Hi Bucci,
This is my second round of treatment. Last spring I got bitten on the scalp and for some unknown reason I didn't get anyone to look at it, even though I knew it could be a tick bite. (I swear part of the infection is to get you stupid enough that you don't do anything to get cured).
I went downhill very quickly and by August I was walking in circles, collapsing, fatigued, in terrible pain (apparently even whimpering in my sleep) and undergoing a personality shift. Back on the antibiotics. Started with Rifampin, then added Artemisinin (on for three weeks and off for one, and then substituted Clindamyacin for the Rif.
I also take oregano extract for a month and then off for a month. My doc highly recommends Magnesium and B12 and I use both. I find the Mag really helps with the muscle spasms/clenching and feeling of panic. This time around I am not adding a lot of other supplements as I found that that caused its own problems -- giving my liver too much to do, I felt.
The last time I had lyme I was infected for 25 years. I had had inadequate treatment (three weeks of doxy) a couple of times. Then I got bitten again and things really took off as this time as I had co-infections of Ehrlichia and Babesia. It was nine months before I got treatment. Gosh, what all did I take? It's a blur now. Most of it seemed to be to treat Malaria or Tuberculosis. An incomplete list and in no particular order: doxy (allergic to it, as well as pencillin), Zithromax, Clindamyacin Methrosomething, Mepron, Biaxin, Flagyl, Flagyl being the final treatment. Sometimes I took Artemisinin and sometimes I didn't.
I started off each abx at a relatively low dose, then it would get increased as I showed improvement. When I stopped showing improvement, the abx would be changed up to a new one. I was on abx for one month shy of two years.
I tried a lot of supplements: lythium (briefly), cell food, all the usual cures for Candida, Pectin .. anything I heard discussed here and other places on the net that didn't seem to have side effects (whoops with the lithium) and that didn't cost too much. And I tried everything to boost my immune system and detoxify. Within reason. I still just drink coffee!
I do not have a problem with thick blood. For a long time I could not clot very easily, but that is not a problem now.
I do use painkillers, Tramadol and sometimes Vicodin or Oxycontin. I tend to avoid taking them, but my family now can tell when I need them before I do and reminds me it is time!
Before they knew what was going on with me, I was put on anti-depressants. As soon as I started to be treated for lyme disease, I stopped taking them as I was having side-effects. I live on a farm and the sleep-walking posed a serious risk.
I am not on hormone replacements. One of my symptoms for 25 years was endometriosis -- I have no desire to go on that road again! And I am not on thyroid meds.
Apart from medication and supplements, I would say the most important thing is to focus on what you want out of your life, and then fight for it with every ounce of your being. Keep looking for things that will cure you or make you feel better while you are undergoing treatment. Don't coast, don't yield to settling for less than a good life. And, very important this, accept help when it is offered, even ask for it, but do not waste any energy expecting or hoping for people to help, understand, or even be kind.
Take a good grip of your bootstraps and pull for all you are worth -- oh, and you are worth a lot!
Hope this helps
Post Edited (achievinggrace) : 12/31/2010 8:59:11 AM (GMT-7)