Iceman Autopsy - Otzi reveals Borrelia was around 5000+ years ago in Europe.

Otzi, the famous Neolithic mummy lay for 5,300 years in icy conditions which preserved his body after he suffered a fatal attack that had left the Iceman dead, high upon a mountain.

Austrian authorities first recovered the mummy in 1991. Over the years, many invasive explorations of the mummy were conducted, including x-ray and CT scan imaging studies and an analysis of the mummy's mitochondrial DNA.

In 2001, a radiologist named Paul Gostner noticed a detail that had been overlooked in the images. An arrowhead was found to be buried in the Iceman's left shoulder, indicating that he had been shot from behind.

It is hypothesized, that if he had not been shot, Otzi would probably would have died of a heart attack or stroke in ten years.

"Perhaps most surprising, researchers found the genetic footprint of bacteria known as Borrelia burgdorferi in his DNA—making the Iceman the earliest known human infected by the bug that causes Lyme disease."


http://ngm.nationalgeographic.com/2011/11/iceman-autopsy/hall-text

Borrelia theileri : A Review

Live spirochetes were first found in the blood of cattle in South Africa by Sir Arnold Theiler in 1902. Since its original description in South Africa, B. theileri has been found in southern Russia, Bulgaria, Australia, Texas, Mexico and South America.

two other species of Borrelia infect cattle: Borrelia burgdorferi and Borrelia coriaceae.


http://www.lyme.org/journal/journal/vol5f-w98/v5nw-review.pdf

Finally a Research Article that admits that Chronic Lyme Disease DOES exist and needs to be addressed by the medical fraternity so that we can find solutions...

Daniel J Cameron      Proof that Chronic Lyme Disease Exists...

Autism : FACTS you need to know...

Do Tick-Borne Infections Like Bartonella, Ehrlichia, Babesia and Lyme Contribute to Autism, Aspergers and Pervasive Developemental Disorders?

CLICK ABOVE TITLE FOR LINK:

The Lyme-Autism Connection :  by Tami Duncan and Bryan Rosner

Please don't ignore it...  It your child is diagnosed as autistic, if not for yourself, then for your child's sake and future, please get your child tested for Lyme disease by a Lyme Literate Medical Doctor (LLMD).  This part is very important as any doctor not familiar with Lyme disease can give you a 'false negative'.

"To many parents, the discussion about whether Lyme disease and autism are connected is a moot point. It is really just semantics. The fact is that many children with autism have an active Lyme infection. Debate about whether Lyme causes autism, Lyme contributes to autism, or Lyme comes about after autism does nothing to help the many autistic kids who are testing positive for Lyme disease daily. If kids are infected, then they need to be treated. It is that simple."

"Unfortunately, the Lyme disease diagnosis is often missed in autistic children. Many of these children are diagnosed only after the mother is first diagnosed. The message, then, is clear: if you are the mother of an autistic child, get yourself tested for Lyme disease, and if you have it, the probability that your child also has it is much higher. My story, excerpted below from The Lyme-Autism Connection, co-authored with Bryan Rosner, will help drive this point home."


CLICK THE LINK ABOVE FOR THE FULL STORY:


*~~~~~~~~*~~~~~~~~~~*~~~~~~~~~~~*~~~~~~~~~~~*

LIA STANDS FOR  -  LYME INDUCED AUTISM:

"This organization was started because parents with Lyme disease were finding that their children with autism were also testing positive for Lyme disease and experiencing symptoms of Lyme disease and associated co-infections.

The LIA Foundation has become much more than another "autism" organization or another "Lyme disease" organization.  In fact, we fit in neither of these categories very well.  We believe that good basic information is available from other organizations, but we try to take it to the next level, opening our minds to all potential healing methods.  We refer to this as an "Eclectic Healing Approach".  

http://www.lymeinducedautism.com/whatislia.html

Antibodies linked to long-term Lyme symptoms

Why is it that some people respond better to treatment for Lyme disease than others.  Is it possible they may have had a second infection they were not aware of... ? According to this study, certain patients diagnosed with post-Lyme disease syndrome have antibodies that suggest they carried the infection for an unusually long time. References :  Chandra A. et al. Clin. Immunol. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.clim.2011.06.005 (2011).

