Lyme Bytes

My New Blog, "God In The Wilderness"

2011-09-30T17:51:00.003-06:00

Hello Everyone! For those who appreciate my spiritual posts, from now on, I will be blogging about spirituality and God separately on a new site, entitled, "God in The Wilderness," which can be accessed here: http://godinthewilderness.blogspot.com. I invite you to check it out! In the meantime, I will still post here from time to time on what I learn about treatments for chronic illness involving Lyme disease. Thanks!

Bartonella and Babesia Symptom Checklists, According To James Schaller, MD, MAR

2011-09-14T13:48:00.004-06:00

James Schaller, MD, MAR, has spent many years researching and treating Bartonella and Babesia, two important tick-borne infections implicated in chronic Lyme disease. He is a prolific writer who has published several books on these infections, as well as on other topics relating to chronic illness and tick-borne infections. Below I share with you Dr. Schaller's recently-compiled symptom checklists for Babesia and Bartonella, which most often cannot be adequately diagnosed via lab tests. Bear in mind, symptoms for different infections often overlap, which is why having an exhaustive list of symptoms for each infection may help to sort out which infections are predominant in a person's symptom picture. For example, fatigue and headaches are symptoms of a myriad of diseases, but if ten or twenty other symptoms in the body point to Babesia, it may be that this is the predominant cause of a person's fatigue and headaches.

(Note: All information has been re-copied directly from Dr. Schaller's documents, by permission, and has not been modified for any reason).

The Bartonella Checklist

Increasing Suspicion of This Emerging Stealth Infection
1. Insomnia [If profound fatigue this might not apply].
2. Current anxiety that was not present at age ten.
3. Current anxiety or depression not present at twenty years old.
4. Knee-jerk emotional responses worse than past decades and worsening.
5. Unusual discomfort on the soles of your feet
6. A temperature under 98.3 in a sick person. A temperature under 99.0 if Lyme disease or Babesia is present
7. Puffy tissue on insole or any part of ankles
8. Depression
9. Depression that is not fully controlled. [Improvement of mood is not successful in depression treatment].
10. Gingivitis or bleeding during flossing
11. Anxiety is poorly controlled with average dosing
12. Depression is poorly controlled by reasonable medication trials
13. Sleep medicines work poorly at routine dosing
14. Rage worse with time
15. Irritability worse with time
16. IL-6 is very low
17. IL-1B is very low
18. TNF-a is in lower 10% of normal range
19. Any skin markings or growths greater than most people
20. Blood vessels or color on skin greater than most people
21. Impatience > in personality when compared to ten years ago. [in a child, any can be any irritability]
22. Cursing or hostile speech that is worse over time.
23. One or more medical problems with unclear cause(s) and “idiopathic.”
24. Red papules of any size.
25. Skin tags including ones removed by dermatologist or shaved off.
26. Unusual blood vessels of any kind including inside organs such as bladder or intestinal walls
27. Any skin finding in excess of 95% of most humans
28. Skin findings showing increased blood vessels of any size
29. Skin findings showing increased tissue formation that is increased over the flatness of surface skin.
30. Skin showing blood vessels that are too large or too many for the location of the blood vessels, e.g., surface thigh and calf skin with very thick surface blood vessels. Or legs, upper arms or shoulders have explosions of many fine blood vessels.
31. Increased addictions that are more resistant to recovery than average.
32. Increased impulsivity in contrast to past years or past decades.
33. Burning skin sensations [this may have many causes].
34. Itching without a clear cause and which is hard to control and remove
35. Skin erosion without a clear cause such as a fire or chemical burn.
36. Minor cuts or scratches which heal slowly.
37. After a surgery, you heal very slowly.
38. You have two tick or flea infections with two positive tick or flea borne viruses, bacteria or protozoa. [Bartonella has >30 published species in public genetic databases and has more vectors than possibly any infection in the world. Therefore, the presence of other infections such as tick borne viruses, bacteria or protozoa, should raise suspicion.
39. Exposure to cats and dogs in excess of very incidental rare contact.
40. The patient’s mother is suspicious for Bartonella based on newer direct and indirect testing.
41. A sibling, father, spouse of child with any tick or flea-borne infection who shared a residence or vacation with proximity to brush.
42. Exposure to outdoor environments with brush, wild grasses, wild streams, golf courses or woods.
43. Outdoor expose in locations such as brush, wild grasses, wild streams or woods which happened without the use of DEET or without very high off- gassing essential oils on exposed skin areas.
44. The outdoor exposures such as brush, wild grasses, wild streams or woods which occurred without permethrin on shoes, socks and all clothing.
45. Clear exposure to lice, fleas or ticks. [Bartonella is carried by a huge number of carriers, but for now, the % that carry Bartonella is not known. Further, the capacity to detect all new species in the vectors or in humans infected, does not exist or is not routinely available in direct testing of all human infectious Bartonella organisms in both large or specialty labs].
46. Stretch marks in eccentric locations, e.g., arms, upper side under armpit, around armpit or on the back.
47. Stretch marks filled with red, pink, purple or dark blue color.

Certainty claims or criticism about Bartonella positions without reading at least parts of 1,000's of articles is confusing. How is this possible with new Bartonella findings and understandings each month? There are also new species genetically sequenced to show uniqueness almost every month in public databases. In this spirit, this scale is meant to merely increase suspicion of Bartonella, which is a super stealth infection that takes perhaps fifty days to grow out on some bacteria growth plates, and floats in the blood as it lowers fevers. It also clearly suppresses some key immune system fighting chemicals. Cure claims are made without the use of indirect testing markedly documented in superior journals, but which are not used by immensely busy clinicians working full-time.

Dr. Schaller is the author of 29 books and 27 top journal articles. His publications address issues in at least twelve fields of medicine. He has the most recent textbooks on Bartonella. He has published on Bartonella under the supervision of the former editor of the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA), and his entries on multiple tick and flea borne infections, including Bartonella [along with Babesia and Lyme disease] were published in a respected infection textbook endorsed by the NIH Director of Infectious Disease. He has approximately six texts on tick and flea-borne infections based on his markedly unique full-time reading and study practice, which is not limited to either finite traditional or integrative progressive medicine. Since he has a medical license he has been able to sort through many truth claims by ordering lab testing. He does not follow truth claims without indirect testing laboratory proof. He has read full-time on these emerging problems for many years.

C COPYRIGHTED 2011 JAMES SCHALLER, MD version 11.

This form cannot be altered if it is printed or posted in any manner without written permission. Posting in a critical negative evaluation is forbidden. Printing to assist in diagnostic reflections is encouraged, as long as no line is redacted or altered including these final paragraphs. Dr. Schaller does not claim this is a flawless or final form, and defers all diagnostic decisions to your licensed health professional.

The Babesia Checklist
Improving Detection of A Common Emerging Stealth Infection

Below are examples of signs, symptoms and indirect ways to help increase the diagnosis of Babesia. An examination of public genetic databases shows well over thirty-five species exist, many of which have variants.

Please note that an unknown percentage of people infected have no symptoms, at least for many years.

This checklist is not meant to be used as a definitive tool to diagnose Babesia. I would suggest that no definitive 100% or even 98% sensitive tool exists.
My goal is merely to decrease illness resulting from false negative patients, i.e., people who are positive but do not show up positive on a basic direct test.
Indeed, it is not uncommon for a patient with Babesia to present with a negative test result over ten times, regardless of the lab, and then to show up positive on DNA testing when exposed to two or three protozoa treatments for three days, or to have positive antibody testing six weeks after a similar provocation trial.
I do not oppose or endorse such approaches, but feel it necessary to mention that this has happened with “malaria” prevention treatment. Additionally, there have been instances in which the use of herbs, such as artesunate, for cancer prevention, has resulted in an unintended outcome: the conversion of a Babesia titer from negative to positive.

The path to expertise with Babesia is not simply to read a summary article or guidebook (of which I have authored four on the topic). Nor is expertise acquired by viewing the sickest 1% of patients as the “norm” in Babesia diagnosis.
If someone seeks expert knowledge of the infection, it begins by reading the entire world Pub Med literature over a few years, then utilizing that knowledge by focusing on treating this infection for over five years.

In summary, how can any certain Babesia position exist, when new species that infect humans are routinely emerging, and for which there is not even a direct test—regardless of sensitivity?

Please circle (consider) any symptom that applies:

1) I react to any derivative of Artemisia (Sweet Wormwood). *Note: the reaction does not need to last more than a day and any immediate stomachaches or loose stool do not apply.

2) I react to a malaria drug. (It requires profound wisdom for a clinician to distinguish between a side effect and a reaction caused by an effective Babesia treatment. For example, insomnia caused by the synthetic drug Larium is meaningless, since Larium has this as a side effect in uninfected patients. But fatigue and a severe headache resulting from a teaspoon of Mepron on day one are very suspicious symptoms for a known protozoan like Babesia or Malaria or other similar infections that are newly identified genetically).

3) Headaches with no clear cause
4) Headaches that are hard to control
5) Weight gain in clear excess of diet and exercise
6) Weight loss with reasonable eating and average exercise
7) Fatigue in excess of that experienced by most people in the same age range
8) Fatigue that produces need for sleep in excess of 8 ½ hours daily
9) Fatigue with ongoing insomnia [consider the possibility of both Bartonella and Babesia in this case]
10) Absolute Eosinophils in the low or high range [this is not definitive in any manner, but is a useful tool]
11) A percentage of Eosinophils in low range or high normal range
12) Very high Eosinophils [rare with Babesia, but other findings suggest other possible causes]
13) Mood changes with any herb or drug that kills protozoa like Babesia, with the exception of Larium
14) Shortness of breath [no clear asthma, pneumonia, COPD or other common cause]
15) Swelling in limbs and other parts of body
16) Night sweats
17) Excessive perspiration during normal daily activity
18) Hot flashes in a normal temperature room
19) A poor appetite
20) Intermittent fever
21) Chills
22) A high fever
23) A high fever in excess of three days
24) Slowed thinking
25) Listlessness
26) A normal or low VEGF lab result in the presence of Bartonella
27) A TNF-a in excess of 1.0 in the presence of Bartonella
28) A CD57 or CD57/8 level that drops right after the start of a Babesia treatment, or which falls steadily with ongoing treatment
29) Pets, farm animals or local relatives with ANY tick borne virus, bacteria or protozoa
30) Excess breast tissue in a man or boy
31) Any decreased in appetite
32) Severe chest wall pains
33) Random stabbing pains
34) Any enhanced sense: sensitivity to light, touch, smells or sound
35) Family, friends or others report you look tired or foggy
36) You have received blood from another person
37) Muscle aches or joint aches/pain, especially worse after use of a protozoa killing medicine such as proquanil, Alinia, ativoquone, clindamycin, or one of many new emerging progressive natural medicine or synthetic malaria drug treatments
38) Nausea or vomiting
39) Hemolytic anemia with lab positive blood products in your urine [this is not a routine finding]
40) Dark urine [this is rarer than some articles intimate]
41) An enlarged liver (which sits under your right rib cage)
42) An enlarged spleen (under your left rib cage). This is falsely believed to be a common human sign; actually it is very rare.
43) A yellow hue on eyes, hands and skin (jaundice) with no other clear cause.
44) Sexual contact is a debated form of communication of some tick and flea borne infections. I have no position. Isolation in a body fluid does not mean that is a route to spread the infection. If you and your healer feel this is a possible route of infection, has the patient had intimate contact with the sharing of body fluids with an infected person?
45) The patient’s mother is suspected of having or has been diagnosed with Babesia, Ehrlichia, Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever, Anaplasma, Lyme or Bartonella based on newer direct and indirect testing or clinical signs and symptoms.
46) A sibling, father, spouse or child with any tick borne infection who shared a residence or vacation with proximity to brush (wooded area).
47) Exposure to outdoor environments with brush, wild grasses, wild streams, golf courses or woods in excess of ten minutes in any location lived or visited since the age of eighteen months of age.
48) Outdoor exposure in locations such as brush, wild grasses, wild streams or woods which took place without the use of DEET or without very high off-gassing essential oils on exposed skin areas.
49) Enlarged lymph nodes (but also in Lyme, Bartonella, other infections, high inflammation, tumors and other diseases)
50) After Babesia treatment with clear protozoa killing agents used also to kill malaria, IL-6 moves from very low to an increased level.
51) After Babesia treatment with clear protozoa killing agents used also to kill malaria, IL-1B moves from very low to an increased level.
52) Brain troubles such as trouble keeping up with past routine life demands, lateness due to trouble with motivation and organization, and trouble with concentration [Any of these would be a positive]
53) Memory troubles [this is not specific to one infection or one disease process. For example, exposure to indoor mold’s biological chemicals can decrease memory within an hour depending on the species mix]
54) Profound psychiatric illnesses [this is not limited to a single infection]
55) Daytime sleep urgency despite nighttime sleep
56) Waves of generalized itching [this infection and inflammation sign is not limited just to Babesia].
57) Spike of a fever over 100.5 after a possible tick bite.
58) Insomnia after taking a malaria killing herb or drug
59) Anxiety and/or depression after taking a malaria killing herb or drug
60) Rage or temporary personality regression right after use of a malaria killing herb or medication
61) Excess fat in lower belly area that is in excess of lifestyle and activity.
62) Lumps or other types of tissue collection with no clear cause [Other tick and flea-borne infections can also cause these growths]
63) One or more medical problems with unclear cause(s), with changing or contradictory diagnoses, or which are eventually called “idiopathic.”
64) Psychiatric label(s) given for all of your troubles or a child or relative’s troubles when clear medical problems exist as shown by abnormal laboratory results (only if wide testing is done which includes inflammation and anti-inflammation chemicals, hormones, nutrient levels, and other immune system chemicals).
65) You have two tick or flea infections with two positive tick or flea borne viruses, bacteria or protozoa. The presence of other infections such as tick borne viruses or bacteria raises suspicion of a Babesia infection.
66) Your clinician understands the use of indirect testing and feels your lab pattern is suggestive of the presence of Babesia. This involves more than an ECP spike.
67) Since direct testing for Babesia by any lab misses many human species and is of variable reliability, and the common presence of Bartonella suppresses some antibody tests, a positive or “indeterminate” is likely a positive. Have you had an “indeterminate” or “borderline” Babesia result?
68) You have neighbors living near you with a tick or flea infection diagnosis.
69) Your pet(s) or family animals of any type, e.g., horses, have had outdoor exposures to areas such as brush, wild grasses, wild streams or woods. If the pets were animals such as dogs, which can be given anti-tick and flea treatments, were these animals always on schedule with these treatments?
70) Have you had clear exposure to ticks in your current or past homes as an adult?
71) Have you had clear exposure to ticks during vacations or other travels?

A WORD ON MANUAL BLOOD EXAMINATIONS

No blood smear will be positive for Babesia unless you have a profoundly massive number of infected red blood cells, which is rare. Therefore, no blood smear should be considered negative unless it has been examined for thirty minutes. While a 2-3 minute exam of large white blood cells may be fully sufficient to identify cancers and other diseases, a search for over eighty Babesia red blood cell presentations under 1000x, as found in my Hematology Forms of Babesia book, requires at least thirty minutes, which requires private contracting with a microbiologist or pathologist or a favor from a lab director. Please appreciate that stains help define whether a substance is what it appears to be.

Babesia is an emerging infection. Any certainty claims or criticism about Babesia positions without reading at least parts of 1,500 articles is a premature certainty. Again, new Babesia species are emerging every one to four months. Indeed, even a new protozoan has been found that looks like Babesia under a high powered microscope. But when it is genetically sequenced it is not Babesia or immature malaria, which can look similar. It is a new infection.
Therefore, since this is a new emerging illness, this scale is meant to merely increase awareness of Babesia, an infection that can kill patients of any age. Writings in the past fifteen years have either seen Babesia as a mere “co-infection” or a footnote of a spirochete infection [Lyme]. Anything that can hide for a couple of decades, and then possibly kill you with a clot or by other means, is not a casual infection.

Babesia cure claims should be made with the use of indirect testing birthed from extracts of superior journals read over five years. Currently, these many indirect well-established lab test patterns are not used or understood by immensely busy and smart clinicians working full-time. While this is fully understandable, I hope it may change in the coming decade.

Dr. Schaller is the author of 29 books and 27 top journal articles. His publications address issues in at least twelve fields of medicine.
He has published the most recent four textbooks on Babesia.
He has published on Babesia as a cancer primer under the supervision of the former editor of the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA), and his entries on multiple tick and flea borne infections, including Babesia [along with Bartonella and Lyme disease], were published in a respected infection textbook endorsed by the NIH Director of Infectious Disease.

Dr. Schaller has produced six texts on tick and flea-borne infections based on his markedly unique full-time reading and study practice, which is not limited to either finite traditional or integrative progressive medicine. With a physician’s medical license, he has been able to sort through many truth claims by ordering lab testing. He does not casually follow the dozens of yearly truth claims, without indirect testing laboratory proof. He has read full-time on these emerging problems for many years. He is rated a TOP and BEST physician. One of these award ratings is based on physician peer ratings.

COPYRIGHTED 2011 JAMES SCHALLER, MD, MAR version 26.
This form may not be altered if it is printed or posted, in any manner, without written permission. Posting a critical or negative evaluation is forbidden. Printing to assist in diagnostic reflections is encouraged, as long as no line is redacted or altered, including these final paragraphs. Dr. Schaller does not claim that this is a flawless or final form, and defers all diagnostic decisions to your licensed health professional.

Healing Depression in Lyme Disease

2011-08-12T13:30:00.002-06:00

Throughout my healing journey from Lyme disease, I have found depression to be one of the most disabling and challenging symptoms to treat. Living in isolation and suffering from a myriad of symptoms, as many people with Lyme do, would depress anyone, but when you add that to the biochemical problems that Lyme causes in the brain, depression can become overwhelming.

Over the years, I have found that the usual solutions for treating depression have helped to mitigate my symptoms, but by themselves, have been insufficient. Anti-depressants helped me through the roughest of patches while healing from Lyme, but they only partially compensated for a biochemistry that had gone madly awry. Addressing the lifestyle factors which contributed to the condition was also helpful, and strategies such as prayer, getting enough sunshine, exercise, and having supportive friends all had positive effects upon my mood. Yet because I had a million pathogens making holes in my brain and depleting my body of serotonin and other happiness-inducing neurotransmitters, even these strategies only took me so far.

About a year ago, while I was still taking antibiotics for Lyme disease (my doctor believes that my infections went into remission in November, 2010) my serotonin levels once again fell into the proverbial toilet. If 125-250 ng/ml is a normal range for serotonin on a blood test, my body was operating with levels that hovered around 30 ng/ml. My doctor thought it was a miracle that I was functional.

Ironically, I had taken about 150 mg of 5-HTP, a serotonin precursor, for about a year prior to having my neurotransmitter levels tested, so I had expected my serotonin levels to be higher. Even worse, when I began taking antibiotics, I started to react negatively to 5-HTP and other amino acids.

My doctor was perplexed. Because the antibiotics caused herxheimer reactions that made it difficult for me to sleep, I reluctantly began taking a low dose of amitryptilene, an anti-depressant drug, even though, five years into Lyme disease treatments, I was finally getting along fine without anti-depressant medication. In hindsight, I would never have started amitryptilene, because I have found it to be one of the most addictive drugs I have ever taken (even more so than benzodiazepenes). I attempted to stop taking it last November, after I finished my antibiotic course, and my body fell apart in every which way possible, even though I took a full month to wean off a supposed low dose of the medication.

Further research has led me to conclude that anyone on amitryptilene and perhaps other anti-depressant drugs should wean off of them extremely slowly, or the body may crash into an even worse state than it was in previously. Contrary to what doctors may tell you, it can take six to nine months to successfully get off an even low dose of some anti-depressant medications.

Anti-depressants change the chemistry of the brain, so when you remove them, the brain must remember how to function without them, and it takes time for it to restructure its processes. I don't think it's a good idea to take anti-depressants unless absolutely necessary, because of this factor, but I think they can be useful for people with Lyme, until their infections are treated and the brain has had a chance to heal. Because sometimes, the brain doesn't have enough neurotransmitter precursors or can't effectively synthesize them, until Lyme disease infections and other problems caused by Lyme are addressed.

For this reason, amino acids such as L-tryptophan or 5-HTP may be inadequate for treating depression in Lyme disease. Not to mention that depression in Lyme disease is caused in part by neurotoxins, such as heavy metals, which must be removed from the brain if it is to fully heal.

Complicating matters is the fact that 80% of people with Lyme disease also suffer from Kryptopyrolurria (KPU) (aka Hemopyrrollactamuria-HPU), a condition whereby the body doesn't effectively synthesize heme, and instead produces a mauve-like heme byproduct that binds to important minerals and carries them out of the body, resulting in severe mineral deficiencies. Two of the depleted minerals in people with KPU are zinc and Vitamin B-6, both of which are necessary co-factors needed by the body to produce serotonin (one of the brain's key neurotransmitters responsible for mood and other functions) along with magnesium and Vitamin C. Without these, the body can't utilize 5-HTP or L-tryptophan, the amino acids from which serotonin is made.

Therefore, treating KPU with high doses of these minerals can enable the body to more effectively synthesize serotonin from 5-HTP and L-tryptophan. Furthermore, minerals liberate heavy metals from the brain, and when an effective heavy metal removal protocol is undertaken in conjunction with mineral supplementation, depression may be further alleviated as a result of removing these toxins from the brain.

Problems synthesizing serotonin and other neurotransmitters don't always end here, though. People who suffer from adrenal fatigue, which is many with Lyme disease, may not be able to effectively utilize Vitamin B-6 and produce serotonin from it. Gerald Poesnecker, ND, in his book, "Chronic Fatigue Unmasked" discovered that when he gave his adrenally-fatigued patients Vitamin B-6 in the form of P-5-P, or pyridoxal phosphate, along with L-cystine (not L-cysteine), they were better able to synthesize serotonin. Therefore, taking 5-HTP, along with these two ingredients, may be helpful for some people.

The body may also fail to make serotonin and other happiness-inducing neurotransmitters when gut flora gets depleted by antibiotics. Since 80% of the body's serotonin is produced in the gut, an imbalance in its flora can cause problems with neurotransmitter synthesis; therefore, taking a probiotic containing multiple strains of baceteria may be another important step to healing depression.

Methylation problems also contribute to inefficient neurotransmitter synthesis. Doing a protocol for KPU may correct some problems of methylation, since methylation is dependent upon the presence of certain minerals, but supplementing with methyl donors may also be necessary. One of the principal methyl donors involved in neurotransmitter synthesis is SAMe. SAMe can be taken as a supplement, although trimethylglycine also increases SAMe levels. Methionine is also an essential amino acid from which SAMe is made. Folic acid and cobalamin B-12 likewise support methylation, and N-acetyl-cysteine is amino acid that enhances the bioavailability of methionine.

Yet another remedy which may help to combat depression is St. John's Wort, an herb which contains hypericin, a substance that increases the concentration of serotonin in the central nervous system, and inhibits two enzymes responsible for its breakdown.

While taking nutrients is important for healing depression in Lyme disease, removing pathogens and toxins from the brain is just as important. Toxin removal may involve taking heavy metal chelators and binders such as cilantro, chlorella, alpha-lipoic acid, and DMSA, along with other binders such as apple pectin and activated charcoal. As heavy metals and Lyme neurotoxins get carried out of the brain, over time, the brain will heal.

Taking lithium orotate may also be helpful for treating depression in Lyme, as it protects the brain from the effects of Lyme neurotoxins, as may taking resveratrol, which increases microcirculation and therefore, brain function.

Other brain nutrients, such as omega-3 fish oils and phosphatidyl-choline, help to rebuild the brain after it has been damaged by Lyme disease, and over time, can help to improve mood and cognitive function. Maintaining an organic, gluten-free, dairy-free, and sugar-free diet high in complex carbohydrates and healthy fats, along with moderate amounts of animal protein, also helps provide the brain with the nutrients that it needs to function optimally.

The thyroid and adrenal glands also play a critical role in brain function and mood, so ensuring that these are functioning optimally (through strategies that I have mentioned in previous posts) is also important. Of course, as long as the body is fighting Lyme disease infections, the adrenal glands may be compromised, but supporting them is yet important.

As a side note, some people with Lyme disease produce antibodies to neurotransmitters and hormones. Where this is the case, homeopathic and bioenergetic remedies may reverse the problem. Deborah Metzger, MD, in Palo Alto, CA, develops remedies to reverse serotonin and other allergies, and will do phone consults for those interested in learning more about how to reverse auto-immune processes.

Finally, bioidentical serotonin is a fairly new treatment that may help some people, but its long-term effects are unknown. I once tried a low dose of bioidentical serotonin and reacted badly to it, but others may have a more positive response. Some government-sponsored websites contend that bioidentical serotonin doesn't cross the blood-brain barrier, but some doctors, such as Kent Holtorf, MD, www.holtorfmed.com, have found it to be useful for their patients.

Many solutions exist for healing depression in Lyme disease, but finding the right one depends upon accurately discerning the principal causes for the depression (which, in my experience, are usually multiple). Acupuncture, for instance, may be a helpful alternative treatment for depression, but if the body is missing the raw materials that it needs to produce neurotransmitters, no amount of acupuncture or other energy-balancing treatments will fully resolve symptoms.

Studies have shown that prayer and meditation, and being consciously aware of one's thoughts, can positively alter brain chemistry. My experience has been that these practices are fundamental for healing, but by themselves, may be insufficient, if the brain is severely deficient in nutrients, is dealing with a multitude of toxins and/or pathogens, or cannot effectively synthesize and utilize the biochemicals it needs. Still, they are a vital component of recovery, and I highly advocate them, along with the other above-mentioned strategies.

Seven years ago, when I was first diagnosed with Lyme disease, I suffered from off-the-charts anxiety and depression. I cried daily for years, even while taking anti-depressants, until the root causes of my depression were addressed. Over the past seven years, I have experienced tremendous healing from this condition. I am still healing my brain from the effects of Lyme disease, toxins, past traumas, and KPU (kryptopyrolurria), but life is infinitely easier than it used to be.

Healing from depression is possible, with a little perseverance, attention to its causes, and when knowledgeable practitioners are available to assist with the healing process. Unfortunately, I have never found a doctor in my geographical region who has understood this condition well enough to adequately help me heal my own depression, but through my research, I have discovered solutions that have helped to restore me to a better state of health. I pray that the knowledge that I have acquired through my own healing journey would help you, too.

"Defeat Cancer" Book Signing Event in Arizona

2011-07-06T19:08:00.002-06:00

For those who live in or who will be visiting Arizona next week, I invite you to join me and Drs.' Collen Brown, NMD, and Joe Brown, NMD, for a chat on cancer and my new book, "Defeat Cancer: 15 Doctors of Integrative and Naturopathic Medicine Tell You How." We will be speaking about the book and alternative treatments for cancer, as well as doing a Q & A session and book signing afterward. The event is at Changing Hands bookstore in Tempe, Arizona, at 7:00 PM on Friday, July 15th. More information about the event can be found here: http://www.changinghands.com/event/strasheim-jul11. Don't miss this event! It is free and the doctors and I will be sharing important information on how to effectively prevent and treat cancer with alternative medicine.

I will also be available on July 14th, Thursday, to speak to support groups in the Phoenix area about cancer, as well as chronic illness involving Lyme disease. If you belong to a support group or know of a support group that would be interested in learning more about one of these topics, please feel free to send me an email at: Connie9824@aol.com. Thanks!

New Social Network for Young Adults with Neuro-Immune Chronic Illnesses

2011-06-18T14:15:00.004-06:00

Nowadays, more young adults are coming down with chronic diseases of all kinds. With the increasing amount of toxins and pathogens in our environment, and the frenetic pace at which many of us live, this is hardly surprising.

Young adults who are chronically ill often face unique challenges which isolate them from their peers. For instance, others may not understand why they look healthy but can't seem to do much, which can make their relationships with their more functional friends challenging. Or they may not be able to participate in many of the same recreational activities as their peers, which leaves them feeling isolated and alone.

But it can also be difficult for young adults to find friends their age in local and online support groups for the chronically ill. So when my friend Joey told me about an on-line group that he was starting for young adults with neuro-immune illness, I thought it was a fabulous idea.

Heal Kick is that group, and www.healkick.com is the website. Heal Kick's philosophy can be found here: http://www.healkick.com/2011/05/04/our-philosophy/

One of its founders describes Heal Kick as: "...a fully functional social network for young adults with neuro-immune chronic illnesses. There are many different conditions represented but quite a large number of the members have chronic Lyme disease."

So if you are a twenty or thirty-something adult with neuro-immune illness, looking for a few friends to relate to, I highly recommend checking out Heal Kick.

My New Book: "Defeat Cancer: 15 Doctors of Integrative and Naturopathic Medicine Tell You How"

2011-05-13T12:18:00.007-06:00

While this blog focuses upon Lyme disease and chronic illness related to Lyme, in this post, I will be discussing my latest book on cancer - available from http://www.cancerbooksource.com - because I know a few Lyme disease sufferers who are battling, or who have also battled, cancer. I also believe that it's important for anyone who suffers from Lyme and other chronic illnesses to be informed about how to prevent and/or treat cancer with holistic methods. This is because most of the chronically ill suffer from what I like to call "the three 'I's'": Insulin resistance, Infection and Inflammation, all of which place them at higher risk for developing cancer.

Not to be feared, however, cancer can be often be successfully prevented and/or managed with holistic medicine. At first, I was wary about writing a book on cancer, because it seemed like a depressing subject and frankly, I wasn't sure I wanted to immerse myself in thoughts about the dreaded disease. Yet as I proceeded with my research for the book, I learned that cancer doesn't have to be a terminal illness, and that often, it can be managed for years, like a chronic illness. As I interviewed doctors for the book, I was encouraged by what I learned, and my fears about cancer dissipated.

As a result of my research, I now believe that it's essential for anyone with chronic illness to be educated about how to prevent and treat cancer with holistic medicine, especially since currently, one in three people in our society is developing cancer, and soon, that figure will be one in two. We need to be educated about this disease. Like many chronic illnesses, cancer is usually the result of living in a toxic environment, and knowing how to eliminate those toxins is crucial for preventing it. While the book focuses upon cancer treatment, readers will also gain insights into how to prevent cancer, so I highly recommend it to anyone who wants to learn more about the subject, whether they have cancer or not.

Below is more information on the book, which is taken from a recent press release.

Also, you can read a free sample chapter on the book's website: http://www.cancerbooksource.com.

Press Release

Defeat Cancer: Fifteen Doctors of Integrative and Naturopathic Medicine Tell You How

SUMMARY PARAGRAPH: A new book on integrative cancer treatment reveals the treatment strategies of 15 cancer doctors from 5 countries. Entitled, Defeat Cancer: Fifteen Doctors of Integrative and Naturopathic Medicine Tell You How, the book will help cancer patients to more efficiently research their treatment options. Click http://www.cancerbooksource.com to read a free sample chapter.

15 Cancer Doctors from 5 Countries Reveal Effective Integrative Treatments in New Book

South Lake Tahoe, California, May 10, 2011—For cancer patients, the daunting challenge of choosing the best treatment methodology has just been made easier by the publication of a new book, entitled, Defeat Cancer: Fifteen Doctors of Integrative and Naturopathic Medicine Tell You How. Written by health care journalist Connie Strasheim, the book is based on interviews with fifteen cancer doctors from five countries, and provides cutting-edge information on some of the most effective cancer treatments in integrative and naturopathic medicine. It was written for both patients and health care practitioners. Visit http://www.cancerbooksource.com to read a free sample chapter.

Sorting through the dozens of available treatments in conventional and alternative medicine was the problem that author and journalist Connie Strasheim set out to solve when she teamed up with internationally-known publisher, BioMed Publishing Group, to write the book.

“I knew that cancer doctors who practice integrative medicine, and who have a good track record in helping patients, even those with late-stage cancers, to live for years beyond their original diagnoses, would have the most helpful insights into which therapies were giving people the best results, so this immediately seemed like it would be a valuable project,” Ms. Strasheim said of her decision to work on the book. “I also knew that for a cancer patient to actually find and interview a significant number of these doctors would be both impractical and expensive, requiring travel across the world and thousands of dollars in plane tickets, hotel rooms, and doctor’s appointment fees. Conducting intensive interviews with fifteen doctors from five countries was a lot of work, but the information it generated was incredibly useful.”

Despite more than $250 billion spent on cancer research over the past sixty years, the cure rate attained by conventional medicine hasn’t significantly improved since 1950.

Doctors who treat cancer with integrative medicine (“integrative” simply means the combination of conventional and alternative therapies) have had more favorable results in many cases, as evidenced by the outcomes reported in the book, as well as the testimonials of the hundreds or thousands of patients they have treated. Some of the doctors have claimed success rates upwards of 50 percent in treating terminal cancers, where “success” is defined as patients either attaining remission or living well with their cancers for years. Yet, many of the most beneficial integrative treatments are not well-known to the public due to the influence of medical politics, insurance companies, and pharmaceutical interests.

The fifteen physician interviewees selected for the book include medical doctors, osteopaths, and naturopaths who treat cancer either exclusively or as a major part of their practice. They have been trained in a variety of medical disciplines including, but not limited to, allopathic (conventional), naturopathic, homeopathic, biological, and Traditional Chinese medicine. All use proven solutions for managing and healing people with late-stage cancers of many types.

Physician Interviewees:

Stanislaw Burzynski, MD, PhD—Houston, Texas
Robert Zieve, MD—Prescott, Arizona
Nicholas Gonzalez, MD—New York, New York
Finn Scott Anderson, MD—Humlebæk, Denmark
Juergen Winkler, MD—Oceanside, California
Elio Rivera-Celaya, MD and his assistant Steven Hines—Ciudad Acuña, Coahuila, Mexico
Colleen Huber, ND—Tempe, Arizona
Robert Eslinger, DO—Reno, Nevada
Martin Dayton, DO—Sunny Isles Beach, Florida
Nina Reis, MD—Bad Mergentheim, Germany
Julian Kenyon, MD—London, England
Constantine Kotsanis, MD—Grapevine, Texas
Joe Brown, ND—Tempe, Arizona
Keith Scott-Mumby, MD—Reno, Nevada
Chad Aschtgen, ND—Seattle, Washington

Each of the book’s 15 chapters is devoted to the treatment approach of a particular doctor, and covers the following topics:

1) Anti-neoplastic (anti-cancer) treatments targeted at lowering or eliminating cancer cells and tumors. These include everything from IPT (Insulin Potentiation Therapy) and gene-targeted therapies, to metronomic chemotherapy, mistletoe, high-dose Vitamin C, sono and photodynamic therapy, dendritic cell vaccines, and intravenous nutrients. The doctors also answer the question, “What is cancer and what causes it?”

2) How to support and heal the body during and after cancer treatments. Included is information on diet, detoxification, vitamin and herbal supplements, hormone therapies, homeopathic remedies, allergy treatments, exercise and other physical therapies, as well as additional supportive treatments.

3) Factors that affect healing, including finances, lifestyle habits, psycho-emotional stress, past treatments, and co-morbid conditions. Tips are provided for patients with limited financial resources.

4) How to prevent cancer in the first place, and/or keep it from returning once patients are in remission or successfully managing their cancers.

5) Why medical politics have limited people’s access to effective treatments, and why knowing this is essential when searching for a cancer doctor.

6) Dangerous and/or ineffective approaches to cancer treatment.

7) Suggestions for how family and friends can help their loved ones with cancer.

8) The treatment outcomes that the doctors have with their patients.

9) Patient and practitioner challenges to healing and how to overcome them.

10 How to heal past trauma and psycho-emotional problems that contribute to disease.

Author Connie Strasheim believes that the end result of nearly a year of work on the book project will help cancer patients to better understand their options. “The book puts difficult-to-find, practical treatment information in one place. It is ideal for people who have just started researching their treatment options because it translates complex medical concepts into clear, down-to-earth language that most anyone can understand. But it will also be useful to seasoned researchers who have knowledge of many therapies, because it includes the nuanced expertise of real doctors who operate in a real clinical environment. If one of my family members or friends were diagnosed with cancer, I would want them to have access to this kind of information.”

The paperback book contains 443 pages and retails for $39.95. It is available from Amazon.com or directly from the publisher at http://www.cancerbooksource.com, or by calling (530) 573-0190. Readers can visit the website to browse over 50 pages of sample content.

BioMed Publishing Group is located in South Lake Tahoe, CA, and specializes in books and DVDs on alternative medicine, with a specific focus on chronic illnesses such as cancer, Lyme disease, and mercury poisoning. Go online to www.cancerbooksource.com/store for more information on our cancer publications, or www.lymebook.com for our Lyme disease publications.

