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Will I have to continue meds/Maintenance after I'm systom free

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Lyme Disease
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Posted 5/7/2014 1:34 PM (GMT 0)
Hi guys,, this week has been great for me thus far. Monday I starting going to the gym. If was overwhelming for me because there's no way I could've done that last week. So I'm really thankful to god for the little improvement ;). I've been on meds for a month now I'm already seeing great signs of healing. My question is well I still have to continue on meds or herbs after being systoms free?? I hear some people used the word remission,, so I'm not clear, also did anyone see Dr Oz Monday?? He talked about Lyme, I was only able to catch the very end.
Posted 5/7/2014 2:12 PM (GMT 0)
It depends on how quickly you started to treat the infection. If the infection didn't have a chance to get into the brain and organs, then you should be OK. I have seen recommendations from doctors to treat it for two months after the last symptom has disappeared.
Posted 5/7/2014 2:25 PM (GMT 0)
Congratulations on feeling better!! And being able to make it to the gym!

On the other hand, the bacteria was definitely in my brain, organs and bones, and I'm off of all tick-borne infection meds with no active symptoms for the last 2 years for Lyme and Bart, 1 year for Babesia. It depends on how well you can heal. If you can get all the issues your body is having under control, then you have a good chance at healing from these infections.

It's much more accurate still at this time to say 'remission' rather than 'cure'. Cure indicates that it's completely gone from the body - something that there's no good test for......yet. Remission indicates that it's no longer active and causing issues.

Most knowledgeable LLMD's say that a person should stay in treatment until 2 months past resolution of all symptoms.
Posted 5/7/2014 3:29 PM (GMT 0)
Winston - just be careful with the gym. don't over do it. My dr didn't ok any exercise until 2 months into treatment.

and yes, as healing said - you generally take antibiotics 2 months after your last symptom. not sure about maintenance herbals though, I think it depends on each person.
Posted 5/7/2014 3:54 PM (GMT 0)
Chapelle - you said you tested negative, but were on antibiotics. Did a regular MD prescribe them, or did you have to go to a Naturopathic Doctor. Just wondering - as I am currently waiting for blood test results, but am prepared for a negative result...and thinking my Dr. won't prescribe antibiotics if I'm negative...
Posted 5/7/2014 5:20 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Girlie,

Most people on here, myself included- could not get proper treatment through a regular doctor. We all had to be referred to a 'lyme literate' medical doctor. We can help you find one if you need one, which is highly recommended!

~beth
Posted 5/7/2014 5:36 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Beth,
I don't know if you will be able to help me - I live in BC, Canada. If the regular lab tests come back negative (which is likely I am told), I will go to a Naturopathic Dr. and have testing thru IGENEX - because I have been unable to work for over a year (my life has been turned upside down), I can't afford all tests...so will do the LYME panel. There is a Naturopath close to me that can prescribe antibiotics...so if my regular Dr. only does short-term (4 weeks) then my Naturopath may add on an additional 3-4 weeks. But, ideally i would prefer to see an LLMD - and could drive to Victoria, if necessary (I live on Vancouver Island).
Posted 5/7/2014 6:21 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Girlie, there are no LLMDs in Canada at all. None. There were one or two that did but got their certifications taken away. The politics behind prescribing Antibiotics is the same for all MDs in Canada so they don't do that. The Health care system in Canada is like a franchise, consider it like McDonalds. They all pretty much offer the same menu unless you see alternative Doctors.

However the provincial government in BC did oversee the issue surrounding Lyme disease and Chronic infections, and so what they did is allow Naturopathic Doctors to prescribe antibiotics and even long term. It seems there are people in political power who see the issue. So you will find that there are effective Lyme Literate Doctors in Canada that can prescribe and offer you anything an LLMD can in the states. But they are LLNDs.

There is an excellent LLND in Richmond that can offer you all the services you will need to get well including ABX, naturals, immune system boosters. He is an ILADs member and follows those principles to get patients well.
Posted 5/7/2014 8:13 PM (GMT 0)
Thank you LymePickle! I have a question - I've been reading that sometimes you can even test false negative with the IGENEX LAB testing - if that is the case, do any LLMD's or LLND's treat based on history, and symptoms only? I have found a ND half hour away from my home who can prescribe antibiotics and it sounds like she has some knowledge on lyme treatment. Whether she will treat long-term - I don't know...but if i can even get started and see how I feel...maybe...just maybe...it will give us a clue. A few weeks ago I spoke to a retired LLMD from BC (I think he maybe one you wrote about) and told him my symptoms and he said I had a lot of lyme symptoms and maybe even a co-infection - Babeosis (sp?).
Posted 5/7/2014 10:29 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Girlie,

Yes I know who you are talking about the 'retired' medical Doctor, he is very famous here in the Canadian Lyme community. Unfortunetaly he got his license taken away for treating Lyme and prescribing long term antibiotics. Luckily there are some good people overseeing the situation in political power and that's why they gave NDs antibiotic prescribing power. When it comes down to it, Lyme disease should be at least an integrative therapy of abx, herbals, naturals, and these treatments are usually quite complex therefore it makes sense that treating this would be put into the ND realm here in Canada. Also there are other chronic diseases caused by bacteria that can be treated with long term antibiotics like multiple sclerosis for example.

The Naturopathic Doctors will treat based on symptoms. Lyme should be a clinical diagnosis not one from tests even if it comes from Igenex testing. The test can just support the clinical diagnosis. Anyone that treats Lyme in the naturopathic community will follow ILADs guidelines. Just ask your current naturopathic Doctor if she will prescribe for the long term perhaps integrated with natural anti-microbials like herbs.

And yes, for treatment with Lyme disease, you have to treat a minimum 2 months past the date of your last symptom. This is to ensure that a relapse of the disease will not occur. But you will be so happy when you get to that point anyways that it won't seem like such a big deal!

From what I have read Babesiosis is a protozoan infection and symptoms include night sweats, air hunger, dizziness, etc.  There are also other co-infections including Ehrlichiosis, mycoplasma, and Bartonella. You might want to consider some of these other co-infections as well. Fortuneately Ehrlichiosis is usually easily treated and goes away with treatment for the other ones with Doxycycline anyways. Bartonella is a tough one to get rid of though. Do you any symptoms of anxiety, insomnia, burning, inflammation, etc? If so these are bartonella symptoms.

Definitely you have taken the right steps. If you find you want a more specialized ND in BC with ILADs training. I'll give you a hint, try googling Pangaea Clinic.  There are some good ILADs trained Doctors right here in Canada, and you will find they are much more affordable than travelling to the US. 

Post Edited (LymePickle) : 5/7/2014 4:32:21 PM (GMT-6)

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