as rash. My son has a rash from something. ??? I started treatment around the same time introduced wheat - both are suspects at this point, as well as

As of now I just take green dragon tonic- jk, Eleuther0, cats claw as well as bailable skullcap. I'm still in research mode with the rest of the herbs and plan to add most of them. Depending on symptoms and if I feel I need. I don't think I will take all but most.

Want to add coinfectiinbherbs also but waiting till I research those and nursing. I believe I read a bruhner answer indication all were doable but need to find that again to be sure.


I am waiting until I'm done nursing to biofilm bust with extras.

Good luck.

Hi J:

I breastfed while treating for lyme and I treated while pregnant. My LLMD said it is beneficial to breastfeed because the baby will get the antibodies to Lyme from the milk. So, as long as your immune system makes the antibodies, the baby will get it.

I would be more concerned about the vaccines. My daughter that I breastfed didn't get sick from my Lyme, but when she was 7 she got bit, the tick broke, but she was still ok. Then she got 7 shots for vaccination and she got severely ill and crippled. So, if you do vaccinate, at least space it out. My daughter was fine, she had a good immune system, but it was the tick bite AND the vaccines that brought her immune system down. So, I encourage you to breastfeed. That baby will get immunity from you. Just be careful with the shots. I would skip the flu shot all together, since it may be only marginally effective and it contains mercury. There are MDs that do not vaccinate while treating kids for lyme, so if you have any concerns, wait on the vaccines or at least space them out.

I have two babes. 6 and 2.5. Neither tested. Well tested with a useful test. Neither symptomatic. Although the six year old has occasional things . Like cold sores or any pain or emotional upheaval.. just about EVERYTHING could fit the gigantic profile. Trying to get self better so I can be there and test them if and when ... hopefully sooner rather than later I'll be better and will be at a calm place and will get them an appointment with pediatric llmd and we will test . But I don't yet have llmd. So busy being a mom and trying to heal . An apt with anyone is a three person affair as I have no child care.

I love bruhner so far. He is a gift. A beacon of light. Hope. I just have to follow through. When I'm doing well I'm less diligent .

Simela1, that is terrible! I am so sorry about your daughter, but yay that she is symptom free! I actually am not vaccinating my son YET. I haven't quite decided what to do, but I'm glad I've held off on them since I've been so sick. I will probably use a very delayed, alternative schedule, maybe. My son has had one swollen lymph node on the back of his neck ever since I can remember, and he has randomly complained of toe pain a few times. Odd symptoms, but hopefully nothing. :-/ Thanks for sharing!!! It's always great to have confirmation for tough decisions I've had to make.

Lighlife, I can identify. My babies are 4 and 20 months and my husband works shift work as a fireman and is gone 10 days out of the month, then runs a side business, so I know how hard it is for us Mom's to catch a break and truly "rest" and "de-stress" like we are told to. I feel the same way about Buhner. I think his books are awesome! He could've easily taken a different path and made more money by not handing out his knowledge in book form, but he put it in a usable format for everyone. I'm very thankful! And I can definitely agree that I lose diligence when I'm feeling better...