Highlights from "A Deep Look Beyond Lyme"

2011-05-10T20:25:00.002-06:00

This past weekend, I attended a seminar entitled, "A Deep Look Beyond Lyme," which was hosted by the Klinghardt Academy for the Healing Arts. Dietrich Klinghardt, MD, PhD, was the main presenter. He was joined by a variety of other medical professsionals, including Lyme-literate physician, Susan Marra, ND, and Steven Fry, MD, the founder of Fry Labs in Arizona.

Following are some brief highlights of this event. The statements are shared in no particular order. For more comprehensive information on the seminar, visit: www.klinghardtacademy.com, where DVDs of the presentations can be ordered.

Also, please note, the below information is taken from my personal notes, and there may be some minor mistakes in the content. That said, I have done my best to represent the information in the most accurate manner possible. Also, the information presented does not necessarily reflect my personal opinion, but instead that of the presenters.

You may find this information to be particularly valuable for gaining a larger understanding of the role that Lyme disease plays in chronic illness, as sometimes, Lyme disease and its co-infections are the major player in people's symptom picture, but quite often, they are not. For instance, I have always believed Lyme disease to be only one component of the mess that has comprised my personal suffering, but of course the situation is different for everyone.

So following are my favorite highlights of the conference. Read and enjoy!

*We are 90% microbes. The ratio of microbes to normal cells in the body is 10:1. So as a favorite doctor of mine likes to say, "We are literally walking compost heaps!" Conclusion? Getting rid of all the bugs is neither beneficial nor realistic.

*Our behavior can be determined by our bugs. If we have too many microbes, our thinking can end up being dominated by the microbes within us.

*Microbes live in our bodies in communities. They survive better that way. (Because it's easier to break a finger than a fist).- Dr. Klinghardt

*The sicker people are, the more sexual contact they are likely to have had in their lives (as a result of transferring microbes via sexual transmission).

*According to Dr. Klinghardt, most people's Lyme disease symptoms are not from Lyme. The primary role of Lyme disease is to suppress the immune system so that other bugs and factors can cause symptoms.

*Symptoms of heavy metal toxicity, electromagnetic pollution, mold, and post-traumatic stress disorder can be identical. This is because all of these factors work together synergystically to cause symptoms.

*It's not the toxins or bugs that make us sick, but rather, how they cause our biochemistry to become "stuck"

*A diagnosis of Lyme disease doesn't explain the severity of people's illnesses in the United States because most of the people who live in the black forest in Germany have Lyme disease and are relatively healthy!

*The "messy" syndrome (ie, having a chaotic, messy house) is a hallmark symptom of people with chronic illness involving Lyme!

*Night sweats caused by hormonal changes (not Babesia) can be effectively treated with Vitamin D-3

*Residue from anti-depressants and sedatives stick on receptors in the brain for life, unless the person does aggressive detoxification to remove it. People who have been on such medications tend to have a poorer response to Lyme disease treatments

*How sick people get depends not upon the bugs, but rather, the strength of the body's immune reaction. Therefore, immune modulation is important.

*Many homes in the United States are conducive to mold growth. Homes constructed of plastic and wood grow mold faster than brick homes.

*EMF pollution in the environment is doubling every year. Levels are currently 125 million times greater than they were just 15 years ago. EMF's damage our DNA.

*People with ALS will live much longer in an environment that has low levels of EMF's.

*Treatments that used to be very successful for chronic illness involving Lyme aren't working as well as they used to. These include:

-Bioidentical hormones (People don't respond as well to these)
-Homeopathy
-Orthomolecular therapy
-Conventional chiropractic treatments

*Treatments that are currently very effective for treating chronic illness involving Lyme disease include:

-dental amalgam removal
-antimicrobial treatments for Lyme and parasites
-gluten free diets
-mold and EMF mitigation
-melatonin
-balancing the bite
-neural and prolotherapy
-osteopathy
-Sanum Therapy

*America is ten years ahead of Europe in its toxicity levels (time to move, perhaps?)

*Conventional antibiotics for Lyme disease treatment, when used by themselves, used to be extremely effective. Not anymore.

*Simple remedies used to work wonders for the chronically ill. Not anymore.

*Molds release biotoxins to defend themselves from electromagnetic frequencies. They produce more toxic toxins than mold that isn't exposed to EMF's. This means that the molds and yeasts that people are infected with put out more virulent toxins in the presence of EMF's. Wow!

*Most Lyme patients have aspergillus toxins

*With each passing year, mold toxins will become more and more dangerous, due to increasing levels of EMF's in the environment.

*Balancing the bite is very important, as an imbalanced bite throws off hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal function.

*Ballroom dancing balances the autonomic nervous system!

*Bartonella, a Lyme coinfection, induces the breakdown of an enzyme that breaks down connective tissue (so that we become "comfortable" food for the bugs).

*Leukodynia (white nail spots) which are found in people with KPU (kryptopyrolurria) are caused by a combination of magnesium and zinc deficiencies

*Zinc is a core mineral of white blood cells, so if zinc is lacking in the body, white blood cells become less effective

*Many detoxification enzymes are zinc-dependent

*Lyme (borrelia) doesn't run from white blood cells, but rather, hijacks and takes them over, so that they won't make antibodies to infection

*Chronic cerebrospinal venous insufficiency (CCSVI) is found in almost all people with chronic Lyme disease. Many neurological problems in Lye disease are due to this problem. Over 200 articles have been published on CCSVI over the past two years. It can be easily corrected, however. (See below for more info. on treatments)

*Neurological diseases are usually vascular diseases. Neuron degeneration is secondary to vascular disease, and results from blockages or constriction of the body's vascular system

*Iron build up in the basal ganglia of the brain is one of the basic problems found in Parkinson's disease

*Heavy metals from dental amalgams leak and affect the surrounding areas of the body: the thyroid, jaw, brain, etc.

*Treatment for CCSVI is as follows:

-Eradicate the infections in the body
-Downregulate the body's immune reaction
-Neural therapy for the neck veins
-Osteopathy to open blocked veins
-For more information on treatments, visit: www.ccsvi-center.de

*Eighty percent of the immune system is housed in the gut-associated lymphoid tissue (GALT). Auto-urine therapy (drinking one's own urine!) downregulates the immune system and positively affects the GALT.

*When patients' symptoms don't resolve, parasites and dental problems are often found to be the two most commonly overlooked areas

*Tooth grinding can be the result of a parasite problem, not TMJ

*Many neurological symptoms are caused by parasites, heavy metals and dental problems (Simon Yu, MD)

*Almost every cancer patient has parasites

*If you can get rid of the body's parasites, other infections often resolve on their own

*Mold, heavy metals and Lyme disease all share symptoms in common. By treating one, you may really be treating another

*The true cause behind people's symptoms is very clouded these days!

*When you reduce heavy metals in the body through chelation, spirochetes tend to come out, because heavy metals keep spirochetes in dormancy. In this way, heavy metals are a treatment of sorts for Lyme!

*All chronic fatigue patients have two things in common: First, viruses aren't their primary reason for fatigue. Rather, parasites and chronic sinus infections are more likely to be a primary cause. Eighty-six percent of people with CFS have parasites.

*Chronic, antibiotic-resistant staph, strep and mold infections in the sinuses produce mycotoxins which enter the hypothalamus and affect its function

*Treatment for these chronic sinus infections include:

-Rinsing the sinuses three times with a Neti pot concoction, comprised of 1/2 tsp salt, 1/2 tsp baking soda, and 1/2 tsp of zylitol. Zylitol bloats microbes.
-Re-setting the immune system in the mucous membranes with auto-urine therapy. When urine is sprayed in the nostrils, four times per day, for three weeks, autoimmune reactions in the nose are neutralized.
-Antimicrobial sprays can also be effective

*Chronic sinusitis is the most overlooked problem that most people have. Low back pain, migraines and fatigue can all be symptoms of sinusitis.

*Neural therapy and inserting a balloon of sorts up the nose (neural cranial restructuring) can reset the cranial bones so that proper air flow is restored to the sinuses and brain, and the rest of the spine aligns with the proprioception of the brain.

*Procaine and Vitamin B12 clear brain fog that results from inflammation

*A traumatic event at birth can cause KPU, in addition to microbes, childhood trauma, and genetic defects

*Inflammation in the jaw and having a limited range of motion in the neck can cause CCSVI

*A bad reaction to DMSA (which is given for removing heavy metals from the body) can be indicative of mold

*Mold and metals always go together

*High dose chlorella (20 tablets, 3-4 times per day, a half hour before bedtime) combined with high doses of fish oil (2 grams or 10 capsules per day), turns on the body's ability to remove mold, and turns on the cells' organelles for detoxification.

*Tapping on either side of the head, above the ears, several times per day, downregulates an overactive immune system

*If water gets into your car, chances are, mold will tend to grow!

*The most reliable lab test to indicate the presence of mold is the C4a. When C4a is elevated, suspect mold.

*Always treat parasites before other infections. They are the most hardy. Also, by treating organisms in order from large to small, you can often treat multiple organisms at once, because parasites and mold (which are larger than bacteria and viruses) tend to harbor these latter organisms.

*Heavy metals protect mold because white blood cells die in the presence of heavy metals.

*Microbes build biofilms, comprised of magnesium, calcium, and heavy metals. Complexing agents, such as chlorella, DMSA and other binders, will break down the heavy metal component of the biofilms, while EDTA will break down the calcium aspect.

*Thirty percent of all people have staph infections in their noses that block the hypothalamus' ability to produce 1/3 of its hormones

*In addition to the above-mentioned neti pot concoction, MarCon nasal spray gets rid of staph infections in the nose.

*Auto-urine therapy will reverse autoimmune processes in the body, including autoimmunity to hormones and neurotransmitters. Drink 1/2 cup of urine in the morning and in the afternoon. Don't use the first morning urine as it's full of toxins, and remember to put a drop of potassium iodide into the urine to preserve it. Do this treatment for three months to reverse autoimmune processes.

*Urine contains the breakdown products of bacteria and other stuff that the immune system has killed. When you reintroduce the broken cell wall products of bacteria, etc. to the body, an immune response is created against those organisms.

*Homeopathic mucosa is also good for treating infections in the nose. Use 10 drops, 3 times per day.

*Bugs use the body's hormones, which is one suspected reason why the body downregulates its hormonal production in chronic illness

*There are four important treatment steps to healing all chronic illnesses:

-Balancing the body's basic biochemistry (Ie, with natural remedies such as niacinamide and berberine for insulin resistance)
-Killing the microbes
-Downregulating the upregulated aspects of the immune system
-Detoxifying the body (especially from biofilms). Biotoxins can exist in the body for years, even after the bugs are gone, which is why it's important to get rid of them. Killing bugs alone isn't sufficient.

*Biofilm communities are complex. Within these communities, bugs communicate with one another. Chronic sinusitis is comprised of biofilms. They exist in other areas of the body, as well. ALS patients have profound biofilm communities

*Steven Fry, MD, believes that CFS (Chronic Fatigue Syndrome) can be a prelude to MS, Parkinson's, and other degenerative diseases if not treated

*Most people with Lyme have low serotonin. 5-HTP, theanine, and melatonin can help to increase levels.

*Steven Fry, MD, believes that babesia can probably be transmitted by mosquitoes (DEET anyone?)

*Hypercoagulation is a babesia symptom

*Vitamin D-3 is very important for proper immune function.

*People with chronic Lyme disease and mold don't often make enough anti-diuretic hormone, so they lose their water and tend to become dehydrated. The organs don't work well when the body is dehydrated. Replenishing the body with electrolytes can be helpful.

*Electromagnetic fields activate ROS (reactive oxygen species), which creates oxidative stress, hypercoagulation, and other problems in the body. EMF's are one of the biggest problems of our day. (So somebody please tell "them" to stop putting up more cell phone towers!)

*The body's process of gene transcription is very precise, but random genes get activated by EMF's (ie, cancer genes).

*For information on cell phone towers in your area, visit: www.antennasearch.com

*To protect against EMF's in the home, do all of the following:

-get a Faraday canopy, which filters out 95% of all high frequency EMFs
-switch off the circuit breakers in the house at night
-use an Earthing pad and Earthing bed sheets: www.earthinginstitute.net
-don't use wireless technology in the house
-get rid of your cordless phone, as it uses a pulsed frequency that locks the brain into a small frequency wave, which prohibits it from functioning well

*To help diagnose insulin resistance, check for elevated levels of total cholesterol and LDL triglycerides. Also order a glucose tolerance test from Meridian Valley.

*Treatment for insulin resistance: 1000 mg niacinamide, 500 mg berberine, along with a healthy diet. Biopure makes a tincture called Viressence which contains berberine

*Herpes infections tend to emerge under conditions of insulin resistance

*Vitamin B-3 may be a good antimicrobial remedy for Lyme disease

*Osteoarthritis is a symptom of insulin resistance

*Gut inflammation and damged villi in the intestines (from antibiotics and infections) causes cortisol levels to rise, which stresses the adrenal glands

*All of the body's enzymes function within a narrow pH range. The normal pH of urine is between 6.0-6.4. The normal pH of saliva is between 6.5-6.9. When pH saliva is lower than pH urine, the body may have kidney problems

*Resolving emotional trauma makes the body more pH-balanced

*Electrosmog shuts the kidneys down

*Kidney tests are inadequate for properly diagnosing kidney function

*A good kidney treatment remedy is filtered water with Matrix Minerals (from Biopure)
Bee venom is also a good kidney treatment remedy

*Having a too alkaline state in the body can be worse than having a too acidic body
When the body's pH is extremely alkaline, this indicates serious illness

*Ivermection is an excellent treatment for parasites. It is compounded by Key Pharmacy.

*

What to Eat When You Have Lyme...And Even When You Don't!

2011-03-28T19:55:00.003-06:00

I used to get depressed that Lyme disease obliged me to follow a "special" diet, and that following my crash in 2004, I could no longer eat the same foods as most of my friends and family members. No more pasta, cereal, milk, cheese, sandwiches, and all of the fun foods that "normal" people got to enjoy on a daily basis. Just one more thing to separate me from the crowd. As if Lyme disease weren't punishing enough, I had to watch my friends eat the delicious foods I used to enjoy, right in front of me.

What I didn't understand then, and for several years thereafter, was that I wasn't being punished because I could no longer eat whatever I wanted. Rather, I was an unlucky (or lucky!) canary in a coal mine that emerged from Lyme disease with a diet that would probably save me from dying from cancer or some other malady ten, twenty or thirty years down the road.

Now that my Lyme disease infections are finally in remission, I realize that the strict diet that I have been obliged to follow for nearly seven years now has been a blessing in disguise. Because it's not really a diet for sick people. It's a diet that anyone and everyone should follow if they want to finish out this life without serious health problems. My "special" organic, gluten-free, dairy-free, soy-free and sugar-free diet is the only kind of diet that will keep most humans healthy these days. My pesticide, antibiotic and hormone-free food, free of genetic modification, isn't an "alternative" way to eat anymore. Or at least, it shouldn't be.

Because it's not just the chronically ill that need this kind of "special" food. Nowadays, it's everyone-whether they know it or not. And eighty percent of what is sold in "regular" supermarkets anymore is poison for the body. Processed food laden with chemicals and artificial additives and preservatives dominates the scene at these supermarkets, and what isn't processed is nutrient deficient, genetically modified, and full of hormones, pesticides, antibiotics and only God knows what else. If it came from an animal, it was likely force-fed a diet of corn, something it wasn't meant to eat and which made it sick (hence the antibiotics).

The contamination, manipulation and degradation of our food supply is reaching epic proportions, and no body can tolerate this kind of nonsense for long. Evidence of that is found in the growing numbers of people today with Attention Deficit Disorder, heart disease, diabetes, cancer, metabolic syndrome, and other maladies. These problems were once mostly confined to the elderly, but no longer. Many children today are overweight, sick and unhealthy. I don't have many thirty-something or forty-something friends who don't have a fairly severe health problem of some sort. That is sad, indeed.

So I no longer eat so-called "special" food because I have a body that's prone to immune problems and infections. I eat it because it's the only real food that's left on the planet, and it's what the human body was designed to eat.

Organic.
Unprocessed.
Uncomplicated.
Without chemicals.
Without hormones.
Without drugs.
Void of manipulation.
With nutrients.
While still looking like food.

Perhaps the one advantage that people with Lyme disease and other chronic illnesses have is that they often develop an acute awareness for what the human body needs, because symptoms quickly remind them when the food scientists have messed with the biochemistry of their products a little too much.

Food wasn't meant to be chemically manipulated and modified. If God had wanted food to be created another way, He would have grown granola bars from the ground, designed strawberries to produce their own pesticides, and cows to eat corn. But because we are going against the design of our Creator in the way that we farm and process foods, our bodies are paying the price.

Sadly, truly healthy foods are becoming few and far between, as environmental contamination increases, companies like Monsanto continue to pressure organic farms to purchase genetically modified seeds, and we continue to stuff our cows and fish with foods they weren't designed to eat because the government subsidizes corn and soy production. (For more information on this subject, I highly recommend Michael Pollen's book, "The Omnivore's Dilemma)."

For nearly seven years now, I have not only avoided processed food, but also some common foods that at one time were healthy, such as milk, wheat bread and corn. I used to think that I had to avoid those foods because I had Lyme disease. Not anymore. I now know that they aren't healthy for most people, because they have been manipulated to the extent that most bodies recognize them as an enemy, whether they manifest in symptoms or not. If I had been raised having Lyme disease during my grandmother's generation, I am sure I would have done just fine eating these foods.

I believe that the day will come when disease will force the majority of our population to recognize the gravity of what's happening to our food supply. One day, (if that day isn't already here) only the strongest of the strong will get through their first twenty, thirty or forty years of life without disease, if we continue on the path that we are on.

Granted, some people with Lyme disease and other chronic illnesses can't tolerate some of the healthy foods that much of the population without Lyme can, which further complicates trying to put together a formidable diet plan during recovery. When you can't eat most grains, dairy products, or anything processed (not to mention nightshade vegetables and high-glycemic fruits) it seems to leave precious few choices: brown rice, quinoa, some nuts, greens, and organic meat, basically. And if you have low stomach acid, as many with Lyme disease do, digesting raw green vegetables can be a challenge. It's ironic that the sick are often admonished to eat lots of raw green veggies, when their bodies have trouble digesting them. Cooked vegetables may be a better option, but when you cook vegetables, you also remove their nutrients. And then there's fish. We are told to eat wild fish, but no more than twice a week because of its mercury content, and only a few varieties. But then we are told not to have too much red meat, either, because it's acidic and not so good for the body. And then there are chickens, most of which have cancer and are loaded with arsenic. So what are people who suffer from Lyme disease, or anyone, for that matter, supposed to eat? It can be maddening.

It's easy to feel backed into a corner. Like you can't come up with enough options at mealtimes. I used to feel that way, and I still do at times. But not just because I lack stomach acid or because Lyme has made me allergic to tomatoes, but because of the bad decisions that humanity has made with its food supply.

As depressing as our food supply problems are, I am grateful that getting Lyme disease opened my eyes to the reality of these problems, because I believe that I will live out the second half of my life in a healthier manner than the first half, and experience fewer health problems down the road as a result.

So on a more positive note, what foods can people with Lyme disease (and the so-called "healthy" folk) eat? First, I would recommend looking for an organic farm in your area. Some states have small, organic farms that people can purchase their food from directly. Many of these farms practice sustainable farming, and offer food that is more nutrient-rich than what you could even purchase at a health food store. This is because the food isn't picked early and doesn't have to travel across many miles. It also isn't produced in mass quantities, which inevitably allows farmers to practice traditional methods of farming, such as crop rotation, which keeps soil more nutrient-rich and reduces environmental contamination. Also, small farms are often able to treat their animals more humanely than large farms, which must produce meat for consumption in mass quantities and consequently, keep their animals in overcrowded living conditions. Also, living within driving distance of a local farm may allow you to visit the farm and observe their practices.

If you can't purchase food directly from a local farm, I suggest doing a Google search to find out whether there are seasonal farmers' markets in your city or town. This is another good way to get fresh, local food without having to visit a farm. Buying organic food locally also reduces the demand for mass-processed, genetically-modified, manipulated and contaminated foods. That said, some so-called organic farms use genetically modified seeds, so be sure to ask yours about their practices.

Following is a list of foods that I believe are healthy for most people with Lyme disease, when purchased organically:

-Low to moderate glycemic fruits
-All vegetables except for those belonging to the nightshade family (including tomatoes, eggplants, and mushrooms), and potatoes, which skyrocket blood sugar levels
-Olive, grape seed and coconut oils
-Almonds, walnuts, cashews, pecans, and most other nuts (except peanuts)
-Nut butters that don't contain additives
-Eggs
-Some unpasteurized dairy products (which can be obtained by purchasing a share of a cow from a local organic farm).
-grass-fed, hormone-free, antibiotic-free meat from cows
-chicken, turkey, lamb, duck, ostrich, and other unprocessed meats (read: no turkey sausage!)
-wild-caught fish, including sardines, salmon, tilapia, and occasionally, tuna
-brown rice and other types of rice, except white rice!
-legumes (but not from a can!)
-almond or rice milk, if it doesn't have many additives and isn't consumed daily
-sparkling water in glass bottles and caffeine-free tea without additives. I recommend Dandy Blend, an herbal beverage that tastes like coffee. Avoid fruit juices because of their high sugar content.
-kimchi, sauerkraut
-gluten-free bread (occasionally). I haven't found many people with Lyme disease who can consume bread, even gluten-free bread, on a regular basis and still feel good. There is some debate among doctors about whether people with Lyme disease should eat grains of any kind. Personally, I have found that the only grain that I can consume on a regular basis is brown rice, and I make sure to eat it with protein, to lower its impact upon my precarious blood sugar levels.

Learning to cook with spices and sauces can be a creative way to dress up boring dishes, when you feel like you are only allowed to eat five foods! Just make sure that your sauces don't include thickeners that harm the body. Tapioca flour seems to be a decent choice (although I still don't know enough about this type of flour
to definitively say that I think it's okay for people with Lyme).

By implementing some of these food choices, and shopping at farmer's markets and organic farms, you will not only be supporting the development of a healthier and more sustainable food supply, but will also be providing your body with the nutrients that it needs to effectively heal from disease. Happy Eating!

Repairing the Damage Done by Lyme Disease

2011-02-20T11:50:00.005-07:00

In previous posts, I have mentioned that treating Lyme disease isn't just about eradicating infections. It's about healing the body from the multiple systemic dysfunctions that Lyme disease causes, and getting rid of environmental and bug toxins, while infected with Lyme and even after the bugs are gone.

Having managed to put my Lyme disease infections in remission, I am now focusing more on healing my neuro-endocrine system, which remains in disarray because of Lyme or factors that preceded Lyme. I also continue to do prolotherapy injections, which are effectively restoring the tissue in my hip and back that was gobbled away by the bugs.

Because of these issues, I continue to take supplements, and maintain a healthy diet and lifestyle, because I'm realizing that the battle doesn't end until the body's systems are back up and running at optimal efficiency. So I believe that restoring the body and repairing the damage that has been done by Lyme disease is important, while treating Lyme, and even afterwards.

For instance, I continue to struggle with adrenal fatigue, which can be incredibly complicated to heal, so I have begun a program with an adrenal specialist to restore and heal my adrenals. Healing the adrenals can fix a multitude of problems in the body, including faulty blood sugar and blood pressure regulation, sluggish detoxification, POTS (postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome, insomnia, fatigue and so on. The doctor I consult with for a few minutes every week, Michael Lam, MD, has prescribed me the following products from Horizon (www.supplementclinic.com) to heal mine.

-Liposomal Vitamin C
-Liposomal glutathione (adrenal fatigue causes liver detoxification problems, which
glutathione can help to remedy)
-Quantum (an amino acid product, to rebuild the body)
-Pandrenal (a derivitive of pantothenic acid)
-Fish oil

Many people know that Vitamin C and B vitamins are needed by the adrenals for optimum function, but their effectiveness is only as good as the body's ability to absorb them, which most of the time, is mediocre. Studies have revealed that most Vitamin C products have a 20% absorption rate, which means that 80% of the vitamin gets discarded by the body. According to a recent post on Lyme disease researcher Scott Forsgren's blog: http://betterhealthguy.com/joomla/blog/232-making-a-liposomal-compound, studies have shown liposomal Vitamin C to have up to an 93% absorption rate. I wonder if the poor absorption factor is part of the reason why some people haven't been able to heal themselves with supplements. Perhaps part of my adrenal doctor's success has been due to the fact that he prescribes liposomal supplements.

As another integral component of repairing my body from the damage that Lyme has done, I continue to take high doses of omega-3 fish oil, to heal my brain and nervous system. Freshly prepared chicken broth, which supplies many nutrients needed by the adrenals and other organs for recovery, has also become a staple part of my regimen. Bone broth soups are vital for providing the body with all of the building blocks that it needs to repair the organs, and while I have not used them, I suspect bovine broth and broth made from other animals to be beneficial, too.

Probiotics to restore the billions or trillions of gut flora that antibiotics wiped out of my system have also been important. I use products from Garden of Life, and as of late, have been drinking Kefir from fresh coconut oil.

Additionally, recently I saw an acupuncturist and allergist who uses an IQS (Interactive Query System), an electrodermal testing system which allows practitioners to discern literally hundreds of problems in the body in a single session. From my session with the acupuncturist, I learned that Lyme disease had caused my body to produce antibodies to several of its neurotransmitters and hormones, which requires a bigger fix than just getting rid of some bugs.

Having discovered allergies to serotonin and aldosterone, as well as a few other items in my body which were "off," this brilliant allergist then used the IQS to "reset" my body. She also prepared me a homeopathic remedy to address all of the problems that she found. Admittedly, I am having a hard time believing that a single homeopathic remedy can reverse all of the auto-immune processes in my body created by Lyme disease, but I figured that taking the remedy was worth a try.

Many Lyme disease practitioners use amino acids and bioidentical hormone replacement to correct their patients' neuro-endocrine problems, but these can be ineffective, even harmful, if patients are allergic to their own hormones or neurotransmitters. Also, people who are severely adrenal fatigued can react badly to amino acid supplementation because their bodies may not be able to effectively synthesize neurotransmitters and other proteins from those amino acids. For instance, Vitamin B-6 is required to make serotonin but many of the adrenally-fatigued can't utilize B-6, which is why people with this condition also tend to be depressed.

Neuro-endocrine problems are one of the most common "messes" caused by Borrelia and other organisms, and may persist despite treatment for the infections, which is why it's important to treat them.

Also, years of multiple antibiotics and antimicrobial herbs, along with the pathogens themselves, can really take a toll on the organs, especially the liver and kidneys, which are responsible for processing the majority of the body's toxins.
I continue to take a homeopathic drainage remedy from Pekana for my kidneys. I'm not sure if the long-standing rikettsia infection that took up residence in my kidneys, or some other factor has caused them to be stressed, but in any case, I find the drainage remedy, along with occasional pineapple-celery-parsley cocktails, to be helpful.

Last but not least, I have discovered that getting rid of Lyme hasn't meant that I can return to my former ways of eating, and not only because my body yet needs all the help that it can get to return to a normal state of functionality. Indeed, the way food is produced and processed today means that nobody, healthy or half-dead, should eat anything less than an organic diet void of sugar, dairy products, gluten and alcohol. I used to think that only the sick were obliged to eat organic food and had to shun all the "fun" stuff that other people get to eat, but the conventional way of eating isn't healthy for anyone. First, because food in a box, bag or can, or anything that's prepared using more than five ingredients, probably isn't food at all. Indeed, some experts estimate processed food to be 75% chemicals and only 25% real food! Secondly, the pesticides, antibiotics and hormones which are added to meats and vegetables are destructive to the digestive, endocrine, immune and hormonal systems, so nobody should consume foods with this stuff in it.

One hundred years ago, wheat and dairy products were actually healthy foods, and most people today have been deceived into thinking that they still are. But pasteurization, as well as other factors, have caused all dairy products, whether organic or conventional, to be a source of inflammation for the body. Wheat products are made with three times the amount of gluten that they used to have (in addition to other harmful additives), so only the most robust can adequately digest them. Add to that the fact that some foods, such and corn and soy, whether organic or conventionally produced, are all genetically modified, which causes allergies and inflammation.

So the strict diet that people with Lyme must maintain isn't just for those with Lyme and other chronic health problems. The entire population of the United States (as well as other countries that have adopted harmful food producing techniques), would be wise to adopt such a diet. An excellent book which describes the origins of our food and which puts modern day food production into perspective is Michael Pollen's, "The Omnivore's Dilemma."

While no two people's healing journeys are alike, I pray that what I have learned from my own would serve to help others who are sorting out how to heal from the effects of Lyme disease. Honestly, I wish I had devoted more energy and thought towards the beginning of my healing journey to healing my body from the neuro-endocrine and other messes that Lyme had made of it. While I have always taken toxin binders and nutritional supplements, I have generally allowed the infections to be the primary focus of my attention, when in reality, I should have paid just as much attention to the other aspects of healing. Thankfully, now I can devote more energy and time to those.

Your journey may be different. For some people, Lyme infections are the primary player in their symptom picture, and once they get rid of those, they tend to feel much better. But for others, treating neuro-endocrine, auto-immune, detoxification and other problems is just as important. Of course, Lyme disease creates all of the aforementioned problems but it's a fallacy to believe that getting rid of Lyme will automatically fix the systemic problems that it causes, or that Lyme is necessarily the first cause of these problems. Surely, the scenario is different for everyone, but I believe that by listening to our bodies, paying attention to how they react to treatments, and asking God for discernment, we can figure out the path that we are meant to be on.

"Insights Into Lyme Disease Treatment" Is Now On SALE!

2011-01-29T12:20:00.000-07:00

For anyone who hasn't yet purchased my latest book on Lyme disease, "Insights Into Lyme Disease Treatment: Thirteen Lyme-Literate Health Care Practitioners Share Their Healing Strategies," www.Amazon.com has significantly discounted the book, from $39.95 to $27.39 with FREE shipping. This represents a discount of approximately $18.00 off the original price! Hurry and purchase yours today! These types of sales on Amazon don't tend to last for long. Thanks!

Biochemical versus Bioenergetic Healing Strategies

2011-01-07T11:20:00.002-07:00

These days, doctors of integrative medicine treat their patients with biochemical as well as bioenergetic strategies. Biochemical treatments include things like vitamins, minerals, herbs, and drugs. Bioenergetic treatments encompass homeopathic and homotoxicology remedies, energy medicine devices like Rife and biophoton machines, and mind-body healing strategies such as EFT.

Doctors may use one or both types of treatments on their patients, and both are useful for healing the body. Bioenergetic and biochemical treatments can both kill pathogens or render them harmless; they can help to normalize immune, endocrine and neurological function, and balance other processes in the body.

Knowing when to use a biochemical treatment rather than a bioenergetic one and vice versa is important. Because, for instance, if a chemical imbalance is due to a nutrient deficiency in the body, no type or amount of energy medicine will restore that deficiency. A biochemical substance must be given to make up for the deficiency. While it may be true that some energetic treatments function to enable the body to synthesize that missing nutrient, this may not always be the case. Conversely, if an imbalance in the body is due to an improper metabolism of a substance and not a lack of it, providing the body with additional biochemicals may not be helpful. What the body may need most is an energetic treatment that will help it to properly produce the substance.

To illustrate, doctors sometimes correct hormonal imbalances by giving their patients synthetic hormones when an energetic re-balancing of the endocrine system with an acupuncture treatment might be more appropriate, because the problem may not be that the body lacks the biochemicals to synthesize that particular hormone, but rather, that it's not utilizing them properly. Or there may be a breakdown in the body's ability to produce hormones which acupuncture can restore. Conversely, doctors may attempt to balance the body's neurotransmitters with a biophoton machine or other bioenergetic modality, when what the body really needs is some 5-HTP or L-tyrosine so that it can build up its levels of serotonin or epenephrine.

Lab and other kinds of tests don't always reveal whether an abnormality is due to a biochemical deficiency or a problem with the body's energetic system, which causes it to improperly produce or utilize chemicals. Most often, it's probably not an either-or situation. Nutrient deficiencies and environmental factors can cause imbalances in the body's energy which in turn cause more deficiencies and consequently, more imbalances. And still, it's probably not even that straightforward.

Why does understanding this matter? Because as people who battle chronic illness or who are simply striving to maintain wellness, we should know that both biochemical and bioenergetic treatments are important for the body. And some people may require more of one type than the other, but for most, a little of both is probably necessary.

Unfortunately, I see health care practitioners prescribing substances to make up for a lack of something in the body, when the lack isn't due to a deficiency, but rather, an imbalance. And I have met others who believe that energy treatments (such as homeopathy or biophoton machines) can fix all that ails the body. That may be true for some, but again, it depends on what the source of the problem is.

Doctors may consider other factors when deciding upon whether to use an energetic treatment or biochemical substance to treat their patients' conditions. The important thing, perhaps, is having a large arsenal of remedies or strategies that can be used for the treatment of toxins, infections and biochemical dysfunction. The trick, of course, is to know the origin of the problem and all of its contributing factors. Which is no easy task-for anyone.

Earthing: The Next Great Solution to a Slew of Maladies?

2011-01-04T17:41:00.005-07:00

We've lost contact with the earth. Our feet seldom touch its surface, and when they do, it's usually only for a day here and there in the summer. I never realized how big of a deal it was to be disconnected from the earth, until I purchased an earthing bed pad; basically, a conductive half-sheet with a wire that plugs into the wall and which connects to the earth.

I purchased the bed sheet about a month ago, after reading a book called "Earthing: The Most Important Health Discovery Ever?" by Clinton Ober, Stephen T. Sinatra, and Martin Zucker.

The concept of Earthing, while quite simple, has amazing effects upon the body, according to the authors of the book. By standing on the earth or connecting the body with a device that's grounded into the earth, electrons from the earth get transferred into the body. These electrons neutralize free radicals, and thereby, lower oxidative stress and inflammation.

Earthing also seems to normalize a number of other bodily processes. The authors of the book mention that it balances the nervous system, and specifically, cortisol levels. Studies have revealed that it also thins the blood, strengthens the immune system and restores sleep. It also blocks or lessens the effects of EMF's, electromagnetic frequencies, upon the body.

The effects of Earthing are yet not entirely understood, and tests are still being done to determine exactly how it affects the body. But so far, it's believed to restore and balance the body's electrical system, as it reduces inflammation, which means that it is likely to impact the body in a wide variety of ways.

Those who have tried Earthing report a variety of results; anything from improved sleep to less pain to complete resolution of their disease processes.

I have been sleeping on an Earthing half-sheet for several weeks now and my sleep has improved radically. I used to get up once or twice during the night and it used to take me an hour to an hour and a half to fall asleep. Now, I can often sleep through the night, and I have been falling asleep faster than before. I am also sleeping more deeply. In addition, I feel more relaxed during the day, which means that Earthing may be a good treatment for those with anxiety.

That said, during the first week or so that I slept on my half-sheet, I felt more deeply rested, but also a bit more tired, which may have simply been the result of my body entering into a deeper state of relaxation. Or it may have been caused by toxins being released from my body, as my body realigned itself energetically with the earth. Indeed, those with chronic illness who are considering Earthing should take care not to spend too many hours on an earthing mat or bed sheet at first, as doing so can trigger the release of toxins.

I am cautiously optimistic about the long-term effects of Earthing. If the results of the preliminary studies are any indication, Earthing may be useful for treating a variety of diseases, and normalizing many of the body's abnormal processes.

I believe it's well-worth trying out as an adjunct treatment for those suffering from chronic illness and Lyme disease. For more information on Earthing, visit: http://www.earthinginstitute.net, or http://www.earthing.com

The Twelve TreatmentsThat Have Been Integral For My Healing

2010-12-10T13:18:00.006-07:00

Lately, people have been asking me what I have done to heal from Lyme disease and chronic illness. I was diagnosed with Lyme disease in 2005, although some of my symptoms had begun years prior to that. The ultimate "crash," which literally snatched my entire life out from under me, happened on September 26, 2004.

So the journey back to sanity and relative wellness has been long, and no one single intervention, in and of itself, has been a miracle. I wish I could say that doing X, Y or Z therapy is "it," but the one-size-fits-all remedy for chronic illness or Lyme disease just doesn't exist, except perhaps, for a lucky few.

On that note, please beware of the vociferous and exuberant within the healing community who swear that one specific type of therapy cured them from Lyme and that because it cured them, it should cure you, too. Especially if that therapy hasn't been tested and tried and successfully cured a least a couple hundred others. I have seen people led astray in their healing for years by such folks, but their voices are compelling and their testimonials are powerful because truly, they were one of the lucky or blessed few-and I do mean few- for whom a single therapy or remedy brought them back to life.