L-Form Bacteria : What you should know !!

(click link above for more detailed info).

Did you know that these bacteria are able to change shape (mutate) at will, basically? They can change shape and size over their lifetime. One of the phases of mutation is called L-Form or cell wall deficient bacteria.  Not much is known about L-Form bacteria despite 100 years of research.  However they are partly responsible for chronic illness.

"Some of the species of L-form bacteria that have been implicated in chronic disease include Bacillus anthracis, Treponema pallidum, Mycobacterium tuberculosis, Helicobacter pylori, Rickettsia prowazekii, and Borrelia burgdorgeri. Not all species cause disease."

They are about 0.01 micron and cannot be seen with  normal optical microscope.  Cell wall deficient bacteria often cannot be killed by many of the commonly used antibiotics.

L-Form bacteria cause inflammation.  They are able to activate proteins that increase the activity of Nuclear Factor Kappa B.  This inturn turns on a variety of genes that cause the release of inflammatory cytokines, proteins that generate pain and fatigue. In this way, an inflammatory response is linked with diseases caused by L-form bacteria.

"An inflammatory immune response - is one of the body’s primary means to protect against infection - defines multiple established infectious causes of chronic diseases, including some cancers."

David Relman, MD

Inflammation drives many chronic conditions that are still classified as (noninfectious) autoimmune or immune-mediated.  For example... systemic lupus erythematosus, rheumatoid arthritis, Crohn's disease).  Both play critical roles in the cause, development, and effects of these inflammatory syndromes.

Therefore, inflammation is a clear potential link between infectious agents and chronic diseases.

"People are exposed to L-form bacteria in many places. Because they cannot be killed by pasteurization or chlorination, L-form bacteria can be found in milk, food, and water. They can be transmitted via sperm, intimate contact, and can be passed from mother to child during childbirth. Since they are too small to be filtered during the purification processes used in pharmaceutical manufacturing procedures, they can be transmitted through injectable medicines. They have even been cultured from dry soil."

Is there a reason that certain people develop Lyme disease...?

Laura Bruno's Blog :  I found this thought provoking article and want to share it.
(Click title for full article)

"I will share some of those things in this article. As I explain in the book and in other articles, Lyme Disease tends to affect people who have big things to offer the world."


"Lyme seems to show up like a roto-rooter, forcing people to dig deep and remove ALL blocks to creativity and healing."

Why is Borrelia so hard to kill ?

This is a very informative video put together by Connie Strasheim.  I finally understand what Biofilms are now. :-)

The Complexities of Lyme Disease: A Microbiology Tutorial by Thomas M. Grier M.Sc.

"Why is Lyme disease such a mystery?

Why does it mimic so many other disease?

Why is it so difficult to detect?

The reasons come from the microbiology of the bacteria that causes Lyme Disease."

"The division time of Borrelia burgdorferi is very long. Most other pathogens such as Streptococcus, or Staphylococcus, only take 20 minutes to double, the doubling time of Borrelia burgdorferi is usually estimated to be 12-24 hours. Since most antibiotics are cell wall agent inhibitors, they can only kill bacteria when the bacteria begins to divide and form new cell wall.(35,59-62)

This means: Since most antibiotics can only kill bacteria when they are dividing, a slow doubling time means less lethal exposure to antibiotics. Most bacteria are killed in 10-14 days of antibiotic. To get the same amount of lethal exposure during new cell wall formation of a Lyme spirochete, the antibiotic would have to be present 24 hours a day for 1 year and six months! Note: Antibiotics kill bacteria by binding to the bacteria's ribosomes, and interrupting the formation of cell wall proteins"

Borrelia burgdorferi can be passed from human to human... !

It has always been believed that the disease could not be transmitted directly from one person to another however live spirochetes have now been found in blood, urine, tears, semen, breast milk, cord blood, and vaginal secretions.

Many doctors who specialize in treating this disease are convinced now that Bb can be passed from one infected person to another by sexual contact or through the placenta from mother to baby in utero.  Even by a mother breastfeeding her baby.

