Alpha lipoic acid

ALA is the precursor to glutathione, according to Horowitz and the research I've done, so it most certainly could make you herx, since glutathione is the master antioxidant produced by the liver.

I would encourage you to do more 'manual' detoxing like dry skin brushing, oil pulling, Epsom salt/peroxide soaks to help your body eliminate those toxins that the liver is trying to push out of it.

I forgot to mention that ALA can interfere with the thyroid function. For more on that though, you would have to ask CD the questions, as she's our resident thyroid 'expert', and where I got the information from. Astroman, our other thyroid 'expert' may also be able to answer any questions about it.

Huddie that is the primary reason why I don't take ALA because of the thyroid issues. My doctor recommended it back in March and I did the research and told him that that was one recommendation that I couldn't do. For me it was a personal decision because I am trying to get my thyroid numbers up.

ALA interferes with T4/T3 conversion.

www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/1815532

For those of us taking thyroid meds, this means you could need more T3.

I take synthetic T4 & T3 and started having trouble maintaining my optimal thyroid levels shortly after I started doxy ala my PCP. It could have been the doxy....the Lyme....or both.

My thyroid kept going low (and I'd increase my thyroid doses) throughout my treatment. I know I was/am taking stuff that could interfere with my thyroid levels.

My thyroid doctor understands this and has been working with me and giving me the dose adjustments I've needed.

It was only earlier this year that I went hyper on meds and needed dose DEcreases. I've been somewhat stable these past few months and consider that a good sign for overall healing.

My issues have been all neuro. The benefits of ALA outweighed the risks for me. I take R-ALA for whatever it's worth.

It's crazy that unpleasant experiences can reflect the healing process. Then again, I think about allowing myself to burn with a fever in the knowledge that my body was fighting an infection. It's really not much different except we have really weird symptoms ala Lyme.

Since you mentioned body odor, there is another way to detox if you use anti-perspirant: switch to deodorant (without chemicals if possible).

Antiperspirants contain aluminum. Aluminum has been implicated in Alzheimer's - why add a burden of aluminum to an already over-taxed body ala Lyme?

Huddie said...
Krimpet,

Thank you. What does it do to the thyroid? I will stop taking it and see if I feel better tomorrow. Do you take Gluthiaone or is that a no no as well? Bad herxing day but I took so many supplements who knows. I'll go back to what I was doing, wait a few days and then add in Pinella and go that route.

Yes I do a liposomal glutathione.

Hi Guys



What dosage do you take of ALA for nerve pain or damage really struggling through this.

Surm1234

There are many things we can take to help with nerve healing. Lion's Mane is one of the best.

Kudzu tincture as well as Greater Celandine tincture are two of Buhner's recommendations for nerve pain.

When my nerve issues were at their absolute worst, I followed ILADS co-founder Dr. Burrascano's recommendations for ALA which can be found on page 28 here:

www.ilads.org/lyme/B_guidelines_12_17_08.pdf

300mg ALA 2x daily

I've always taken the "R" form of ALA because it's better absorbed:

www.lifeextension.com/magazine/2008/6/reducing-aging-markers-with-lipoic-acid/page-01

Pinella clears brain/neuro toxins and can be helpful for brain fog:

www.tiredoflyme.com/pinella.html


Lion's Mane helps rebuild nerves:

www.greenmedinfo.com/blog/lion-s-mane-mushroom-unparalleled-benefits-your-brain-and-nervous-system

Since all herbal/mushroom preparations aren't created alike, I've always stuck with Buhner's recommendations for sources.

Happy to help, Huddie.

Glad you are feeling much better today!!

Pinella is made by Nutramedix as part of the Cowden protocol. I took it along with Burbur when I was on abx and, of course, when I was following Cowden. The combo definitely helped with herxes.

Once I switched to Buhner, I took his recommended Kudzu tincture to help with brain fog. He recommends that along with Greater Celendine for those who also have nerve pain (I didn't/don't).

Sorry to tell you but, in the Lyme world, your time on abx wouldn't be considered long at all.

It's not "normal" to have symptoms after going off abx.

I don't know about you but, many many moons ago I had what my ENT called a "stubborn" sinus infection. The first round of abx didn't clear my symptoms and I was then prescribed another round.

Lyme is the only infection that Lyme-clueless doctors seem to be comfortable stopping treatment before symptoms are fully cleared.

Heck, people take doxy for YEARS to treat acne. Lymies should receive treatment until all signs/symptoms of Lyme are gone.

I thought Lyme went dormant when you are on Doxy for a long period. Once you go off, the cyst forms revert back to Spirochetes. That is why they switch you to Minocycline and/or other meds, to help with all the forms. Maybe some of you symptoms are just the Lyme coming out of hiding?

CD,

Just read the link. Sounds like there is a lot of 'fakery' in the herbal world. Where/which brand do you order Lions mane? Thanks so much.