Of course, I believe that God can bless any treatment, and those who have received miracles-either supernaturally or through medicine- have received them only because God chose to bless them. I have a theory that He smiles down upon doctors with humble, caring hearts, and whose work isn't done for motives of self-exaltation. Similarly, I believe that God heals those who pursue Him with a humble heart and who submit to His ways so that He can show them the way to health. God gives grace to all but I think that the more willing that we are to spend time with Him and pursue His path instead of ours, the more we will understand how He means to heal us.

This is the foremost, and in my opinion, most important element of healing; being in relationship with God. I recognize that everyone has a different belief system when it comes to faith, and I'm not trying to impose my beliefs on anyone. I simply state what has worked for me, and I speak about the God I know, in case anyone else is interested in knowing Him, too!

As I wrote in my recently published book, Healing Chronic Illness: By His Spirit, Through His Resources, God has healed me both supernaturally and through medicine. Of course, medicine can be supernatural when blessed by God, and over the past six years, God has blessed some of what I have chosen to do to heal from Lyme, but not all of it.

In hindsight, I realize that some of the healing modalities which didn't work well for me were things that I chose to do before seeking the counsel of God on the matter. They were usually either 1) inordinately expensive 2) successful for only a small handful 3) excessively complicated to follow or 4) recommended by a practitioner whose motives in healing patients were less than honest.

I write more about this in my recent book, because I think that such factors provide crucial insights into the treatment decision-making process. That said, God does use the inordinately selfish to heal others, and treatment regimens for Lyme and chronic illness are expensive and complicated to follow, but...some are obviously much more so than others.

Similarly, I believe that when we have gratitude and respect for those who are involved in healing us, we are blessed. When we are thankful for the treatments that are put in our paths, and acknowledge the positive effects that these have had upon our bodies, it opens the door to further healing. Much more is involved, and I discuss these factors more in my book, Healing Chronic Illness so for now I will simply mention the treatments that I believe have been crucial in bringing me back to wellness.

Please note, I am not 100% "well." Wellness is a tricky thing to define, and in some regard, we will all continually be working towards wellness, but compared to where I was six years ago, I tentatively believe that I am about 80 percent better. And then again, supposing you can attach a percentage to it.

Also, and I can't stress this point enough-healing isn't just about getting rid of infections. Getting rid of Lyme and co-infections is a major part of the battle, but if immune dysfunction or hormonal imbalances preceded the tick bite, then these problems won't necessarily get completely resolved when the infections are gone. Some people are made radically well when they get rid of Lyme; but for others, there is much more involved. Heavy metals and other environmental toxins. Harmful relationships. Unforgiveness. Dental infections in the mouth. Vitamin, hormonal, and other deficiencies and imbalances. Yes, Lyme can exacerbate and make worse all of the above, but the opposite can be true, as well. And in the society in which we live; a society in which more and more young people are getting sick from a lack of healthy, nutrient-rich food, as well as toxicity and an unnatural, rushed lifestyle in which we are pushed to do ever more, multiple factors conspire to make the body sick and allow Lyme to get a foothold. For some, Lyme is only the tip of the proverbial iceberg, but once it gets out of control, it becomes a major contributing factor to symptoms.

Personally, I think that the bugs were only part of what broke my biochemistry. I spent many years of my life living in a constant state of "fight or flight" which was, of course, exacerbated by Lyme, but living in anxiety day after day suppressed my immune system. That, coupled with the fact that I am a hyper-sensitive person meant that any kind of negative stimuli -emotional, physical or otherwise-, radically affected my well-being.

So you see how complicated healing can be. I preface my list of healing strategies with this sermon, because if I mention the remedies that I believe healed me without noting the additional factors that allowed those remedies to work, then I would be doing my readers a disservice. So with that in mind, below are the top twelve types of treatment that I believe have most impacted my healing, in addition to my lifestyle and relationship with God. Bear in mind, what has healed my biochemistry may not heal yours. Also, it's difficult to ascertain with 100% accuracy what has been the most beneficial, because each healing modality built upon the effects of the previous one, so please bear this in mind as you read.

1). Bio-identical hormones and nutritional support for my thyroid and adrenals.
Many Lyme-literate doctors claim that their patients can't heal from Lyme if their hormonal dysfunction isn't addressed. This has been true for me. In fact, I believe that adrenal insufficiency preceded my Lyme. Because the adrenals are profoundly involved in immune function, I don't believe that the body can heal from infections if the adrenals aren't supported. Thyroid function is linked to adrenal function, and most thyroid dysfunction in people with Lyme is caused by adrenal insufficiency, so in most cases, you must heal the adrenals in order to heal the thyroid.

I still suffer from some degree of adrenal dysfunction and I haven't found a single treatment that restores this problem completely. Usually, healing the adrenals requires a multi-faceted approach, including rest, a healthy diet free of processed sugar and caffeine, and various vitamin, mineral and herbal supports. Many Lyme doctors contend that if you support the thyroid without supporting the adrenals, then the adrenal dysfunction gets worse, but it seems that many doctors' protocols involve giving patients bioidentical or synthetic thyroid hormone replacement and only nutritional support to the adrenals. This seems a bit unbalanced to me. Thyroid hormone is extremely powerful, and it would seem that if the adrenals are the cause of thyroid hormone deficiency, then the adrenals should receive stronger support than the thyroid, but the reverse usually happens. On the other hand, giving bioidentical cortisol to support the adrenals often backfires on patients, because dosing it is tricky and the adrenals sometime shut down their own production of cortisol when supplemental cortisol is given for too long. I don't know what the answer is, as I have tried every supplement under the sun and nothing has restored my adrenal function 100%. Furthermore, I am not sure my adrenals will be healed 100% as long as I am taking bioidentical thyroid hormone. Yet, I have found bioidentical T3 and T4 to be important, as thyroid hormones regulate many functions in the body. Some people prefer Armour thyroid, which is a natural form of thyroid hormone, but I prefer bioidentical hormones, because these are made to be identical to human hormones, whereas Armour is made from a pig. I realize though, that Armour works for some people. For the adrenals, I have found licorice and Siberian Ginseng to be most helpful, as well as Isocort, which is a natural adrenal glandular formula containing cortisol. Vitamins B5, B6 and Vitamin C are thought to be helpful, too.

2). Anti-depressants, specifically, mirtazapine (Remeron). You got it. The amino acid approach didn't work well for me, especially when I had severe psychiatric symptoms. I didn't like taking a drug for four years, but the body can't heal when you are continually anxious and depressed. Period. I would have preferred natural remedies such as 5-HTP and L-tryptophan over Remeron, but these didn't work well for me. Perhaps it's because Vitamin B-6 is required to make serotonin from amino acid precursors, and people with adrenal insufficiency have trouble metabolizing B-6? An interesting theory.

3).Nutrients, including fish oil (Nordic Naturals), magnesium (Peter Gilham's formula), an assortment of B-vitamins, Vitamin D, iron, probiotics, enzymes, and other vitamin supplements. I believe these have been essential for bringing my body back to health, although their effects have been extremely gradual.

4). Exercise and an organic diet free of soy, gluten, cow dairy, most fruits, processed sugar and all grains, except brown rice. To this day, I feel best on a diet of green veggies, low-to-moderate glycemic level fruits, moderate amounts of animal protein, including salmon, beef, chicken, goat cheese, kefir and yogurt, and nuts, including almonds, organic peanuts, and walnuts. Bread, dessert and wine I can handle on a once-per-week basis. My exercise regimen included 20 minutes of Pilate's and 30-40 minutes of walking, 3-4 days per week. Maintaining a proper diet and exercise I believe is essential to recovery.

5). Herbs, including andrographis and samento for Borrelia and artemisia for babesia. The latter only worked for me when I mixed it with grapefruit juice and Phos-Chol; otherwise, my body didn't absorb it! I have used a variety of others herbs for Lyme and other infections, such as quina, noni and cumanda, but by themselves, herbs did not get rid of my infections. Yet they were an integral part of my protocol.

6). Antibiotics, including a half-dozen drugs that I now can't remember the names of, which I don't think is important, because I have discovered that the remedies which work best depend radically from person to person, and only ART or bioenergetic testing can reveal exactly what a person needs. For instance, I didn't seem to need prolonged regimens of cyst-busting drugs, such as metronidazole and tinidazole. I took tinidazole for approximately 3-4 months, but Vitalzym, an enzyme, seemed to get rid of the remaining problematic cysts. Interesting that an innocent, friendly enzyme could get rid of those nasty suckers, eh? I wouldn't recommend taking Vitalzym to treat the cystic form of Lyme, however, unless your doctor specifically finds through ART (autonomic response testing) that it's beneficial.

7). Bio-film busting agents and anti-coagulants such as Boluoke and Rechts-Regulat. This can be important for some, as bugs use biofilm and thick blood to prevent antimicrobial remedies from reaching them. Other problems are created by thick blood, such as nutrients and oxygen not being able to reach the cells.

8). Bionic 880 machine. This biophoton device is effective for killing all kinds of pathogens, although in and of itself, it was insufficient for getting rid of all of my infections. People have varying results with it, and those who are extremely toxic should use it with caution, as it mobilizes toxins in the body. That I am aware, this treatment is still only available in Germany. Please refer to my second book, Insights Into Lyme Disease Treatment, for more information on the practitioners that use it.

9). Detoxification treatments. This is an absolutely integral part of any Lyme disease protocol, and involves all of the following:

a) Agents to mobilize and bind toxins, such as chlorella, zeolite and glutathione.
PCA-rx seemed to be one especially helpful product which helped me to get rid of heavy metals.
b) Homotoxicology and homeopathic remedies to open up the body's drainage pathways. Apo-Hepat and Renelix are two high quality products that I used.
c) Exercise, body brushing, coffee enemas, and saunas to further stimulate toxin removal.

10). Prolotherapy and Pilate's for hip and back pain. The causes of pain in Lyme disease are multiple, and I discovered prolotherapy to be an extremely effective remedy for ligament laxity and cartilaginous damage done by the bugs. This safe, (albeit somewhat expensive and painful) procedure, stimulates the body to lay down new ligament tissue, via injections of pumice and sugar water. The injections create an inflammatory response which then incites the body to create more tissue. The success of prolotherapy depends largely upon the source of a person's pain and whether there are significant auto-immune processes happening in the body. It also depends significantly upon the skill of the practitioner.

11). ACT, Advanced Cellular Training (formerly IRT, Immune Response Training). This treatment modality didn't get rid of my bugs but it brought me out of a very bad place in 2006, when I thought I was near death. Three months of sessions restored my sleep and my sanity. At first, the results were so dramatic that I thought it would fully heal me, but a traumatic event in my life caused the treatments to stop working. Still, I am grateful for the impact that it had upon my life and I believe that it can help some people with Lyme.

12). Melatonin, Kavinace, L-glycine and sometimes, lorezapam for sleep. Throughout my healing journey, I took sedatives to sleep, but usually only for brief periods. Yet I found them to be crucial when Herxheimer reactions were unbearable, or when I was traveling. Sleep is absolutely essential to recovery, and I advocate doing whatever it takes, drug or no drug, to get 7-9 good hours of rest per night.

I surmise that for most people, antibiotics aren't enough to get rid of Lyme disease. Neither are Rife or Bionic machines, or herbs, when used alone. Some of the more "fringe" strategies, such as the salt/C protocol and MMS may be helpful for reducing pathogen load but I would not base any core Lyme disease protocol upon these methods, as I don't know of many who have healed by leaps and bounds with them.

Finally, I believe that success in healing depends not only upon the what, but also the how, why and when a treatment is used. It's not just about the right treatments; it's about doing them at the right time and rotating them on a regular basis. It's about not neglecting any aspect of a treatment regimen, or sabotaging treatments by living an unhealthy lifestyle; it's about pursuing an integrated approach to wellness, and following through. It's difficult. It's complicated. But with God's help, I believe it can be done! And as I mentioned in my previous post, if I can be healed, I think anyone can.

Life After Lyme

2010-12-08T21:32:00.004-07:00

Over the past five months or so, I've swapped my slender banana-shaped body for that of an ostrich. You know- slender neck, slender legs, but bulky in the middle? Yup, that's the "new" me. It's taking some getting used to, but I'm trying to tell myself that the bulk is mostly good. The body can't put on muscle without putting on some fat when it has been deprived of essential biochemicals for over eight years. Lyme turned me into a "lyma" bean and my model-thin physique turned a few heads over the years but now nobody would mistake me for any kind of Cover Girl as my body builds muscle mass and then some.

I almost want to tell it, "You don't need to go into survival mode and made sure I'm adequately padded in case we have a setback!"

But this is the weight that I was at, at age twenty-nine, before I got super sick, and it's probably closer to the weight that I should be. People tell me that constitutionally, I look and seem stronger. I'm happy about that.

Still, the rapid weight gain has startled me a bit, and just to make sure that this ostrich isn't in danger of blossoming into an elephant, tonight I decided to do something that I haven't done for at least four years...get on a piece of cardiovascular exercise equipment. Yikes.

I have always walked, 3-4 days per week, for 30-40 minutes at a time, while suffering from chronic illness. Even on days when I felt half-dead, I would still force myself out the door to do a few laps around the block. But chronic fatigue and severe lower back and hip pain have mostly precluded me from doing much beyond that.

So I was reticent, but I decided to trust in the recent effects that prolotherapy injections have had upon my back and hip, and in the fact that lately, I have been stronger.

Amazingly, I managed thirty minutes of exercise on an elliptical machine, without my face turning tomato red and my body collapsing from fatigue. There's still tomorrow, and who knows what the body will do after it has had a night to think about the effects of this new, and rather intense, exercise, but I am elated. Could this be the sign of better days ahead?

As I step away from taking antimicrobial remedies and treating infections, and rejoice in this new found freedom, I yet realize that I will never be able to live as I did before Lyme disease. And not just because I can't, but because I don't want to.

Of course, my body has yet to repair and regenerate itself from the damage that Lyme has done to it, and will need all the nutritional and lifestyle support that I can feed it in order to accomplish that. It has been under a great many attacks and the only way it will continue to function normally is if I treat it like royalty. Because I'm a broken piece of glass that has been put back together, but I am not sure I will ever be the same.

And that's okay, because the lessons that I have learned along the way have meant that I now know how to care for myself in a way that will probably enable me to survive for longer than most people my age who have never had a chronic illness. I know what it takes to be a healthy person; organic food, nutrients, rest, exercise, prayer, peace, detoxification, happy thoughts, trust, and having relationships with other healthy people. There's more, but the life I live now is radically different than what it was pre-Lyme.

I used to work 14-hour days. I used to eat Cheerios and drink wine on a regular basis. I rushed through life. I ate toxic food, took no supplements, and didn't know the meaning of the word "detoxification." I had unhealthy relationships. I didn't know what God's love looked like. I went from day to day with a barrage of negative thoughts flooding my brain.

I still work too much, but not 14-hour days. I make sure I get enough sleep. Always.
I eat organic food. Dessert and wine are for nights out and special occasions. I take care of my body, spirit and soul, and am constantly mindful of when I am violating boundaries in myself or others. I have healthier relationships. I know what God's love looks like. The negative thoughts are fewer and more far between.
I am living true to myself, because I now know that the stakes are high if I don't.

I suppose that this was the gift of illness. To teach me a new path, and a new way of life. God doesn't ordain illness, but if the journey of disease will bring us to health, He may allow us to walk it for awhile.

And if health means having an ostrich-shaped body, then so be it. I rejoice in the little freedoms that I'm starting to experience and in even better days to come. But I'm still on the path, still learning.

I tell people, "If I can be healed, then you can, too." I had so much wrong with my body, spirit and soul, that there were many times I just wanted life to be over. I thought I was the most messed up person on this side of Kansas. But God can do anything, and I hope that my story will encourage you to believe, when circumstances clamor for you to not to. There is hope. There is a better life that awaits you, even if the road to happiness seems eternal.

If you want to know more about the spiritual strategies that God taught me for healing, I invite you to check out my new book, Healing Chronic Illness: By His Spirit, Through His Resources." More information can be found at: http://www.healingchronicillness.org. This book is about supernatural healing, but it also goes into other factors that are involved in healing the mind, body and spirit besides supernatural encounters with God. It is the result of eight years of intense suffering, prayers, and research into mind-body healing and God's ways. I believe it will be an integral resource for some people's journey back to health, and a source of hope for the helpless and hopeless.

In the meantime, I pray that illness is for you, the same great teacher that it has been for me.

No More Lyme and Co-Infections!

2010-12-01T15:42:00.003-07:00

On September 26, 2004, I became completely disabled by a chronic illness, which, approximately one year later, I discovered was Lyme disease. I have spent the past six years of my life trying to recover from this insidious disease and a plethora of infections, that only some seem to be able to completely eradicate or bring under control, after years of treatments and thousands of dollars spent on drugs, herbs, and a million supplements to support the body in its journey back to health.

I have battled over ten major tick-borne infections, including borrelia, six strains of babesia, another co-infection called bartonella and a host of other opportunistic infections such as candida.

Today, six years, three months, and five days after my initial "crash", my doctor declared me to be free of the final, and most difficult to eradicate infection-babesia.

Is it any coincidence that this would happen the day after the release of my new book, in which I contend that God is willing and able to heal humanity, both with medicine and supernaturally, if we just believe in Him, against all odds?

To learn more about or purchase this book, visit: http://www.healingchronicillness.org.

I wrote the book while still very sick, which required me to take a difficult, but very important, leap of faith, because God asked me to believe before I would see. The world functions in reverse; mostly, we need to see before we will believe, but God challenged me to do the opposite, even while every symptom in my body and years of intense suffering conspired against me believing in this truth.

I still have work to do to heal from the damage that Lyme and its co-infections have caused my body, as Lyme has ravaged its every system and organ. But over the past few months, life has started to feel normal again. I can work full days and go weeks without having a really bad day. Then again, don't "healthy" people even have bad days? I guess I don't know what "normal" is supposed to feel like anymore, but the insidious fatigue, depression, anxiety, brain fog, insomnia, and other problems that used to assault me on a daily basis have become mild and tolerable as of late.

I believe God will finish the job and heal my organs. But I must keep believing, as I have fought to do this entire year....because He asks that we believe, in order to receive. Against all odds. But it will be easier now, because my immune system won't be fighting an onslaught of pathogenic garbage anymore. Praise God!

I wouldn't wish Lyme disease on my worst enemy, but now I see His purposes in having allowed me to go through six years of hell.

May this story encourage you as you believe Him to restore all things that are broken in your life! He loves us and will work with us towards wellness, if only we have the courage to believe.

Have a blessed day!

Now Available! "Healing Chronic Illness: By His Spirit, Through His Resources"

2010-11-26T23:35:00.003-07:00

Early this year, I took a bit of a detour in writing and blogging about Lyme disease, and instead focused my energies upon a new topic-supernatural and spiritual healing. As I began writing a book on this subject, a little voice in my head protested, "Who do you think you are? Who died and made you an authority on this kind of healing?" After all, I'm not a priest. I'm not a saint. I don't have all my ducks in a row. I haven't healed thousands of people supernaturally, but... after awhile, I realized that I was definitely led to do this.

Because, in my eight-year desperate pursuit of God, I have been led to a definitive knowledge of the reality that God heals-in body, mind and spirit- both through medicine and supernaturally. This pursuit has taken me through dozens of books on faith and mind-body healing, the Bible, as well as to churches, conferences and workshops on healing, across the United States and even overseas. It is a work that has been borne out of years of suffering, countless hours of face-to-the carpet prayers, and endless days and nights studying and learning about healing and the living, loving God who has become as real to me as my right hand.

It may be the most important book that I have written so far. It may be the most important book I ever write, although I suspect that, as long as I continue to pursue God, the revelation knowledge that I receive about Him will only increase, leading to perhaps even greater works down the road.

For the time being, I believe that God will use this one to change lives, and to bring healing and hope to those who thus far have not had much. I believe it will be a source of light to those who have been frustrated by medicine, or who have been on a treatment treadmill for years and experienced little progress in their healing.

Because supernatural, spiritual and faith healing are controversial subjects, I suspect that it will also draw criticism. It's a radical departure from the medical writing that I have done up until now, and yet my knowledge of medicine adds a profound, insightful and balanced dimension to the book that I believe many will appreciate.

It's not an easy book for me to put out there. My guts are splayed about its pages but God somehow convinced me that it would be the only way to pack a powerful punch into its messages. Revealing my struggles was a necessary evil in order to bring about an even more vital good to a sad, scared, hopeless humanity and a group of people struggling to survive one of the most insidious diseases we face today-Lyme disease.

But don't take my word for it. Check it out for yourself:

http://www.healingchronicillness.org

...oh yeah, and you can buy it on this site, too! Just click on the link off to the right side of the page!

New Books--On Supernatural Healing and Cancer

2010-10-04T16:33:00.002-06:00

This year, I have expanded my research efforts into two new areas; supernatural healing and cancer. While I still maintain a strong interest in Lyme disease, I have felt led to pursue other areas of medicine and healing, and in November, I will be publishing a new book, entitled: Healing Chronic Illness: By His Spirit, Through His Resources. While this book doesn't deal with specific treatments for Lyme disease, it is a great healing resource for those with Lyme. It demonstrates, from a Christian perspective, why physical, spiritual and emotional healing are God's will for humanity, and how God provides healing in all of these areas-supernaturally, as well as through medicine and a relationship with Him. It proposes that God has made supernatural healing available to all of us, but that there are sometimes roadblocks that must be addressed before we can receive that healing. While written from a Christian perspective, I believe that people of all faiths can appreciate this book. It is based upon my relationship with God, and what I have learned about healing; through books, conferences and my experiences of having witnessed and experienced many healing miracles. This book can provide an invaluable source of hope to those who have been struggling with Lyme disease for years, and especially to those who haven't been healed by medicine, despite years of treatments. Most importantly, the book provides hope in a loving God who desires nothing but wellness for His people. I invite you to check out this God and see if His promises are for real! More information on this work will be available soon.

Currently, I am also writing a book which explores effective cancer treatments in naturopathic and integrative medicine. My research for this book involves interviewing top medical and naturopathic doctors, in the United States and around the world, who are having success treating terminal cancers using a variety of integrative treatment approaches. Through this book, I hope to provide better solutions to those who are suffering from cancer. More information on this book will also be available soon on a separate website.

New Lyme Disease Tests

2010-10-04T16:28:00.002-06:00

A lab called Spiro Stat Technologies, has expanded the range of Lyme organisms which can be tested for. This is an exciting development, since historically, most labs have only been able to test for 2-3 species of borrelia, babesia, bartonella, etc. which are the most commonly implicated organisms in Lyme disease. For more information on Spiro Stat and other Lyme disease tests and labs, visit Scott Forsgren's page: http://www.betterhealthguy.com/joomla/lyme-disease/testing. Scott maintains an up-to-date list of the latest treatments for chronic Lyme disease, and I highly recommend his site for a broad range of information on treatments for this, and other tick-borne illnesses. http://www.betterhealthguy.com

Prayer and Fasting for the Healing of Others

2010-10-04T16:26:00.003-06:00

As many of you know, I have established a bi-monthly prayer group for those suffering from Lyme disease and other chronic illnesses. If you scroll down to the right-hand side of this blog, you will see a link which takes you to a list of those who have requested prayer for healing from Lyme and other illnesses. Please keep these people in your prayers! You can add your name to the list by going to this site: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1Yxhvp024DggPGJLtWPlDiOtSXNvUoFBRcUpGGXte_IM/edit# Due to my current workload (which is a bit more than I can handle these days!) I won't have time to add specific requests to the list myself. Prayers for healing, financial and relational provision are most important. Also, this week, from October 6th-13th, there will be a group of people who are fasting and praying for those with Lyme disease, including all those who are mentioned on this list. Great power is released within the spiritual realm when people pray and fast for others, so please consider joining in on the fast!

My Treatment Update

2010-10-04T15:15:00.001-06:00

I'm doing well! I had an incredibly difficult summer, marked by a six-week nightmare of symptoms in which I could barely peel myself up off the living room floor, but the prayers of many and getting off Mepron removed the worst of the symptoms (my body had become allergic to Mepron after eight months of treatment!). Over the past six weeks, however, I have returned to an exceptionally good state of health. ART testing reveals that my borrelia, bartonella and other infections are either gone or under control. Of the six or seven species of babesia that I tested positive for via ART and an Asyra machine, only two currently remain in my body. I am now off all antibiotics and am treating babesia and a rikettsia infection with only herbal remedies, including Nutramedix's noni, banderol, and mora. Artemisinin mixed with PhosChol and grapefruit juice (to increase absorption) continue to be important, as well as a variety of supportive supplements.

After this year, I will likely be getting off of the treatment treadmill for awhile. I think I'm nearly done treating the tick-borne infections that have been throwing a party in my body over the past twenty-plus years! At least for now. What I suspect mostly remains for me after this point in my healing journey is repairing my body from the damage that Lyme has caused, especially to my autonomic nervous system and endocrine system. Thankfully, though, life is starting to feel normal again. My excessive need for sleep yet requires me to be efficient with my time, and I still can't get up at 7 AM and climb mountains like most healthy people my age, but I am getting there. Things are good again and I'm believing God "to restore all the years that the locusts have stolen away." (Joel 2:25)

How Bioenergetic Testing Accelerates The Healing Process

2010-09-05T22:13:00.012-06:00

One of the greatest challenges in treating chronic Lyme disease, and chronic illness in general, is discerning not only the infections that are present in the body, but also the cogs in its biochemical wheel that are missing or broken. Lab tests, while helpful for discovering what infections are present, and where the body's processes are running amok, yet fail to reveal many things. They don't comprehensively reveal all of the infections that are present in a person and whether these are active and causing symptoms. They also demonstrate very little about the body's biochemical processes and which practitioners need in order to heal their patients.

Bioenergetic testing devices and muscle testing techniques, such as ART (autonomic response testing), can provide more precise and comprehensive answers to the "what, how and why" of what's going on in the body. Provided that the tester knows what he or she is doing, and unfortunately, few practitioners that muscle test, get accurate results 100% of the time. I'm not convinced that all of the bio-energetic devices that they use are super accurate, either, or that they are skilled in their use.

Still, I believe that doctors who are able to effectively use state-of-the-art bioenergetic devices, and/or perfect techniques such as ART (autonomic response testing) on their patients, have a powerful advantage over those doctors who rely exclusively upon a symptomatic assessment and lab tests to discern what their patients need.

If every doctor or health care practitioner who treated people with chronic Lyme disease would use ART or some form of sophisticated muscle testing as part of their diagnostic procedures, I believe that more people with Lyme would be healed--sooner and faster.

Why? Following are the reasons.

1) ART and other bioenergetic testing techniques can reveal all of the infections that are present in the body. They can detect strains of babesia, bartonella and borrelia (as well as other infections) that lab tests miss. A person who tests negative for borrelia on a Western Blot lab test may test positive for the infection via ART.

ART can also reveal the presence of infections for which no lab test yet exists. Most Lyme-literate doctors would agree that tick-borne infections are spreading at an alarming rate, and that new organisms are continually being discovered in these ticks which transmit new and different types of infections to humans. No lab test exists for these species of tick-borne infections, and often, a clinical diagnosis is insufficient for diagnosing such infections. For instance, it was only through ART testing that I learned that I had six different strains of babesia. No lab test even exists for four of the strains that were found in my body, and a clinical diagnosis would have been insufficient for discerning the symptoms that these infections caused. I have also discovered other infections in my body through this type of testing, and consequently, the appropriate remedies for them.

2). Once the infections are found, specific remedies, which are tailored to the individual, can then be given to target these infections. While certain medications,herbs and other treatments have been established and accepted within the Lyme disease medical community to treat different infections, sometimes, people require remedies that are entirely outside of the "norm" of what would conventionally be prescribed for those infection(s). That's because the optimal choice of remedy doesn't depend solely upon the infection being treated, but also:

a). The specific strain of the organism that's present
b). The form in which the organisms exist (ie, as a cyst, spirochete, encased in a biofilm, etc.)
c). Where the infections are located in the body
d). An individual person's biochemistry; their metabolic processes, deficiencies and excesses, which would ultimately render a remedy effective, ineffective, or toxic to the body.

Without knowledge of the aforementioned, which can usually only be determined through bio-energetic testing, practitioners are, to some degree, left guessing at what their patients need. Yes, Mepron and artemisia are the "standard" remedies of choice for babesia, but they don't get rid of all strains of the organism. I learned this through personal experience. After eight months of taking Mepron, artemisia, noni, cryptolepsis and other remedies for babesia, I learned through ART that my body had become allergic to Mepron, and that the other remedies weren't effective for the babesia that remained in my body. Subsequently, I discovered that A-BAB, a combination herbal remedy distributed by BioResource, would be more effective for at least some of what remained of these infections. I have known people who have taken Mepron for as long as two years, and even after two years, their babesia infections remained. Is it because they required a different remedy? Probably, and in the meantime, their bodies suffered under the unnecessary strain of taking a heavy-duty pharmaceutical medication for many months. Mepron can damage the liver, dangerously lower blood sugar, deplete the body of COQ10, as well as cause a myriad of other side effects. These are a big deal. Being on a medication for months or years, without knowing whether it's really eliminating an infection, is tragic. This is why ART is important. Because it enables the practitioner to discern at any given moment in time what the body needs. This is especially useful knowledge to have when treating borrelia, since the organism regularly morphs into different forms, quickly adapts to antibiotic and herbal regimens, and can evade the immune system. Regularly switching borrelia remedies based on bio-energetic test results, prevents the organism from effectively utilizing such survival tactics.

3). Energetic testing enables the practitioner to discern where infections are located in the body, and whether specific organs, tissues or systems are being stressed or damaged by these infections. Knowing where infections are clustered in the body is helpful not only for selecting the appropriate remedy for those infections, but also for knowing which remedies would be useful for supporting the part(s) of the body most affected by such infections.

Supporting and repairing the body is just as important as eliminating infections, and ART can determine what parts of the body require assistance (in the form of supplements and therapies) while treating the infections. Furthermore, it can provide a doctor with knowledge about which specific remedies work best for a particular patient. For instance, a half dozen different remedies can be given to heal dysfunctional adrenal glands, and lab tests will only reveal to what degree the adrenals are dysfunctional and/or stressed. They can provide insights into what remedies might be needed, but only ART, or energetic testing, can offer information on the specific remedies that a person's body will respond to. Having this information eliminates the need to play the "trial and error" game on a patient, thereby accelerating the healing process. Much time is wasted on remedies that don't work, and all because most doctors and practitioners are unaware that better testing methods exist, or are, for some reason, unable to use them in their practices.

There are other advantages to bio-energetic testing, and the practitioner who can effectively utilize ART or a sophisticated bio-energetic device, along with lab tests and a clinical diagnosis to ascertain what their patients most need, will have faster, and better outcomes with their patients. Sadly, not enough Lyme-literate doctors use ART or bio-energetic testing as part of their practices. The financial investment or time commitment required of them may prevent them from learning ART or purchasing a bio-energetic device, but some practitioners, such as Dr. Klinghardt, MD, PhD (who is also one of the developers of ART) teach others how to do ART. Seminars on this, as well as other types of bio-energetic testing, are available across the United States and in some European countries. I hope that more doctors and health care practitioners will take advantage of these in the years to come.

For a list of ART practitioners, visit:
http://www.worldwidehealthcenter.net/directory-73.html. This directory is not specific to those who treat Lyme disease, so you may have to do some research in order to find a Lyme-literate doctor that practices ART or bio-energetic testing.
The time that it takes to find a competent ART practitioner is worthwhile, as it may mean the difference between being sick for another nine months, or another nine years!

Libro de Lyme en Espanol! It's Here!

2010-08-12T12:34:00.004-06:00

Libro de Lyme en Español!

It's here! Insights Into Lyme Disease Treatment, my latest book on Lyme disease, has been translated into Spanish and is now available to the Spanish-speaking community! If you are a Spanish speaker seeking to learn more about this informative book, or you wish to place an order for the book, scroll up and click on the red box with the link "Libro de Lyme" on the right side of the page.

Ya llegó! Mi segundo libro sobre la enfermedad de Lyme se ha traducido al español. El libro se llama, Perspectivas En El Tratamiento de la Enfermedad de Lyme: Trece Profesionales De la Salud Expertos en Lyme Comparten Sus Estrategias de Curación. Para hacer un pedido, vea arriba la cajita roja y haga "click" alli (esta a la derecha de la pagina). También está disponible en el sitio: http://www.librodelyme.com, y por télefono al: 303-800-5387 (para pedidos fuera de EEUU, hay que marcar 1, o 001 antes del número).

Esta traducción fue realizada por dos traductores, con la colaboración de dos redactores, y creemos que será una fuente de información muy útil para la gente que padece de Lyme.

Hasta ahora, nunca se ha publicado ningún libro tan completo en español sobre tratamientos para la enfermedad de Lyme, a pesar del hecho de que el Lyme es ya endémico en varios países de Latinoamérica, incluyendo México, Colombia, y Guatemala. Existe también en otros países como Chile, Perú, Brasil, Paraguay, Venezuela y Belice, y es una epidemia en España y Estados Unidos. A pesar del hecho de que la enfermedad esté todavía bastante desconocida en muchos de estos países, mi editor y yo esperamos brindar más conciencia acerca de Lyme a la gente de estos países, mediante la publicación de este libro.

El libro contiene el protocolo completo de 13 profesionales de salud expertos en el tratamiento de Lyme. Obtuve esta información mediante entrevistas largas con los profesionales, que son en su mayoría médicos MD, pero también hay un par de naturópatas, un quiropráctico-nutricionista y una enfermera que participaron en el libro. Todos son expertos en la enfermedad de Lyme. Como la enfermedad de Lyme es sumamente complicada de tratar y diagnosticar, la información que aportaron los profesionales abarca muchos aspectos de tratamiento. No hay tan solo información acerca de cómo deshacerse de las muchas infecciones de Lyme, sino también sobre cómo apoyar y sanar los sistemas del cuerpo que han sido dañados por Lyme, cómo desintoxicarse de las neurotoxinas que producen los organismos, tanto como sugerencias acerca del estilo de vida y qué pueden hacer los pacientes de Lyme para sanarse más rápidamente. Es un libro comprensivo que abarca todos los aspectos de tratamiento, y esperamos que sea bien recibida por la comunidad médica en los países donde se habla español.

Como poco se sabe acerca de Lyme en Latinoamérica y España, mi editor y yo buscamos la colaboración de la gente de estos países para ayudarnos a colocar el libro en los sitios donde más se necesita y donde más se compraría tal libro. Si Ud. conoce a algún médico en su país que es experto en el tratamiento de la enfermedad de Lyme, o que quiere conocer más acerca de la enfermedad, yo quisiera comunicarme con él/ella por télefono y/o correo electrónico. Por favor, cualquier información que obtenga, escríbame al: Connie9824@aol.com o llamáme al: 303-800-5387. También, si conoce alguna librería donde se venden libros de medicina, y está en una región donde se sabe que el Lyme existe, estaría muy agradecida de tener esta información, también. Si Ud. está en EEUU y recibe ayuda de una clínica donde se atienden pacientes que hablan español, favor de mandarme la información de esa clínica. Gracias! Su colaboración asegurará que esta información llegue a las manos de las personas que más la necesiten.

Covering All The Treatment Bases

2010-08-02T23:28:00.004-06:00

Lyme disease protocols are often a complicated, convoluted affair. Yet it's important to cover all the bases when putting together a treatment protocol, because getting rid of Lyme is about more than just whacking some bugs. It's about knowing the survival strategies of those bugs, supporting the body during healing...and a dozen other things.

What's more, it's easy to forget about some of the essential elements of an effective Lyme disease treatment plan. So below I have compiled a checklist of factors to consider, which may remind you about what you still need to do if you have already begun treatments. Most, if not all, of these are relevant to those with multiple tick-borne infections.

1) Using combination, aggressive treatments to kill the organisms. This usually means herbs, along with antibiotics; electromagnetic devices, along with antibiotics, or some other combination of therapies designed to target each infection individually. Herbal and antibiotic regimens, especially for Borrelia, must be rotated on a regular basis. The bait n' switch game is very important when it comes to Lyme disease. The bugs are smart and predictable treatment regimens don't impress them.

2) Using biofilm busters (enzymes, for instance), anti-coagulants, and phospholipids to break down the bugs' protective biofilm blankies and get treatments into hard-to-reach areas of the body, such as past the blood/brain barrier.

