Am I ever gonna get better?

I just looked up the Andreas Motitz flush - and NO!! This is not like that - no fasting and then adding things that may be harmful to the body.

The flush I use use "lots" of oil - It's 1 tablespoons of Olive oil per cup of OJ plus some grapefruit, lemon or lime juice, and then some garlic and ginger, taken once a day only.

It was/is quite gentle for me and I don't have a gall bladder, so it works solely on my liver. And... I got this from an Alternative Health Practitioner (Master Traditional Chinese Medicine practitioner and Master Western Herbalist) who had extensive training and many, many years of successful practice - not a "health intuitive".

If it still seems like too much for you, there are many other suggestions for detoxing in our "New to Lyme?" thread that sits at the top of the forum. Milk thistle - as I mentioned - is a good way to protect the liver, although if you have a rag weed allergy you may or may not be able to use it.

Thank you for being understanding, Louise. We need to practice tolerance and understanding on this forum - we are all we have sometimes!

Feel free to repost that article in another thread.

Thank you Lymebabe. As I said, feel free to post this in a new thread about diet if you wish. That way it doesn't appear to be aimed an anyone specific.

Re: researching - there really are differing opinions on how to heal from lyme disease. We do know that. My ND didn't even mention a diet - had two appointments with him.

My son went vegetarian on his own at 3 years old - didn't like the look, smell, taste or feel of meat...and when he was older, he also decided that he didn't want to have animals killed for his food. He got a lot of flack from the Dr's - especially when his iron was low. I KNEW that vegetarians didn't have to eat meat to have a normal iron level...so I supported my son...in the end he had celiac disease...and is small intestine wasn't absorbing the iron due to damage. He is 21 now and still vegetarian. I am glad I supported him...and always made sure there was plenty of non-meat options on the dinner table. Had many arguments with my husband over this issue.

I know I am having trouble with the big 3 (gluten,dairy,sugar). And, I am actually quite a disciplined person...have always been in good shape physically, mentally. But sometimes when I'm feeling down, and I see that cupcake...hard to resist!

But, I lost quite a bit of weight initially due to lyme...and when I went on the restrictive diet...although not impossible, it was harder to maintain even my lower weight. To me, that is an important part of my healing...as losing more weight is stressful...and I really feel I need to build up muscle and eat lots of calories. Sometimes, the only thing that appeals to me is pizza...and...sometimes a gluten free pizza isn't easy to find.

I also have talked to people who have healed with NO restrictions to diet...and also to others who did gluten, dairy, sugar free and are still not well after a few years. There's a lot going on...and we don't have all the answers yet or we'd be able to follow a formula and heal.

There's no magic formula...and we need to support someone's beliefs and help them heal...without making them change something that is so important to them.

Mangaka - I hope you find a Dr. that will help you - no matter what your beliefs are. I honestly believe you can do this as a vegetarian. Please keep posting...and hopefully some extra detoxing will help you.

Sorry to be so long-winded.

Traveler I am sorry this has become such an issue. The bottom line is we are all trying to heal from a very serious disease and that's why we are all here. If I caused any problems I sincerely apologize. I will try to not do it again. Thank you for spending your time to moderate this forum and I am sorry if I wasted your time and energy on something viewed as unproductive.

xoxo

Well, I'm still having to use the more gentle detoxing methods, sorry! Although I have improved greatly this time!! I'm able to use the foot soaks daily, take activated charcoal daily, dry skin brush daily - all things I couldn't do last time.

It is really hard to gauge things with these infections - things change too often and there can be so many things that affect how we heal and how well we detox. Especially since how much stress we are under can really affect everything too.

The best advice I can give you is to detox all you can in as many different ways you can incorporate into your routines. You will quickly find when you are doing too much, so you will have to back down on things once in a while.

There are many things for detoxing that I didn't do that you may be able to add in - FIR sauna (not one in my area & can't afford to buy one), coffee enemas(creates 3 days of intense intestinal cramping for me), and I'm sure there are plenty of other things that I just can't think of at the moment.

What are you doing for detoxing right now?

You're welcome, Mangaka.

Looks like you're doing quite a bit for detoxing.
Just a tip: Lemon juice can damage the surface of your teeth...you can sip your water and lemon with a straw...and it helps with that.
Either way...do not brush your teeth immediately after having lemon water...I was doing that, thinking I was helping my teeth. But, my dental hygenist said "No, you're doing more damage"

A couple of ideas re: detoxing. Are you "going" (regular) at least once a day (sorry) If not, you might want to try adding psyllium husks to your regime. They are good even if you are regular...as they "brush" the inside of your colon and drag out the toxins.
For your liver, taking a supplement called milk thistle (or silymarin) is good, too.

Make sure you're not overdoing with the stretching and walks...if you feel too tired, cut back a bit.

Deep breathing is very good. That's one that I often forget about. When I do it, I close my eyes and say to myself statements like: "I am healing. I am getting better". A little positive thinking can go a long way. The brain is powerful.

Good luck and hope you start to feel a bit better soon!!!