In 2009 it was reported that the then existing 1.8 million cases of Bb cited by the U.S. Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDCP) in Atlanta, Georgia had been under-reported by at least ten times. 

In the US as at 2011 according to this projection, in actuality over 18 million Lyme disease patients now exist. That is an extraordinary amount of people ill with just Lyme disease (Bb / Neuroborreliosis)

Testing for Lyme can be helpful but is not always reliable. The attending doctor needs to be proficient in reading the reports accurately or 'flase negatives' can happen.  

Lyme is primarily a clinical diagnosis based on history and symptoms.

Why are we experiencing an Epidemic of Lyme disease around the world... ?

Could it be that Lyme disease can be passed from person to person, or from blood transfusions where the bacteria Borrelia burgdorferi is immune to the 'cleanin process' donated blood undergoes...  See the link above for some interesting comment.

Follow a good anti-inflammatory 'Lyme Diet'...

Anti-inflammatory diet for Lyme
08/17/09 12:26 Filed in: Lyme Disease Diet
I've been under the impression that medical practitioners, such as GP doctors and nutritionists, were familiar with the notion that inflammation is at the core of many diseases. However, it looks like the study of inflammation, and what to do about it, is newer than I thought. According to an Aug 17, 2009 article in the LA Times, Battling inflammation, disease through food, by Shara Yurkiewicz, medical practitioners are just beginning to put two and two together when it comes to inflammation and chronic disease.


In case this link does not work - here is the script.
http://www.lyme-disease-research-database.com/lyme_disease_blog_files/lyme-diet-5.html


© 2013 LDRD

"[Chronic inflammation] is an emerging field," says Dr. David Heber, a UCLA professor of medicine and director of the university's Center for Human Nutrition. "It's a new concept for medicine."

The article continues: "The theory goes that long after the invading bacteria or viruses from some infection [such as Lyme bacteria] are gone, the body's defenses remain active. The activated immune cells and hormones then turn on the body itself, damaging tissues. The process continues indefinitely, occurring at low enough levels that a person doesn't feel pain or realize anything is wrong. Years later, proponents say, the damage contributes to illnesses such as heart disease, neurological disorders like Alzheimer's disease or cancer." LA Times article, 8/16/09

When you get a splinter, or a mosquito bite, or suffer an injury such as a broken bone, your body's immune system instantly responds to the pain and offense by sending more blood to the wounded area. The tissue swells and reddens while the healing work gets underway. While it's fairly easy to see a mosquito bite or detect a broken bone, chronic silent inflammation inside the body, which is what Lyme disease may cause, may go unnoticed for years because, as the article states, it occurs at a low level and doesn't hurt. The immune system doesn't switch off.

What can be done? Although more studies are necessary to determine the results scientifically, many people (including me) believe that their eating habits affect their health and can even help bring down chronic inflammation. Choosing foods rich in antioxidants is probably smart, and may even help you feel better while healing from Lyme infection. Antioxidants may slow down or inhibit the tissue damage caused by free radicals at the sites of inflammation.

The Mediterranean diet, for example, is high in antioxidants, including dark green leafy veggies, whole grains such as steel cut oats, nuts, oily fish such as salmon, and bright-colored fruits such as blueberries, pomegranates, dark cherries and raspberries.

Following an anti-inflammatory diet also means eliminating, or at least reducing food that can cause inflammation. Such foods include those with saturated fats, trans fats, corn and soybean oil, refined carbohydrates such as white sugars, red meat and dairy.

© 2013 LDRD


Lyme Disease Diet
http://www.lyme-disease-research-database.com/lyme_disease_blog_files/category-lyme-disease-diet.html


More good reasons to go gluten free:
http://www.lyme-disease-research-database.com/lyme_disease_blog_files/gluten-free-lyme-disease.html

One South African Lyme story...

Here is a link to my story of infection with Lyme disease and it co-infections in South Africa from 1985.

https://rickettsiasa.blogspot.com/b/post-preview?token=hvqnpkMBAAA.BeV8Wa74FkW86MaZO-U77A.wLLceZw4jUKoiIbBFIBFuQ&postId=911499039907528874&type=POST

Lyme disease is Not a Walk in the Park...!!

