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J Clinic Patients - or past patients....question for you

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Posted 7/1/2019 5:36 PM (GMT 0)
Dr. J (or practitioner) patients....need your help/knowledge

i'm on what's considered the "Maintenance Protocol" - even though I still have a few lingering symptoms.

I take meds 4 days on Week1 and then take 3 weeks off.

I believe this is when the immune system is supposed to kick in.

I am on the start of Week 3 (2nd week of "off" abx) and this morning I woke up with a sore right knee. Not a current symptom - haven't had it for a couple years now.
Within half an hour that symptom was gone.

I'm not really certain that any symptoms should be coming back....maybe it's okay.
If I get another return of a symptom, I will call the clinic.

But in the meantime....anyone know if this is okay? Or does it mean I need to go back to 2 weeks on meds and 2 off?
Posted 7/1/2019 6:25 PM (GMT 0)

1000Daisies said...
Why is the doctor's name allowed in the title?

I usually just say Dr. J or the J clinic...but Dr. Jemsek is openly treating lyme patients and the full name is often used on the forum. He's openly advertising he treats lyme...same with Dr. Horowitz.

I tend to go back and forth on Dr. J or Dr. Jemsek but usually do just type Dr. J or the J Clinic.


Here's a recent thread - using his full name:

https://www.healingwell.com/community/default.aspx?f=30&m=4112394

I edited the title...although...doesn't really matter in his case.
Posted 7/1/2019 7:07 PM (GMT 0)
Girlie, I'm on about the same protocol-5 days @ full moons. started the 15th. My LLMD, Dr. K in TN said do not be surprised if some symptoms show up- just contact him thru the patient portal if they got worse or keep coming back. My left knee hurt about 1-2 hrs yesterday evening. That and a little wrist pain is all I've had. How are you feeling?
Posted 7/2/2019 12:18 AM (GMT 0)
Thanks fjdrill - Im feeling alright - some upper back/arm pain but I always have that.

I just worry that I might be slipping when I feel something that had previously gone.

I’ll see how next week goes - it’s another “off” week - I may call the clinic if I feel like I’m slipping.
Posted 7/2/2019 6:24 PM (GMT 0)
bump
Posted 7/2/2019 10:08 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Girlie. That's interesting. I understand your concern. What I would do is call the JSC and explain to them what happened, where you are in your abx break, and that you used to have that symptom a couple years ago. And just ask what they would suggest you do. Say that you are concerned it may be lyme, but aren't sure. Make sure the message gets to Dr J since he is your treating physician.

It's possible that your immune system could be strong enough now that it is doing some work on it's own and you have some bugs still in the knee, but a very small amount.
Posted 7/2/2019 11:01 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks Sheekster.

Yah I should call the clinic.

I do want to know what I should be expecting - on my weeks off.
Posted 7/3/2019 6:52 AM (GMT 0)
I tried to get to that maintenance protocol with Dr J but couldn’t do it. I felt like garbage all the time. My immune system just wasn’t doing what it does for some I guess. If I want to work and live close to a normal life, I cannot go off antibiotics for more than a few days. I like the minimal antibiotic approach he uses though. Essentially once u have tried high dose and long term antibiotics and they did not cure you, then don’t use that approach anymore. Switch to maintaining your life and knocking back the infection a little at a time. He told me the few days of abx a month doesn’t work for everyone and don’t let the infection get out of control.
Posted 7/3/2019 7:32 AM (GMT 0)
“Switch to maintaining your life and knocking back the infection a little at a time. “

Isn’t that what taking abx a few days a month is?

I’m still going to follow dr J’s method but wondering if I’m actually ready for maintenance - I’m not sure what I should be experiencing on days off.

I’ve not really had clear cut patterns throughout my treatment - even prior to the J clinic.

I’ve always had flares of symptoms - my symptoms always varied during the day/evening and also from one day to the next.
Never know what I’m gonna get.

But with treatment, most of my symptoms have ever so slowly dropped away.... one by one.
Posted 7/3/2019 7:38 PM (GMT 0)
I have essentially followed Jemsek’s theory, but slightly altered his protocols, for years now. I have seen about 4 LLMDs over the years and he was by far the most helpful.

I just could not maintain my life while constantly taking 3 weeks off antibiotics. I settled to about one dose every 24 to 28 hrs for about 4 days a week. Basically 4 pills per week for about 3 weeks per month...a different/rotating antibiotic almost every week.

Most doctors would never recommend it as it is too low dose to kill an infection or they would say it is going to bring resistance. However, it works for me...keeps me stable and is safer and much cheaper.

Post Edited (Onlynamenottaken) : 7/4/2019 9:56:35 AM (GMT-6)

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