Starting Bee Venom Therapy

I posted on Iheartx's thread, but I didn't want to completely hijack it, so I have started my own. This probably won't be a very active thread. Nonetheless, it may contain updates or questions I have. I hope the questions generate some discussion and answers. The questions I had asked on Iheartx's thread went somewhat unanswered. I had expected more response, particularly from the bee venom veterans. But, perhaps they are well, and don't visit this forum much anymore. That is my hope for them. I really hope this treatment will do the same for me. That would be SO wonderful! When you have been in this hell for years, and have tried many things without getting well, you really do lose hope.

I cannot say that I ever really remember being well my whole life, but after a flu-like illness the end of 2003, I have had a mystery illness that has never gone away and the level of health I had enjoyed up until then was history. That summer we had gone camping at a state park and we walked through tall grass and sat on stone walls. After getting diagnosed 6 years later, I have only gotten worse with treatment. Some poor treatment choices on behalf of my treating physician-mainly a bad antibiotic choice that caused the infections to totally get out of control- I am now only a shell of my former self. But, with careful treatment decisions and listening to my body, I am not literally dying anymore. It's been a hellish journey the past 4 years and I am finally clawing my way back. Careful antibiotic, supplement, and herbal choices have gotten me so far, but I am hoping that bee venom treatment will be what gets me across the finish line. I am currently at 40% of my former health/self. There has been a lot of damage done to my body. I'm not sure it will ever be as good as it previously was. But, hopefully with BVT, I will be able to work and participate in normal life again.

I have hope. Two days ago, I did my first two stings. I was very tired the rest of the day. Yesterday was slightly better than usual. Today I did my second two stings. A little burn and that is it. You couldn't ask for an easier treatment. I am still on ABX, herbs, and supplements.

Blessings to all doing BVT!

Thanks, PeteZa. I intend to post updates so others can benefit. I hope the other BVT peeps continue to update too.... if not on this thread, on the ones they've started.

I'm hopeful about this treatment!

Tooty - thanks so much for sharing your story as you did and, most especially, may BVT bring you to full healing!!!

Of course, you have to know I'd be hoping you'll detox, detox, detox ;)

(I suspect the BVT members are more active on that BVT Facebook page that they mention)

There's a group on FB with tons of information. You should check it out

Hmm same sorta thing happened to me with bactrim....i was just about to try tinadazole but it is like flagyl too. Its supposda stop the tails from kicking...i have doxy and zith i just dont know what to do...

Thanks Traveler and cd3764 for the well-wishes and the reminders about detox. Traveler, if I get better, you'll have to do de-sensitization therapy for bee venom, ha ha. I've never been allergic to anything, but I've read that it can happen at any time with any substance.

I stung just before noon today. This afternoon my legs have been stronger, I have felt more positive (mood was better) and my head felt better. Oh, and almost no pain. Very exciting. I hope it continues to help. But, I hope I sleep better tonight than I did the night of the first two stings.

Will be *following* this post for your updates Tooty.....

(Been curious about BVT lately!)

-Courtney

Hi Tooty, thanks for that info! So, what is the process for "catching" the bee's? Also, what kind of bee's?....and how does one use the bee for stinging is what really has me confused with the BVT!? Wow, this is so interesting!

Its funny you mention the fatigue/tiredness as being one of your tell-tale herx sx and being a good sign as I can relate to that also with my herxing patterns.

Regarding the bee venom being stronger than Fluconazole...REALLY!?!...I had no idea that the BVT has an anti-fungal effect at all and esp wouldnt have thought that strong of one! Again....sooo interesting!


I hope your current herx passes soon. ..From there, onward & upward with your healing from BVT!!


-Courtney

Oh okay, how about that.."IV bee venom"! Thanks so much Tooty, that gives me a much better idea of the process as I honestly didnt have a clue. I will be looking more into this...

-Courtney

bluelyme said...
...have you seen a blood slide befor and after the sting ...are you up to 10 stings a day 3x a week?...

Hey bluelyme, no I have not done a specimen since beginning BVT. But, I will definitely be monitoring how things are going via microscopy. I just started stinging the end of last week, so I am only at two stings every other day, and just today decided to do every day.

I felt so badly yesterday that I knew something must give. I did not want to go back to hell. Without going into deep detail, the worsening symptoms seemed more related to the ABX than bee venom, and since I recently restarted ABX just before commencing BVT I decided to not take my ABX and continue the BVT and see how I feel (especially considering how it seems like I've plateaued on the ABX and lately feel worse in some ways with them). I can always restart the ABX if needed.

Yesterday I had my morning ABX, but not the evening doses. I did two stings late morning as I mentioned in a previous post. This morning I did not take ABX, and did two stings at 10:30 am. I did not take my evening doses of ABX tonight either.

Last night I slept better, but I did take more valerian than the previous night. This morning I woke up very exhausted...could hardly move, but did not wake up feeling better overall than yesterday morning. But, after stinging today, I had a much better day than yesterday! Very little trouble with legs and overall coordination; no numbness; brain is better; no parkinson's-like stiff neck; no non-automatic breathing troubles at all; no mouth stiffness or facial numbness; my nose opened up (just like the first time I was on Malarone). But, the sting sites bothered me afterwards all day (some pain), and now they are itchy. Though my legs were noticeably better I did have painful lumpy areas begin to develop in the lymph area of my groin today. [How do I describe this?....] I have had deterioration of my hips and groin area ever since things got out of control 4 years ago---so I am considering these painful lumpy areas to be a healing process, as nothing so far has been able to touch this destruction--and, it does feel like a good (itchy) healing pain, although VERY tender.

So, today was a very good day overall....almost too good to be true. I plan to do two stings again tomorrow. Wish me healing and your blessings!! Have a good night all.

I have hit some turbulence and don't feel well enough to give an update or really engage in conversation. In short, I think I may have hit a herx. Everything hurts, and it feels like I am coming down with strep throat without the sore throat and without a fever.... my body is too weak to produce one. I have been walking around and pacing much of the day because it hurts too much to sit with all this inflammation. My groin and lower back feel the worst. (Today was a sting day. It was two stings, and I have already returned to the original protocol of every other day stings. So, I don't think I am overdoing it).

So, I stand slightly corrected on the definition of a herx... (at least I hope it's a herx)

Herx type #2: In addition to overwhelming tiredness, the body is buffeted with aches, pains, and inflammation....and a fever if strong enough to produce one. I'm a veteran lyme patient, this should have sunk in by now. Except that I have had bad experiences before when the herx was more than just overwhelming tiredness and fatigue. It's very hard to tell what is happening sometimes.....

Bee venom has multiple antimicrobial properties, but it also dissolves biofilm from what I have read. So, I hope I'm not releasing things like previous "herxes," because I need to have enough artillery to kill whatever is coming out....or I'm toast. But this doesn't quite feel like those experiences. I believe tomorrow will be a better day.

Hi Crustythedog!
Welcome to our community! I'm so glad you found us.

If you haven't ​yet​, it would be helpful 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 important information, symptom lists, helpful links and pdf's, how to detox when one has these infections, information on probiotics and much more. And this is another good list of possible detoxing routines: www.tiredoflyme.com/detox-methods.html

Tooty last logged in earlier this summer, so they may still be watching this thread, but I would encourage you to also have a look around for other threads of members that are still posting actively as well. I know we've had several threads about BVT lately.

I'm on my 3rd month of BVT and it's helped all of my symptoms. I just got rebidden and feel crappy now but I'm hoping it don't last long.