You may have Lyme disease and not even know it... or, like me,  in 1996 when I told my family doctor I was 100% sure I had Lyme disease, he said "IMPOSSIBLE - you can only get that in the US !! "  -   like I was some kind of  idiot and in any case what would I, a MERE lay(wo)man, know about Lyme disease.... Turns out 16 years later, a hell of a lot more than HE did, then or even today  !!

If you find that you have Lyme, do yourself a favor and find yourself a Lyme literate medical doctor as SOON AS POSSIBLE !!  Don't waste any more time than is necessary.  Email: medicalinfo@turnthecorner.org

What you can expect to happen after you have been bitten by a tick

Let it be said, that treatment with tetracycline is VERY important if you don't want to land up feeling like a bus has run you over in a few years time...  antibiotic therapy is most important, and can be life saving. 

Tick bite fever is a bacterial infection (rickettsia) transmitted by ticks. The symptoms of tick bite fever can vary considerably in severity and should be treated with antibiotics such as doxycycline.  This condition occurs in many areas of the world and is often known by a variety of names.  Where there is rickettsia, more often than not, lurks Lyme disease (borrelia burgdorferi).

A course of 3 weeks of Doxycycline can stem the development of Lyme disease and it's co-infections, but there is no guarantee.  This tiny little creature, sometimes the size of a poppy seed, is deadly.

Without proper treatment, you may experience joint pain and stiffness of th body if your disease progresses as well as neurological symptoms. A great number of people who develop Lyme disease experience joint pain and usually one or two joints are affected at a time,.  The knee is the the most common joint, followed by the shoulder, ankle, elbow, and hip.  Initially, joint discomfort may come and go but after months of infection, more typical symptoms of arthritis occur, with swelling, redness, and pain in the affected joint that may last for months if not years.

Some patients have no symptoms, despite evidence in the spinal fluid of the bacteria that cause Lyme disease. Others develop typical symptoms of meningitis, which include headache, stiff neck, and light avoidance. Nerve inflammation can manifest as facial muscle paralysis, often with just one side affected, causing a distorted appearance and drooling, or as pain or paralysis in the arms or legs. Seizures, eye inflammation, emotional changes, depression, and poor memory and concentration can also develop. Children tend to develop irregular, jerky movements of the arms, legs, or face. Some say that Neurological symptoms usually resolve within a few months, but mine have persisted for 11 years.  They started about 5 years after my last bout of tick bite fever.

Heart symptoms can occur in up to 10% of patients with untreated Lyme disease. and can show up as abnormal rhythms, which may be noticeable as palpitations, or as confusion, fatigue, dizziness and/or fainting. Sometimes patients are not aware of symptoms.  I thought my symptoms were related to my age, until I received a true diagnosis after blood tests.

Neurological changes can also happen, with memory and concentration problems, inability to sleep, chronic fatigue, and even personality changes. Specific nerve disorders may also persist, causing partial paralysis in affected muscles. i.e. Bell's Palsy and Parkinson's disease.

Sometimes musculoskeletal problems become chronic even after correct Lyme disease treatment has appeared to have been successful.   Lyme disease has symptoms similar to those of chronic fatigue syndrome, including chronic pain, headache, fatigue, joint stiffness, and sleep disturbances. All are difficult to diagnose with certainty. Fibromyalgia, which can occur after Lyme disease, is also characterized by similar symptoms.

My advice.  Don't mess about with any tick bite.  Seek a doctor who is WELL VERSED in the treatment of Rickettsia and Lyme to ensure you don't relapse.  After 16 years of mis-diagnosis, I ended up having to stop work at age 57 due to my ill health caused by rickettsia, Lyme disease and Q Fever, all of which I pick up in South Africa in my own garden in Johannesburg, despite the fact that the Department of Health deny this is possible !!

Will Family and Friends ever understand... ?

I continually get frustrated as family just do not get what Lyme is all about, despite seeing me live with it for about 25 years.  Now matter how much you try to explain to others what is is like living with Lyme, unless they themselves have Lyme, they just won't get it.