3) Detoxifying the body from bug neuro-sludge, heavy metals and other environmental toxins. This involves:
a) Taking toxin binders that will function to mop up every major type of toxin you are eliminating (for instance, EDTA or DMSA for heavy metals; chlorella for pathogen sludge)
b) Opening up detoxification pathways with homeopathic drainage remedies
c) Doing bodywork to facilitate the removal of toxins from the body. Exercise, saunas, coffee enemas, body brushing, lymphatic massage and ionic footbaths are some excellent ways to get toxins out of the body
d) Correcting potential genetic detoxification defects, with Vitamin B-12 injections, folic acid, B-6 and other nutrients
e) Taking powerful binders such as Cholestyramine whenever genetic detoxification defects can't be compensated for through nutrition
f) Removing any sources of toxins in your environment, whether electromagnetic or chemical or emotional! Also, removing dental amalgams and root canals, and treating dental problems will be important for some.

4) Reducing inflammation and boosting immune function (as you starve the bugs!) through a high-nutrient, low-carbohydrate, low-glycemic diet comprised of organic fresh vegetables, nuts, animal protein and low-glycemic fruits. Non-gluten grains may be permissible for some.

5) Exercising, to oxygenate the tissues, boost immune function, maintain muscle tone, and aid in detoxification.

6) Replacing deficient nutrient levels with supplements. Magnesium, iron, Vitamin D, the B-vitamins, EFA's and probiotics tend to be common deficiencies in people with Lyme and supplementation with these is essential.

7) Balancing hormone levels and supporting the HPA-axis with vitamins, herbs, and bioidentical hormones (search my earlier posts for more information on suggestions for balancing the endocrine system. Also check out my recent article in the Townsend Letter, which is based on information from the 13 doctors that I interviewed in my recent book, Insights Into Lyme Disease Treatment). Supporting the adrenal glands and thyroid is especially crucial. My favorite adrenal supplements are licorice, siberian ginseng, Vitamin C, B5 and B6.

8) Controlling symptoms. This may involve taking amino acids (such as L-theanine, 5-HTP, tryptophan, and L-glycine) and melatonin for sleep; remedies such as fish oil, curcumin, pain gels and patches, as well as low dose Naltrexone for pain; Cordyceps, L-carnitine, ginseng and D-ribose for energy, and so on. Sleep is especially important, as a lack of good, restful sleep can hinder recovery.

9) Balancing brain chemistry with vitamins, EFA's, and amino acids such as N-acetyl-tyrosine, L-histadine, L-tryptophan, GABA, and so on (depending upon what neurotransmitters you are deficient in).

9) Having a support network of friends and/or family who can help you through the difficult moments, as well as plenty of time to rest and participate in fun activities that have nothing to do with Lyme. Nobody can get through this thing alone!

10) Spending time with God in prayer and in developing a spiritual life.

Taking Away Borrelia's Food

2010-07-24T22:46:00.000-06:00

My latest hobby has been researching cancer treatments, and I've discovered that cancer and Borrelia have a couple of important things in common. They are both anaerobic organisms (that is, they thrive in an absence of oxygen) and both love sugar.

Most people in the Lyme disease community are aware that treatments such as ozone, hyperbaric oxygen and exercise, are detrimental to Borrelia's existence, because the oxygen produced by such treatments functions on multiple levels to weaken and kill the organism. The same is true for cancer.

Similarly, both Borrelia and cancer love sugar, and throw massive proliferation-fests whenever fed some of this fabulous stuff.

Yet, I have observed that cancer books focus more upon starving cancer of sugar and flooding the body with oxygen, than Lyme books do. Maybe it's because cancer is more of a life or death issue. Whereas most people with Lyme won't die (at least right away) if they eat sugar. Perhaps this fact makes those of us with Lyme disease, well...kinda lazy when it comes to addressing Borrelia's survival mechanisms.

Dr. Burrascano, in his treatment guidelines, proposes a strict diet for those with Lyme disease. No grains are allowed. No fruit is allowed except the low-glycemic kinds, such as strawberries and grapefruit. Middle-of-the-road glycemic fruits, such as apples and pears, are only allowed on occasion. And forget the sweet stuff from which desserts are made.

It surprises me how many Lyme doctors and Lyme sufferers I know take a lackadaisical approach to diet. Why? Do they believe that it's really not a big deal to eat fruits and grains? (most would agree that table sugar is a bad idea). If doctors have great treatment outcomes, no matter the diet of their patients, then great! Perhaps diet doesn't matter as much for some as it does for others, but how do you know whether you aren't one of those for whom diet would make a huge difference in your healing?

A diet void of most fruits and grains is challenging, to be sure. Personally, apples, rice and brown rice/quinoa crackers have been staples for me over the past couple of years. I get depressed if I cut too many foods out of my diet, so I have weighed the benefits of having a veggie-meat-nuts only diet against the benefits of adding a couple of unprofitable food choices to my regimen.

Still, I think diet matters. Eating well is extremely important for most people with Lyme disease, and should be an important consideration when formulating any kind of protocol. In cancer, diet can be a life or death issue. So what if we, in the Lyme disease community, adopted the perspective that eating well means the difference between a life of sickness and a life of prosperity? If it became "life or death" for us, would we change the way we eat?

I'm not trying to berate anybody, it's just that, I know too many people who don't take the diet issue seriously and I think it's important that they do. Yes, some Lyme doctors believe that it's OK to eat grains and fruit, and in the end, you have to find a diet that works well for you, based on your constitution, lifestyle and other factors. Personally, I believe that it's not OK for most people with Lyme disease to eat copious amounts of medium and high glycemic fruits. Grains (even rice and whole grains), if they are consumed at all, should be consumed in limited quantities, depending upon where you are at in your healing process. If you are very sick, eating any type of grain product could compromise your healing. If you are nearly "out of the woods", you might be able to afford having rice or a piece of bread on a daily basis, or a dessert once a week.

Eating well disables one of Borrelia's survival tactics, and also strengthens the immune system so that it can more effectively combat the infections. Feeding the body oxygen does likewise.

Which brings me to the second thing that people with Lyme can do to exploit Borrelia's survival mechanisms. In cancer, as Lyme disease, ozone is sometimes used to oxygenate the tissues and kill off cancer cells. For people with Lyme, ozone saunas or insufflations are a great adjunct treatment that can boost the body's healing defenses immensely as they kill off pathogens. Hyperbaric oxygen chambers do the same.

For most of us, though, the best way to get oxygen into our tissues on a regular basis is through exercise. While most Lyme disease doctors wouldn't recommend heavy cardiovascular exercise, activities such as swimming, walking and low-intensity biking can be beneficial. Also, muscle-strengthening and stretching exercises such as yoga and Pilate's are good options. Some people are too weak to get out and do much, and a ten-minute per day walk may be all that they can manage. The important thing is to do something, and increase the intensity and duration of that exercise over time.

Exercising every other day boosts the immune system, and the oxygen that Borrelia receives as a result, puts a damper on its anaerobic survival techniques.

So starve Borrelia of what it needs to survive! That means taking away its sugar, and altering its anaerobic environment. Eating well and exercising are the two most important ways to accomplish this.

A Better Bug-Whacking Strategy

2010-07-18T13:34:00.004-06:00

Two common challenges in treating chronic Lyme disease are getting anti-microbial treatments into hard-to-reach areas of the body and breaking down biofilm, the polysaccharide matrix that bugs cloak themselves in to protect themselves from antibiotics and other treatments.

Recently, I have been ingesting a cocktail that is designed to address these challenges. It involves mixing a tablespoon of PhosChol (phosphatidyl choline) powder with Boluoke (a biofilm busting enzyme product), with just enough grapefruit juice to make a paste. Then I add anti-microbial herbs, including artemisia, Nutramedix' samento and noni, and Dr. White's potent A-L complex, which contains fourteen different herbs, some of which are designed to attack active, as well as cystic, forms of Borrelia. The Phos Chol helps to shuttle the herbs into the cells, as the Boluoke breaks down their biofilm.

I think the treatment must work, because I am experiencing symptoms that I haven't had in a long time (even a couple that I have never had!) and which are indicative of a Herxheimer reaction.

I have done many treatments over the past five years, and while I believe that most of them have been effective for targeting active forms of Borrelia and co-infections, few have been helpful for getting at the cysts in hard-to-reach areas of the body. Rife machines, the salt/C protocol, Buhner's herbs (by themselves), MMS, and most antibiotics, are among those treatments. Yet it is important to attack the cysts as well, since evidence is proving that they cause symptoms in the body, just as the active forms of Borrelia do.

Bioenergetic testing reveals that I currently don't have any active forms of Borrelia in my body, and this is consistent with my experience with different treatments. I don't react strongly to most anti-microbial remedies; in fact, the only anti-microbials that I seem to experience a Herx reaction to now are the cyst-busting drugs--but boy, is that reaction ever strong!

Many have asked me about my improvements with the Bionic 880. While I believe that this machine is effective for getting rid of active forms of Borrelia, I am not convinced about its effectiveness for treating certain co-infections and cystic forms of Borrelia. It may be that I haven't found the proper homeopathic nosodes for treating Babesia, for instance (since nosodes are used in conjunction with the machine) but in any case, a year of therapy with the Bionic has showed me that, while powerful, it may be inadequate for getting rid of all forms of the organism. This is just a personal observation; it isn't based on science so please discover for yourself whether this is true.

Also, while I have taken cyst-busting drugs like Flagyl and Tindamax, both have caused me to suffer from unacceptable side effects such as peripheral neuropathy (nerve damage) and excessively elevated liver enzymes. These are probably the most potent cyst busters known within the Lyme disease community, to be sure, and are probably necessary for most. Yet those with serious detoxification problems or who develop neuropathy as a result of their use may not be able to take them continuously. The fact that Dr. White's A-L complex may address cysts is great news for such people. How well the above combination attacks my own dormant critters remains to be seen, but I am cautiously optimistic about its potential.

So stay tuned for an update on my progress with the new paste! Keep in mind, whatever strategy you use to heal from Lyme disease, it is important to take into consideration not only all forms of the organism, but also the fact that additional remedies may be required to address biofilm and to get the anti-microbials into difficult areas of the body, such as the brain.

Low Blood Sugar in Lyme Disease

2010-07-06T22:03:00.003-06:00

I used to think that low blood sugar was just one of those annoying little side effects of having Lyme disease. I never paid attention to the problem much in myself, thinking that things would improve as soon as I got rid of all of my infections. Besides, it seemed I had bigger battles to fight in my quest for healing.

But low blood sugar can be a big deal. I was reminded of that today, as my doctor looked at me with concerned eyes and told me that my blood sugar levels were critically--no, dangerously low. Not good.

Glucose is important for the functioning of all of the body's cells, and when the cells can't get the food that they need, they become damaged or die. It's no small matter to not have enough sugar! Fatigue, memory loss, an inability to concentrate, tremors, sweating, dizziness and irritability are just some of the symptoms of hypoglycemia, or, low blood sugar. I don't know about you, but knowing this makes me wonder how many of my "Lyme" symptoms are directly related to blood sugar problems.

I have always known that my blood sugar levels are low, but today's lab report was the worst I have received in my six years of fighting chronic illness. I was surprised, because I have made great strides in my healing. And I already eat a low-carbohydrate diet! What else could I do? I admit, my mind raced to thoughts of becoming diabetic and losing a limb, and for a few hours, the fear got radically out of control.

Fortunately, I prayed with a friend when I got home tonight, and God reminded me that it wouldn't help me to play the "what if" game and go down unprofitable rabbit trails.

So I took my nervous energy and did some research, and was reminded that low blood sugar doesn't solely happen as a result of stress and a poor diet. In Lyme disease, metabolic dysfunction can cause low blood sugar, especially when there are imbalances in the adrenal and thyroid hormones. Correcting these can help to ameliorate symptoms.

Balancing hormones isn't a simple task, but looking for ways to pamper the adrenals can be helpful for balancing blood sugar levels, since some of the adrenal hormones, namely, epinephrine, norepinephrine and cortisol, help the liver convert glycogen (stored glucose) into active blood glucose. They also facilitate the conversion of fats, proteins and carbohydrates into glucose (gluconeogenesis). (You can find some tips on how to heal the adrenals by doing a search on this blog under "adrenal fatigue").

Other reasons for low blood sugar in those with Lyme disease include:

1) Low levels of Vitamin B6. This vitamin is strongly involved in gluconeogenesis, or the creation of glucose from proteins. While many people with Lyme disease have vitamin deficiencies, these are exacerbated by long-term use of antibiotics. These drugs are especially good at depleting the body of B-vitamins, so ensuring an adequate intake of nutrients is important while taking certain antibiotic medications.

2) Not having enough intracellular magnesium in the cells. Insulin, the hormone that unlocks the cell door so that it can receive glucose, works more effectively when the cells have sufficient magnesium. Taking magnesium glycinate or another readily absorbable form of magnesium may help to increase blood sugar levels, as the cells are made more sensitive to insulin, and thus, to receiving the sugar they need. But avoid taking too much calcium, as this can exacerbate the problem.

3) Having kidneys that are stressed by disease or too many medications. The kidneys release hormones that are also involved in blood sugar regulation, so taking care of the kidneys, by drinking lots of water, and taking herbal teas or homeopathic remedies to keep them functioning well while on antibiotics can have a beneficial impact upon blood sugar levels.

4)Ph imbalances. When the body is too acidic or too alkaline, blood sugar levels are negatively impacted. Taking steps to restore Ph levels to normal, by making smart dietary choices, may also be helpful.

5)Taking Mepron or certain types of anti-depressants. Mepron causes "abnormally low blood sugar" in 11% of those who take it (My experience has been that drug companies tend to underestimate the percentage of people who experience side effects from medications, so I wouldn't be surprised if this percentage is even higher).

6) Having a yeast infection. Certain yeasts produce arabinose, which is a yeast metabolite. The arabinose binds to L-lysine, which is important for effective action of (among others) vitamin B6. Treating candida and other yeast problems with natural substances such as grapefruit seed extract and tea tree oil, or with drugs such as Nystatin, is important.

7) Having mineral imbalances. Minerals are strongly involved in regulating the body's Ph, and thus, blood sugar levels. Ensuring an adequate intake of trace minerals, as well as macro-minerals, is vital for proper Ph and blood sugar regulation.

Finally, natural substances, such as alpha-lipoic acid and chromium, can help to balance blood sugar, but until you know the direct cause of yours, it may be unwise to take supplements. Certain foods, such as avocados, can also be helpful. In any case, eating a diet rich in fats and protein and low in carbohydrates is essential.
Exercise is also helpful for balancing blood sugar levels. Even if it means just taking a twenty-minute walk per day!

And as for me? Well, I discovered that I have had a lot of things working against me. Taking two drugs that are known for lowering blood sugar, getting lazy about taking my vitamins and minerals, having low epenephrine levels, along with kidneys that are unhappy about all the meds that I've fed them, has probably created a recipe for disaster. But I am relieved that there are yet steps I can take to bring my blood sugar back to low-normal. Knowledge is power! I pray this information will serve you, as well.

When Your Life's Hours Just Seem to Evaporate....

2010-06-26T14:01:00.005-06:00

Ever notice how time takes on a surreal dimension when you have Lyme disease? The minutes just evaporate into thin air, and just when you thought the day should be starting, it's already ending.

I blame cognitive problems and brain fog on the "time flies" phenomenon that happens in those of us with Lyme disease. But time also races when you spend half your life sleeping, and when activities take twice as long to complete.

It can be challenging to believe that your life isn't a waste when you're sick. Lately, I have felt consigned to that wasteland again. This weekend, I get to add another number to my age, and it's a fierce reminder that my 30's have been mostly squandered by disease, even though deep down, I know God would tell me that the suffering hasn't been in vain.

Still, it's difficult not to lament those years, and wonder how the first part of my 30's would have been different if I hadn't gotten Lyme. I know, I shouldn't even go there...it's a form of self-flagellation to play the "what if" game.

I have made many gains in my health, but I still struggle to maintain a "normal" life, because of the wasted time factor and the fact that I still get fewer productive hours in my day than most people who aren't dealing with a severe illness.

Our society values production, doing and more doing, so I'm sure that the "wasted time" feeling isn't unique to the chronically ill, but rather belongs to anyone who's less than happy with how they spend their existence. Yet perhaps it's exacerbated in those of us who remember how much we were once able to do, as we are daily reminded by symptoms of what we still can't do.

Comparing ourselves to our more functional peers is never beneficial, but it's a normal response to being around such people. This week, I implored God for help in balancing my life. Work must be a priority since I need to eat, but it has meant giving up much of my social life. It has meant renouncing activities that are important for my emotional and spiritual growth. Yet, a part of me wonders how my body can ever be fully healed if my life is comprised mostly of "have to's" and "shoulds" and very few "want to's?"

The crazy paradox of Lyme disease is that, in order to heal, we need social interaction, rest and relaxation. But we also need to be fiercely disciplined in order to maintain our strict treatment regimens, and to find creative ways to survive financially when our bodies tell us we can't work a full eight-hour day.

I wish there was an easy solution. Fortunately for me, this is the first year in six that I haven't worried myself sick over how to provide for myself. I should have just trusted God from the beginning but it's difficult when you have no idea how you're going to buy groceries the following week.

But I still struggle with the wasted time thing. I still battle trying to pull myself out of isolation, because work must take precedent over my volunteer activities and social time. And if my workday starts at noon, well, then, by the time I put in a few productive hours, do a few chores and my treatments, it's nearly time to go to bed. Where does the day go? I have no idea. I have barely seen the sun rise in nearly six years but I've seldom been more productive the few times when I've managed to get up before 9:00 AM.

People tell me that they are amazed that I can write, even though I still have symptoms of Lyme disease. Admittedly, it has gotten easier, and I thank God that I was born with a sharp intellect and tenacity to begin with. It makes up for my sometimes slow mind, but writing is yet a challenge. Somehow, God blesses what I do, but I still need Him to tell me how to prioritize my life's activities.

I can't fix the priorities problem, and I can't put the brakes on time so that my brain and body can catch up with it. I can increase my efficiency a little, by eating vegetables for breakfast, lunch and dinner, and by asking God to guide my steps, yet formidable problems remain.

Maybe you can relate to what I'm saying. Maybe you struggle to get your financial, emotional and spiritual needs met. You just don't have the resources, on multiple levels, to get there.

This is what I think. We can't try harder. We can't push ourselves more. Most people with Lyme already do that too much as it is. Also, lamenting the lack of a balanced, productive life only serves to feed our frustration, although it can be beneficial if the grief ultimately leads us to a place of acceptance.

Maybe we just have to accept the lack of balance in our lives. Accept the time lost, the relationships that can no longer be, the fact that no, we might not be able to make a living and have a life at the same time. And then realize that this unbalanced life isn't what God intends for us, and that He will have to do for us what we, through our limited resources, cannot. He will have to accompany us in our loneliness; bring us our bread when our bodies and brains refuse to function, and heal our bodies when we can't afford treatments. Mostly, though, we need Him to put our hearts at peace with where we are at when we aren't where we want to be.

I realized this week that it's never going to be perfect. Even in perfect health, chances are, I will struggle to balance my life. It's harder now but I'm asking God for discernment, to remove the activities in my life that are less important to my well being, and to help me to balance work with whatever else I'm supposed to be doing. And to accept the fact that I can't have it all...yet.

May God give us all the grace to walk another day in the time-warped wilderness of Lyme, and trust to keep us on the path of right priorities, even though some of what we need may, for a time, get pushed to the wayside. A promised land awaits us, but my hope is that we may learn to rejoice in the desert of the meantime.

Blog Tweaking....And Prayer Conference Call Tomorrow !

2010-06-22T15:24:00.002-06:00

Some of you read this blog for medical information. Some of you read it because you appreciate my posts on God and spirituality. Yet others enjoy reading both types of posts. For those that don't, I will be establishing a blog template (or perhaps even two separate blogs) to separate the medical posts from the spiritual ones. This is so that people who prefer to read one type of post over the other don't have to wade through unnecessary information to find what they want. I haven't had time yet to figure out the best way to accomplish this, so thank you for your patience as I work on putting together a parallel post template!

*****

For those of you who are interested in participating in this week's prayer conference call, we will be praying again for those with Lyme and other illnesses, at 6 PM PST, 7 PM MST, 8 PM CST, and 9 PM EST. The dial-in number is: 712-432-0075. You will be asked to enter an access code, which is: 879949. At that point, just wait on the line until the prayer begins.

If you fear praying as part of a large group, don't worry! I am the only one who speaks aloud during the prayer, but my hope is for everyone else involved to pray along silently with me (there are too many people for everyone to pray aloud, although I try to make time at the end of the hour for others to share anything that God has put on their hearts).

The last prayer conference call lasted approximately one hour. If you can't make it on time, feel free to join in later as I have discovered a way to allow people to call in without it disrupting the prayer.

Last time, we prayed for over 100 people, and this week, we will pray for those same people again as well as for any others who email me with a request to be put on the list. My email is: Connie9824@aol.com. I will repeat the specific prayer requests that were made last week, but following this prayer session, I would like to request that you only send me a specific prayer request if it doesn't cover one of the below topics (as I say a general prayer for everyone for these):

**Lyme disease and co-infections
**Healing for damage that Lyme has done to the systems/tissues/organs of the body
**Haling for relationships
**Financial provision
**The the truth about Lyme would be made known to the world!
**Discernment and guidance for treatments
**To be able to trust God and receive His healing and other gifts
**To know Him and His love on a deeper level

I do want to receive your prayer requests if they aren't covered by one of the above topics, however!

I spent this past weekend at Bethel Church in Redding, California, where I learned more about how to pray for the sick and received more of God's healing so that I can be a more effective prayer minister. I hope to impart what I have learned to you all, and hope to "see" you tomorrow!

Balancing The Hormones to Heal From Lyme Disease

2010-06-19T15:10:00.003-06:00

Lyme disease creates hormone imbalances, and many with Lyme are unable to fully recover until those imbalances are corrected. This can be incredibly challenging, and in a recent article which I published in The Townsend Letter, I describe the challenges of, and solutions for, healing the hormones. The tidbits of information offered in this article are taken from my recent book, "Insights Into Lyme Disease Treatment," and are based on the opinions of the medical practitioners who participated in my book. The Townsend Letter can be purchased at: http://www.townsendletter.com, but the website also offers some free articles. The magazine is also available for purchase at select health food stores across the nation.

Balancing The Hormones to Heal from Lyme Disease

2010-06-19T14:54:00.004-06:00

Lyme disease creates hormone imbalances, and many with Lyme are unable to fully recover until those imbalances are corrected. This can be incredibly challenging, and in a recent article which I published in The Townsend Letter, I describe the challenges of, and solutions for, healing the hormones. The tidbits of information offered in this article are taken from my recent book, "Insights Into Lyme Disease Treatment," and are based on the opinions of the medical practitioners who participated in my book. The Townsend Letter can be purchased at: www.townsendletter.com, but the website also offers some free articles. The magazine is also available for purchase at select health food stores across the nation.

Thanks to The Prayer Warriors!

2010-06-09T23:10:00.004-06:00

I just want to thank everyone who participated in the conference call prayer group tonight. We prayed for over 100 people (as well as for the Lyme community in general) and I believe that God is going to be responding to these prayers!

Tonight, before the prayer, I cried, not knowing why. I now think that it was God's Spirit, crying through me because the hardship that those with Lyme suffer breaks His heart. But I also felt His joy at the group that came together tonight to bring "Heaven to Earth."

My intention is to do this conference call every two weeks, and I may do it more or less often as my schedule permits. For now, if you are interested in participating in the prayer, please add the following dates to your calendar:

June 23rd, July 7th, July 21st, August 4th, and August 18th.

The meetings are all on Wednesday, at 6 PM Pacific Time, 7 PM Mtn Time, 8 PM Central Time, and 9 PM EST.

The call-in number is: 712-432-0075
and the "entry" code is: 879949.

I encourage you to join and pray along silently as I lead prayer for those with Lyme disease. I believe that God is going to do great things with this time!

Finally, if you participated in tonight's meeting, or your name was submitted for a prayer request at this meeting, and you notice positive changes in your life as a result of the prayer--a decrease in your symptoms, financial provision, emotional strength, comfort or otherwise, please leave a comment below! This will serve as a testimony of God's love and power to others who are considering prayer.
Thank you!

Updates, Updates

2010-06-05T19:23:00.003-06:00

**For those of you who are interested in participating in the prayer conference call described in my May 24th blog post, the first meeting will be this Wednesday, June 9th, at 7 PM Mtn. time, (9 PM EST, 6 PM Pacific Time, 8 PM Central Time). Please try to "arrive" promptly. The conference dial-in number is: 712-432-0075. You will be asked to enter an access code, which is: 879949. At that point, just wait on the line until the prayer begins. I apologize that I don't have a toll-free number for the conference line, but hopefully this won't hinder anyone from being able to call in. If this is a problem for you, please let me know. I may be able to purchase a toll-free number in the future.

I look forward to seeing what God does when He hears our prayers! I am sure that the Heavens will will respond in a myriad of ways to the needs of those with Lyme and other chronic illnesses! For more information, check out my May 24th blog post.

**Later this summer, I will be publishing two new books! The first will be a Spanish translation of "Insights Into Lyme Disease Treatment: Thirteen Lyme-Literate Health Care Practitioners Share Their Healing Strategies." This will be the first Lyme disease treatment book of its kind published in Spanish. If you know a Spanish speaker with Lyme disease, please tell them about this great resource, which will be available for sale on my blog, on Amazon, www.lymebook.com and possibly in bookstores in the US and around the world.

My second book, tentatively entitled, "Paving the Path to Wellness: By His Hand, Through His Resources," discusses God's ability to heal, both supernaturally and through medicine. It ponders healing miracles and the different ways in which God heals, as well as reasons why God may allow illness. It also discusses how emotional trauma and dysfunctional biochemistry affect our ability to embrace God's love. It is based on the premise that God wishes for us to be well, in body, mind and spirit, and will work with us towards that end. My hope is to have this book available by the end of the summer.

**Finally, I am researching a new area of medicine-cancer. If you know a doctor who has successfully treated (as in, remission) stage four cancers of all types, with traditional, "alternative" and/or integrative medicine, I would like to hear from you. If you could please email me at: Connie9824@aol.com, I would be grateful! Thank you.

Join Me With The Gurus Tomorrow On Blog Talk Radio!

2010-06-01T16:39:00.005-06:00

Tomorrow I will be participating in a podcast panel on Lyme disease, along with Pamela Weintraub, author of "Cure Unknown: Inside the Lyme Disease Epidemic"; Dr. Leo J. Shea, III, Vice President of the International Lyme and Associated Diseases Society (ILADS) and Phyllis Mervine, founder of the California Lyme Disease Association (CALDA. The link to connect to the show is at:
http://www.blogtalkradio.com/gabwiththegurus

The show starts at 2 PM EST (11 AM Pacific Time, 12 PM Mtn. Time, 1 PM Central Time). Thanks!

Update on Prayer Meeting, June 9th

2010-06-01T15:51:00.003-06:00

For those interested in participating in the prayer conference call on June 9th and who haven't yet submitted a specific prayer request, I just want you to know that during the meeting, I will be saying a general prayer for all of the following:

*Healing from Lyme disease and co-infections, including Bartonella, Babesia, Ehrlichia, EBV, candida, mold, and all of the other ancillary infections that people with Lyme deal with

*Healing from the damage that Lyme has done to the systems and organs of the body, and which cause conditions like CFS, Fibromyalgia, MS, etc.

*Emotional healing from the damage that Lyme causes to relationships, finances, and the brain! Also for the underlying emotional traumas that cause susceptibility to disease in the first place

*Financial provision, to pay for medical treatments and other cost of living needs

*Healing for relationships that have been affected/ruined because of Lyme (as well as for other reasons)

*Healing for family members and friends with Lyme and other diseases who have chosen not to participate in this prayer meeting

*For people to know that God loves them and wants to help them through their hardships!

I have 73 people interested (so far) in participating and/or receiving prayer in the first meeting on June 9th. To avoid redundancy, I would be grateful if you could email me a specific prayer request ONLY if it doesn't cover one of the above topics. If you have an issue that isn't mentioned above, please send it to me. Also, if you would like for your name to be read during the prayer or to participate in the prayer, I would like to have this information, also. You can contact me at: Connie9824@aol.com.

Thank you! For more information on these meetings and how to participate in them, see my post on May 24th. Here's wishing you a blessed day!

Chasing After The Latest Lyme Fad

2010-05-28T11:26:00.002-06:00

Inventions and advances in medicine are happening all the time. Although sometimes one and the same thing, new inventions in medicine don't always equate to advances in medicine. New supplements, drugs, energy medicine devices, treatment discoveries and other strategies designed to combat Lyme disease are constantly being invented, revamped or just repackaged!

Thank goodness for advances! Treatment for Lyme disease has improved over time, due to these new discoveries. New medicines and herbs have become available, and doctors are taking a more comprehensive approach to treatment, utilizing modalities found in Eastern, as well as Western medicine, as they address the whole body, not just the bugs.

Yet much remains to be discovered, because the runway to health is long and convoluted, and not everyone gets to its end, even with the best of the best medical treatments. Because of this, it's easy for Lyme disease sufferers who have been treating for a long time to get sucked into a vortex of desperation, whereby every new supplement or medical device that comes out seems to carry the invisible promise of a cure.

Even those who aren't desperate may be easily fooled into thinking that just because a supplement is new and aggressively marketed to the practitioners that use it, that this means that it must be better than what they tried last year for their particular problem. Especially if that product carries a sparkling brand name on its label.

Don't get me wrong. It's good to hope and try new things, but not every hot-off-the-shelf remedy is "the" thing; it may not even be an improvement over last year's toxin binder, sleep remedy or bug-killing herbal combination. Just because a therapy or drug is new, and has shown preliminary results that seem promising, doesn't mean that it will work well for a majority.

Often, I have seen enthusiastic Lyme disease sufferers promote a new therapy or product because it seemed to help them, and in their excitement, they have urged everyone they know to try it. This can be a good thing, if the product ends up being useful for at least a few others. But sometimes, what worked for one or two won't work for one or two thousand.

When deciding upon whether to try the latest (and apparently greatest!) therapy, it's good to get a few opinions. Make sure that your doctors' or friends' suggestions to try a new remedy are based on the fact that it has worked for others. Be wary of treatments that aren't tested and tried. Sure, somebody's got to be the guinea pig, but do you want it to be you? Some of you might enjoy the idea of being the pioneer pig of a new treatment, but it would be most beneficial to ensure that the "new" treatment has some solid studies or reasons to back its potential effectiveness.

After researching medicine for nearly six years, I have learned that there are trends and fads in treatment, some of which are backed by only rudimentary evidence. And not even physicians are exempt from the influence of these fads. One marketer with a very loud and convincing voice can end up moving the minds of thousands, and not necessarily because the product that they are selling is the proverbial "bomb." Careful.

Myself, I like trying new therapies, but I'm not into diving blindfolded off cliffs. That is, if the treatment has a spotty track record based on only one or two testimonials; if risking the unknown will cost me a year of my life and ten thousand dollars, then I will tend to stay away from it.

For instance, diagnostic devices that harness the body's energy to discern disease are a big question mark for me. As amazing as their potential to diagnose disease is becoming, their development and use haven't been perfected by their makers and users. Two years ago, a practitioner diagnosed a problem in my knee with an Asyra device and then charged me $200 for the diagnosis. Well, the problem was actually in my back.

Let I sounded jaded, I just want to sound a warning to those beginning on the path of treatment. Some therapies, supplements and such seem promising...and they may be the next great solution to some ailment caused by Lyme disease. But not always.

That there is no "one-size-fits-all" treatment for Lyme disease makes discerning appropriate treatments difficult, but it is true that some work for half, or even a majority, of people. These are strategies that, while far from perfected, have been around in the Lyme disease community for at least half a decade, and have a track record of effectiveness.

We need better solutions for Lyme disease, but hopefully these solutions will be things that have been developed off the backs of substances, strategies and medicines that have already proven to work. Random remedies that have been developed from incomplete evidence are statistically riskier choices for treatment.

And, beware of chasing after the "latest and greatest" supplement or device. Newer isn't always better!

Prayer Requests for Meeting on June 9th

2010-05-28T10:41:00.003-06:00

I have compiled a list of people who are interested in receiving or participating in the prayer conference call meetings that I have set up. The first meeting will be June 9th (more information on this meeting and how to attend can be found in my May 24th blog post) I have recorded the names of 60 people who emailed me in April, expressing their interest in the meetings, but I don't have their specific prayer needs written down. I will be saying a general prayer for healing from Lyme and the conditions that it causes, as well as for emotional and financial provision, but if you are one of the 60 people who emailed me in April and you wish to receive prayer for a specific problem, please email me again at: Connie9824@aol.com. Also, if you are planning to attend the first meeting on June 9th, please confirm your attendance with me at that email address.

Thank you! I look forward to seeing what God is going to do with this time. Expect God to provide for you in new and unexpected ways. Expect healing miracles. Expect Him to show you new paths to wellness. Expect Him to put people and situations in your life that will help and encourage you in your healing journey. Expect Him to give you discernment and guidance, peace, and most of all, a deeper revelation of His love for you!

In the meantime, I encourage you to read Christ The Healer by FF Bosworth or Healing, by Francis McNutt. Both share God's will for healing, according to the Bible, and provide evidence that God actively works to heal people today, both supernaturally and in the natural realm. I especially like Francis McNutt's book, because he humbly describes the different ways in which God can heal. Also, as a man who has been used by God to heal thousands worldwide, he provides an informed, comprehensive, open-minded view on the subject. One thing which struck me in this book was his affirmation that not all miracles are instantaneous. He has observed that in chronic or complicated cases of illness, the miracle sometimes happens over time (but yet much faster than if a person wasn't praying and using only medicine). I think this is encouraging for those who have attended healing services and not received instantaneous healing in their bodies. For instance, God touched me at a healing service in January, but I didn't know at the time that He had started a healing process in my body. A couple of weeks later, however, I noticed that my digestion was improving, and since then, I have had no digestive problems whatsoever! So reading these books can be an encouragement to better prepare you to receive what God has for you in these meetings.

Finally, A Lyme Book in Spanish!...Por Fin, Un Libro de Lyme en Espanol!

2010-05-26T13:01:00.004-06:00

It's almost here! Insights Into Lyme Disease Treatment, my latest book on Lyme disease, will be published and available to the Spanish-speaking community later this summer. For Spanish speakers seeking to learn more about this informative and unique book, see below for more information. Gracias! We look forward to being able to bring more comprehensive information on the treatment of Lyme disease to Spanish speakers in the United States, Latin America, Spain and around the world.

Para brindar más información a la comunidad hispana acerca de la enfermedad de Lyme, más tarde este verano se publicará mi segundo libro, Insights Into Lyme Disease Treatment, en el idioma español. La traducción del libro se llamará: Perspectivas en el Tratamiento de la Enfermedad de Lyme: Trece Profesionales de Salud Expertos en Lyme Comparten Sus Estratégias de Curación. Hice esta traducción con la colaboración de un traductor de España junto con un redactor del mismo país, y creemos que será una fuente de información muy útil para aquellas personas con Lyme de países hispanohablantes.

Hasta ahora, nunca se ha publicado ningún libro sobre esta enfermedad tan devastadora en el idioma español, aunque el Lyme es endémico ya en varios países de Latinoamérica, incluidos México, Colombia, y Guatemala. Existe también en otros países como Chile, Perú, Brasil, Paraguay, Venezuela, Belice, tanto como en España y entre muchos hispanohablantes de Estados Unidos. Por lo tanto, mi editor y yo pensamos que sería sumamente importante publicar este libro de Lyme en español, a pesar del hecho de que la enfermedad está todavía bastante desconocida en muchos de estos países.

El libro contiene el protocolo completo de 13 profesionales de salud expertos en el tratamiento de Lyme. Obtuve esta información mediante entrevistas largas con los profesionales, que son en su mayoría médicos MD, pero también hay un par de naturópatas, un quiropráctico-nutricionista y una enfermera que participaron en el libro. Todos son expertos en la enfermedad de Lyme. Como la enfermedad de Lyme es sumamente complicada de tratar y diagnosticar, la información que saqué de los profesionales abarca muchos aspectos de tratamiento. No tan solo se ofrece información sobre cómo deshacerse de las muchas infecciones de Lyme, sino también sobre cómo apoyar y sanar los sistemas del cuerpo que han sido dañados por Lyme, cómo desintoxicarse de las neurotoxinas que producen los organismos, tanto como sugerencias acerca del estilo de vida y qué pueden hacer los pacientes de Lyme para sanarse más rápidamente. Es un libro comprensivo que abarca todos los aspectos de tratamiento, y esperamos que sea bien recibida por la comunidad médica en los países hispanohablantes.

