There really IS hope!!!!

I just posted this on another thread, thought it may be helpful to post it individually...I know I would have drawn strength from it when I was extremely ill...

I FINALLY can feel I can give hope and inspiration....after almost a year of battling Lyme, babesia and probable bartonella I feel I am turning the corner. Definitely better than one year ago, when I had such cognitive dysfunction I could not drive--felt drunk--and even had expressive aphasia a little bit (can't get your thoughts out in written/spoken words).
Though I had relapses along the way, and recently had a relapse, they shorten and lessen in intensity: this one was only a week. Whereas 1/2 year ago I'd look back every six weeks or so and say "well I was worse then, that is something at least," now I find myself looking back only two weeks! and noting improvement. Though I think my memory is permanently affected, I think the rest of the cognitive problems will eventually get better--if not normal, then almost normal. I believe this because they fluctuate--some days I am almost normal. They would not fluctuate if they were permanent damage signs.

Many ask about symptoms others have experienced. Here is an off-the-cuff list of mind: Other than the cognitive function problems (fogginess, memory problems, word-finding difficuylty, slow processing, slow learning, brain pressure), I have had approximately 2/3 of the symptoms listed on the various symptom lists out there. I did not have 'classic' joint pain until this winter--3rd year into active chronic Lyme. Shows how different we all are. I have had: light and noise sensitivity, 'crackling' in neck, shin pain (clasic to bartonella supposedly), long muscle pain, unbearable fatigue and weakness, fever (the babesia), tachycardia, tingling in extremities, vision changes, bloating, , nausea, and many others....

So hang in there!!!! It can really, really get better.
But this disease is no laughing matter, it has been a physical and emotional struggle, a strain on the family, work and friendships, and lonely as hell.

By the way, my protocol consists of a mish-mash: the core is parts of the Cowden protocol: Banderol and Cumanda right now; and once those seem to have peaked in their help, my doc plans to add Samento--sort of as the last crescendo, big blow to the disease. My doc is a rare MD Lyme believer, who treats me officially with these herbs. She chose these herbal formulas because they have been studied in large scale studies and proven to work better than antibiotics; if called in front of the medical board, she can point to these studies in defense of her treatment.

I also (on my own) use some of the Cowden detoxes, and some of Dr. Jernigan's detox formulas. His mustard foot baths can work miracles; and his other detox tinctures I also think help with herx reactions. Salt and hydrogen peroxide baths, infrared saunas also help me. I also take mega vitamins--extremely good quality cheap price ones from NSI--the vitacost.com site sells multiple formulas.

Well, that is a nutshell verson, but I know the upbeat posts are understandably rare here...so I felt it highly important to provide one that illustrates a positive experience!!!!

Happy 4th of July and thanks for the good news !!!!

it's good to 'hear' all this good news...congrats !

Wow Seekingbalance, wonderful news!  I'm so happy for you, woo-hoo!! 

And Traveler, I'm also thrilled with the progress you have made as well... 

Doesn't it feel great to feel great?  LOLOL!  Back in 1995 when I first got sick I never thought I would walk down the Healing Road but I did.  So for those who are suffering, I understand because I walked the "Sick Road" for too many years before I found what worked for me and I'm happy to say that I'm still symptom-free for over 5 years now!  So never ever give up hope.... 

Denise aka Goofy

I do hope this helps people. I know positive outcomes helped me. I know we all have different programs we follow to get well, but that's ok--there can be many routes which result in the same result!

It somehow is incredible, to think about the the progress...one year ago I could barely even get kids ready for daycare--it was a monster task. At times the only way I got it done is telling mycelf: and how am I going to care for them at home, alll day? And weeks on the couch, sweating and weak, head presssure and buzz with no ability to think...people saying exessise! Youll feel better! I never did manage to build up to exersise. Enough time spent taking medicine, supplements, detox programs, etc....

Now I can even at times jog up stairs if I forgot something, I walked around the lake and did not feel exhausted the next day AT All (though some pain was trigggered). Now I have the strenght to actually get better!! That is, the stamina to actually do the exersise and not fear the exhaustion, to eat healthy prepared meals, to re-build a life, including social life.

It is honestly daunting, to re-enter life: Re-establish friendships, healthy habits, step up work and home projects....I need to slow down my self expectations and take is slowly. Fells like starting life from scratch!

HI Kat4!
Welcome to our forum!! I am so sorry to hear about your daughter. How long do you suspect that your daughter has been dealing with tick-borne infections? Has she been seen by a Lyme Literate Medical Doctor (LLMD)? In your other post, you were asking about a holistic doc, if you ever want the list for the LLMD's - some use both herbs and abx- just let us know. We have some links to sites that will help you to find one.

If you haven't already, it would be beneficial for you to start with reading through the thread at the top of the forum titled,"New to Lyme?...Start here!!", as it is packed full of relevant information and informative links that have been put together by our members here! We also have a pretty good search function on this forum to help you narrow down your search for information from past posts.

Is your daughter detoxing? That should help her out quite a bit. Here is a link to an article written by a well known LLMD that explains the need for detoxing:
findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0ISW/is_285/ai_n19170382/?tag=content;col1.

We also have a great post about how to detox in our "New to Lyme?" thread at the top of the forum. It's the second post down. She should be drinking at least 2 quarts of lemon water (if it doesn't interfere with any meds), dry skin brushing daily, and using a detox bath - either a full bath or a foot bath as much as possible. Some here will take a full detox bath and then use the foot detox bath a couple of times throughout the day.

I do hope this helps a bit!
And once again, Welcome to our little spot!