If you are lucky, they may grasp certain aspects of your suffering, but don't waste your energy trying to justify why you can't work or why even a trip to the shops for groceries can feel like a major expedition for you.  You can talk yourself blue in the face trying to explain why you should eat organic at every meal, why loud places, loud noises and music can drive you demented.  Why even perfume no longer smells as good as it  did year before your illness...

The problem is, people with Lyme generally look so well and healthy that it is difficult for others to comprehend they are not well.  Maybe even trying to pull the wool over everyone's eyes...

Even telling your family and friends that Lyme disease is the reason for your memory loss, they will still wonder why you forget to turn off the tap, put the frozen food back in the fridge instead of the microwave to defrost or even why you leave the stove on.  They will tell you to pull yourself towards yourself and won't understand your bouts of anxiety and/or depression.

Multiple Sclerosis... or could it be Lyme disease ?

Doctors still do not have answers to the question of what causes multiple sclerosis.  

However, there is interesting data that suggest that genetics, a person's environment, and possibly even a virus may play a role.  

Did you know that many people who are diagnosed with MS also test positive for Lyme disease.

This was my experience.  I was diagnosed in 2000 with possible MS and it was only in February 2010 that I tested positive to Lyme disease (Borrelia burgdorferi).

and the beat goes on......

"I personally met the CDC criteria for reporting with 8 positive bands on my IgG Western Blot, yet my case was not reported in Ohio. When I called the CDC to tell them my case wasn't reported, they told me that if I wasn't happy with my doctor, to get a new doctor. 


They had no concern whatsoever that my case wasn't reported."

More disturbing news on Lyme...

Here is a link to an article recently written in the Chicago Tribune - from Blog Let There Bee Light !!

Lyme Disease Research Database

The above link will take you to a wonderful database for Lyme related information:

New Lyme test for neuro symptons

12/03/10 16:24 Filed in: Lyme Disease Symptoms|Lyme Disease Tests

Like you, I've devoted a lot of my time and energy to figuring out how on earth to get better. "Be well" is my mantra, and I'm sure I'm not alone here. So when someone points me in the direction of research that's being done in the name of Lyme testing, I'm all ears. Here is something you might be interested in hearing more about as well: a new test for Lyme disease.

As we know, many people sick with a Lyme infection are routinely dismissed by medical doctors who aren't trained in diagnosing or treating Lyme as "crazy," or at best, "exaggerating." This type of reductive response from medical professionals can really sting. Nothing like being kicked while you're down, and from the very people you have turned to for help. I know how it hurts, and I've experienced firsthand the fearsome mental disorientation that this disease can cause.

I remember hearing my (deceased) father clearly saying my name. I jerked my head in the direction of his voice, fully expecting to see him standing next to me.  I remember hearing the phone ringing, ringing, ringing, and each time I picked up, a little girl on the other end pleading to talk with someone whose name I did not know, someone who she swore lived there. I recall sitting in a chair all day for one entire day, afraid to move, practically afraid to breathe, for fear that movement would make the utter despair I felt inside even worse. It felt like standing, during an earthquake, on the brink of insanity, where even one small tremor would send me tumbling into the chasm below.

But I wasn't crazy. I had Lyme. I had an infection that was affecting my brain, and that's all. And I have gotten better. I continue to heal, and of course that is also my deepest desire for you. So what about this new test?

Evidently, there are neurological manifestations that have non-neurological root causes.  It is important that doctors understand this when dealing with patients who present with neurological difficulties and challenges.  The new Lyme test is capable of assessing whether someone has had "an immune response to the Lyme disease bacterium Borrelia burgdorferi and whether the infection is currently active."

The test has been developed by Pharmasan Labs, Inc. in collaboration with NeuroScience, Inc.

From their website:

NeuroScience, Inc., by virtue of its name, has its foundations built on understanding the nervous system. Our understanding of the nervous system has led us to a point where, from a biochemical point of view, we must further consider the role hormones, cytokines, and neurotransmitters play, not as the messengers of individual systems, but rather as parts of a much larger picture. Our goal is to embrace a more global perspective on health that incorporates facets of neurology, immunology, and endocrinology. This newly emerging field has been defined as “neuroimmunology” and it forces us to rethink our approach to health and disease. Our adoption of the principles of neuroimmunology have resulted in an expanded menu of laboratory services that now include a wide spectrum of neurological, endocrinological, and immunological markers.