Como poco se sabe acerca de Lyme en Latinoamérica y España, mi editor y yo buscamos la colaboración de la gente de estos países para ayudarnos a colocar el libro en los sitios donde más se necesita y donde más se compraria tal libro. Si Ud. conoce a algún médico en su país que es experto en el tratamiento de la enfermedad de Lyme, o que quiere conocer más acerca de la enfermedad, quisiera comunicarme con él/ella por correo electrónico. Por favor, cualquier información que obtenga, escríbame al: Connie9824@aol.com. También, si conoce alguna librería donde se venden libros de medicina, y está en una región donde se sabe que el Lyme existe, estaría muy agradecida de tener esta información, también. Básicamente, queremos contactarnos con personas que sepan de Lyme en la comunidad hispana. Si Ud. está en EEUU y recibe ayuda de una clínica donde atienden pacientes de habla hispana, favor de mandarme la información de esa clínica. Gracias! Su colaboración asegurará que esta información llegue a las manos de las personas que más la necesitan.

Esperamos tener el libro disponible para comprar aquí en mi blog, tanto como en Amazon y otros sitios del Internet dentro de unos meses.

Lyme Disease Prayer Meeting

2010-05-24T22:35:00.005-06:00

As promised in previous posts, beginning in June, I will be conducting a bi-monthly prayer meeting for anyone with Lyme disease and other illnesses who wishes to receive prayer. These meetings will take place over the phone, on a conference call line.

I believe that prayer is just as vital for healing as medicine and other interventions. As previously mentioned, while people of all beliefs and faith systems are welcome to participate in the meetings, the prayer will be focused upon Jesus and the God of Christianity, since this God is the One I love and believe in. He heals and loves all, even those who don't know or believe in Him, so please don't be discouraged from attending if you belong to a different faith system.

God has put this idea into my heart because I believe that He wants to show His love to people by working healing miracles in their lives and providing for them in ways that they haven't received before!

There is tremendous power when large groups of people pray together, which is another reason why I am doing this. Also, it helps to foster a sense of community among those with Lyme disease. Some people face this disease alone, without the financial or emotional support of friends and family, and therefore need others to support and pray for them, which this group will do!

I am tentatively setting the first prayer meeting date for Wednesday, June 9th. It will be at 6 PM, PST ( or 7 PM MST, 9 PM EST). For those in Western Europe who want to participate, I apologize that the time may be less than convenient for you. I may be able to schedule another meeting at an earlier time, sometime down the road. In the meantime, feel free to call in via Skype or through your local telephone line.

I am scheduling an hour for the prayer, but it may last longer than that. Those who can only attend for an hour are still welcome, though. Because I anticipate a large number of people (perhaps 50-100 at the first meeting), I will lead the prayer, and as time permits at the end, allow others to pray aloud. That said, the idea is for all participants to pray for one another!

I may change the format, time, day of the week and frequency with which I do this. It's going to be a bit of an experiment at first, so please be patient with me as I figure this out! :)

If you are interested in participating, please email your prayer requests to: Connie9824@aol.com. I will read the needs of each person/family aloud to the group, unless for privacy reasons, you wish to have your name withheld. For anyone who isn't comfortable sharing their struggles, I will say a general, collective healing prayer for all those who attend. If you can't attend the meeting, feel free to send a prayer request anyway, so that we can pray for you. For the sake of time, please try to keep the requests to 1-3 paragraphs.

The second prayer meeting will be on Wednesday, June 23rd, if you are unable to attend the first one. Please try to "arrive" promptly. The conference dial-in number is: 712-432-0075. You will be asked to enter an access code, which is: 879949. At that point, just wait on the line until the prayer begins. I apologize that I don't have a toll-free number for the conference line, but hopefully this won't hinder anyone from being able to call in. If this is a problem for you, please let me know. I may be able to purchase a toll-free number in the future.

I look forward to seeing what God does when He hears our prayers! I am sure that the Heavens will not be silent, but will respond in a myriad of ways to the needs of those with Lyme and other chronic illnesses.

If you have any concerns or questions, feel free to email me at: Connie9824@aol.com, or post to this blog. Thanks!

Treatment Update and Lyme Prayer Group

2010-05-12T11:36:00.005-06:00

This past month, I haven't felt as spectacularly as I did in March and early April. Such is the Lyme disease journey. Full of peaks and valleys, with the peaks as promises of better days ahead, and the valleys a reminder that we're not quite there yet.

Hope falls in the valleys, just as it rises when we ascend towards days of better health.

Granted, over the past few weeks I have been traveling in Costa Rica and Colombia, and staying in hostels and noisy hotels is bound to leave any Lyme insomniac feeling like slop. I shouldn't have expected to feel wonderful after long days of plane travel and long nights interrupted by dogs, roosters, trucks and people bantering loudly in Spanish.

I can't blame them. Latinos have no concept of what it means to be quiet. Silence is just not part of their culture, but the cacophony is torture when you can scarcely sleep at home on six meds, anyway!

But thank goodness for benzodiazepenes!...the one thing that always promises me at least six hours of solid rest and sanity when all else fails.

Still, six hours isn't always sufficient and after many days of planes, buses and cackling chickens, my hope for healing fell as I strolled the streets of Medellin a zombie, the weakness in my legs reminding me of how much Mepron is stealing the CO-Q10 from my body. I'm not there yet.

Fortunately, God grabbed me before my thoughts descended too far into a pit and through my friend Roxana, prophetically reminded me that the full manifestation of my healing is near. I've now received a few prophecies which promise this but apparently I needed another word from my Creator after a few weeks of travel and missing out on my daily prayer time with God. The latter is vital for helping me to live in truth and for keeping my brain out of dark places.

Yet whether or not God is healing me supernaturally, at the same time, He is also using medicine to heal me. So I returned home this week and bravely asked my Lyme doctor for higher doses of everything, since I'm not reacting to the meds in my current protocol anymore. Pending the approval of my insurance company, this month's regimen will involve 2 tbsp of Mepron (instead of 2 tsp), 1,000 mg of azthromycin (instead of 500 mg), Omnicef, and assorted herbs, including Noni and artemisia. Babesia continues to be the bad bug in my body, and it's the one my doc and I have decided to really whack. His contention is that Babesia is always the last one to go, after Lyme and all other infections, but it's impossible to get rid of Babesia completely until Lyme (Borrelia) gets kicked out of the body. I hadn't heard this theory before, but apparently, this has been his experience with patients. If a patient is on Mepron for two years and isn't improving, according to my doctor, it's probably because that patient still has Lyme. So the Borrelia must be eradicated before the Babesia will disappear.

When I told him that I can take copious amounts of artemisia without experiencing a Herxheimer reaction (as in, thousands of milligrams per day!), he told me that perhaps I haven't been metabolizing the stuff properly. To remedy that, we are trying a new technique. Artemisia mixed with Phosphatidyl Choline, a fatty acid that is supposed to help with the absorption of the herb. The level of ferritin in my body may be important, as well. Dr. Schaller, in his book on Babesia, writes that a certain level of ferritin must be present in order for the body to effectively utilize artemisinin. I don't know whether he still believes this, but if so, it might also explain my problems with artemisinin, as my ferritin levels have typically been low.

Still, as I prepare for the next round of bug-whacking, I keep my eyes fixed on God and His promises. In my last post, I mentioned the possibility of beginning a prayer group for those afflicted with Lyme disease. I will provide more information on this group in a week or two, after I return from a writer's conference this week in Colorado. Because I believe that prayer is just as important as taking medicine for healing, I hope to establish a large group of people who will collectively pray for one another during a bi-monthly conference call. Please pray and ask God whether He wants you to participate in this group! While people of all beliefs and faith systems are welcome to join, the prayer sessions will be focused upon Jesus and the God of Christianity, since this God is the One I love and believe in. He heals and loves all, even those who don't know or believe in Him, so please don't be discouraged from attending if you belong to a different faith system. More information is to come! I believe this prayer group will be a powerful way in which God heals and reveals His love to those afflicted by Lyme disease.

Prayer Group

2010-04-14T15:01:00.003-06:00

I just want to say a quick "thank you" to everyone who expressed an interest in the prayer group that I am hoping to establish in late spring or early summer.
If you wish to belong to this group, please let me know via email: connie9824@aol.com, or through this blog. I will let you know more details about this group in a month or so. In the meantime, I wish you all well in your healing!

Lyme News Blurbs

2010-04-11T18:30:00.003-06:00

*Dr. Nicola McFadzean, ND, has recently published a new book called The Lyme Diet. This easy-to-read little book contains valuable dietary suggestions for those with Lyme disease. Dr. Nicola recommends foods based on whether they meet the criteria of being anti-inflammatory and supportive to the immune, endocrine, digestive and other systems. She also recommends foods that are alkaline and which support detoxification. At the end of the book are fun, creative suggestions for meals.

As a Lyme disease sufferer, it's easy to feel as though you are always eating the same, boring foods, so it's nice to read a book like Dr. Nicola's, which brings fresh meal ideas to the table!

A final section in her book offers information on lab work, home treatments, and vitamin and mineral supplement suggestions. I highly recommend this book for those who are looking to improve their diets or who need new ideas about what to eat. Consuming the right foods is vitally important for recovery from Lyme disease. As Dr. Nicola states in her book, "food is medicine." Indeed, food is at least as important as the medications we take for Lyme, if not more so!

*Many people with Lyme disease are discovering heavy metals to be a significant contributing factor to their overall toxic burden and symptoms. Heavy metal protocols can be laborious, long and sometimes ineffective. Fortunately, Dr. Klinghardt has come up with an extremely effective, (if not physically challenging), protocol for removing these from the body. This protocol, called KPU, involves taking megadoses of certain minerals, which function to displace metals from the body and remedy ineffective cellular processes that have gone awry due to mineral deficiencies. Minerals use the same receptor sites on cells as heavy metals, so replacing minerals in the body can displace these metals. As metals get displaced and the body begins to receive more of what it needs to function effectively, immune function dramatically improves. As a result, the body can better fight Lyme and co-infections. For more information on this protocol, visit: http://www.neuraltherapy.com/KPUprotocol.pdf.

*For those interested in learning more about Lyme disease and its link to autism, the LIA Foundation (Lyme-Induced Autism) will be holding a conference in Indian Wells, CA, from April 15-18th, entitled, "Roadblocks to Recovery." Those unable to attend can purchase the conference proceedings (which are like condensed notes) at the LIA site: www.lymeinducedautism.com. I attended LIA in 2007 and found it to be extremely worthwhile, not only for those desiring to learn more about the connection between Lyme and autism, but also for learning about Lyme in general.

*I will be providing general information on Lyme disease, treatments and my new book through several radio interviews over the next couple of months.
Following is my speaking schedule for those interested in listening to these interviews.

Monday, April 12th, 10 AM EST. Visit: www.radioliberty.com for more information.
Thursday, May 20th, 9:45 AM, EST. Visit: www.itsyourhealthradio.org for more info.
Friday, May 21st, 11 AM, EST. Visit: www.voiceamerica.com for more information.

Stay tuned for updates on additional radio programs!

*Because I am a strong believer in the power of prayer to heal, I have been considering putting together a bi-weekly or monthly conference call for anyone with Lyme disease who desires prayer. Participants would mail in their prayer needs, which would be read during the conference call. Prayer is especially effective when a group of people get together to pray for one another (there is power in numbers!) which is one reason why I am considering doing this. If you are interested, please let me know, as such information will help me to determine whether or not establishing a bi-monthly or monthly call session would be worthwhile.

My Treatment Update

2010-04-09T12:15:00.007-06:00

Life has been incredibly busy lately. Below is an update on my progress with treatments, as well as what I have been doing over the past few months.

Yesterday I finished writing my third book on healing. Unlike my first two books, this one goes beyond medicine in its approach to healing from Lyme disease and chronic illness. It focuses upon the power of God to heal the body, mind and spirit supernaturally, and ultimately suggests that God is able and willing to do this, more often than we may believe. It is based upon Jesus' promises in the Bible, and the power of the Holy Spirit to heal, when medicine has failed to provide a complete recovery.

Over the past few months, I have been attending healing conferences, as well as a four-day healing school, to learn more about this subject. My experiences at these conferences have been life-changing. As I have learned more about God's amazing willingness to heal, and His great love for humanity, I have witnessed literally hundreds of healing miracles.

In the process, I have received healing, too, in my body, mind and spirit (and been used to heal others!), as God's Spirit has touched me in profound ways. As a result of these conferences and my current antibiotic regimen, I have felt about 80% healed in my physical body over the past month, and believe that I will continue to improve. Through these conferences, I have learned that God's miracles can be instantaneous, but often, they manifest over time, and especially in cases of chronic illness. The latter seems to be His preferred method for healing me. While not always instantaneous, God's healing is usually faster than what we would accomplish through medicine alone.

I don't know when my current book will be published, but my hope is that it will be released before the end of the year. In the meantime, I am working on another writing project, which I will share more about in a couple of months.

As I begin my fourth month on antibiotics, I am optimistic about my recovery. This week I tested negative for Bartonella via ART (autonomic response testing), and the only two other infections which seem to remain are Borrelia and Babesia.
Viruses and other pathogens are apparently no longer a problem.

My regimen this month includes Mepron, Zithromax, Ceftin, samento, quina and artemisia. As I have mentioned in previous posts, my doctor muscle tests me monthly for the medications that I need, so my regimen gets switched regularly. I believe this to be a highly beneficial strategy in the treatment of Lyme, since organisms adapt so rapidly to medications. Also, ART (or muscle testing) allows my doctor to discern exactly what I need at any given point in time, so my regimen is tailored precisely to my needs.

I have also been doing treatments for several strains of Babesia using the Bionic 880 machine and nosodes from a pharmacy in Belgium. Ironically, I have not experienced any reaction from these treatments that I am aware of. I don't know if this is because my pathogen load is so low, because the nosodes don't match my precise strains of Babesia, or the machine is less effective for treating this organism. Using my blood as a nosode (which I did repeatedly last year) may have been more effective than using the Babesia nosodes, but I'm not sure why.

I have not experienced a Herxheimer reaction for over a month now, and surmise that my pathogen load may be low enough to where I won't suffer from these anymore. Consequently, my detoxification regimen these days is pretty bare bones, comprised of green drinks, bentonite clay baths, chlorella, lemon juice and coffee enemas.

My supportive therapies include Rechts-regulat, to address biofilm and hypercoagulation; Tri-Guard plus, which is anti-fungal comprised of tea tree oil and grapefruit seed extract; Udo's probiotics, milk thistle (for liver support) magnesium and fish oil.

I continue to take thyroid hormone and 5-10 mg of hydrocortisone, as well as melatonin and amitryptyline for sleep. I wish that I could wean off of these substances, but I am realizing that, unless God supernaturally heals all of the damage that Lyme has done to my body (and indeed I believe He may!), I may need to take these hormones and sleep remedies for life. I suppose it's a small price to pay for functionality.

In addition, I have been attending Pilate's classes to strengthen my lower back and the core of my body. I continue to suffer from hip and pelvic pain, so these classes are important for keeping the pain at a manageable level. When I return from a much-needed vacation in mid-May, I will be doing prolotherapy injections, which serve to strengthen the body's ligaments and consequently, hold its structure better. While painful, prolotherapy is extremely effective for those who have pain due to ligament laxity and, I suspect, damage to cartilaginous tissue as a result of Lyme.

Within the Lyme disease community, I have noticed that some wrongly assume that if a person still has pain and stiffness after treatments, that this means that Lyme is still present. I don't believe this is true. Much of the population suffers from musculoskeletal problems and many reasons exist for this type of pain. Also, Lyme damages the body and sometimes, pain is the result of damage done to cartilaginous tissue. If you do treatments and experience no changes in your pain levels over time, it may be that the bugs aren't the reason for your pain.

It is my hope that my experiences provide valuable insights for others healing from Lyme disease. As some of you know, I pursued alternative treatments for four years prior to taking antibiotics (which have been my last resort). I don't believe that most alternative treatments, in and of themselves, can cure Lyme any more than a regimen of pure antibiotics. Most effective is some combination of the two, and different strategies are effective for different people. Rife machines, for example, don't help everyone, but they help some, and especially when used with antibiotics. The same is true of herbs, hyperbaric oxygen, and other remedies.

My advice to anyone who is starting out on their healing journey would be to stick to treatments that are tried and true. Be careful of pursuing the "latest and greatest" remedies with no track record of long-term effectiveness. Also, the more I learn about Lyme, the more I believe that we must be aggressive with treatments. Taking a little samento here, a little doxycycline there, is rarely sufficient to beat the infections.

And don't forget prayer, and the power of God to do above and beyond all that we can accomplish through medicine!

Lyme and Losing The Ability To Reason

2010-02-07T17:39:00.006-07:00

Have you ever noticed how Lyme disease and especially, Herxheimer reactions can make the "real you" disappear? You listen to your thoughts and words during a Herx and wonder what little demon has suddenly taken your personality captive.

Perhaps you've been through this thing enough now to expect the red-horned thoughts. But isn't it funny how you still have trouble discerning rational thoughts from irrational ones after you brain gets slaughtered by neurotoxins?

Lyme messes with our ability to reason. Seriously.

Whenever I'm in the midst of doing harsh treatments (which I've recently taken up again), it seems that everyone around me turns a different shade of ugly, and I must remind myself that I really do love the beasts.

Which is hard to do after I've lost four nights of sleep, my body aches, and my liver is raging from all the toxins that have been poured into it (too many toxins in the liver produces anger, incidentally, so it's not just the brain causing the messy thoughts).

During these times, if I'm smart, I will tell myself, "C'mon...c'mon...you can do it...you really don't hate the whole world, you just don't feel good..."

One of the reasons that relationships break up over Lyme is because people with Lyme lose their ability to reason, which in turn, distorts their perspective of their relationships and reality.

Because of such distortions, they make bad decisions. They say and do things they don't mean or which aren't beneficial for their wellbeing, and their outlook on life becomes bleak.

Of course, everyone sees the world and reality through tinted lenses, but in the person with Lyme disease, the shades can be exceptionally dark.

Having an awareness of how Lyme affects our ability to reason, and explaining this problem to loved ones can help mitigate problems as we navegate the healing process.

Personally, I have found that it's possible to live in truth when neurotoxins conspire to paint a warped picture of reality, when I get down on my knees and ask my god to show me that truth. When I am quiet and willing to listen, I get a picture of how things really are, and what I must do to stay my thoughts upon reality.

But then I have to walk in that truth, and continue to acknowledge the voice of God's Spirit within me, so that I don't go back down the dark road of irrationality.

Yes, it's difficult to stay in this reality when you feel absolutely horrible. It's a constant effort, and when you are tired the last thing you may want to do is meditate upon truth.

Besides, if you are someone who seeks comfort from God, as I do, you may find that even God turns ugly when your reasoning goes out the window, and you want nothing to do with Him.

I encourage you to push through it, because you will feel better for it. Trust me.

Sometimes unfortunately, our biochemistry also affects our perspective of God. I am writing a chapter about this in my new book on spiritual healing, because I believe that it's important to recognize the role of brain dysfunction in faith.

If you believe in the God of Christianity, then you know that faith is a gift from God, but if your Spirit isn't strong or you don't realize His power within you to overcome, then your biochemistry may win out in the war of your thoughts.

In any case, I believe that even those with the strongest of spirits struggle in their faith when faced with incredible physical and mental challenges.

Knowing this is beneficial for when we go through such struggles, because if we recognize the demonic toxins and their effect upon our minds for what they are, we can then more easily take hold of, challenge, and replace those thoughts with something better. Or at least not beat ourselves to a pulp for not loving our neighbors a little more, or for not feeling any warm fuzzies towards God in our suffering.

I used to curse God whenever the full moon or some horrible Herx would hit me. I would think He didn't love me and that He didn't care if I was ever made well. I have grown. Most often, I don't blame Him anymore, because I don't buy into the lousy thoughts that result from my troubled biochemistry. I have learned that those suggestions don't represent what the "real me" would think under better circumstances, and so I discard them.

If you find that prayer doesn't bring you back to a peaceful place of reality, why not find a good book or funny movie and retreat from the loved ones until you feel some signs of sanity returning?

I know, it's not possible for everyone. Some of you have children or a spouse to attend to, or people that you must work with all day long. I sympathize with you. We really need an escape from others when the monsters come to take over our brains, not only for our peace but theirs, too. We don't want to hurt or confuse them with our mixed-up words and actions, and sometimes, it's easier to just escape, instead of trying to be sane, logical people around them.

Finally, I encourage you not to beat yourself up for your thoughts. Your brain and body are being forced to function amidst serious biochemical deficiencies and an onslaught of bug sludge, which inevitably produce imperfect thoughts. Give yourself some grace and space to be crazy. It will one day all pass, and in that day, you will see yourself, God, and the world in a better, brighter light.

Lyme Information-In Spanish! Informacion de Lyme en Espanol

2010-02-03T22:06:00.004-07:00

Attention: This post will not be in English!

Instead it is for Spanish-speakers wanting more information on Lyme disease. There is a terrible scarcity of information in Spanish on the subject of Lyme, so I hope that the following will be helpful to those that don't read English.

La siguiente informacion es para la gente que necesite informacion acerca de Lyme en espanol
Espero que les sea de utilidad!

Información de Lyme en español

que me disculpen de antemano los errores, el español no es mi lengua materna!)

Qué es la enfermedad de Lyme?

Es un conjunto de infecciones bacteriales y parasíticas, transmitidas por la picadura de una garrapata. La infección principal se llama Borrelia Burgdorferi, y esta infección permite que los demás sobrevivan en el cuerpo del infectado. Las infecciones comunes que se transmiten junto con Borrelia se llaman Babesia, Bartonella y Mycoplasma. Y hay otras. Estas infecciones producen una gran cantidad de síntomas, que son difíciles de diagnosticar y tratar, por el hecho de que son encontradas también en otras enfermedades, y los análisis de sangre muchas veces no pueden detectarlas. La situación se complica porque el Lyme puede producir hasta 300 síntomas diferentes, y no toda la gente tiene las mismas síntomas. Sin embargo, algunas de las más comunes son:

*Cansancio/fatiga

*Dolor de las articulaciones y de los músculos. A veces la artrítis es una manifestación de Lyme

*Palpitaciones u otros problemas del corazón

*Depresión/ansiedad

*Tremores, sensación de “zumbido” en el cuerpo

*Cambios de peso

*Problemas digestivos

*Otros problemas con el sistema nervioso central

Para una lista completa de las síntomas, visite: http://www.ilads.org. La información está en inglés pero espero en algún momento poner aquí en el blog una traducción al español

La mayoría de la gente infectada no se acuerda de haber sido picada por una garrapata, y es un mito que el Lyme existe tan solo en la costa del este de los estados unidos. Hoy en día, es una epidemia en todos los estados unidos, los países occidentales de europa, y está llegando a México y Guatemala. Existe en otros países también pero los casos son menores.

La Pólitica Que Previene Que La Gente Reciba La Atención Médica Necesaria

En estados unidos, hay más de 200 mil casos nuevos por año. Sin embargo, las organizaciones de salud, tales como el CDC (Centers for Disease Control) y IDSA (Infectious Disease Society of America) niegan la existencia de Lyme crónica. Dicen que la enfermedad es fácilmente tratada con dos semanas de antibióticos, y si la persona sigue con síntomas después del tratamiento, es porque padece de una enfermedad distinta.

Sin embargo, muchos de los médicos que saben de Lyme y que tienen los conocimientos necesarios para tratar el Lyme han presentado evidencia al gobierno y a las organizaciones de salud que un régimen de dos semanas de antibióticos jamás cura el Lyme crónico, y la mayoría del tiempo, esta gente necesita muchos meses, si no años, de tratamiento con múltiples antibióticos.

Tristemente, las organizaciones de salud han rechazado la verdad, por razones políticas, incluyendo el hecho de que un solo caso de Lyme cuesta a las empresas de seguro médico un promedio de 100,000 mil dólares. Imagínate si estas agencias tuviera que reconocer que el Lyme crónico es una epidemia! Creo que la mayoría de las empresas de seguro médico entrarían en la bancarrota. Pero es más. Las instituciones médicas tendrían que reconocer que han cometido un gran error y que hay miles de médicos que no han dado un diagnóstico adecuado a los millones que padecen de la enfermedad.

Gracias a Dios, la verdad está saliendo, atraves de libros, documentales, videos, y otros medios de comunicación. Mientras tanto, los que padecen de la enfermedad siguen sufriendo en su búsqueda de médicos que sepan diagnosticar y tratar sus síntomas.

Qué Hacer Si Sospechas Que Padeces De Lyme

Querido lector, si piensas que padeces de Lyme, no vayas a cualquier médico para recibir tratamiento, porque la mayoría no saben tratarlo. Busca un médico calificado en el sitio de ILADS: http://www.ilads.org. Por lo general, estos médicos no aceptan seguro médico, porque es necesario que pasen mucho tiempo con el paciente, hasta dos horas por turno, y las compañías de seguro médico no cubren los gastos de una visita tan larga y complicada. Sin embargo, hay todavía algunos que aceptan seguro médico, pero hay que preguntar antes de pedir turno con ellos para ver. En realidad, son pocos. El médico mío, que está en Denver acepta seguro médico, y tengo 40 minutos con él. Es mucho, si uno toma en cuenta de que la mayoría de los médicos no pasan más de 10 minutos con sus pacientes!

Y Como Hacer Un Diagnóstico Del Lyme?

Los análisis de sangre no son adecuados para detectar la gran cantidad de infecciones que el Lyme produce. Más de 60% de la gente con el Lyme reciben resultados negativos en sus análisis de sangre, lo cual complica el proceso de diagnosis y tratamiento. Por lo tanto, los médicos que sepan tratarlo, analizan los síntomas del paciente, y recomiendan un régimen de antibióticos, para ver si la persona responde a éstos. Si después de unas semanas de tratamiento, el paciente experimenta cambios en su estado de ser, entonces el médico concluye que la persona de hecho, padece de la enfermedad.

Por lo general, es necesario que una persona infectada con todas las infecciones antemencionadas (que me atrevo a decir que es la mayoría de la gente que ha sido picada y que tenga síntomas), tome varios antibióticos diferentes, y hasta 5-6 al mismo tiempo, durante un periodo de 1-5 años. Algunos necesitarán tratamientos intravenosos, mientras que otros se sanarán con una combinación de hierbas tomadas juntamente con 2-3 antibióticos.

Al mismo tiempo, el médico debe recetarle al paciente remedios para desintoxicar al cuerpo, tales como chlorella y glutathione. También el paciente debe tomar vitaminas para ayudarle al cuerpo a sanarse, sobretodo el magnesio, aceite de pescado, y vitaminas B-12 y D. Puede ser necesario que el paciente tome remedios para apoyar al tiroides y las suprarrenales, que estos dejan de funcionar bien cuando uno tenga el Lyme.

Es imprescindible no comer granos ni azúcar durante el tratamiento, y los infectados deben hacer algún forma de ejercicio suave 3-4 días por semana.

Hay mucho más que tienes que saber si sospechas que padeces de Lyme. Es una enfermedad sumamente complicada de tratar y por lo tanto, te conviene aprender lo más que puedas. Lamentablemente, no hay ningún libro en español sobre la enfermedad de Lyme. Actualmente, estoy pensando traducir uno de mis libros al español (no lo haría yo misma, porque no soy traductora, sino que contrataríamos a alguien para hacerlo) -mi editor y yo estamos calculando el costo y tratando de comprobar la demanda para un libro de Lyme en este idioma. Si te interesa leer un libro sobre Lyme en español y conoces a otra gente que le interesa el tema, avísame y lo tomaré en cuenta mientras haga una decisión al respecto.

Cualquier cosa, me puedes escribir aquí en el blog con tus preguntas. Haré todo lo posible para responderte. Te deseo mucha suerte en tu búsqueda de salud. Que Dios te bendiga.

Big, Bad Babesia...And The Value of Muscle Testing

2010-02-03T14:01:00.004-07:00

This infection can be killer to get rid of. Knowledge about how to treat Babesia is in its infancy, since only two strains of the organism can be tested for via conventional labs (and these labs most often produce inaccurate results), and some of the most commonly accepted protocol for Babesia--such as two teaspoons of Mepron daily, along with 500 mg of zithromax--don't cut it for everyone.

Who knows why this is? I suspect that some of us are more infected with Babesia or Babesia-like organisms than others, and carry multiple strains of the infection(s). For instance, I have learned through muscle testing that my body harbors at least half a dozen strains of the organism.

Fortunately, I have an LLMD in Denver who uses muscle testing to discern what my body needs at any given moment in time to treat these pernicious infections. I get tested on a monthly basis to determine whether my current regimen is working, and what "next" thing my body needs in order to effectively keep fighting the infections.

This is a huge advantage, since some doctors prescribe medication based upon commonly accepted protocols or what seems best, based on a person's symptoms. Muscle testing allows practitioners to go one step further and tailor the protocol to the person's specific biochemistry and needs. Because we aren't all alike, and when it comes to the treatment of Babesia, for example, some people respond to Artemisia, while others don't. You can save a lot of time and hassle if you know at the outset whether a particular remedy is going to work for you, or if it's going to overload or compromise your body's healing process!

Over the past month I have been taking 2 tsp of Mepron daily, along with 500 mg of zithromax and Noni, to treat my Babesia. Yesterday, my doctor muscle tested me and apparently, my body is now ready for something stronger to whack the bugs. Since my insurance won't pay for higher doses of Mepron, we added Bactrim to the regimen, and soon, I will also be taking Larium (yes, that anti-malarial drug that is rumored to make people psychotic-figuratively speaking, of course!). Yikes. Kinda scary, but if muscle testing revealed that my body can handle it, well, then...I gotta go for it, I guess!

Finally, a friend in Germany is sending me homeopathic nosodes for four different Babesia strains, which he obtained from a pharmacy in Belgium. I plan to use these with the Bionic at some point during my treatment with the medications-or perhaps afterward, if necessary.

Using the Bionic 880 machine, along with nosodes, to treat Babesia may be a viable, safer (and perhaps more effective!) alternative to taking multiple medications. I will share my experience with these down the road. I have found that doing treatments for babesia using my own blood as a nosode, along with the Bionic, has been insufficient for treating this blood-borne pathogen. At the same time, I know of someone in the Lyme disease community who claims that the machine got rid of her Babesia, when Mepron wouldn't. We all respond to different things!

I'm not looking forward to the next few months, but I was encouraged when my doctor said, "You may not believe it, but you're going to get better, Connie."

Actually, I do believe it. More and more these days, and despite the symptom hell that I am once again enduring. I don't regret not having started antibiotics four and half years ago when I was first diagnosed with Lyme, because I know that constitutionally, I wouldn't have been strong enough at the time to handle the strong die-off reactions that they produce. I know, because I took six weeks of antibiotics at the outset of my healing journey, and thought I was going to die. Herbs, electromedicine, and other strategies have brought me to a place where I now believe that I can tolerate the medications.

And maybe God will spare me my liver and my sanity and grant me a miracle before I'm done with all this. My hope is still in Him and in His ability to heal me. If He uses the meds to do it, then great! And if He has another way, well, even better.

I encourage any doctor or Lyme sufferer that reads this, to consider muscle testing as a viable means for discerning the presence of infections in the body, and what corresponding treatments are most appropriate for treating those. Why? Well, my doctor in Denver claims that most of his patients get better in less than a year, and I believe that his ability to determine with precision, via muscle testing, the remedies that his patients need may be part of the reason for that.

Or perhaps he's just being blessed in his work because he's humble, kind and doesn't charge an arm and a leg for his services!

I admit, I'm skeptical that anyone can heal from chronic Lyme in less than a year, because I haven't met anyone who has, but I'll be pleasantly surprised if I discover this to be true. It will solidify my faith in the practice of muscle testing, and in the ability of God to work in ways that are beyond our understanding. After all, who knows if He doesn't bless the work of the humble?

Miracles In The Making

2010-01-29T12:03:00.003-07:00

You may have noticed that lately, I am posting often on the subject of spiritual healing. My vision of healing solutions for Lyme is being expanded beyond the scope of medical treatments, but if you visit this blog for medical information, I invite you to read the older posts, where an abundance of treatment solutions are discussed. I will continue to post medical information, but for the time being, I am being led to write more about the spiritual side of things.

Anyway...

I'm discovering that the path to wellness is broader than I imagined, and that God sometimes works in creative ways to heal people.

Last weekend, I attended a healing event at a church where a woman named Joan Hunter, who is known for her strong anointing to heal others, was used by God to heal--ahem-are you ready for this? At least one hundred people. I've never witnessed so many miracles before.

When she asked for people with lower back problems to step up to the podium, I flew out of my seat. Everyone around me was getting healed of stuff, so I was sure that something was about to happen to me, too.

As I approached Joan, she said to me, "Did you know that your right leg is two inches longer than your left?"

Did I ever know! This was part of the reason why I've suffered tremendous pain in my back and hips over the past year and a half. I silently thanked God for relaying this information to her.

I then sat down in a chair, and as she prayed over me, I felt something inside my hips shifting. As I rose, I realized that my weight was distributed more evenly over both feet! Over the next week, I periodically sat down with my legs stretched out in front of me, astounded that my knees were now parallel to one another. For years, my right knee had always been a couple of inches lower than the left one. Chiropractic adjustments to straighten my hips would last half a day, if that.

But my hips, knees and feet have now been perfectly aligned for nearly a week, and while the pain in my hip remains, my lower back pain has improved. Incredible.

Of course, my first reaction to this miracle was, "Thanks God, now how about healing the rest of me?"

One of my friends thought that this was an ungrateful response to God's move in my body. I later realized that she was right.

Still, I couldn't help but ponder the reasons why He would have healed part of my back but not the big "L" in my body. After all, some people at this healing event had been completely healed of huge maladies-cancer, diabetes, fibromyalgia, emotional trauma, nerve disorders, and so on. The tears, shouts and laughter of those who had been made well, were evidence that God had indeed done big things.

In hindsight, I realized that as Joan was praying over me, I had full confidence that God was going to heal my back, but when she started praying about my Lyme disease, a little voice in my head went, "Oh, I wish, I wish...no, that's too much to hope for."

Did my lack of faith block that healing? Maybe.

Or maybe God means to heal the rest of me at some point, but first wants to gauge my reaction to the little gift that He has just plopped into my lap. Because if I'm not thankful that He straightened my hips out (which had been crooked for years), maybe He knows that I wouldn't be all that grateful if He healed the whole of me--even though I swear up and down that I would be?

Or maybe He's left parts of me broken so that I will know that He's in control of all things, not me, and that yup, He's capable of healing me--but can I have faith that He will heal me from Lyme, in His time and in the manner that He chooses?

Over the past month, two people have prophecied to me that God is healing me slowly, in order to build my faith. How ironic!

So I thanked Him for the miracle, and again today, when my physical therapist noticed the change in my hips and smiled in astonishment.

I believe that God wants to work outside of the little boxes that we have put Him into and heal us in ways that we haven't even dreamed of--in body, mind and spirit. But we have to be open to the possibility that He can, and is willing, to do this for us, and not just a few of us!

It's interesting to me that, since I have begun writing a book on spiritual and supernatural healing, and opened myself up to the possibility of miracles, that I have suddenly received one.

Will God heal everyone supernaturally? No. But that doesn't mean that He doesn't want us to be well. I think He does, and He may want to open doors that we have presumed to be closed, and work in ways that we have only dreamed of. If you believe in a loving God who wants to heal His people, ask Him to open your heart and mind to the possbilities.

I'm working on having greater faith in God to heal me, myself...because despite my miracle, I am the biggest of skeptics and my faith flops all over the place. But I am working harder to fight the ugly voice in my head that hisses, "God doesn't want you well! If He did, you would be healed by now.", because I don't believe that voice is from God.

You never know. Perhaps God will bring you wellness through some uncanny method of healing. There are treatment formulas proven to work better than others for healing Lyme, but I don't think that success in healing depends solely upon us following a particular treatment protocol to a tee. This may be important, but what if prayer matters more? What if forgiving your ex-husband or wife makes a bigger difference than taking an antibiotic? What if a treatment that you previously couldn't afford, suddenly becomes available to you? What if, in a dream, you are told to take some bizarre supplement that you never thought could help you? What if God leads you to start attending healing conferences, as I have? He works in mysterious ways, and I believe that He can do great things, above and beyond all that we can ask or dream.

A New Book on Healing...In The Making!

2010-01-24T13:40:00.001-07:00

I'm being led to write a new book on healing during the first part of this year. Let's face it, Lyme disease treatments just don't cut it for many, and while the medical community has made great strides in coming up with new and innovative solutions to treat Lyme, some people are still left struggling. Either the treatments only get them sorta kinda better, or they can't pay for them, anyway. It is for these people that I write this book, as well as for those who don't want to spend years on a never-ending treatment treadmill.

