HealingWell
Search Close Search
☰

Chinese Medicine support thread

Support Forums
>
Lyme Disease
✚ New Topic ✚ Reply
1 2 3
❬ ❬ Previous Thread |Next Thread ❭ ❭
Posted 12/26/2021 5:28 PM (GMT 0)
It's hard to say because I don't look at it in terms of pathogens, Lyme, or even necessarily germ theory. Terrain Theory makes a lot more sense to me.
My body ultimately shut down in 2016, after a landslide starting in late 2015. So 5-6 years.
In embracing Chinese Medicine, it's clear to me that there was no "pre-Lyme" and "Lyme" and "after Lyme," not in reality anyway, just in how I learned to categorize my symptoms. I have an entire history of being lied to and abused by the western medical paradigm, being drugged, and dissociating from my mind and body. The tick bite did me in, but as there is no "concrete science" to test for where my other ailments and traumas end and tick-borne disease begins - nor could there be - my body is ONE WHOLE SYSTEM, and there is no this or that alone, it's a process and a network, always - I can't put myself in any categories, boxes, or timelines.

I do not yet have the full capacity to function as I would like. I still have "blood deficiency" and various bouts of qi and organ imbalances. Fatigue, food sensitivities, brain fog, for the western-minded. And a lot of trauma responses.

I'm not "well" by any society or medical standard, but I'm more in tune with my body and nature and humanity than I've ever been in my life and developed emotional skills most people will never have the privilege of attaining. So what is "well"?

I'm still in treatment, which is expanding, as I've said, more and more to trauma therapy, physical therapy, and both physical and mental lifestyle changes. People and ideas can be as toxic as food or chemicals and need to be cut out of your life just the same.

No doctor agrees on what I do or do not have as far as pathogen load. As far as I'm concerned, all I have are lessons I haven't learned yet.
Posted 12/26/2021 6:48 PM (GMT 0)
babsbunny Thank you for the update! I am curious if you are still working with the same practitioner you were with before, doing the pearls? And are you still taking pearls? If you want to share, I am also curious which pearls you are currently on. I change the pearls every three months, plus I now have two family members on the pearls also so I am getting more familiar with them and am just curious if you are still on them and which ones.
Posted 12/26/2021 9:45 PM (GMT 0)
Yes, same doctor, and still on pearls - a combo of about 5 different ones, and others that change with my condition, for example when I have my period, or when heartburn or muscle pain flares up. They are not prescribed for symptoms, but for specific patient's patterns. So the pearls I take for headache would not be the same pearls you take for headache; what helps my asthma would not be applicable to your asthma. It's very VERY tailored to the patient, and that's why they can't just sell them to the general public. It's not by symptom, it's by patient condition. You have to know if your flu is heat, cold, or wind - all would be "flu" but require different TCM pills.
And I take other herbal formulas as needed, and get some custom made.
Posted 12/26/2021 10:55 PM (GMT 0)
hi babsbunny yes for sure I know the pearls and the whole regiment is personal; I was just curious!
Posted 12/26/2021 11:05 PM (GMT 0)
Also babsbunny, I am sure you have told me this before but I forgot and was just curious. How often do you see your doctor and change up the protocol? For me it is every three months because I literally have to fly across the country to see him. But he says every three months is ok. If I lived closer perhaps I would go every 6 weeks which would be so awesome.
Posted 12/26/2021 11:43 PM (GMT 0)
I started by seeing my doc twice a week for acupuncture, and as I stabilized went to once a week. Now I'm once every 2-3 weeks, mostly for acupuncture. If the prescribing doc is too expensive/far, you can always go to a local acupuncturist just for tune-ups. I think the more TCM/five elements-oriented they are, rather than western scientific "needling," the better. But pretty much everyone has to make do with what's available. I only answer to give people an idea of what MY treatment looks like, and never to be compared with what you "should" or "have to" do. I know too many people who say "well I don't have access to the same things you do so I guess I will just have to be sick forever." BS. You have access to a mind and body. Love them and use them.

There's no set protocol for changing the herbs - it's done as they see what the body needs. I think there are guidelines to simplify it and help more people, but I would not give preference to a practitioner who is only following protocol directions - patients aren't textbooks. They're dynamic and complicated unique human beings. If given a choice, I look for a doctor of Oriental Medicine who knows how to read ME, not a list of seminar notes. But again, that's all that some people have, and if they're the ones the universe gives you, GO. I do plan on moving someday and have to trust that I'm not limited to locations with the "perfect" doctor. The real power is in my SELF. When you love and trust yourself, the right people always show up.
Posted 1/5/2023 8:42 AM (GMT 0)
Just finished my first year in remission (as diagnosed by Autonomic Response Testing and Chinese Medicine). I'm told Lyme is purged from my body; this year has been about purging it from my mind and fascia.
Went on a 2,000-mile road trip.
Spent 3 months living overseas.
Went to the beach, took up horseback riding, made a lot of art, did a lot of writing.
Ate out at restaurants for the first time in 5 years due to MCAS. No longer have MCAS, but still respect my nutritional needs and limits.

Had a lot of days in bed.
Had a lot of PTSD.
Did a LOT of inner work and healing.
Had a lot of challenges.
Set a lot of boundaries.

Never got COVID.

Never gave up.

Off exploring my new life. It's weird. And wonderful. Maybe I'll come back someday and post a culminating success story, but for now, soooooo much processing. Respecting winter's hibernation and inner focus, getting ready to bloom in the spring. Be well.
Posted 1/5/2023 3:44 PM (GMT 0)
That’s awesome! Congrats!
Where is your traditional Chinese medicine Practioner?
Posted 1/5/2023 4:08 PM (GMT 0)
Glad to hear of your new life adventures, Babsbunny. Praying you get complete success in all areas. Happy New Year!
Posted 1/5/2023 11:56 PM (GMT 0)
Amazing story, BabsBunny! Thank you for taking the time to come back and share this wonderful update. Personally, I don't find much to be inspired about in current day. Your success, however, is a welcome exception. And, it means even more coming from a member of this forum. Congratulations on your progress to date...and, all that's still to come. Wishing you the best of everything on your journey.
Posted 1/12/2023 9:10 PM (GMT 0)
Babs bunny,
I haven't read through this entire thread yet, but the first page of posts that you did describes my experience with TCM as well.

It's an amazing type of medicine that I'm so very greatful I happened across when I did. It changed my life forever. I actually went to Herbalist school because of it! Good thing too, since I was reinfected soon after healing my first round of infections!

Anyway, I just wanted to say congratulations for finding what you needed! And I hope you see your healing complete as I did. There is no replacement for a good TMC practitioner. Mine retired without anyone to replace her!!! I actually cried. Lol.

And, of course, I want to say congratulations on your healing! What a wonderful thing to be able to say!

Post Edited (Traveler) : 1/12/2023 1:13:06 PM (GMT-8)

✚ New Topic ✚ Reply
123