There are a lot of big words in that paragraph. Don't let them put you off. I think this test, this lab, may be onto something very important here. I'm looking forward to talking with their scientists very soon. Stay tuned for an interview, and meantime read up about their new Lyme test (and how you might use it), on their website.

Be well.
Think positively.
We can get better.

Comments

Managing chronic Lyme symptoms

11/12/10 17:41 Filed in: Chronic Lyme Disease|Lyme Disease Symptoms|Lyme Disease Treatment

If you have chronic Lyme, or post-Lyme symptoms, like I do, it's up to you to raise your awareness and change your behavior if you need to. You can't depend on your doctor to tell you to start an exercise program, give up sugar, stop drinking pop, and never touch a glass a wine. You have to make those decisions yourself. Okay, some doctors may counsel you to exercise, but speaking generally, they won't bother. It's not their job. It is their job to find the pathology and fix it, not to counsel you in preventing chronic illness.

Most chronic disease (perhaps including chronic Lyme) is a result of long-term behaviors, including diet, exercise, and other lifestyle factors. This should come as no surprise. Habits may be hard to break, but if getting healthy is our goal, we do ourselves a disservice when we don't recognize the problems caused by our own repeated behavior. Complementary and Alternative medical practitioners, such as nutritionists, acupuncturists and nurse practitioners are generally aware of this. Many perhaps most, Western doctors are not.

My own experience has taught me this. Eating sugary food or drinking alcohol is one example. I've been living with so-called chronic Lyme for 6 years now. When I make the choice to eat those cookies, knock back that beer, stress out from overworking, or skip the gym for days on end, my body reacts. I can ignore the obvious cause and effect. I can attribute the flare-ups and Lyme-brain to the capricious Borrelia infection, or I can take responsibility for giving the infection an advantage. I can choose to recognize my own culpability, and next time the cookies are passed around or my friend wants to pour me a glass of wine, I can simply say no thanks. What may have begun with a Borrelia infection from a tick bite can be exacerbated by habitual behaviors that continue unchecked for years or even many decades. Nothing about chronic Lyme is simple. There is even controversy over calling it 'chronic Lyme.' But one thing seems clear. Medicine alone cannot cure a person suffering with long-term Lyme symptoms. We need to approach healing from multiple levels.

Success stories are published here for many reasons. We need the inspiration, the 'atta girl/boy' pat on the back, for one thing. For another, we want a recipe. 'How did that person do it? What protocol did she or he follow? If they can do it, maybe there is hope for me.'

Managing chronic Lyme disease is dicey, no question about it. But there are many ways to prevent the problems we know are lurking, by making intelligent choices and stopping behavior known to increase the problems. One way to begin raising your awareness around habits that may be hurting you is to see what the Lyme experts say about it. If you think for one minute that drinking alcohol is okay when you have a Lyme infection, just check out what Dr. Burrascano has to say about it.

Dr. Burrascano's bullet list for chronic Lyme:

CHRONIC LYME- Treatment Issues
• In chronic Lyme Disease, active infection may persist despite prior antibiotic therapy
• Relapses do occur and retreatment is often needed
• Repeated or prolonged antibiotic therapy usually is necessary
• High doses of antibiotics are needed, and blood levels should be confirmed wherever possible
• Antibiotic combinations usually are necessary
• Check for co-infections and immune status, and treat appropriately
• May need to rotate through different regimens based on response
• If the CD-57 count is not normal at the end of treatment, then continued illness or a relapse is likely
• May not cure the infection, and may need repeated or open-ended maintenance therapy
• Signs of persistence of infection:
– continued fevers, synovitis
– four week cycles, migrating symptoms
– PCR positivity and low CD-57 counts
• As symptoms wind down, I DO NOT cut the dose, for resistance may develop
• Aggressive supportive therapy is required- and search for any other possible cause of a weakened host:
– Toxin exposure, heavy metal poisoning, malnutrition, endocrine dysfunction, other illnesses, severe or ongoing stress
• Progressively increase exercise program as the symptoms of Lyme decrease
– Exercise is vital and required, or a full recovery will not occur
– Not exercising will increase risk of a relapse
* This post was modified by the editor on 11.24.10.