God has been showing me a new way to get well, within the spiritual realm, and I am currently exploring and writing about it. Spiritual healing isn't incompatible with medicine, but can, by itself, be a solution to the problem of disease.

I won't say any more about the work for now. It's still in the design stages, but I believe that it will offer new hope to those who are struggling. In the meantime, may 2010 be a year of healing and new discoveries for treating and beating Lyme and the associated conditions that it causes!

And just as a sidenote...

While it is my desire to respond to every comment and email that I get from my readers, I don't always have time to do this, so please don't take it personally if I am unable to get back to you. I will answer emails as time permits. In the meantime, feel free to leave comments on this blog. It is easier for me to respond on the blog than via e-mail, so I may be able to respond in a more timely manner if you post to the blog instead of sending me an email. If you are unable to post to the blog, or wish to communicate something that is of a private nature, however, I will still respond to emails as I am able. Thanks! :)

When Loved Ones Leave...And There Is Only God

2010-01-22T11:29:00.004-07:00

Over the past few years, I have spoken with dozens of Lyme disease sufferers who have lost loved ones over their disease. Friends and family who promised to be there for them through their difficulties, disappeared during their darkest hour of need. Husbands have left their wives and wives their husbands; friends have distanced themselves from the ailing, parents have refused to help their children and children their parents, and so on. In my early days with Lyme, I experienced this with a couple of friends, and again recently with another close friend, just as another layer of my Lyme onion has reared its ugly head and I have been once again thrust into a desert of physical and emotional hardship. Boy, it's been awhile since I've had to endure this. I forgot how difficult it is.

It's confounding and painful when those who valiantly promised to be there for you, or who were once there for you but who have now tired of your endless Lyme problem suddenly vanish. Removing the salt of unforgiveness from your already gaping wounds can be incredibly challenging, especially when all is not right with your neurons and your drugs make you hate the whole world anyway.

I speak from experience. I'm discovering that Mepron makes me grow horns and there are days when I want to tear off a head or two. I am a docile, patient person for the most part, but the medications and the Herx reactions that they cause can really do a number on my brain and exacerbate any feelings of hurt that I may have against another.

But that's beside the point. I mention it only because I believe it can be difficult to see the forest for the trees when you don't feel well. And the truth is, your family and friends may have loved you to the best of their ability, but they were weak. You may believe that they were content to leave you and go on their merry way in life, but if they loved you, in order to live with their betrayal, they had to harden their hearts against the love that God would have desired to pour into them, and then upon you. This is sad, for they have forsaken an opportunity to rise above their selfishness and give to their spouse or sister in need.

And because the love that they could have given remains locked inside of their tormented souls, over the long haul, their departure hurts them more than it hurts you.

That is, provided you are able to release them from what they have done to you, and that you too, don't harden your heart. That you may now be alone in your pain, that you suffer day after day in isolation, may be an invitation for you to wallow in your grief. You may notice, for example, that the house is a mess, and in your misery, you may think, If only my wife were here to help me with the laundry!...Indeed, if only your boyfriend were around to make you dinner when you can't get up off the sofa, if only your friend were available to take your hand when you feel like you are walking along a precipice of insanity...

How do you let it go? How do you forgive your loved ones for their inability to be there for you? How do you find joy in a trecherous journey that must sometimes be walked alone?

I'll get back to that in a moment.

I have noticed something interesting about hardship, in my own life as well as in the lives of others. Those whom you expect to be there for you during trials sometimes are not, and those whom you don't expect, are. Not always, of course, as many people have loving friends and family who are there for them until the bitter, or blissful, end of Lyme. Yet sometimes, it isn't your best friend, parent or spouse who reaches out with arms of love, but a friend from afar, an acquaintance, or even a stranger.

While I have been mostly fortunate to have friends and family around to help me through the trials of Lyme, there have been dry spells, and during these times, God has sometimes sent an unexpected friend to help pull me through. This is truly a blessing, and while I, while you, may long for the ones who were nearest and dearest to our hearts, we must embrace the new gifts and the new people that God puts into our lives, knowing that He has done so for our good and because He loves us.

And then sometimes, there are no friends or family close by, but only God. When your loved ones have vanished, or when you are too sick to get out and about to spend time with them, God is there. Or perhaps, you walk this path alone because you just don't want to drain the people in your life anymore with your ongoing grief, because you know it hurts them, too, and why make the whole world sad? But you still need to take that sadness somewhere...

So there is God.

Sometimes, in my days of frustration, I think, Who cares about God? God can't hug me, He often doesn't respond to me when I ask Him for help, and well, He's just plain distant at times! But then there are days, when I take the time to be still before Him and persist in my pursuit of Him, that He comforts me and gives me peace, and tells me that this place of solitude is where I am supposed to be, because what greater privilege than to have the time and space to get to know the One who will never leave me nor forsake me! Even though the process of knowing is slow and the privilege brings pain, with time, I find myself growing in wisdom and in love towards my creator, which is ultimately, the best gift I could ever hope to get out of life.

God tells me to love people, but to put my trust in only Him. People are fallible, but if we can love them without expectations, then we will be at peace. When, in our grief, we can rise above our bitter thoughts and embrace the humanity of those who have failed us, then we have wisdom. When we can see them through the eyes of God, then our hearts are healed, as we release them from our clenches of unforgiveness.

It's a process, and not one that can be undertaken by willpower alone. We must get on our knees and cry out to God, again and again, and release the torrent of grief that has been locked up inside of us for so long. We must implore Him for wisdom and discernment, confess our unforgiveness, and ask Him for eyes to see our loved ones as He sees them. Above all, we must ask for a powerful revelation of His love towards us, that our brokenness may be healed. That revelation may come in words, through prayer, but it may also come through impressions, visions, people, books and circumstances. God is creative, and can speak in a multitude of ways, if we only believe that He desires to talk to us. And I think He does, because I have experienced it; long, run-on sentences that speak truth into my soul, and especially when my hunger for Him is deep and driven by desperation.

But to hear Him I believe that we must get quiet, humble our hearts, listen and live with awareness. Constantly. Again and again, day after day, persisting and persevering, through tears, doubts and fears, pressing on, laying low and laboring, face to the ground, hour after hour, until the dawn comes...

Scheduling The Supplements

2010-01-20T17:44:00.002-07:00

To get the most out of your supplements and medications, it's important to not mix n' match the wrong ones, because drug and supplement interactions can tax the body and make your treatment protocol less effective.

While it's difficult to know what all the drug and supplement interactions are, and to how to prevent any negative ones, recognizing the most important ones can help you to get the most out of your treatments.

First, antibiotics should not be taken at the same time as vitamin or other nutritional supplements. Allow at least two hours between the dosing of these.
Also, if your GI tract is sensitive to antibiotics, consider taking them at separate intervals. While it can be annoying to have to take medication multiple times during the day, it may save your GI tract over the long haul. Having recently started antibiotics, for the first time in nearly five years, I forgot how these things can tear up the gut. I quickly learned that my stomach wouldn't tolerate more than one at a time, so now I space them out throughout the day. Because they all have to be taken with food, this means I'm constantly nibbling, but hey, if it means being able to do the drugs, I can't complain.

If your tummy and guts are sensitive to antibiotics, try taking some licorice chews, slippery elm, peppermint capsules or ginger tea in between doses. A quality probiotic is likewise vital for replenishing healthy flora in the gut that gets torched by the antibiotics. Good probiotics aren't cheap, and the majority that are on the market are garbage, so make sure that you use one that comes recommended by those "in the know" about these things. I took my biotensor testing device to the vitamin store and tested myself for a variety of probiotics. Only one, Udo's, tested well for me. Udo's aren't cheap, but so far, I'm doing well with them.

When it comes to herbs, some are better taken with food, but I have found most to be more potent when taken on an empty stomach. Also, herbs can interact with one another and with medications, so depending upon the herb, you may want to take these apart from your other supplements and medications. Some of the Nutramedix herbs shouldn't be taken together. I discovered this recently when my Nutramedix order for cumanda and noni came with a chart detailing which Nutramedix herbs can and can't be taken together. So every time I get up from my work desk for a glass of water, I make it a habit to take a supplement, so that by the time I've had my eight daily glasses of water (or whatever it is), I've also met my supplement quota for the day, while avoiding any potentially negative interactions. Yes, it's a nuisance, but at least I work from home and am able to do this. If you run around a lot, there may be days when you have to combine stuff, no two ways about it. Don't sweat it. We can't do this dosing thing perfectly.

Homeopathic remedies are best taken on an empty stomach, at least twenty minutes prior to a meal or taking other remedies.

A few vitamins and nutrients interact in a manner which reduces their effectiveness, but most function better when combined. For instance, Vitamin C aids in iron uptake, but reduces the effectiveness of chlorella. B-vitamins and Vitamin A also increase the effectiveness of iron and other nutrients.

For a complete list of which medications reduce the effectiveness of, and/or interact with vitamins, check out: http://harristeeter.com.

Persevere, Persevere...

2010-01-07T18:13:00.004-07:00

Lately, I've been hearing from people who are giving up on their doctors. They aren't seeing improvement, so they want recommendations for new healing strategies, better physicians, or just something.

While some Lyme-literate doctors are probably more adept at treating Lyme than others, it may not be a good idea to fire your doctor, just because you aren't improving much on your current treatment regimen. Because the doctor may not be the reason why your progress is slow.

Healing from Lyme disease is very much a patient participation thing. Doctors can't carry the responsibility for your wellness; you must help them. In a big way. Because they may know the proper medication for Borrelia, but they might not know how to balance your hormones, (in which case, you also need to enlist the help of an endocrinologist or naturopath, since balancing the hormones is an integral part of healing).

Also, if you aren't completely following their protocol for you, this may impede your progress. Yes, sometimes our intuition is better than the doctor's recommendations, but not always. For instance, if your doctor tells you to avoid bread and pasta in your diet, and you don't do this, then you may not heal, no matter which doctor you see.

In addition, if you are really sick from Lyme disease, you may not see improvements in your symptoms for a long, long time. Little positive changes may emerge, but major changes in your well-being may not happen for a year or two. The healing process is extremely slow for the really sick and winning the game requires a hefty dose of perseverence. Don't switch your doctor because you aren't running around on a playground after six months of treatment. I have known people who have been on antibiotics for five to seven years, and who are now mostly well. I doubt they felt stellar after the first year on a regimen. But they hung in there and reaped the rewards. Personally, I don't think that I could do a regimen for a couple of years without seeing major results. I am too impatient, but I do believe that's necessary to stick with any protocol for at least six months to a year to know whether it's even going to work for you.

In your desperation, you may want to run to the next thing or the next doctor, but think carefully before you do Yes, I know people who stay on regimens for years with little progress, and I believe that this is just as unwise as jumping from treatment to treatment every few months, but more often, people don't give their current protocol a chance.

Finally, treatment failure may not be due to the fact that your doctor is incompetent. It may be that your case is complicated, and that you are a challenge, even for the best of the best. But don't despair--if this is the case, try to work with your doctor to discover what might be blocking you in your healing (if he or she is willing to explore the possibilities), and if you are unable, only then may you want to consider moving on to a different health care provider or treatment regimen.

Pursuing A New Path To Healing

2010-01-01T12:49:00.005-07:00

May 2010 be a year of healing, peace and joy for those of us with Lyme disease!

I am shifting in a new direction with my healing this year. I will be focusing more upon God and spirituality as my primary source of healing. If you have read my last two posts, then you know that I have been receiving guidance from a number of sources to pursue this path, and that I believe that God can, and does, heal supernaturally.

That said, I will, for the time being, continue to do treatments to further my well-being. I prayed long and hard about this decision, because I have been tempted to completely halt the remedies for awhile, especially given the revelations that I have received over the past couple of months. In the end, though, I have decided to continue with treatments, at least for now.

While no protocol seems to completely eradicate Lyme disease, treatments enable many people to get their lives back and I have improved greatly by doing them. But because I believe that they don't completely heal most people, and because of my revelations, my focus and hope will be upon finding healing within the spiritual realm. So while I will be continuing with treatments, I won't be sinking my hope into them, and neither will I be dedicating massive amounts of mental energy to fretting over the results that I get from them. My hope is that they would become a grain of salt in my overall healing process.

Up until now, the natural remedies that God has provided have healed me significantly, but, like all Lyme treatments, none has been a magic bullet. I used the Bionic 880 device, in conjunction with homeopathic nosodes, as my main protocol for treating infections this year, and it effectively eradicated all active forms of Borrelia burgdorferi in my body. As of yet, however, it has not eradicated all cystic forms of the organism, and neither has it been completely effective for treating Babesia. Because Babesia doesn't exist in Europe, I surmise that effective nosodes for this infection must yet be developed for use in conjunction with the Bionic 880, as the ones that I have acquired in the United States have so far been insufficient for treating it.

So for the first time in four and a half years, I am turning to antibiotics, to use in conjunction with the machine. I took antibiotics for a couple of months immediately following my diagnosis in 2005, but because my doctor prescribed three drugs simultaneously and I was quite sick at the time, my body couldn't handle the massive Herxheimer reaction that they caused. I have always resisted returning to antibiotics for healing, because I believe that they weaken the immune system, and are not a permanent solution to the problem of Lyme. But because they have the longest track record for effectiveness, and some people have been healed greatly by them, I have decided to give them a try once more.

My Lyme doctor in Denver muscle tested me and confirmed that I have multiple strains of Babesia, which is consistent with the results that I got when I tested myself with my biotensor earlier this year. He prescribed me Noni and Cumanda (from Nutramedix), along with Mepron. Because the doctor uses muscle testing to discern the specific remedies that my body will respond to, I feel confident in taking these for Babesia. Artemisia tested as being an ineffective remedy, which concurs with my experience with this herb. I feel privileged to have a doctor who can muscle test me for specific remedies, because that way, I can avoid those that are ineffective and/or harmful. Because not everybody responds well to the same, run-of-the-mill remedies.

In addition, I will be taking zithromax and ceftin for Bartonella, and in time, flagyl for the cystic forms of Borrelia.

My detoxification protocol includes homeopathic drainage remedies for the liver, kidneys and lymphatic system; glutathione suppositories, chlorella, folate (to correct for a genetic pathway defect in my liver), as well as walking, saunas and coffee enemas. I also take turmeric during treatments to reduce inflammation.

Other supplements in my arsenal include B-vitamins, Vitamin D3, magnesium, zinc, T3 hormone, progesterone, Vitamin C, Rechts-Regulat (to thin the blood and break down biofilm), probiotics, and sometimes, licorice for my adrenals.

Heavy metals remain a problem for me, but so far, my body is testing negative to every chelator except chlorella. In time, I hope to start Dr. Klinghardt's KPU protocol for this problem, since heavy metals heavily compromise the immune system (see Scott Forsgren's website for more information on the KPU protocol: http://www.betterhealthguy.com).

While I don't believe that antibiotics will cure me, it is my hope that my god will use them as part of my healing process, and in the meantime, show me a better path within the spiritual realm.

May God bless you in 2010, and bring you the discernment, wisdom and encouragement that you need for your own healing journey!

A Word Of Encouragement

2009-12-10T11:04:00.003-07:00

It has grieved me that I haven't been able to write in my blog as much this year as in previous years. The first year, I posted three times per week to this blog, on average. The second and third years, because I had to dedicate much of my energy to writing two Lyme disease books, I had less time to post here. I have also, for my own healing and sanity, needed to make my life less about Lyme and more about other things, which has left me with less time to post. I don't know as of yet my plans for this blog for 2010. I may attempt to write shorter, more frequent posts, or I may post longer, more infrequent posts, as I have this year. In any case, I just want to let all of my readers know that I pray for you and your healing every day.

Perhaps I know what some of you are going through. For half a decade, and up until about two years ago, I cried nearly every day because of the fierce anxiety and other symptoms that Lyme and trauma had caused me. Often, those tears were gut-wrenching sobs of despair, as I wondered if life would ever get any better. Five years is a long time to cry, and a little wrinkle under my left eye is the scar that has been left behind by a face that was, for too long, scrunched up in fits of weeping.

But slowly, I have emerged from the tear-fest, which cleansed me not only of the grief over the life that I had lost due to Lyme, but of deeper griefs that had been contained in my soul over a lifetime.

I still have symptoms, but I have healed exponentially, not only physically, but spiritually, and I continue to do so. My bouts of laughter can now compete with my tears for first place in my life, and I can see light at the end of the proverbial tunnel. I don't believe anymore that my god's will for me is sickness. God did not desire the body to be created in infirmity, and while He may allow it for a time for some purpose, I believe that ultimately, His desire is for His children to prosper and be well, and that He lights the way for those that trust Him and seek His will for their lives.

I hope that my next book will be a testimony of how God completely and permanently healed me of Lyme disease. In the meantime, I rejoice in the gains that I have made over the years, and in the grief that has been washed away in a rain of tears.

There is light. The journey is long, but I believe that a loving god desires to heal you, if you will only believe and trust Him to show you the way. But believe before you see, because as difficult as that may be, this is, paradoxically, how faith makes manifest things which are not yet visible.

Finding Healing Outside Of Man's Medicine

2009-12-08T17:34:00.004-07:00

Do you wonder if anybody ever goes into permanent remission from Lyme disease? Do you wonder if it's possible to return to your pre-Lyme state of perfect health, or at least become healthier than you were before Lyme?

I have been researching Lyme disease for four and a half years. I have attended two Lyme disease conferences, and written two books on the subject. I have spoken to dozens of Lyme disease sufferers, and sadly, I have met few who consider themselves to be in remission, or even close to it.

Some of the most well-respected Lyme-Literate physicians who have treated thousands of patients don't believe that anybody ever completely gets rid of Lyme disease, and rumor has it that one doctor who has treated over 25,000 patients believes that even those who go into remission don't stay there for long. As soon as a life stressor comes along, then the bugs come out to play again.

When I asked another physician who has also treated thousands of patients whether she has ever seen anyone stay in remission for longer than ten years, she uttered sadly, "No." Since I know of a small handful of people who have been symptom-free for five years, when I asked her this question, I decided to up the ante to ten years.

But it isn't just Borrelia I am referring to here. Dr. Horowitz, at the recent ILADS conference, stated that we (physicians and patients) aren't beating Babesia. Some strains of this organism just refuse to be eradicated.

Despite my years of research, some of what I just shared with you is recent news to me. Yes, I knew there was no definitive test to determine whether Borrelia is gone from the body, but I didn't know that recurring relapses might be the norm.

I should have known, but then again, perhaps some of the doctors who have treated thousands don't want these facts to be made public knowledge. Maybe they don't want to get their patients' hopes up. Maybe nobody really wants to say, "You'll have to treat yourself for the rest of your life if you want to stay functional", because it would maintain people in a mindset of sickness and hopelessness, and the mind is a powerful thing.

Personally, when these realizations sunk into my soul, I was dismayed. I guess I thought that all those herbs and other remedies that I've taken, along with a strong supportive regimen, would eventually get me to a place where I would never again have to worry about Lyme disease and its insidious co-infections.

But it seems that once Lyme has taken up residence in your life, it's there to stay. If you choose conventional routes of healing, anyway.

It's good to hope for healing, but that hope needs to be based in reality, and not fantasy. I debated sharing this information with my readers. I didn't want to deflate anyone's hopes, but in the end, I decided that if lifelong relapse, or the rarity of remission is the reality of this beast, then the Lyme community needs to know about it.

I may be wrong. My information comes from my experiences with other Lyme sufferers, as well as from a handful of doctors, who, while knowledgeable and experienced, are still mortals. I hope that I am wrong, and that somebody who has been fully recovered for at least half a decade, will correct me with a testimony about his or her healing. Or that a Lyme-literate physician will rebuke me for this post with half a dozen citations of patients who have arrived at a place of total wellness and stayed there.

A Lyme-literate physician recently tested me via ART (autonomic response testing) to determine the current state of my infections. The testing revealed that I currently have no active forms of borrelia. I think I can thank the Bionic 880 biophoton device and my god for that. After at least 25 biophoton sessions this year, however, cystic forms of the organism still remain in my body (apparently). Does this mean that the Bionic 880 can't get rid of cysts? Dr. Woitzel, a physician in Germany who uses the Bionic 880, might say No, but this form of the organism does seem more tenacious. Whether the cysts cause symptoms is unknown. I remain symptomatic, in any case, due perhaps, to the damage that Lyme has done to my body, as well as to my Babesia and other infections. Bionic 880 treatments have helped to ameliorate some of my symptoms of Babesia, but I do not know whether the machine can completely get rid of this infection. The Lyme-literate doc thus prescribed me Mepron, along with zithromax, Noni and Cumanda.

"Here we go again," I thought as I left his office. "I'm getting on the treadmill again...for the fifth year in a row. Am I really getting anywhere with all these treatments?"

Yes, I am better than I was five years ago. Much better. But I am far from being able to keep up with my healthy forty-something friends (and I'm only thirty-five!).

The realization that I might have Lyme bugs forever and have to continually, or intermittently, treat the suckers, discouraged me, and not just because the symptoms that they produce are agonizing, but because of the limitations that they have placed on my life.

I'm fed up with spending ten hours a night in bed because I either have insomnia or need an abundance of rest. I'm sick of my days being cut short by unproductive, lethargic mornings, and never-ending treatments and doctor visits.

At times, and especially this year, I have had a more productive life, thankfully. Yet, treatments and living at half-throttle have meant that I still spend way too many hours of my life in the throes of Lyme.

I can't do this forever. I won't do this forever. It's nonsense.

So lately, every time I read about the latest pathogen-killing herb or antibiotic, the newest homeopathic remedy for detoxification, or the next test that promises to show which genetic defect is responsible for X and Y problems in the body, I think, "Who cares?" Why? People get excited about all these treatments and discoveries, and while they often deliver relief to the ailing, they usually fall short of expectations.

I am thankful for the gains that treatments, supplements, therapies and Lyme healing strategies have brought me, and I believe there is great worth in them, but a nagging voice inside my head these days is whispering, "It's never going to be enough, Connie."

So I'll go on some drugs for Babesia next year and improve another twenty, maybe thirty percent, if I'm lucky. Great! I'm grateful and happy for the gains that I will continue to make in my healing journey.

But how much of my life do I have to give up for these gains? Do I dedicate sixty thousand dollars and half of my waking hours over the next three years to attain this thirty percent improvement? Is the investment worth it? Well, perhaps, if the alternative is to backslide into a solitary, sedentary life on the sofa.

Don't worry, I'm going someplace better with this.

After I had fully digested my dismay over the realization that Lyme and the treatment treadmill might be for life, I came to a place of surrender of my circumstances.

In my prayers, I told God that I give up. That if this is as functional as I will ever be, then I will learn to manage life with some symptoms. I will stop striving for a life that may not be possible with man's medicine. I will continue to do treatments, but I will detach myself from the results of these, and I won't fret and sweat over my treatment decisions. Furthermore, I will not speak of this thing to others, I will not complain about how poorly I feel, and I will not go above and beyond in my treatment protocol, because Lyme just doesn't deserve that much of my time.

My body may clamor for a better treatment or more detoxification protocol, but my spirit clamors for a life outside of Lyme, and I believe that the spirit has more power to heal the body than any man-made remedy.

I'm not giving up, though. Recently, I attended a healing conference in Denver, in which healers, anointed with the Holy Spirit (in Christianity, it is God's Holy Spirit, living in people, that heals the body, mind and spirit), were used by God to heal others of their physical and emotional maladies. A woman who had never spoken to me before, approached me and prophesied that God was healing my back and central nervous system. Another said that God was burning away the infections in my body. (I have had tremendous hip and lower back pain for over a year now, so I thought that at least the first woman's prophecy was acccurate). While I left the conference feeling the same physically as when I had arrived, emotionally, I sensed that something had changed in me, and that I just needed to believe and receive the words.

At the church I attended for nearly two years in Costa Rica, I often witnessed miraculous healings. Some of those that were healed were my friends, so I knew the healings weren't a facade.

You may believe in divine, supernatural healing, but you may think that it is a rarity or that it doesn't apply to you. I used to believe these things, too.

I recently purchased a book called Christ The Healer, which gave me insights into divine healing, which, unlike man's medicine, is swift, complete, and often immediate.

Not that God is into formulas, but I believe that my god is into faith and wanting everyone to be well, and not twenty years down the road.

I won't discuss in this blog all of the compelling reasons why we can, and should, believe in a loving god for supernatural healing, but I strongly recommend Christ The Healer to anyone who is interested in learning more about physical healing through spiritual means.

I have always believed that God can lead people to the right remedies, and heal them however He chooses, but when the dollars and the remedies only go so far, perhaps He has a better way. I don't think the creator of the universe wants any of us to spend our entire lives fighting a beast that may be impossible to conquer with natural means. I think God has better plans for us. Yes, there is much to be learned about life through illness, but I don't think we need to be martyrs forever.

At least, that's my current thought on the matter. I pray that Christ The Healer would be a book of light to those that have no hope, or who are discouraged in their healing journey.

I encourage you to try the spiritual path to health. If you've been on man's meds for many years and made few gains, you really have nothing to lose.

Treatment Blurbs From ILADS

2009-11-27T17:30:00.000-07:00

Here, in my laziest blog post ever, I will be sprinkling about little bits n' pieces of information on Lyme disease treatments, which I received from the experts at the latest ILADS conference. These are random blurbs that you may find helpful for treating your Lyme disease, or one of the million infections and/or other conditions that accompany it. I call this post "lazy" because it involves little more than a straightforward copying of my notes from the conference, and the "blurbs" are in no specific order. Most are from the presentations of Drs.' Burrascano and Horowitz, although information from other physician presenters is included. This is by no means a comprehensive or exhaustive list of the information presented at ILADS, just bits and pieces of the larger whole!

*Severe symptoms of Lyme disease can be a clue that Babesia is present, since Babesia makes Lyme symptoms worse, and Lyme treatments less effective. If response to Lyme treatments is slow, this is another indication that Babesia may be present

*Orthostasis, which involves problems with blood pressure regulation when moving from a sitting to standing position, can be a direct result of infections, but when prolonged, is an indication of adrenal fatigue

*Slow reflexes indicate hypothyroidism. Hyper reflexes indicate magnesium deficiency

*Some people get too comfortable in their illnesses. This blocks their healing process

*The ELISA test is worthless for detecting Lyme disease

*The CD-57 test sometimes reflects the degree of damage that Borrelia has done to the immune system, and can be an indirect measure of the severity and duration of illness. Relapse is likely if a person's CD-57 score remains low at the end of his/her treatments

*When taking antibiotics, it's important to also rotate generous amounts of probiotics, as well as take several different kinds

*Calcium and magnesium can aid in the formation of biofilm. These minerals should only be taken after antibiotic therapy has been initiated. Oral magnesium may feed bugs, so transdermal magnesium may be a better option.

*NT Factor (a type of transfer factor specific to Lyme) helps mitochondria to recover and can be an extremely helpful supplement for healing

*Co-infection tests are unreliable. Most people with Babesia will test negative on a PCR test

*Lyme disease isn't just about Borrelia and the usual well-known co-infections, Babesia, Bartonella and Ehrlichia. Consideration must be given to others, as well. There are probably other infections that people have that we (in the medical commmunity) are unaware of. Other infections sometimes found along with Borrelia include: Mycoplasma, Chlamydia, Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever, Q-fever and Tularemia

*Traditional doses of Mepron (2 tsp/day) are insufficient to get rid of Babesia

*Taking a tetracycline medication, along with a macrolide and zithromax, can shut down the ribosomal growth patterns of some organisms

*Bicillin injections are a good alternative to oral medications, since they bypass the gut and thereby reduce the possibility that the person will develop candida

*LDN (low-dose Naltrexone) is an excellent medication that reduces Herxheimer symptoms

*Reducing inflammation is important! People do not get better unless inflammation is addressed

*Sleep deprivation exacerbates inflammation; therefore, it is important to get insomnia under control

*Pekana homeopathic drainage remedies and herbs open up detoxification pathways and help to mitigate Herxheimer reactions

*Glutathione shuts down cytokine/auto-immune reactions. Glutathione, along with Pekana drainage remedies, may be two of the single most effective supplements to reduce Herxheimer reactions and inflammation

*Brain fog may persist after treatments due to the continued presence of quinolinic acid in the brain. Toxin binders must be taken in order to rid it of this neurotoxin

*At least forty percent of those with Lyme disease also have adrenal dysfunction, and will not get better unless the dysfunction is treated with natural supplements and/or hydrocortisone

*Many people with Lyme disease believe that they don't deserve to be well. This belief in turn increases inflammatory reactions in the body. Changing this belief is important for healing

*Grapefruit seed extract can whack Borrelia cysts

*Neurotoxins may be the cause of ongoing symptoms in a person who has extensively treated his/her Lyme disease

*Wellness Pharmacy makes an excellent oral glutathione supplement

*When people fail traditional treatments for Babesia--that is, Mepron and zithromax--adding Septra can produce more favorable outcomes

*Traditional treatments for Babesia aren't working. Physicians and patients may want to consider other medications besides Mepron and Malarone, such as Cleocin, Larium and Quinine.

*There is some evidence that Babesia duncani is related to Thileria parasites. This may be one reason why current treatments aren't working well for this strain of Babesia. A different treatment approach may be required

*A small percentage of people with Lyme may also have Q-fever. This is a ricketssia-like disease that causes endocarditis. Like Lyme, it can create many symptoms

*Two percent of the ticks in NY carry Powassan Encephalitis. This infection causes severe cognitive dysfunction, fevers, seizures and other neurological symptoms

*Mycoplasma Fermentans has been found to be related to neurodegenerative diseases like ALS and MS

*Mycoplasma interacts with lymphocytes to produce auto-immune conditions, such as rheumatoid arthritis

*How do you differentiate CFS, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, from Lyme disease?
Symptoms of Lyme disease are cyclical, whereas CFS presents no migratory symptom patterns

*All people with Lyme disease have heavy metal toxicity. Symptoms of this toxicity overlap with those of Lyme. Resistant Lyme disease symptoms often improve when heavy metals are treated

*POTS (Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome) is common in Lyme disease. This is a result of damage to the HPA axis

*According to Dr. Charles Ray Jones, mothers with Lyme who don't take antibiotics during their pregnancies have a 50% chance of passing the disease on to their children. For mothers who take antibiotics during pregnancy, however, the risk drops to %5

*Lyme is transmitted through breast milk. Mothers with Lyme should avoid breastfeeding

*Situational stress causes relapses. This stress doesn't have to be significant (ie; the death of a loved one)

*Low levels of serotonin blunt the body's TSH (thyroid hormone response)

*5-HTP can help those who feel "wired but tired"

*Some indicators of adrenal insufficiency include: orthostatic dysregulation, decreased stamina, weight loss and decreased immune function

*Artemisinin makes a peptide that inhibits its absorption in the small intestine, so this herb should be dosed on a rotating schedule of two weeks on, two weeks off

*People with high levels of mercury should not take methyl B-12

*Dry saunas are the only way to rid the body of organic toxins

*Beware of deep massages. They release many toxins

*Cytokines (inflammatory markers) in the body often keep people sick. When the immune system can't shut down their production or detoxify them, people remain sick. Thus, addressing cytokines is important!

*EDTA suppositories and low dose DMSA may be a good heavy metal detox protocol for some

*The Journey Technique has proven to be effective for getting over emotional blocks to healing

*Salt, fluid and Florinef can help to normalize autonomic nervous system dysfunction and POTS. It is important to address POTS, as, without intervention, not enough blood can get to the brain and as a result, the body/brain will not heal

*People who have failed all Babesia protocol may respond to the drug Riamet

*Artemisia is insufficient to cure Babesia

*HHV-6 (Human Herpes Virus 6) creates chronic fatigue. All adults have been exposed to this virus. Anti-viral medications do not cure it. Olive leaf may be a better treatment option

*Bugs shed "blebs", which activates auto-immunity, that may manifest in positive ANA and other auto-immune markers

*Glutathione may improve cognitive function, since it pulls cytokines out of the brain

*Alka-Seltzer Gold (taken 4 times a day), as well as abundant lemons and limes can help to alkalize the body during Herxheimer reactions

*10 drops of burbur and parsley, when taken every ten minutes for two hours, can quickly clear a Herx reaction

*Antioxidants, such as fish oil, magnesium, zinc, Vitamin C, and alpha-lipoic acid, are also important for reducing inflammation

Insights From ILADS--Discerning The Symptoms of Four Major Infections

2009-11-17T15:32:00.005-07:00

I was fortunate to be able to attend the ILADS (International Lyme and Associated Diseases) conference a few weeks ago. I had never been to an ILADS conference, and learned a few new things about Lyme disease and treatments while there.

Of particular interest to me was a presentation by Dr. Burrascano, in which he shared insights into how to discern different Lyme disease co-infections. Since lab tests for co-infections are often negative or unreliable, and tests don't exist for many strains of the different infections, it can be difficult discovering whether these are present and active in the body. Dr. Burrascano cited different means for discovering the presence of such infections, including the patient's symptom picture and response to treatments.

BORRELIA BURGDORFERI

The onset of symptoms for those with Borrelia burgdorferi can be slow and gradual. You may notice that you are no longer sleeping well, for instance, or are losing weight. In my own case of illness, I had back pain and extreme anxiety for several years before the onset of other symptoms. Then, months before my "crash" in 2004, I began to lose weight, as well as my appetite. I didn't think much of it at the time, even though people commented to me that I was getting thinner.

Borrelia is also a multi-system bug, that usually causes multiple (and sometimes, a multitude!) of symptoms. These symptoms can change over time, and wax and wane over several weeks. For instance, you may start off with a pain in your upper back that over time, moves to the lower back and varies in intensity (When the pain doesn't migrate but remains constant, however, then this can sometimes be indicative of damage done by Borrelia, rather than the bug itself). So one year, you might have gut pain, and in the next, experience buzzing in your head. That's the nature of the Borrelia beast.

Some other patterns seen in those with Borrelia include:

* Having energy mid-morning until approximately noontime, as well as in the late afternoon or evening. The nighttime energy creates an inability to sleep
* Slow response to treatments
* Symptom flares every four weeks (the pathogen's life cycle is re-set by treatments if these are effective, so once a regimen is started, symptom flares can be expected at approximately four weeks beginning from the date of the onset of the treatment)
* Sub-normal morning body temperatures
* Joint cracking

BABESIA

Those with Babesia, according to Dr. Burrascano, often exhibit the following distinguishing patterns/symptoms:

* Tiredness/fatigue all day long
* A rapid onset of symptoms, often with a sudden high fever, severe headaches, night sweats (but which can also happen during the day), and fatigue
* Air hunger, which causes a need to frequently sigh and take deep breaths. People with this symptom often feel as though they run out of air when they talk. A dry cough may also be present
* Headaches, which can be severe. These headaches are global (all over), unlike Borrelia headaches, which are often found at the back of the head/neck
* Unexplained chest symptoms
* Fatigue is a prominent symptom of babesia, and manifests much like the fatigue in those with CFS (chronic fatigue syndrome)
* Feeling worse after exercise, instead of better
* Mental dullness and a slowing of reactions and responses
* Dizziness, but not like the vertigo that is found in those with Borrelia. This is more of a "tippy" feeling
* Rapidly cycling symptoms, with flares every 4-6 days. So a person with Babesia might have a particulary bad symptom day about once a week
* Rarely, an enlarged spleen may be present

People who present with very serious symptoms of Lyme disease may also have Babesia, since this infection makes Lyme symptoms worse and Lyme treatments less effective. If you are responding slowly to Lyme treatments, you might also have a Babesia infection that needs to be treated, as well.

BARTONELLA

According to Dr. Burrascano, Bartonella is often characterized by the following:

* Like Borrelia, a slow onset of symptoms
* Brain symptoms that are out of proportion to the person's physical/bodily symptoms
* Sensations of overstimulation, anxiety and tremors
* Extreme agitation
* Muscle twitches
* Sore soles, especially in the morning
* Tender nodules, especially on the outer thigh and shins
* Gastrointestinal problems, which may present as gastritis or abdominal pain that is similar to symptoms of a Helicobacter Pylori infection (Note: One experienced Lyme physician with whom I spoke believes that gut pain can also be a Babesia symptom)
* Occasional lymphadenopathy (swelling of the lymph nodes)
* Morning fevers, usually around 99 degrees Fahrenheit.
* Occasionally, light sweats (milder than those found in Babesia)
* Sometimes, papular or linear red rashes (like stretch marks), especially those with gastrointestinal problems
* Rapid responses to treatment changes. Often, symptoms will improve within days of treatment, but relapses occur quickly if the treatment is withdrawn too soon

EHRLICHIA

Finally, Ehrlichia may be distinguished by the following:

* A rapid onset of illness, which may include fevers and headaches, that are sharp, knife-like and found behind the eyes
* Muscle pain, which can be mild or severe
* A low white blood cell count and elevated liver enzymes
* A diffuse vasculitic rash

Keep in mind that these symptom patterns are only generalizations, as infections can cause a multitude of symptoms that overlap with those of others, especially Borrelia, since it can cause over 300 different symptoms which encompass every bodily system. Discerning infections in those who are multiply co-infected may therefore be difficult, but by studying this list, you may notice certain patterns in your symptom picture which enable you to discover whether you have one or more of these infections. Through my experiences of talking with other Lyme disease sufferers, I have found that more often than not, people are infected with at least one of, if not all of, the above infections, in addition to Borrelia. In my new book on Lyme disease, Dr. Steve Harris notes that those who have been sick for more than twenty years tend to be those who have only Borrelia as their main infection. Whether this is because ticks twenty or thirty years ago weren't carrying around as many nasty infections as they do now, I don't know, but the finding is intriguing.

