Dear Stephen,
I was finally diagnosed with lyme disease by a LLMD in March 2009. It took 6 years to figure out! A very slow decline of leg function and serious pain in joints and muscles. Traditional ABX treatment for next 12 months did not help much. Along the way LLMD also diagnosed babesia – antibiotic treatment was successful – RNA test confirmed babesia was gone. Only IGG antibodies in subsequent testing.
I was finally diagnosed with lyme disease by a LLMD in March 2009. It took 6 years to figure out! A very slow decline of leg function and serious pain in joints and muscles. Traditional ABX treatment for next 12 months did not help much. Along the way LLMD also diagnosed babesia – antibiotic treatment was successful – RNA test confirmed babesia was gone. Only IGG antibodies in subsequent testing.
May-June 2010 – with new LLD (DO) – had 10 weeks of IM Bicillin weekly injection. Side effects were very difficult! Spinal tap (ordered by neurologist) in May 2011 shows no active lyme, also no bacterial, fungal or viral infection. But my neuropathy (paresthesia) continues. My body core is weak. Legs very unstable – unable to walk without walker or cane. Nerve sensations in legs and hips are seriously altered – combination of hyper sensitive and dullness. Trouble with diarrhea while on ABX, now the opposite – constipation in gut. My lyme doctor is puzzled why the neuro symptoms continue.
Had complete neurological analysis in past 6 months – Jefferson Hospital neurologist. No other diseases – MS, Lupus, Parkinsons, leprosy, ALS, etc. – running alongside. Infectious Disease specialist has also ruled out any other diseases from my extensive international travel. Neuro-opthamology also cleared me of any unusual illness. My blood work appears normal! What can I do to get my legs and walking back?
Stephen’s response:
Numerous people with lyme have presented with this problem. The first thing we suggest is knotweed root, dosage as per the book. We generally recommend greendragonbotanicals.com brand rather than a standardized resveratrol made from knotweed root at this time. I would highly suggest the use of teasel, dosage as per the book. A collagen protocol, as per the book, is also very important to help protect and maintain the collagen in your joints. For constipation, please try vitamin C, effervescent powder. Take one tbl to begin with, it takes 3-4 hours to clear the bowel, if it does not, up the dose until it does work. it is very benign, no cramping or pain from its use. Please try ashwagandha, ½ tsp of powder in water, 2x daily, am and pm, for helping regenerate the nervous system and help with the nervous symptoms. You might also try hawthorn capsules 500 -900 mg 3x daily to help circulation and promote the healing in the other systems. We would recommend the use of the muscle toner blend from woodlandessence.com
Stephen
I am in a similar condition – Did this work for you?
People need help. I am now bedridden due to my legs. I tried everywhere to get help.
Where do we turn? We cannot wait months for help. I called everyone on the list in CA. Dead ends.
Becky-I really feel that the reservatrol, CSA, collagen support and muscle toner tincture did wonders for me. I know everyone is different, but try the supplements!
Korlat2
I tried burners protocol for Lyme/ coinfection’s but I declined I soon as I started using tinctures and antibiotics herbs, Sida, Coreceps, fruit herbs…I believe it is because I have systemic candida throughout my body. I’m having to treat it with Results RNA silver but I need to know how to help my muscles I am using pine pollen, lions mane powders. Symptoms are veins Surat in in my feet, the arch of my foot, the soul of my foot, my shin and my hip muscle burning and painful.
Please any help is so greatly appreciated I don’t want to die in this!
Anybody please
Buhner has stated before he recommends fasting for Candida. There is also a tincture combination he recommends: desert willow and chapparo amargosa – equal parts of the tinctures blended together. 1/2 tsp 3x daily for 30 days or so. These are natural and should be safe to take
Can anyone recommend Candida safe ingredients/herbs besides what I posted above for muscle waisting? It has become so hard to lay in bed at night because my muscle hurt all the way up to my thighs. Can walk. So affraid this will get worse
This and the Neuropathy are my worst symptoms.
Greatly appreciated
Dear Stephen.
I was doing great and then in past two past after a strep LDI was given to me I developed neuropathy all over my body, twithcing, tingling and tinnitus in my ears. I also have some burning in my legs. I do have a little mercury toxicity and wondered if it was from that..I am down and need some advice. I was diagnosed in 2013 and was doing well. Please help
Please remember to replace the simple things that are depleted. Take plenty of magnesium citrate in the evenings, dissolving in water and sip over time if it’s acting too much like a laxative.
Becky-I have seen Steven recommend a tincture for muscle weakness elsewhere on this site—the woodland essence ‘Muscle Tone Blend’ found here: http://www.woodlandessence.com/herbal.htm
I sympathize with everyone on this page. Neuro-symptoms can come on very strong sometimes and can create hopelessness and terrible pain & fear (I’ve had that). Some comments to everyone – Stephen B keeps this forum open (thank God) but has moved on to other work (so I’ve Googled)and no longer answers here. For my own journey, I’ve realized that diet plays a gigantic role in recovery. These illnesses consume loads of nutrients, so eat well. I found that replacing all grain-based foods (and potatoes and sugar) with beans and yams helped enormously. I prefer vegetarian but these days take a small amount of fish and fowl (wild, or grass-fed) simply due to the muscle wasting. Healthy fat is critical too – avocados are your friend. Finally, I see Darryl Hall has recovered from Lyme and recommends Dr Joe Burrascano (see also Nicola McFadzean). These are people who feel it isn’t always possible to tackle Lyme through entirely natural means – some people need all the tools in the box. Also check online Self-Hacked and also Bullet-Proof websites for pioneers in health-styles. Also look into Susan Blum (book), Terry Wahls (book), and Richard Horowitz (books). Good luck to everyone – it’s amazing how a long list of small positive changes can push back against this illness. Cheers – NA Smith
Becky,
I really think you need to find a Lyme literate doctor to help you through this. Treating by yourself when you are that sick is not a good idea because Lyme and chronic illness is very complex. It is important to work with someone who has extensive knowledge of Lyme and coinfections.
Also, please know that it is extremely common to feel worse after starting any new herbal with Lyme disease; this is known as a herxheimer reaction. It is very normal and almost everyone who has Lyme disease and/or a coinfection experiences this when adding an antibiotic or herbal. It is not a bad thing. Best thing to do is just to lower dosage or push through it. It is also known as the “healing crisis”.
So, the reason you feel worse after starting herbs or antibiotics could be that you are experiencing a herxheimer reaction and not necessarily Candida (although you could have Candida, too- it is best to get tested instead of just assuming incase it is something else that needs urgent attention to avoid permanent damage or death).
Again, please please find yourself a Lyme literate doctor to help you.
I wish you all the best.
I have had Chronic Fatigue Syndrome for 10 years. I tested positive for a Lyme coinfection giving me an 80% chance of also having LYME. The only doctors that helped me improve were at the Holtorf clinic. First I commuted to Torrance CA then they opened a place in Foster City Ca. They have helped with neuro symptoms by using a visual acuity test online for neurotoxins. I scored a big yes and took Questran powder for 6 months. It is cheap but is constipating so I also took Super Aloe 450. Paresthesia improved right away.
Hi Becky
How are you now?