Comments (4)

Have Lyme? Have patience.

11/07/10 09:32 Filed in: Chronic Lyme Disease|Lyme Disease Treatment

Treating for post-Lyme or chronic Lyme infection may be highly controversial in the medical industry, but down here in real life it seems quite clear-cut: You have Lyme. You go to a doctor who treats your Lyme infection. You get better. After a time, you stop taking the antibiotics. You go back to work, to caring for your kids, to everyday life. You may or may not change your diet, your lifestyle, your stress levels. And then sometimes, not always, but sometimes years after the fact, the Lyme infection returns. Is further treatment necessary? Sometimes yes, sometimes no. Sometimes the flare-ups continue and increase in intensity, driving you back to the doctor. Chronic or not, the label is not the essential thing. Treating the flare-up, or the return of the symptoms, is.

My mother raised five rambunctious kids. She tells me she often prayed for guidance. Her favorite prayer was: God, grant me patience, and give it to me RIGHT NOW! Patience is certainly a virtue in healing chronic or post-Lyme disease. But cognitively knowing it and embodying patience in everyday life are two different things.

Here in the mountains of NC, we've just received our first snow. Although I welcome the changing seasons, I find myself getting a tad anxious about the coming winter. It's hard to be patient when you have no control. And of course, who has control over the weather? Last winter was no picnic for people with Lyme. The cold weather poses many more challenges to people who struggle to keep their body temperature at an even keel. Plus, skin conditions that are common with Lyme and co-infections are exacerbated by winter weather, little sun exposure, and snug clothing.

Seeking personal inspiration and practical advice about treating Lyme, I looked back through our posts and conversations with healthy post-Lyme survivors. How do these people remain strong? Are they just made of different stuff? Do they worry, like I do, about tiny signs of Lyme's return, a sore that won't go away, a persistent itchiness. The occasional Lymie surge of dizziness that fades almost as quickly as it comes on.

Then I found Darryl Crews' advice about treating Lyme disease, which I want to share with you. I so appreciate his level-headed approach to treatment. Also, not surprised to see 'patience' right there at the top of the list:

1.  PATIENCE, DETERMINATION, WILL POWER, DEDICATION, DISCIPLINE: Your chances of recovery are good if you happen to possess these qualities.

2.  MEDICATION: Treat all known infections thoroughly with specific antibiotics. Treat aggressively until infection load is reduced to a point where the immune system can take over. Consider IV if you have neuro symptoms or fail to respond to orals. Learn to embrace herxes and avoid under treating at all costs.

3.  DETOX: Address die-off daily to decrease toxins and reduce herx intensity. Consider using supps/herbs, sauna, Epsom salt baths, coffee enema, colonics, etc.

4.  SLEEP: There's no such thing as too much. Quality deep sleep is a vital part of healing. Lyme causes fractured sleep. Auto CPAP is my all-natural sleep-aid of choice.

5.  SUPPLEMENTS/HERBS: Daily support is required to assist the body with balancing nutrients, detoxifying and boosting your immune system.

6.  EXERCISE: Thick blood harbors infections and toxins. Daily exercise will keep the blood flowing. Keep it basic for 10-15 mins twice a day (calisthenics, walk, cycling, swim, stair climbs or yoga.)


I especially like #4. My treatment routine includes meditation and deep breathing at night and again in the morning. Sleep is indeed essential, and these little habits help create the space for a good night's sleep.

I've come to accept that my approach to treating Lyme is unique, and if it's working, it's the right thing to do. But those dark clouds outside the window, that nippy breeze lifting leaves off the trees. What Lyme treatment approach can fend off cold weather? I'm still treating with teasel tincture and hoping it will help keep my body warm, as it has been doing for several months now. And come to think of it, it's lunchtime. A nice pot of carrot-ginger soup sounds perfect. Ginger is a warming food.

What is your attitude about winter? How do you stay warm enough and protect your skin? Lyme treatment, especially treating for chronic Lyme disease, is different for for everyone, but there is so much we can learn from each other.