Hopefully, this information will help you and your physician to navigate your healing process, as Lyme disease tests, by themselves, are rarely sufficient for making an accurate diagnosis.

Lyme Teleseminar--Tonight at 8 PM EST

2009-11-17T12:55:00.004-07:00

Join me tonight for a free teleseminar on Lyme disease! I will be speaking about my Lyme disease journey and new book, "Insights Into Lyme Disease Treatment: Thirteen Lyme-Literate Health Care Practitioners Share Their Healing Strategies", as well as answering questions about Lyme and the book.
To register for the conference, go to: http://www.lymehope.com
Hope to "see" you there!

Seeing Isn't Believing...Believing Is Seeing

2009-11-15T22:10:00.002-07:00

When you have been struggling with chronic illness for years, it can sometimes be a challenge to believe that life will ever bring you anything but days filled with pain, scrambled thoughts, depression and fatigue--or whatever assortment of symptoms that Lyme happens to have thrown at you. During such times, finding meaning and purpose in life can be an even greater challenge, especially if you are going the healing journey alone.

So many books tell us not to fret and fear the future, because the things we fear rarely happen. But what happens when your future turns out to be bleaker than your fears ever were? What happens when your dreams slowly die because year after year, your treatment regimens and symptoms leave you with little space or energy for those dreams you have held onto?

My relationship with God has been an integral part of my healing journey. God is my friend, my strength, and my encouragement. Even so, at times, there is a voice in my head that challenges God's love for me. In an ugly tone, it reminds me of how my young adult life has turned out to be more circumstantially difficult than I ever imagined it would be.

I didn't get the storybook life. None of you who are reading this probably did, either. Maybe you imagined yourself in a life of flourishing relationships, with a stable career and body and mind that would function well until at least age seventy.

I deluded myself with such expectations, but in my weaker moments, I have been taken captive by an even greater delusion--the belief that I got screwed in life because I got Lyme disease. I sometimes look with envy upon my friends who can hike, bike and ski and sleep six hours a night. Who can work in any job because they have the functioning mind and the stamina to run around in a thousand directions every day.

But I have also learned that there is redemptive power in illness, and as I struggle to lay hold of that power and as I wrestle with God, I realize that I am being moved towards a grander, more majestic life than the one I would have had, had Lyme not taken me down five years ago.

Majestic?
Okay, so I don't always believe that a life with Lyme is synonymous with a life of royalty and higher rewards, because pain and my constant treadmill of treatments feel paradoxical to a life of abundance. But even if I had been given my version of the fairy tale, without the character training that life with Lyme signed me up for, my fairy tale might have had a bad ending, anyway. Because optimism and happiness can only be maintained so long by circumstance.

Yes, a life of pain, fatigue and isolation predisposes people with Lyme disease to depression and despondency. Legitimately.

Yet, in my wiser moments, I believe that the mind and the spirit are sovereign over circumstances and a biochemistry that's been fouled up by Lyme. So even if my thoughts spiral downwards from too many spirochetes playing tag in my gray matter--I have found that my spirit can sometimes conquer temptations to give in to despondency, and even find great value and blessing in this cursed disease.

I have found it to be a battle and a process that takes years. And while I am slowly reaping the results of that journey, I admit that along the way, I have resented those who have admonished me to "just take my thoughts captive" when everything in my biochemistry has conspired against thoughts of optimism. It's much harder to be optimistic when your hormones and neurotransmitters are a mess, but the flip side to that is, disciplining the thoughts can also alter the biochemistry.

I also think that God's spirit living within us can overcome the weaknesses of the earthly body. It may overcome by providing direction about how to heal the brain or by giving us the will to change our thoughts.

Such has been the process with me. And as part of that, I am learning to do another thing--believe (for abundance) in order to see (that abundance). Perhaps this is one way to endure, or even be freed from, a life of chronic illness, isolation and financial poverty.

Believing against the odds. Believing when every day looks darker.
To see life through spiritual, instead of earthly, eyes. Because often, what is most real is what is unseen. In the spiritual realm, seeing isn't believing. We must believe in order to see...because a true life of abundance comes from believing in a god who loves us, who wants the best for us and who is working circumstances for our highest good. And if that abundance isn't immediately manifest in the physical realm, it can be witnessed in an even more important place-the spirit.

Indeed, perhaps reality and truth are the potential and hope of what is unseen, in our hearts and minds. That potential and hope are released by faith, to finally bring into existence the abundant life, according to the One who made us, and the One who loves us more than we can we can imagine, even though that love is often misunderstood.

But it requires seeing circumstances with spiritual eyes, which means believing in order to bring into existence that which is not yet manifest.

Lyme Disease Is Not Your Life

2009-10-20T12:56:00.005-06:00

Yes, it may seem like it, because adequately treating the disease requires hours of therapies, research and rest. It sometimes requires every last ounce of energy that you can muster, and every last dollar in your bank account. But your life doesn't have to be just about Lyme.

I don't usually respond to posts on Internet Lyme disease groups, because I don't have the time and have also needed to take a break from the "L" word. Every once in awhile, however, I peruse the groups to stay updated on how people are faring with the latest treatments, so that I can, in turn, provide this information to my readers.

Today, I came across a conversation on http://www.Lymenet.org which saddened me. I would have responded directly to the conversation, but I am not allowed to post on this group (probably for political reasons since I am the author of two Lyme books). That's OK. Rarely do I feel the need to answer someone on a Lyme disease group, but today I feel compelled to respond to this person's anguish.

So if you are reading this, my friend, I just want to tell you that I know what it's like to feel as though this disease has consumed your life. I know what it's like to wonder if your life will ever be about anything else but Borrelia. I know what it's like to feel as though you are being sucked into a vortex of Lyme thoughts, and no amount of clutching or clawing will get you out. And I know what it's like to beat yourself to a pulp for not being able to think about anything but Lyme.

It's easy to fall prey to desperation. Adequately treating this disease requires much time, energy, research and money. At times, it will take all of your brain power and all of your strength just to figure out what you must do to get through the day.

I don't blame you. I used to shed many tears over this disease, resenting how it had snatched my life out from under me, and wondering how to get out of the "Lyme disease" mentality.

I'm still trying to find my way out, but it becomes easier as I heal and am able to get out and do other things.

But the thing is, even in my sickest days, I sensed that what the doctor(s) had said in my book was accurate. That making Lyme the focus of my life wasn't beneficial for my healing. (Many of these doctors have been touched personally by Lyme, by the way).

Yes, to get well, I had to devote a lot of time and energy to research and treatments, and especially initially. At the same time, making every effort to incorporate other thoughts and activities into my life became vitally important, for my sanity and well-being. Such activities included watching funny movies, reading uplifting articles or novels that had nothing to do with Lyme, spending time in prayer to discipline my mind, and just doing anything and everything to keep all of my thoughts from being stayed on Lyme.

Being that Lyme tends to suck people into a vortex of obsession over treatment, trying to focus on other things can seem like a supernatural feat. Indeed, it may be the hardest thing that you will ever do as you heal. And if you are really, really sick, it may seem next to impossible.

Give yourself a break. There will be days, weeks, and months when you must research the next treatment, and it will take up huge chunks of your waking hours and thought patterns. It's OK.

Your whole life won't always be about Lyme, and even during the months, or years, when it is a primary focus, your life can yet be about other things.

It's incredibly difficult. I know. Desperation will cause you to cling to thoughts of Lyme. You want to be well NOW and so your mind becomes a treadmill of "what-can-I-do-to-heal?", running ever faster, to get to where you want to go.

It's hard to let those thoughts go. And it's hard to change, especially when you believe that you don't have the time, will or energy to think about anything else but Lyme, and your body reminds you every two seconds about how broken you are.

Healing is a constant tug-of-war between spending adequate time on treatments, and thinking on other things. But if you know that part of your healing involves creating a life outside of Lyme, however small, it becomes a tad easier to let the Lyme life go.

You can do it, my friend. Just take baby steps towards thinking on other things, and give yourself grace on the days when Lyme does take up the majority of your thought space. I believe that this will bring healing to not just your body, but also your spirit.

FREE Sample Chapter from New Lyme Disease Book

2009-10-20T12:53:00.002-06:00

Hi Everyone!

For anyone who is interested in getting a closer inside look at my current best-selling book on Lyme disease, entitled, "Insights Into Lyme Disease Treatment: Thirteen Lyme-Literate Health Care Practitioners Share Their Healing Strategies", my publisher has created a link to its first chapter, which we share with you here:

http://www.lymebook.com/insights-into-lyme-treatment-SAMPLE-CHAPTER.pdf

In this chapter, you will learn all about Dr. Steve Harris' approach to treating Lyme disease. Dr. Harris is an ILADS member who has been treating Lyme disease patients for over ten years. His father owns IgeneX labs in Palo Alto, CA.

Because thirteen health care practitioners participated in the book, other approaches to treatment are discussed throughout its pages. These treatments include herbal, plant stem cell and homeopathic remedies, as well as strategies found in energy medicine.

A plethora of information is found in every single chapter of this book, and Dr. Harris' chapter is no exception. It provides those who cannot afford the book with treatment insights that could only be gained by spending two hours interviewing him on the phone (as I did!)

It also provides a sneak preview of the book's contents, for anyone wanting to learn more.

My publisher and I look forward to your thoughts and hope that the chapter will be a blessing to you!

For The Denver Lyme Folks!...Discussion On Lyme Disease and Relationships...Tomorrow!

2009-10-16T22:40:00.004-06:00

Tomorrow I will be facilitating an interactive discussion on Lyme disease and relationships at the Aurora Public Library, Central Location, from 2-4 PM, for anyone who is interested in attending!

This meeting will discuss how family and friends can better support those with Lyme, as well as how those with Lyme can do the same for their loved ones...so that they may experience a less rocky, and more peaceful, healing experience.

Please forgive me for the last-minute post on this meeting; my obligations have been taking me a thousand directions lately and it slipped my mind to post this until now.

Hope to see you there!

The Lyme Co-Infections Game Continues to Get Complicated

2009-10-12T17:30:00.004-06:00

I've noticed that people tend to think in terms of nice, neat little boxes when it comes to discerning and treating Lyme disease infections. The assortment of potential infections appears to be clear-cut and limited to only a small handful that we can definitively test for; for example, borrelia, babesia, ehrlichia, bartonella and Rocky Mountain spotted fever. And only one or two species of each can be tested for by conventional methods and hence, discussions and treatment of Lyme co-infections tend to revolve exclusively around these one or two species.

The research-savvy folks, however, know that there's more to tick-borne infections than just this little group of bugs. They know that some tick-borne pathogens interbreed to form new bugs with biofilms and a completely new set of genes, although tests to detect, and treatments to eradicate, these new bugs remain mostly unknown. The information-diggers also know that many species of the most commonly known co-infections exist, but that little is known about these infections in humans, due to the limits of blood testing.

Suppose that these species ARE prevalent in humans, though. Would the ten or twenty relatively unknown species of babesia, for example, respond to treatment in the same manner as the known species of babesia microti and babesia duncani? Maybe, or maybe not. Babesia duncani often doesn't respond to two years of treatment with Mepron (the most commonly prescribed medication for this infection), while babesia microti is generally more susceptible to its effects. So in this case, it pays to know which organism you are dealing with. And what about the other babesia species?

Energetic testing, fortunately, can sometimes reveal whether other species of pathogens are present in the body, when blood tests fail to do so. For instance, a couple of years ago, I tested positive to five strains of babesia on an Asyra scan. Like all testing methods, the Asyra is limited in its ability to definitively detect the presence of infections, so I didn't think much of my test results.

Further tests down the line, however, confirmed that babesia was a problem for me. Fry labs found the actual bug (which strain, I don't know) in my body, which is about as definitive as it gets. And as one wise Lyme-literate doctor said to me, "If you test positive on the antigen test, the infection is prevalent in your body." Why? Because antigen tests, which measure the presence of foreign proteins (bugs) in the body, are often inaccurate, too, because the particular sample of blood that is measured might not contain the pathogen. So if you get a sample that tests positive, chances are, the pathogen is everywhere in your blood.

But here's the thing. Six months of 6,000 mg of artemisia, taken daily, didn't get rid of my babesia. (Please don't take this high of a dose unless instructed to by your physician)! It didn't even faze the bug, as I had no Herxheimer reaction nor subsequent improvement as a result. An indication, perhaps, that I was instead dealing with babesia duncani, which is a "tougher" bug than microti? Or perhaps I had a different strain altogether?

Recently, I got my hands on the energetic blueprints for seven different types of babesia. Contained in liquid vials, these blueprints can be used to test for the presence of other babesia species. By placing the vials close to the body and using a testing device, such as the biotensor, to check for resonance between the body and the pathogen, the presence of that pathogen in the body can be determined.

In addition to using the biotensor, I was tested for babesia via two other energetic methods and discovered that in fact, my body harbors mulitple species of the organism. Now how in the bleep did that happen? I don't know. You'd think I was rolling around in every forest from Kansas to New York, but perhaps these bugs are more prevalent in the general population than we know. Hence my concern over pigeonholing infections into just a few categories and species.

But maybe I need not be concerned. I mean, how many people walk around with three thousand infections in their bodies which are dormant or which aren't ruffling the feathers of the immune system?

Looking at symptoms is therefore useful when attempting to confirm a diagnosis and in fact, most Lyme-literate doctors would say that clinical diagnosis should be primary. So in my case, while I am pretty functional these days, I still don't feel like a spring chicken, which means that more treatment for babesia may be warranted.

I have been so far mostly pleased with the results of the Bionic 880 for the treatment of infections, and so will use this device for the treatment of babesia. Fortunately, it works well when combined with the corresponding energetic signature for specific infections. In my case, those are babesia duncani, babesia bovis, babesia motasi, babesia divergans, and babesia canis...Oh yeah, along with borrelia bisetti, a Colorado strain of borrelia. If you've never heard of these species before, don't be alarmed! I hadn't, either, until I discovered http://www.ergopathics.com, a site that sells electromagnetic signature vials for a million and one pathogens.

I surmise that conventional treatment methods for babesia, such as Meprone and Malarone, along with artemisia, would probably eradicate at least some of the above-mentioned forms of babesia. So if you have babesia, or another infection, does it matter whether you know which strain you have?

My tentative guess would be that if your symptoms don't improve with traditional treatments, then yes, maybe you need to go deeper to find out which cousin (or grandkid!) you are dealing with.

Treatment for Lyme and Company is further complicated by the fact that bugs aren't primary in the overall symptom picture for everyone, so discerning whether symptoms are the result of a different bug, an endocrine defect or malfunctioning liver can be difficult.

When I first learned about biofilms and bugs that interbred, I thought, "You have got to be freakin' kidding me..." There is no way we are going to be able to learn about all these species of organisms and effectively treat for them! But then I told myself that maybe it doesn't matter, because healing from chronic illness involving Lyme is such a multi-layered, elusive affair that involves more than bugs and the biochemistry-it involves the spirit, mind and the effects of the environment in which we live. But again, sometimes knowing which critters you are up against can be helpful (as is the case with babesia duncani and babesia microti).

So I'll let you know whether anything changes after I go after my five or six (or whatever it is!) species of babesia. I am curious to discover whether my newfound knowledge will make any difference in my overall symptom picture.

The Life Beyond Lyme

2009-10-01T19:45:00.005-06:00

As I approach the fifth anniversary of my crash into chronic illness, I realize that Lyme disease has shaped, altered and morphed my character. For better and for worse. In my first book, "The Lyme Disease Survival Guide: Physical, Lifestyle and Emotional Strategies for Healing", I write about some of the powerful life lessons that Lyme disease can teach us. Such as that when you are sick and can't leave the confines of your condominium for two years, then you sure as heck had better find new places of peace. Places that go beyond the walls of confinement and boredom, and the circumstances of fatigue and physical pain. Because the hardship of Lyme disease sometimes leaves us with no other choice but to go above and beyond. Discovering the value of solitude, a good book or an afternoon in prayer can replace the recreation and trinkets of the world in their ability to provide sustenance to the soul. And even though that sustenance tastes more like green vegetables than the strawberry-chocolate mousse delights of the active world, it is a sustenance that heals the body and enables the soul to persevere. It is a quiet sustenance that transforms, because it involves going beyond the opium-like euphoria of recreation and busyness to the spiritual wealth found in disciplining the mind and seeking to appreciate the beauty in the unlovely, the painful, and the mundane.

But I have been quick to forget the words that I fed myself with as I attempted to feed others from the lessons that I had learned in my first years with Lyme disease. Attaining a functional level of health has allowed me to be lazy with my mind and to rely and hope again in the delights of the world for my peace food. As a result, as I re-join the world of the physically healthy, I find myself no longer looking at the gains that I have made in my healing journey, but am instead comparing myself to my still more active friends and feeling frustrated at how short I yet fall at leading a "normal" life again.

You would think that achieving some measure of health would be reason for rejoicing. But after nearly five years of living a quiet life of solitude, I am finding that getting back into a more active life brings its own anguish and challenges. Besides trying to find a job that won't catapult me back into sickness (you gotta take care of your body forever after this thing), I realize that living with Lyme has caused me to adapt to a new way of life that I must change if I want to re-integrate back into society.

Of course, some things should not be changed, such as the time that I now take every day to pray and exercise, but other things should. Because in a sense, I have forgotten who I am and what I was before Lyme disease swept my former life away. I wouldn't go back to that life for the world-it was fraught with frantic days that placed a burden on my body that not even the healthiest of souls should endure-but I need to re-discover life outside of Lyme. And that isn't easy, especially when I have become a writer and advisor on this disease, and can still relate better to the sick than to those who have never had their lives vanquished by illness. Why? It's been the life I've lived for nearly five years, and although I see that life slowly vanishing in the distance, a part of me yet clings to it because those whom I understand and who understand me are those who have been in the trenches with me, battling this thing to the death. They are my partners in Lyme, those who have stood alongside me and battled with me when Borrelia threatened to take our lives from us. How can I forget them?

Anyone who battles chronic Lyme disease knows how all-encompassing it is; how much energy, time and attention must be given to overcome it. There are no shortcuts in healing if you truly want to be well. You must employ all of your artillery and throw the entirety of your weight and will against the bugs. Because it's the only way out.

And because the journey is so long, arduous and all-encompassing, if you are like me, then you realize how much potential it has to obliterate your ambition for other worthwhile pursuits in life. How it can slowly erode away at your desire to do other things, because let's face it, you had to give up those desires in order to survive a life of monotony alone in your apartment. But as we glimpse healing on the horizon, remembering the things that we did and the people that we were before Borrelia came along, may be a vital component to recovering full health again. Some of you have been sick for so long that you can't recall your life being about anything else but fighting symptoms. You wouldn't know what to do with yourself if health were handed to you in a handbasket. I can say this confidently, because I thought I would know what to do with myself once my life was handed back to me, but as I move back into the land of the living, there is yet a part of me that feels safer in the trenches, because it is a known place where I have found healing and friends.

So the challenges don't stop with wellness, and while I still struggle mightily with back and hip pain, it's nothing like trying to tame the fierce assortment of symptoms
that I used to come up against daily. And I have become functional enough to hope in a life of recreation, romantic relationships, and professional pursuits, but I have made a mistake by hoping in-instead of hoping for- these things. There is a vast difference, because no life circumstance can bring peace and joy, except for temporarily. The ego always demands more. Yes, it's easier to be happier when you aren't hurting, but fabulous circumstances are never enough to save the thoughts from going to hell. The blessing of illness is that the challenge to find meaning and peace in a life void of health, relationships and recreation becomes a question of life or death--because if you aren't able to go beyond in your thinking when all isn't well, then no hope remains; when things only "sort of suck" the mind can afford to be lazy because the soul can yet lean on circumstances for its smiles.

It's a lesson I have to learn and re-learn, again and again. But just as I was forced to find sources of peace outside of my circumstances in my sicker days with Lyme, I realize that moving back into a busier, more productive life doesn't exempt me from this practice. Because moving back into a life of relative wellness is fraught with its own challenges, none of which can be mitigated by finding refuge in a life of slightly better circumstances, and in the people, recreation and toys that come along with that.

This week, circumstances have come crashing down upon me, enough that I am being coerced back into the beyond to find my peace. There is no other way when hardship prevails. Maybe there should be no other way, anyway.

For People In Denver With Lyme Disease

2009-09-17T15:09:00.004-06:00

Just a quick blurb to let you all know that the fabulous Lyme disease documentary, Under Our Skin, will be showing in Denver at the Denver Starz FilmCenter on November 6-8th. It's about time that Lyme got some press in Denver!
I will be there, either as an attendee or as part of a panel of Lyme disease experts, so if you have questions about Lyme, come track me down!

Also, on October 17th at 2:00 PM, I will be leading an interactive discussion on how family and friends can support those with Lyme disease. This discussion is based on information from my first book, "The Lyme Disease Survival Guide: Physical, Lifestyle and Emotional Strategies for Healing" and will take place at the Aurora Public Library (Central location).

So if you live in Denver and want to learn more about Lyme, I encourage you to attend either one of these events! More to come....

How Friends And Family Can Help The Sick...Found In "Insights Into Lyme Disease Treatment"

2009-09-10T14:48:00.004-06:00

While it was a joy to learn about thirteen Lyme-literate doctors' healing protocol during the writing of my new book, my favorite part of the process was asking the specialists how family and friends can help their sick family members. I felt a certain vindication in writing their answers to this question, as though finally, I was giving a voice to a community of people who so desperately need others to understand what they suffer with this disease. And I was, and am, part of that community. Indeed, there is a section in every health care practitioner's chapter that addresses this question, and I figured that if the answers came straight from the horse's mouth, so to speak, then friends and family who "just don't get it" might be able to better assist their loved ones. After all, doctors are revered in our society and if the doc says that Lyme sufferers aren't malingerers, then maybe they really aren't. If the doc says that the sufferer will die without intravenous antibiotics, then maybe Dad will take his kid's disease a bit more seriously.

I believe that part of the healing process involves obtaining the support of loved ones. I don't know of anyone who has been able to get through this difficult healing journey without a helping hand. Many people with chronic Lyme have lost their homes, savings, jobs, friends, marriages and other important relationships. To say that such events impact the healing process only mildly is to throw away what might be the key to health.

To start, this disease is expensive. An average long-term antibiotic protocol costs over $100,000. If you, the person with Lyme, choose this route for your healing, you had better have a nice chunk of change in your bank account, a generous family member, or a job or insurance that picks up the tab. So having friends and family members who understand what the disease costs and who can help pay for treatments can significantly aid in the sick person's recovery.

But that's just the beginning.

If you had cancer, you know that people would flock to your doorstep with flowers, some soup and a whole lot of sympathy. But Lyme disease? Nah. Folks with Lyme just look so darned healthy, so instead of sympathy, many get all sorts of hurtful questions, such as, "Why can't you hold down a job, if some days you can go hiking?" Or, "Do you really need to take ten thousand supplements?" So getting loved ones to understand the severity of the illness can help the sick person to receive adequate emotional support from them.

Many subtle, dysfunctional behaviors manifest in those with Lyme, and these either slowly erode, or outright wreck relationships. This in turn, hinders recovery. Such behaviors might include forgetfulness and ADD, which cause your loved ones to think that you don't pay attention to what they tell you on a daily basis. Or clumsiness and motor dysfunction, which cause you to routinely break cups and spill coffee on the carpet. "Can't you just be a little more careful?" You might be told by your husband, who just spent $2,000 for a new shag (forgive me the expression, British peeps :) If loved ones better understood these quirks, relationships with those with Lyme might not fall on the rocks so fast.

And sometimes I think that the cognitive dysfunction and motor problems are really minor in their impact when compared to other neurological problems that people with Lyme face, such as anxiety and depression. These also contribute to the destruction of relationships, and the support network. I mean, try to explain your fits of rage over not being able to find your car keys or your favorite brand of goat cheese in the grocery store. What's the big deal? Friends will wonder as they tire of you. They don't understand that goat cheese might be the only protein that you can eat, and that always losing things makes you feel as though you are losing your mind. But you don't even need an excuse for your mood, really. It's just what those bugs do to your brain.

In my worst days with Lyme, I used to treat every life event as though it were an emergency. Anything and everything made me anxious. Going out to run three errands or having to talk to people on the phone overwhelmed me. Every little task, from organizing the papers on my desk, to having to re-evaluate my Lyme protocol, felt like a massive undertaking. I might as well have had the stress level of the president of the United States. Reading a book felt like too much--which is why, I am grateful that now, I have been healed enough to be able to write two. But try explaining this anxious feeling to a spouse who don't understand why making dinner is akin to climbing Mt. Everest, or to friends who fail to comprehend why driving an hour to the other side of town sucks up half your daily adrenaline, because it requires more concentration than you have had in two years.

A good friend of mine lost her husband and son to Lyme disease. Her husband refused to believe she was ill and would not pay for her treatments. The lack of support caused her to become so sick that she became bedridden, and to this day, she is mostly alone in her journey. Only a few friends have come alongside her to help her to survive.

Hence my vindication through the book's section, which is entitled, "How Friends And Family Members Can Help The Sick." I have been more fortunate than my friend, but I have experienced enough misfortune and misunderstanding with this illness to become passionate about wanting to help others receive a greater measure of support from friends and family.

That said, and as one doctor in the book noted, friends and family members of the sick also need their own support and understanding. It is difficult to support a sick person through a prolonged illness that baffles even the best of experts. We are only human and even the most sanctified soul can only take so much screaming, depression, ADD, sadness and forgetfulness. Only the rich can help the sick through their struggles without stressing over the mortgage or how they will pay for groceries on top of their spouses' treatment. Knowing this, as well, may help those with Lyme to not fall into the trap of believing that they are unloved, just because their loved ones cannot provide them with what they need.

But the focus of this section of the book is on the needs of the sick, because the misunderstandings to which they are subject are incredible, above and beyond belief, and they need people to fight for them.

It is my hope that this little section is read by those who have eyes to see, ears to hear, and a heart to receive the truth about what this devastating disease does to people, and what they require in order to heal. I pray it will also be a source of comfort to those who have been kicked aside, abandoned, and misunderstood because of their Lyme disease (and that would be just about everyone that I have ever spoken to who has Lyme, unfortunately).

You aren't alone in this. My heart aches for you and believe it or not, there are doctors whose hearts ache for you, too. Because many of those who treat Lyme disease have been there, too, including some who participated in my new book.

"Insights Into Lyme Disease Treatment" Provides A Rational Counter-Balance to Anecdotal Stories of Success in Healing

2009-08-29T17:11:00.008-06:00

Brainstorming interview questions for the doctors who participated in my new Lyme disease book was an easy process. I just reminded myself of all of the things that I wish I had known about Lyme disease treatment when I first started out on my own healing journey-and then added to that the questions that I still had after four years of researching the disease and for which I hadn't been able to find answers.

There is so much Lyme disease treatment information out there on the Internet, but I felt compelled to write this book to supplement that information, because frankly, I have been getting fed up with anecdotal evidence from other Lyme disease sufferers about what works for healing. Because much of what is on the Internet is subjective.

Don't get me wrong-anecdotal evidence is helpful, but it has led some people with Lyme down less-than-profitable treatment roads.

And while there is no cookbook recipe for treating this disease, the health care professionals that have treated hundreds or thousands of Lyme disease patients know better than any of us lost in Lymeland what treatments tend to work for a majority, and which don't. Or rather, I should say, what combination of treatments work, because rarely is success in treating this thing about just throwing a few antibiotics at the patient.

I know some of you have been jaded by doctors who haven't been able to effectively treat your Lyme disease, but maybe what one doctor could not do for you, another can. Fortunately, this book provides a plethora of treatment approaches that can broaden that pool of options for you.

No doubt about it; this disease is the beast of all beasts in the infectious disease world. As one Lyme-literate doctor once said to me, "This thing is so freakin' serious. You can't treat it half-assed." Her words, along with what I have learned through researching this book, have led me to the conclusion that the treatment approach for Lyme needs to be comprehensive, and it needs to be aggressive. Many of the anecdotal stories of success have been based upon one type of treatment alone, which has led some Lyme disease sufferers into believing that they can be cured by a single remedy or bug-killing approach.

Yes, I have met the occasional soul who has been healed by the salt/C protocol or a year or two of oral antibiotics alone--but more often, I have witnessed people who get stuck or plateau in their healing progress because they aren't paying enough attention to their hormones, or their gut, or the detoxification aspect of healing. Or because they are simply using the wrong bug-killing strategy. Often, one or two herbs, or even a single antibiotic, just doesn't cut it when a person's disease state becomes chronic. A little andrographis here, a little doxycycline there...no my friends, I don't think it's enough. These treatments may beat back your infectious load a little, but these critters are tenacious. Adaptable. Wily. They may even become stronger because of such mild-mannered approaches to treatment. I have witnessed this happen to a good friend of mine, who became sicker because she played the on-again, off-again game with antibiotics, never took more than one remedy at a time, and was unable to address other aspects of her healing.

So part of the reason why I wrote this book was as a rational counter-balance to the anecdotal stories of success that float around on the Internet and in the Lyme disease community. Yes, we need to know about these stories, because they help us to discover potentially effecive treatments. But at the same time, we also need to know whether they represent what works for a majority, because sometimes, the anecdotal stories of success are only that-anecdotal.

Insights Into Lyme Disease Treatment...Thirteen Lyme-Literate Health Care Practitioners Share Their Healing Strategies

2009-08-07T15:58:00.011-06:00

Well, it's time to share the secret; the project that I have been working on over the past seven months and the reason why I have been moderately absent from this blog.

This thing was huge. Immense. It wasn't something that I was sure I could pull off. I didn't know whether the doctors would be interested. After all, treating Lyme disease is a political minefield for practitioners, and I wasn't sure anyone would want to go public with their information, much less take the time to share that information.

But I got the secrets. I got the information that I wish that I had had five years ago when I started researching this thing and treating myself for Lyme disease.

And now I'm about to share that information with you in a new book called "Insights Into Lyme Disease Treatment". Contained within this book are the protocols of thirteen Lyme-literate health care practitioners. The opinions of eight physicians, three naturopathic doctors, a nurse practitioner, and one chiropractor and nutritionist, all experienced in treating Lyme disease, and who employ a holistic, complementary approach to healing, are represented.

But this book is about more than just treatment protocols.

When I set out to write it, I was looking for answers to the deeper questions about healing. I wanted to know who are those that heal from chronic illness involving Lyme disease, and who are those that don't? After all, it seems that some people in the Lyme disease community experience a greater measure of healing than others, and we don't always know why. I also wanted to know what factors influence healing, and what treatments work, based on the experiences of those who have treated hundreds or thousands of people.

I sought out answers to questions that could only be answered by getting into the heads of those who have been treating this disease for a long time and who have seen a multitude of patients come and go. Questions that manifest as a vague type of wondering among the sick, but which people don't seem to get solid answers to because their experience is limited to a handful of others that they know of who were or weren't healed by therapy X, Y or Z.

Besides, this isn't a disease that any practitioner has mastered, so I figured, the more educated opinions that I could get on the subject, the merrier and more informed that the Lyme disease community would be.

Despite being an avid researcher myself, I learned a multitude of new things in the writing of this book. In my two-hour long interview with each practitioner, I asked them not only about their approach to killing bugs, but what strategies they use to heal and support their patients' bodies. I asked them to share with me their dietary, lifestyle and emotional recommendations for healing, and much more.

I also asked them analytical questions such as; Is chronic fatigue syndrome always Lyme disease? Are the bugs always primary in the overall symptom picture? How much of a person's symptoms are due to damage that the bugs have done to the body, and how much to the bugs, or infections, themselves? Why do some people gain weight, and others lose weight, when they get Lyme disease?

Finally, I wanted them to tell me how friends and family can help those with Lyme disease. I put the answers to this question as a final section at the end of each chapter, with the hope that loved ones who want to receive the truth about what Lyme sufferers go through will have their eyes and hearts opened by this information, so that they can better support their sick friends and/or family members.

The backgrounds of the practitioners who participated in this book are broad and varied, but all take a comprehensive approach to healing, and most employ healing strategies that are found in alternative, complementary, traditional, and naturopathic medicine. (As well as others!). And each practitioner contributed something unique to the book. No two chapters are alike.

Antimicrobial approaches to treatment that are discussed in the book include antibiotics, herbs, plant stem cells, biophotons (a type of energy), and homeopathy. The list of adjunct treatments is just as long and varied.

So when will this book be released? Soon. Maybe sometime in early September, although my publisher has been telling me to spread the word that it's going to be in October, just in case there are any publishing snags along the way! You can purchase it right here on my blog, as well as in a variety of other places, including www.lymebook.com, and www.amazon.com.

May this work bless you all in your journey towards health! I know that it has blessed mine.

Updates, updates

2009-07-20T10:02:00.004-06:00

Compared to the first two years of this blog, in which I posted on a weekly and often bi-weekly basis, this year, I have posted infrequently, due mostly to having to dedicate all of my writing energies to a new Lyme disease book. I had expected to be absent from this blog two, perhaps three months, but the Lyme book has sucked me into its vortex since the beginning of this year.

For those who enjoy reading my posts, I apologize for disappearing down the rabbit hole, but if you end up reading my next book, I think you'll find the time that I sacrificed away from this blog to be well worth it.

This is a unique book that will provide fresh, relevant information and insights into the treatment of Lyme disease. Even being an avid researcher myself, I found myself thinking during the writing of the book, "I wish I had had this information five years ago when I was just starting out on my healing journey!"

So it's my hope that it will become one of the best resources out there for helping others to deal with this devastating disease.

It's been an immense project, but I will be finished with the writing part of it this week, God willing. What's the book about? Don't worry, you'll find out soon enough! My publisher and I expect it to be out within the next few months, and soon, I will be able to write more about it.

There has been another reason for my absence from this blog.

Lately, I feel as though I have been so stuffed full of the "L" word, that after I have completed my writing and treatments for the day, the last thing that I want to do is go to my blog and fill my brain with more thoughts of "L".

Seriously, I'm getting Lyme disease indigestion, and my life needs to be about something else.

I suspect that I will post again more frequently once the new Lyme disease book is out and about and my brain and body have had a vacation from the "L" word. Too much "L" just isn't good for the soul but now that I have produced another book, I might have more to say about this topic than ever before, since the research process has led me to new conclusions about getting over this disease.

Oh and, for those of you who are wondering about my progress with the Bionic 880 treatments, my symptoms have improved since the last time I posted here. (see previous posts for a description of this treatment). April and May were difficult months, as my body processed borrelia and other neurotoxins, but I seem to be feeling better and better every day. If I still didn't have excruciating pain in my hip and lower back, I think I would actually be feeling quite marvelous right now. My energy is good, my sleep has improved, my thinking is clear (when I don't do treatments, anyway!), my stamina is decent, and even my POTS is getting better. I feel quite certain that the pain in my hip and back isn't due to Lyme infections, but rather, to a severe structural misalignment that may or may not be related to damage that Lyme has done to my body. I'm still seeking solutions for this symptom but nothing has been beneficial so far.

So do I think the Bionic 880 works for the treatment of Lyme disease? It's too early for me to give a definitive opinion one way or the other, but my experience so far has been telling me that yes, it does. But again, healing from Lyme isn't just about getting rid of infections and I strongly believe that in order for this, or any other antimicrobial treatment to be effective, it's important to support the body functionally and in its detoxification processes as well, using different adjunct treatments.

After leaving Germany, and while still living in Costa Rica, I continued to receive intravenous detoxification cocktails after my treatments. I now do a glutathione fast push and take homeopathic detoxification remedies after my treatments, which seems to be sufficient for getting rid of the neurotoxins (along with other types of detoxification, such as saunas, chlorella, coffee enemas, and mild exercise). Apparently, the five IV's that I did after leaving Germany were sufficient to knock down my infectious load enough so that I can now get by with a less intensive detoxification regimen.

More to come...I wish you all well in your continued journey towards health!

