Anyone treating on their own without LLMD or naturopath?

Just curious if anyone has had good things happen treating without LLMD or other help.

Frustrated with one I have been seeing so going at it alone now. Or if you have a very good LLMD or naturo in the south, I'd appreciate it if you could share name by email.

Thanks.

Did you do that, Girlie? Trying to figure out what to do with concern for kidneys there. Hope you are doing better this week. And then next week .

Have you had high blood pressure with Lyme or before? Blood sugars good? And what is latest on your kidney function tests?

Yes

I have gone through so many doctors!
The ‘llmd’s’ in my area don’t seem to know as much as most people on this board.

Access to antibiotics has been a stumbling block, but I may have just found a way around it.

I wish I had a good doctor around here.

running wild said...
Mind body spirit - totally agree with you about the knowledge of people on this board. They are the ones who experience it and have seen so much. Glad you have a way to antibiotics.

I've cut antibiotics for now because of kidney numbers. Using herbs, which may still be cause of some of this. After years of dealing with all this, and thousands and thousands of dollars, I figure giving it a shot on own can't hurt, as long as there is a way to get guidance. My primary care doctor actually understands Lyme to a good extent and is helpful. This board even more so and appreciated.

Girlie - have to agree with you that meds causing your funky kidney numbers. But can't hurt to follow up for peace of mind from time to time. I am starting to think I have more bubbles in urine not long after taking herbs. And I'm glad with you it seems to be med related. The tests will help verify.

I’m always looking now for Color (is it too dark?) , are there bubbles.. etc.

Im pretty sure it’s the D and/or the other D - but even knowing that - I worry about permanent damage to my kidneys - I have one or two more cycles to go.

My husband said he’d donate a kidney if I need one.

I do baking soda once a day, kidney herb, cordyceps also. Keeps me worried. Try not to, but just a battle in my mind. The kidneys worry me the most.

As a guy who went 11 years un-diagnosed for Lyme, understand your frustration. Was treated like I was crazy, sent to psychiatrists, put on all kinds of carp that made things worse. But it is what it is. Get down a lot but giving up is not an option.

I've even been reading/researching about stem cell therapy, which can really get confusing. Without learning, however, it could limit options.

Do you have any of Stephen Buhner's books? those are good resources if you are looking to go the natural route. There are some Buhner facebook groups as well which could also be helpful.

If you don't feel super confident doing it on your own, like Girlie mentioned could do a phone consult with a Buhner herbalist, might be helpful to give you a template tailored to your specific situation.

I am in the south and have not found any very good doctors in my area. I have been consulting with an LLMD for the past year. She's a DO who uses abx. When I contacted her, I made it clear I was doing Buhner's herbs and did not want abx but wanted some help deciphering the coinfections and gut issues, mold, and chemical sensitivities.

She's been minimally helpful. Some of the supplements she suggested have helped. She also continues to tell me I need to treat babesia and parasites. I'm finally starting to believe her, LOL!!!

Mind body spirit said: "The ‘llmd’s’ in my area don’t seem to know as much as most people on this board."

I feel that way about this doc and most every other medical person. For example, she wanted to do a DMSA challenge test for mercury and suggested chlorella for detox. Andy Cutler (plus those injured by challenge tests) warn sternly about the dangers and question the methods of the tests. I am one if those sensitive people who seems to have the opposite response to treatments than what docs expect and have told her that before. I haven't found a doc yet who really gets it - that I won't likely fit into their neat little boxes and if they try to force me into those boxes, they can cause me more harm. I'm not paying a doctor to do something that I sense is going to do me more harm than good or that my body can't handle or isn't ready for. They're all experimenting on us. I'm not too inclined to be a guinea pig unless I'm the one conducting the experiments.

You do need at least one doctor who will order tests to keep tabs on your liver, kidneys, and blood at a minimum. A functional or integrative doctor would be good for ordering other tests that regular docs know nothing about.

Most of the knowledge I've gained has been from Buhner's books, articles I've found googling stuff, and here on the forum.

I feel like I just wrote a long ramble. Hope at least something I said made sense and is helpful.

You all hit on points I can relate to. Some of us are much more sensitive to certain treatments/meds/herbs. I've been like that my whole life.

My naturo and first LLMD were very nice but always trying to sell items that I had negative reactions to. Must have spent $1,000 dollars or more on herbs/supplements that ended up sitting and, eventually, in the trash. The same goes for a hyperbaric chamber, which I have read pro and con on. The problem is I am extremely claustrophobic and had heard, as mentioned, mixed reviews.

Each of us have systems that respond to different plans and treatments. With Lyme, I understand it is often a guessing game, so I figured I can guess on my own for free. I do have a doctor on my health insurance who is great and willing to listen/try different things.

Lot of money to spend on mixed reviews, not to mention trying to stay in one. I am also in the south and Walking BF is right- not much choice. Since, it seems, to be an educated guessing game, now trying to do that on my own with help from the doctor I mentioned.

The frustration is now having kidney questions in the mix. Lyme toxin die off causing or are kidneys damaged? Tough for any doctor to answer. But I do know eating avacados, as suggested early on by naturopath I mentioned, is no the answer.

Your stories, experiences and knowledge carry more weight to me.

The one thing I have not heard is now much toxins during treatment impact/don't impact kidneys. Or is there any true answer to that?

running wild said...
The one thing I have not heard is now much toxins during treatment impact/don't impact kidneys. Or is there any true answer to that?

Excellent observation. I think I deal with that on a recurring basis. I've been having pain in the lower middle part of my back, especially in the night and in the morning. I also have bladder pain and burning at times when urinating. I feel like it's from too many toxins. Sometimes I have bowel movements that burn, too, and I feel much better afterwards, like I just dumped a load of painful toxins.