Good-Bye, Costa Rica

2009-06-19T23:08:00.004-06:00

It's funny all of the interesting twists and turns that Lyme disease brings into a person's life. After all, it brought me to Costa Rica. Yes, I came here in November, 2007, to write my first book on Lyme disease, but the financial devastation that Lyme had caused in my life up until then, along with my need to go deeper in order to find healing, is what has kept me here until now.

Indeed, in the twenty months that I have been here (well, really a year and a half, if I don't count the trips that I have taken back to the States in between), I have been healed of many things, probably in part due to living in a slower, more peaceful, and perhaps less toxic environment, and I am moving back to my "home" in Denver in just three days, stronger and healthier than when I left.

As I prepare myself for the reality of moving back to what will now be somewhat of a foreign country to me, I realize that as much as I wanted to avoid reverse culture shock and keep one foot back home, (because living here was never meant to be a permanent thing for me), I have yet immersed myself enough in life here to realize that returning to the States will yet be an adjustment.

I guess I've been here long enough to comprehend that I'm no longer leaving a foreign country; I am leaving behind a life, complete with friends and a lifestyle that I love and am now used to.

I don't know whether to scream because Lyme did this to me, or to rejoice because Lyme gave me the opportunity to experience life in another country.

Or maybe Lyme did nothing and my god's purposes were to take me out of the States for awhile anyway, for other reasons. But I did have a home in Denver and Lyme took that away from me and I knew that as long as I had symptoms and was unable to work, it would be easier for me to get by on my own in a cheaper country. And so I left the United States, and at the time, it seemed as simple as any other lifestyle choice that Lyme had obliged me to make.

Leaving Costa Rica and moving back to Denver will be bittersweet. I feel certain that this coming week will be marked by moments of sadness and tears as I say good-bye to loved ones here, but also by smiles and joy, at the prospect of going home to see my loved ones there.

They say that moving back to your own country after having lived overseas is more difficult than moving to a foreign country, because, when you move to a foreign country, you expect life to be different, but when you return back home, you expect things to be the same as before and they are not. But it's because you have changed.

It will be interesting to compare life in the United States to that of Costa Rica, once I am back "home". When it comes to healing, however, I don't know whether the environment in Costa Rica, or the United States, is more beneficial for those with chronic illness.

The pace of life in Costa Rica is slower than in the United States, which is conducive to healing. Life is also less complicated here in some ways, and that includes the people. Dare I say that we in the States are too analytical, and it is to our detriment?

Also, Costa Rica probably has fewer environmental contaminants than the United States, especially EMF's. Organic food is scarce, however, and access to supplements and Lyme treatments, even scarcer.

It's also noisy as heck in this place, and there are fewer creature comforts than in the States. Box spring mattresses, dish washers and dryers for example, aren't really the norm in the average Costa Rican household.

But the cost of living is lower here than in the States, which can take another immense burden off of those who are trying to recover their health.

So in some ways, life in Costa Rica can be beneficial to those with Lyme, but in other ways, it can be more stressful, and especially if you don't speak Spanish and aren't accustomed to Latin culture.

In any case, it's time for me to go back, and I must do it now, before I get too comfortable with life here. Because no matter how much I appreciate Costa Rica, I sense that greater purpose awaits me back "home" in Denver. In any case, I am determined not to let any Lyme bugs stop me anymore from fulfilling my god's purposes for me, whether these be in the United States, or any other country.

Considerations in the Treatment of Lyme Using the Bionic 880

2009-06-14T14:07:00.001-06:00

Lately, I have been posting frequently on the topic of the Bionic 880 because I know that watchful eyes are wondering whether this treatment really works for treating Lyme disease infections.

As many of you know, I traveled to Germany in April to do this treatment. Unlike some people, I did not improve right away from the treatments. In fact, I still don't feel super stellar as a result, but I have spoken to enough people and read enough statistics about it to believe that it is probably quite effective for putting borrelia, and other bugs, into remission.

Whether it gets rid of chronic illness involving Lyme is another story, because, and as per my previous post, there's more to healing than just getting rid of infections. The Bionic 880 may solve other issues, since it supposedly regulates the metabolism, but it can't make up for deficiencies and it can't help the body to detoxify.

When I left Germany, Dr. Woitzel advised me to continue doing intravenous detoxification cocktails after every Bionic 880 treatment, especially when using my blood as a homeopathic nosode.

Approximately two weeks ago, I went straight for the jugular and began doing treatments using my blood, along with the machine. In doing this, I have been potentially treating multiple infections simultaneously, but I felt that my body would be able to handle the treatment, and my cute little magic wand (which I use to energetically test treatments), the biotensor, seemed to confirm this.

After the second treatment, however, something unexpected happened. My body rejected the IV; due mostly to fatigue and poor circulation, I think. The consequence of this was that I spent the following three days on the sofa.

Yesterday, I decided to do a detoxification IV without doing a treatment. My blood had turned dark crimson due to all the toxic sludge from the treatments and the IV, which worked this time, turned it back to a happy cherry color. Not only that, but as I predicted, today I am feeling better than I have in weeks.

So I think the detoxification IV's can be crucial, at least initially, for those who attempt to do this treatment at home. Otherwise, the biophotons can release too many toxins from the cells for the body to deal with. I don't believe that "toughing out" such reactions is beneficial, either. For those with detoxification problems, creating massive toxin release may lead to a re-distribution of those toxins, rather than their elimination. Slow and steady with a hardy detoxification protocol wins the race with the Bionic.

I have to wonder if some don't improve with this treatment because their bodies aren't able to get rid of toxins, either because they haven't continued to do intravenous cocktails after leaving Germany or because of an acquired or inborn genetic detoxification defect. Where the latter is true, then it seems that no treatment for infections would work, unless the problem is adequately dealt with.

Dr. Woitzel also emphasized to me that Bionic treatments are less effective when a person is exposed to too many electromagnetic frequencies. He even went so far as to say that they may be rendered totally ineffective by EMF's! So important is this issue that he recommends that his out-of-town patients stay in a guesthouse (Guesthaus Klein) that is located in the black forest, where EMF's are low. If EMF's were only an incidental consideration in biophoton treatment, I don't think that he would recommend that his patients stay so far out of town.

Since cell phones and computers are so much a part of our daily lives, however, avoiding these so that the biophotons can have their full effect upon the body isn't realistic. At the same time, nobody knows exactly how much EMF exposure is too much, but I can tell you that some of my Lyme friends can't tolerate to sit in front of my computer for more than fifteen minutes, and I have two diodes on it which are supposed to protect against EMF's. Yes, diodes help, but I'm not sure they give a biophoton candidate license to sit in front of the computer all day.

As for me, I was fairly functional prior to going to Germany, and now I am fairly exhausted. My insomnia and back pain continue, and my POTS is worse than ever. But I don't think it's because the treatments aren't working. It may be because I have been working on a new Lyme disease book (the end of which I hope is near!), which has obliged me to spend about six hours in front of the computer every day. This has probably slowed my healing down, but I was already deep into the project before I left for Germany and couldn't toss it aside after the photon treatments. Another reason is because I decided to dive right into using my blood for the treatments shortly after leaving Germany, which means that my body hasn't had much reprieve or chance to recover. Finally, I think that adrenal insufficiency may be playing a role, but I'm not certain of that. I do know, however, that one practitioner who uses the Bionic 880 believes adrenal insufficiency to be the biggest hindrance to the biophotons effectively working in the body, although Dr. Woitzel did not feel that this was an issue that needed to be addressed with me.

In any case, my goal after the month of June is to break my horrible computer and cell phone addiction, invest in an EMF canopy for my bed, and take the treatments a bit slower.

If you are considering traveling to Germany to do biophoton treatments, I would recommend taking the issues of detoxification and electromagnetic frequencies seriously. Avoiding EMF's and doing a proper detox protocol during the treatments isn't optional; these components are crucial, I believe, for the success of the therapy. Yes, there are those who will improve without intravenous therapy, and despite being exposed to a multitude of EMF's, but unless you are sure that you are one of these people, I think that it's a good to follow the doctor's orders. Especially since this therapy costs as much as a new car and it would be a shame to lose out on some of its benefits just because you spent a few too many hours on your computer! Following the doctor's orders is something that we are all reticent to do because we have been burned in the past by the "all-in-your-head" physicians, but I have confidence in Dr. Woitzel and his protocol.

Finally, being able to continue treatments once you return to the United States or your home country is important. While there may be those for whom five or six treatments will be sufficient to put borrelia into remission, testing must be performed on a monthly basis for a year following treatments, to ensure that the organisms don't become active again. I can only surmise that there are some critters that remain well tucked-away within the nooks and crannies of the body and which the Bionic 880 is unable to reach in the first round of treatments. Therefore, having access to a machine after you leave Germany is important, and also to mop up any other infections in the body.

The Danger of Thinking in Categorical Terms

2009-06-11T18:06:00.004-06:00

I think we need to stop diagnosing ourselves with Lyme disease. I think a better diagnosis for many of us would be "chronic illness involving Lyme" or something which is even less elegant, but perhaps more accurate than the label of Lyme.

Why? Well, first of all, those who have been diagnosed with Lyme disease often fall into the trap of wearing this label like a badge. Why not? When somebody asks you what illness you have, it's just so easy to say "Lyme disease." I mean really, you don't want to get into a dissertation about all the biochemical foul-ups of your body, do you? It's just easier to say you got bit by a tick and now you have a bacterial infection in your body. (If only that were it!). Wearing such a badge, however, isn't beneficial for the identity, in my humble opinion!

Many of us have also been brainwashed into thinking that borrelia is what this beast of illness is all about, too. Get rid of the borrelia and you solve all your endocrine, immune and digestive problems, right?

But the beast is a different shade of ugly for everyone, and my four years of researching Lyme disease and observing others in the "Lyme community" (ahem) have taught me that we can't all follow the same treatment path, because the bugs aren't what chronic illness involving Lyme is about for everyone and we all have different problems to contend with in our recovery.

Yes, perhaps we all have active borrelia infections, but the borrelia might not be the primary reason for symptoms, and its role may only be that of an opportunistic infection that reared its spiraly head because of a weakness in the immune system.

Really, chronic illness is all about the immune system anyway, and why the immune system gets knocked down is a more complicated matter than just getting bit by a tick. I think that those with borrelia who tend to have no snags in their recovery, or who find themselves well after a year or two of antibiotics alone, are those for whom borrelia is the primary question, but it ain't so for many, or perhaps even a majority, of us.

Immune and endocrine dysfunction (related or unrelated to borrelia),compromised detoxification, environmental toxins, gut dysbiosis, and other issues play just as an important role in illness as borrelia, and may have even been the reason why borrelia was allowed to come out and wreak havoc on our bodies. Giving only incidental attention to these issues may complicate recovery from Lyme infections, but some of us may be tempted to relegate them to second place because, after all, aren't the bugs primary?

Okay, well whether they are or aren't, the above-mentioned factors must also be addressed if those with chronic illness involving Lyme hope to fully recover. And I believe, in my wee humble opinion, that just as much attention must be given to these factors as to the bugs.

Unfortunately, treating immune and endocrine dysfunction, gut dysbiosis and all the rest, can be just as complicated, if not more so, than treating infections. I know, as if three forms of borrelia weren't bad enough, right? But if we could actually get our immune systems to work right it would sure solve a million more problems than if we had just killed a bunch of bugs.

Taking the problem of categorization even further, many of us, if we have learned to address these other issues, may yet put them into neat little boxes too, but what if we need more boxes, or our boxes aren't big enough for our stuff? What if, for example, when we think about treating endocrine dysfunction, we consider only the thyroid or the adrenal glands? What about the hypothalamus or pituitary gland? And if we consider the thyroid, do we only look at thyroid hormone deficiency? Or do we try to discover whether the body is actually using thyroid hormone, and if it isn't, then why not? How far up the HPA-axis do you go to discover why the thyroid isn't functioning properly? Or do you not go up the axis, and instead look at the thyroid itself, to see if there might be some mercury or bug bits lingering there?

I'm not suggesting we attempt to do such things. A friend quoted a verse from the bible the other day which gave me great reassurance about treating my own chronic illness. I don't recall where that verse is, but it goes something like this, "For I do not concern myself with things too high or wonderful for me." The implication of this verse is that my god will help me when I can't help myself anymore, which gives me great relief.

Sometimes, the stuff of chronic illness is just too big for us to get a grip on, and our categories are probably much punier than we can imagine, yet we find security in those categories because they give us answers and those answers provide knowledge, which is power. What we fail to understand, however, is that no matter how abundant our knowledge, it is yet often insufficient to get us where we need to go, and is probably only a drop in an ocean of truths that have yet to be revealed to us.

Another reason why the above-mentioned bible verse gave me comfort was because I don't believe that in the end, acquiring mountains of knowledge is what is going to heal me. Yes, it helps, but I happen to believe that the right knowledge will come to me from above, and perhaps in unexpected ways. Maybe I'll have to get a degree in immunology or endocrinology in order to figure out how to successfully mop up the messes that still linger in my body, but somehow I doubt it.

Truth be told, when it comes to chronic illness involving Lyme, I think we can study medicine until the day that our spirochetes sprout wings (God forbid!) and perhaps not get much further than where we are already at. Knowledge is power, but it's not everything. Wisdom is superior to knowledge, and sometimes wisdom isn't found in a doctor's words, a textbook or even a Lyme book.

And I think it's wise to loosen our grip on the categories that we hold onto so dearly in disease, because there are more that are yet to be discovered, and how they all work together is somewhat of a mystery, even to the most brilliant of minds. Besides, it's not beneficial to think of ourselves as having Lyme, because in reality, that's not what it's all about.

Blasting Bugs with the Blood

2009-05-30T14:13:00.006-06:00

When I returned to Costa Rica from Germany nearly a month ago, I brought back with me a handful of the homeopathic remedies that Dr. Woitzel uses for his detoxification IV's, which he administers following treatment with the Bionic 880. (See my posts from earlier this month for more information on the Bionic 880).

I purchased the homeopathic remedies, not knowing whether I would be able to find someone to administer the IV's for me, once I started doing Bionic treatments on my own. Especially in the United States, where fewer practitioners are willing to administer substances that they are unfamiliar with.

Fortunately, my friend Nelly in Costa Rica, who is a former nurse, trusts my judgment in matters of medicine and was up for wasting two hours of her Saturday to help me with my do-it-yourself and do-it-at-home detoxification IV.

One of the things that I love about Costa Rica is that there is less red tape when it comes to getting the goods and services that you need in order to have fun with an IV. Indeed, it's okay to color outside of the lines in some countries, and this is one of them.

After Nelly helped me to make a list of all of the gadgets that I would need for the cocktail; the angiocard, syringes, needles, bag of sodium chloride, etc., we telephoned a local pharmacy to request the goods, which they promptly delivered to my apartment on a motorcycle as if it were a Blackjack's pizza, with the exception that the price of these was even less than that of a pizza!

Mission accomplished, my dear friend looked high and low in my apartment for a good place to set up the IV contraption. We found a nice hinge on my bedroom closet, and as Nelly prepared my detox cocktail using my suspicious German remedies, I took a sample of my blood, taped it to my solar plexus, and began treatment with the biophotons.

I don't wield the biotensor with expert hands but my testing with the tool, along with Nelly's, confirmed that it would be okay to do a biophoton treatment using my blood and the biophoton device at different points on my body, for five minutes per point, at twenty-five percent power.

I don't necessarily recommend this protocol for everyone who owns a Bionic 880; more, but especially, less time on the machine may be required when treating one's own blood in conjunction with biophotons. The blood contains the energetic blueprint of all of the infections that are in the body. Hence, doing too much treatment too soon using the blood as a homeopathic nosode may produce too much of a detoxification reaction, which is why it's best to always do some type of reliable energetic test before blasting the bugs with one's own blood.

The IV turned out to be a little tricky; the bag of sodium chloride that I purchased was filled to the brim and left little room for the homeopathic remedies, so Nelly had to empty it a bit. After this and some awkward maneuvering on the bed, I found a cozy spot where the cocktail could drip freely into my vein, and after that, the operation was smooth and relatively painless.

Thank God for friends! Without Nelly to hook me up to a detox IV, who knows what kind of reaction I would be getting from these treatments, or how much the treatment would have cost me in the United States?

And Nelly wouldn't take even twenty pesos in compensation for the two hours that she spent with me today, but I hope to repay her someday for it, as well as for the next four IV treatments that she will be giving me over the next few weeks.

Not everyone who goes to Germany to receive treatments with the Bionic 880 will be able to follow up their treatments at home with the same IV cocktail that Dr. Woitzel administers in his practice. Yet, and as Dr. Woitzel emphasized to me, it is important to follow up treatments with a detoxification IV when the blood is used as a homeopathic remedy along with the biophotons. Personally, I think that if it isn't possible for those with a Bionic 880 to do the same type of IV cocktail that Dr. Woitzel used, then some other type of aggressive detoxification protocol should probably be performed after the photon therapy sessions. One health care practitioner in Germany uses glutathione IV's, for example, as part of her detoxification protocol following Bionic 880 treatments.

Photos: The Do-It-At-Home Biophoton and IV Detoxification Treatment

It's A Beautiful Day

2009-05-27T19:09:00.006-06:00

I awakened this morning, raging nerve pain searing into my flanks, hips, gut and every little nook and cranny within a twelve-inch radius of my lumbar spine.

I'm really fed up with losing sleep and much of my productive capacity over this nagging pain. What's worse, however, is that this morning I felt that it was starting to steal my joy over the good things in my life.

When the pain becomes so bad that you start to decline invitations to the movies because you can't stand to sit in a theater chair for an hour and a half, the storm clouds of sadness really start to settle.

Up until today, however, I've mostly resisted allowing any rain to fall from my eyes over the matter, but this morning, when I fell out of bed, sleep-deprived because of the pain, I couldn't bottle the storm any longer.

I lay in bed, thinking about the meeting that I was supposed to have with my friend Karen that morning. No, I definitely didn't feel like going downtown today.
Still, I had made a commitment and besides, I didn't want the pain to win.

As I stood in front of my bathroom mirror, I tried to edge my neurons into positive thought. I wouldn't survive the day unless I managed to get my mind into a different place. It wasn't a day where I could curl up with my blankie in bed. I had to pull out of this.

It's a beautiful day.

It was the first thought to cross my mind, and I said it aloud, even though I felt as though the day were anything but beautiful.

It must have been God who put the thought there because it startled me, at the same time that I felt its strange power dissipating my pain a little, like a slow elixir being poured into a gaping wound.

I looked outside. The sun was shining. It was a beautiful day. I was about to meet my friend and visit a homeopathic lab in San Jose, and I was really looking forward to that. Instead of sitting in front of my computer all day, I was going to venture into town to learn about some cool new remedies, and then perhaps have a leisurely lunch at my favorite health food restaurant with Karen.

It was a good way to spend the day.

And as I went about it, the pain yet tugging at the edges of my joy, I focused on the sun, my new discoveries in homeopathy, and the delicious chicken salad that I shared with my friend.

When I got home in the afternoon, however, the monster yet continued its quest for my spirit. Before I had a chance to open any champagne on my pity party, however, the doorbell rang and in stepped my neighbor.

Amidst tears, she proceeded to share with me a fear that her son might commit suicide, and I felt my soul shoving its own anguish aside to make room for hers.
Pain? What pain?

As I offered her words of consolation, I swore I saw hope fill her face.

It's a beautiful day.

She left my apartment, and the pain reminded me once again of its presence.

Oh God, how many more months must I live like this?

Again ready to uncork the champagne, I was halted by another knock at the door.
In came another neighbor, to talk about how her ex-husband had given her three days to leave their apartment. Was it not bad enough that he had abandoned her?

As I sat and listened to her unleash her feelings of betrayal upon me, I once again felt myself trading my pain a little for hers. Yet I welcomed her pain, because, as my other neighbor, I felt that I was able to take that pain and transform it into compassion, into something productive that would infuse her soul with a bit of light.

Only God in me could have done that. Only God could have given me the strength to forget myself for two seconds in order to give to another.

It's a beautiful day.

Life is awash with pain, but it is saturated with opportunities for joy, too. The dance of pain fills the soul with anguish; but the dance of pain, when coupled with compassion and a positive outlook, becomes a dance of beauty that makes the spirit sing. If I didn't hurt, I wouldn't have anything to give another. If I had nothing to give another, my pain would be all the more profound.

Maybe this is one of the great paradoxes of Lyme disease. Extraordinary torture invites the spirit to soar to new heights, if indeed, the soul recognizes it as an opportunity to fly. What a bittersweet experience it is. Sometimes, I still go for the champagne, but I can't help but feel a little closer to the divine when I choose another kind of party.

My back is killing me, but it's a beautiful day.

Doughnuts, Detox and the Bionic 880

2009-05-12T12:37:00.007-06:00

I have a question for those of you who have a Bionic 880 device and who are using it to treat Lyme and other health issues.

Do you think if I strap a doughnut to my solar plexus and set the Bionic 880 to the frequency for allergies, that I can treat for my allergies to wheat and sugar? :)

Okay, just kidding. Well, sort of.

I have been back from Germany for a week now and I am a zombie. At first I thought it was just jet lag, but I think that the Bionic 880 treatments are attempting to normalize my hormones and circadian rhythm. For the first time in almost five years, I am crashing at night between nine and ten p.m., and waking up before the birdies. I would say that this is a good thing, were it not for the fact that I am currently only sleeping between four to six solid hours a night, and tossing and turning for another two or three. I slept just fine before I went to Germany, although it did usually take me an hour to get to sleep. Now I don't even get to ten sheep before I am fast asleep. That's a good thing. Well, gotta look at the positives when you are a zombie.

Fortunately, I discovered yesterday that VitaCost can deliver supplements to Costa Rica in just two days, at a much more economical price than I would have thought, and so I happily ordered some 5-HTP to address the insomnia issue. While Costa Rica is relatively up-and-coming in the natural supplements market, it's yet difficult to find amino acids here.

I actually think that the Bionic 880 treatments have probably increased my energy somewhat, but it's hard to discern amidst all the insomnia. Besides that, my postural orthostatic hypotension is normalizing a little, and despite my sleepiness and back pain which seems to get worse by the day, I have been in a relatively good mood. The moodiness I experienced in Germany seems to have gone bye-bye, which I am grateful for.

Other than that, I haven't noticed any other changes yet as a result of the Bionic 880 treatments. Further research and conversations with others who have used this device have confirmed to me, however, that this type of treatment is most effective when the adrenal glands are adequately supported and an aggressive detoxification protocol is employed alongside the therapy. Otherwise, it can make a Lyme sufferer worse, just like most bug-killing protocol.

Pending the completion of my new book on Lyme disease, I will return to posting on other Lyme topics here, in approximately a month. At that time, I will post another update on my progress, and shortly thereafter, share some pearls of insight that I have gained as a result of writing the new book.

Heal the Body, Heal the Spirit

2009-05-01T04:25:00.004-06:00

As I have often mentioned in my blog, as well as in my book, "The Lyme Disease Survival Guide", I believe that healing from Lyme is about healing from emotional trauma, as much as it is about healing from infections and other toxins. Some health care practitioners even believe that the amount of physical toxins present in the body is proportional to the degree of emotional trauma that's present.

The Bionic 880 device, which shines light into, and revives, diseased cells, causes a liberation of infections and toxins from these cells. This includes emotional toxins, because emotions are stored not only in the brain, but also in other cells of the body. Which means that anyone who is contemplating this treatment for Lyme should be aware that this process purges not only bugs, but also emotional toxins.

And that purging ain't always pretty.

Mrs. Klein, the owner of the guesthouse where I have been staying in Germany, has seen more than just a handful of Lyme disease sufferers come and go. Some of these people, she contends, have felt immediately better following treatment with the Bionic 880, while others have felt initially worse for awhile (hopefully, before getting better!).

Some of the other Lyme sufferers who have stayed with me at the guesthouse have had immediate symptomatic improvements, but what I have observed even more is an initial worsening of symptoms in these people, including those that involve the emotions.

After my second treatment, I found myself weeping over the slightest provocation, and initially attributed it to weaning off of my anti-depressant. And bear in mind, I felt pretty stable before I came to Germany. When others around me spoke of depression and feeling like "basketcases", however, and Dr. Woitzel reminded me last week that the therapy purges trauma from the cells, then I understood that in fact, the light has been responsible for the feelings of anxiety and depression that have surfaced in me and in others from time to time during our stay in Germany.

For anyone who is contemplating this therapy, you must know that treating with the Bionic 880 is not a benign process. There is darkness before the dawn, and knowing this can make the process go a little more smoothly, I think. Yes, that castle in Heidelberg will still be beautiful, but its beauty may be dimmed a little by the effects of the treatments. It's okay. I've still immensely enjoyed being here anyway! :)

In my heartfelt chat with Dr. Woitzel last week, I also learned that he believes, as I do, that healing the spirit is paramount to healing the body. The confirmation meant a lot to me, as my experience with this kind doctor over the past few weeks has led me to believe that his intuition is razor-sharp.

"You must be free in your mind," he said, which I understood to mean that mental fixations on illness and other unhealthy thoughts hinders healing. Positive thoughts bring light into the body; negative, "stuck" thoughts bring darkness, just as biophotons bring light and purge the cells of darkness. But biophotons don't heal the body; the spirit and mind, in conjunction with the physical body, are what heal.

Dr. Woitzel also believes that his North American patients have more detrimental mental fixations than his European patients. Whether or not this is true, I have observed, from having lived abroad in three countries besides the United States, and from having traveled to approximately forty-five others, that people in the United States tend to be more complicated and analytical in their thinking than people in other nations. I wonder, then, if such analysis has been harmful to our well-being? I mean, we can really beat this Lyme issue to death, can't we?

Dr. Woitzel also mentioned that his North American patients have more toxins and infections than his European patients. Perhaps this is also why we have a harder time healing from the Lyme disease, or chronic illness, complex. I don't know, and I don't pretend to own the truth on such matters. I have only my observations and opinions, which are constantly changing and hopefully, evolving.

What I do believe, and what Dr. Woitzel has confirmed to me, is that you can chase every supplement under the sun; you can do 1001 treatments for Lyme with energetic devices, but if the spirit is unwell, then the body will struggle to heal.

In my first book, "The Lyme Disease Survival Guide", I have provided suggestions for healing the mind and spirit, but this is perhaps the most challenging aspect of healing, because the path to emotional and spiritual wellness is different for everyone, and we must all find our own way. Biochemical and energetic interventions can heal (as in, for example, the Bionic 880 purging the body of trauma), but it's rarely such a straightforward process, and often, a combination of strategies, whether cognitive, biochemical, physiological, or otherwise, are required.

It's good to pray to God, but I believe that the supernatural also works in the natural and provides resources and discernment, so that we can heal ourselves. In the end, of course, I believe that all healing comes from God, but we must participate in that healing and accept that attaining health may require more twists and turns than we initially expected.

There is no magic pill for healing, and the Bionic 880 is probably not that pill, either, but I surmise that the fewer blocks that a person has to healing, emotionally or otherwise, the greater the effects of the biophotons upon infections and the immune system.

I am yet grateful for the light--that has come to me in the form of a machine, as well as through divine revelation about healing.

Love the light, my friends. It is the key to health.

Video of Troy and Connie's Experience with the Bionic 880

2009-04-30T13:47:00.003-06:00

This video briefly describes Troy's and my experience with the Bionic 880 after approximately three and a half weeks in Germany.

In two days, I will be flying back to Costa Rica. I still feel relatively yucky, although some symptoms are now quieting down a bit. I am yet told that this feeling worse is normal, since the body is doing so much cleansing, purging and re-arranging of the metabolism.

One other change that I have observed since starting this therapy is that I am waking up earlier than before, by about one to two hours. Since Lyme, I have not been able to get up before 9:00 AM. I now think my hormones are re-regulating so that I can get up earlier. I think that over the long run, that this will be a good thing!

Sitting On Hot Coals...So Here's My Quickie for the Week!

2009-04-23T14:42:00.008-06:00

My lower back is on fire and I can barely stand to sit in front of the computer, so this will be a fast post, but I couldn't resist sending you all a quick update on my progress this week with the Bionic 880 treatments here in Germany.

I tested free of borrelia today with one of Dr. Woitzel's energetic devices. I watched as the device moved in a very decisive "no" direction to the homeopathic borrelia nosodes that Dr. Woitzel placed between me and the device. I have only had five treatments, and feel very blessed to be "done" with this infection already! Some of the Lyme sufferers who are here with me have needed more than five treatments, however, so if you are planning to come to Germany, staying here for four weeks is most ideal (The doctor does two treatments per week).

So am I feeling great?

No, but I didn't expect to. Why? Well, I didn't think that borrelia was the main reason for my symptoms when I first came here, anyway, and I yet suspect that I will need to treat babesia and other problems with the Bionic before I am fully healed. In any case, I am ecstatic that I now no longer have to worry about borrelia becoming a big deal for me again!

Actually, not only am I not feeling much better after the treatments, in some ways, and like the six others who have stayed with me at the guesthouse, I am feeling a little worse! No, it's not a bad thing. I think we are all still clearing out toxins from the treatments.

That said, amidst the herxing, we have all also had some minor improvements. I mentioned what mine were in the previous blog post, and what I have mostly witnessed in others have been improvements in sleep, pain and energy.

Next week, Dr. Woitzel will continue to treat my now-quite-hellacious back pain with one of the many methods that he uses to treat pain (but so far I have been a difficult case, I think). His energy tests revealed that the pain is partially a structural problem (as suspected), but that neurotoxins and bugs are also contributing to the pain. So as I embark upon a serious abdominal exercise program and continue to get rid of infections and toxins, I expect this symptom to improve.

In the meantime, if you like, please pray for me, as I need to finish my Lyme book soon and I can hardly stand to sit in front of a computer right now!

Still, I feel truly blessed to have had the opportunity to come to Germany to do this amazing treatment, and continue to believe that it is probably one of, if not the best, treatment out there for borrelia.

Until next time...it's pain killer time again!

Week Two in Germany with the Bionic 880

2009-04-19T06:11:00.005-06:00

I've been in Germany now for two weeks and four treatments with the Bionic 880. Like my fellow Lyme companions who are here with me and who have completed 4-6 treatments, some of my symptoms have worsened, and a few have improved. Regardless, though, I can tell that change is afoot in my body. Actually, I mostly feel a little bit worse overall, and I'm not sure how much of it is due to supplement withdrawal, and how much of it is due to herxheimer reactions.

My back pain has intensified so much that last night I actually took a narcotic for the first time in my life, and today I can hardly stand to sit in front of my computer, but I still think that this pain, as per Dr. Woitzel as well as a neurosurgeon and osteopath in Costa Rica, is the result of a structural defect and not Lyme, especially since all of my fellow Lyme companions here have reported improvements in their pain by the fourth treatment. So I'm finally going to get serious about doing exercises, since I've been told a million times that this will help but I've stubbornly wanted to find another way. Well, no more.

My postural orthostatic imbalances continue, but seem to be getting better, and I am now completely off of my anti-depressant and melatonin and still feeling relatively sane. I'm not sleeping as well as I did when I took the melatonin, but the fact that I can even sleep without taking something is a miracle.

Because I have stopped taking my oh-so-powerful, super-sonic D-ribose, it has been difficult for me to assess changes in my energy as a result of the biophotons, but I surmise that I have more energy than had I not received the treatments and taken D-ribose. Also, my energy feels a little more constant, and I don't find myself "crashing" as much in the late afternoon.

Interestingly enough, my friend Troy, who has always been more functional than I, has herxed much harder from the treatments, so much that he's barely been able to get out and about here in Germany. It just goes to show that infection load doesn't necessarily correspond to one's level of functionality, I think. And I still don't think that borrelia is primary for me.

This past week, Connie, Troy and I visited a homeopathic lab in Baden Baden and picked out forty different nosodes for infections and conditions that we suspect could be other factors in our illnesses, and which Dr. Woitzel has agreed to test us for. Troy has generously donated the nosodes to Dr. Woitzel for use in other patients who come to his office to get tested for other infections and conditions.

Yesterday, Troy, Lynn and I returned to Baden Baden to attend an exposition where a multitude of holistic health care products and services were represented. It was a Lyme Disease sufferer's Disneyland, with lots of homeopathic remedies, health foods, fun energetic and other devices that we tasted, sampled and tried out. We especially loved the infrared massage beds, acupuncture pain gadgets and free food samples!
Not to mention all that we learned about the Bionic 880 from Henry, (who sells the device to patients and practitioners), as well as from a brilliant, compassionate health care practitioner from Hamburg, who also uses the device in her practice. This practitioner was fluent in English and more than willing to share her knowledge and experience with the Bionic 880, so we took advantage of the opportunity to pick her brain and learn all that we could about using the device for subsequent treatment of infections and other conditions.

While the Bionic 880 has been touted for its effects upon mood and hormones, as well as infections, I don't think that it can make up for neurotransmitter and hormone deficiencies, and for that reason, may be limited in its effects upon the neurological, neuroendocrine and related systems. My hypothesis about this was solidified when the practitioner from Hamburg said that concurrently treating the adrenals and thyroid with supplements while doing Bionic 880 treatment is sometimes necessary if patients are to fully recover, especially if patients' adrenal insufficiency is severe. She also believes in supplementing with nutrients while receiving Bionic 880 treatments, stating that the immune system needs all the help that it can get in order to beat the infections.

This is in contrast to Dr. Woitzel's philosophy, which is that taking non-essential supplements during treatments causes the body to re-regulate the metabolism, taking into account the effects of the supplements, so that (as I understand it) the body becomes dependent upon these. The practitioner in Hamburg has been treating Lyme with the Bionic 880 for a couple of years, while Dr. Woitzel has nine years of experience with the device, so on the one hand, I'm inclined to go with Dr. Woitzel's philosophy. But the Hamburg practitioner's strategy also makes sense to me and in my conversation with her, I sensed that she was quite brilliant.

Like Dr. Woitzel, however, she believes without question that the Bionic 880 is far superior to antibiotics for the treatment of infections, and fortunately, she has had experience with using both for the treatment of Lyme.

One interesting tidbit of information that I picked up from her was that those of us who use the Bionic 880 can partially safeguard against EMF's affecting our treatments by making a collar with aluminum foil and placing it around the neck so that it covers the thymus and thyroid whenever we use the computer or are around EMF devices.

So far, my experience here in Germany has left me with the impression that the Bionic 880 is most effective for infections, but probably cannot address all aspects of chronic illness and that other treatments may yet be necessary, especially when it comes to making up for deficiencies in the body. It can, however, do some remarkable things, including balancing the parasympathetic and sympathetic nervous systems, hormones, neurotransmitters, and immune responses.

With every day that I spend here in Germany, I find my mind going a million miles an hour with a multitude of thoughts and activities; the amazing experience of being in another country alongside other Lyme disease sufferers; the challenge of trying to sort out treatment issues, deal with treatment reactions, write a book, do a blog, and make a plan for healing and work once I return to the United States and Costa Rica. I'm trying to keep my brain in Germany but indeed, sometimes I find it spilling over into Costa Rica and the United States, since the decisions and experiences that I have here will affect my life once I return home.

No, I don't think I'll be returning home feeling 100% better, as I know some of my friends and family members who are reading this might expect, but before you all think I'm out of my mind for blowing all of my savings on this treatment, you should know that most of us who come here have multiple infections to treat, and each requires at least a month to treat, with another month in between each one so that the body can process the treatments. And while this treatment probably isn't a "cure all" for the multiple dysfunctions found in chronic illness, it sure as heck seems like it will solve the important issue of infections, along with perhaps other things.

I am yet hopeful and optimistic, and excited to see what it has done, and continues to do for others.

Herxing on Easter Sunday in Germany

2009-04-13T11:48:00.003-06:00

Easter Sunday this year was paradoxical. While I immensely enjoyed spending the holiday in a foreign country with two other friends who have Lyme, and appreciated the opportunity to attend a German-speaking church (even though I didn't understand a word) and gorge on some delicious German pancakes, ironically, I didn't get to enjoy all of this without some yucky symptoms thrown in for good measure. The friends who went with me to church had some of that yuck going on, too. As Troy rubbed his aching neck during the church service, I squirmed in my seat from back pain and breathing problems and I think Connie was weary, too. But I figured that if I had to feel bad on Easter, then I might as well do it with friends and try to have some fun!

Mrs. Klein, the guesthouse owner, topped off our unique Easter experience with chocolate rabbits, which she left outside of our rooms! (above).

I don't have much more to say about this treatment yet. I think I am finally starting to successfully wean off of my supplements and medications, but haven't noticed any striking changes with the biophotons yet. I did walk for two hours today without my D-ribose though, and with the exception of back pain, am feeling the best I have felt since trying to let go off all of my "crutches."