Life After Lyme Disease

Homeopathy Supplements

Homeopathy can be used to treat a wide range of chronic conditions.  This holistic treatment has been shown to have positive effects on widespread infections including Lyme disease.

The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) has warned that Lyme disease is the fastest growing vector-borne disease in North America.  The majority of Lyme disease cases are located in just 12 high risk areas which include Connecticut, New York, Pennsylvania and Maine.  The only state that has not seen any reports of Lyme disease in North America is Montana.

Homeopathic Diagnosis

Homeopathic practitioners endeavor to create a full picture of a patient’s health.  This will encompass diet, lifestyle and general feelings of well being.  Both conventional and holistic healthcare advisors face a number of difficulties when diagnosing Lyme disease.  The symptoms can be vague and in many cases patients do not realize they may have been exposed to the ticks that carry the Lyme infection.  There are also no reliable scientific testing procedures in place for confirming Lyme disease. This can lead to many cases of incorrect diagnosis, both in terms of over and under diagnosis of Lyme disease.

The main benefit of the homeopathic treatment process is that it does not rely on the confirming the presence of Lyme disease absolutely.  Instead this method presents an initial diagnosis and then records how the condition has manifested in the individual patient.   By charting the history of illness the homeopathic practitioner can understand how the disease is affecting the body and how to tackle the symptoms appropriately.  Conventional medicine recommends only one treatment scheme (a short term course of antibiotics) to treat all Lyme patient sufferers, regardless of symptoms.  Homeopathic treatments however are highly personalized and can show some positive effects within just a few days.

Treatment

Unlike the conventional medical community Homeopathic practitioners remain united over the treatment of Lyme disease.  This unified front shows an inspiring faith in the healing system which cannot fail to impress patients. Once the individual manifestation of the condition has been identified then the practitioner will rely on accepted treatment methods to manage symptoms and work towards a cure.  Many of these treatments will work to support and boost the immune system and strengthen the patients own natural defenses against the Lyme infection.  Conventional medical experts are also beginning to see the benefits of assisting the immune system to fight widespread infections naturally.  Each homeopathic treatment will be slightly different but typically treatments used to combat this condition including Sepia, Sulphur, Tellurium, Syphilynum, Ledum, Carcinocin, Arnica, Rhus Tx, Arsenicum, Apis, Hypericum, Ruta and Silica.  There are also a wide number of other homeopathic treatments that can be used with success against Lyme disease.

Hypericum can be used to treat Lyme Disease

As well as homeopathic supplement treatments homeopathic practitioners can recommend a number of other treatments to work on overall health and well being.  These can include herbal supplements, diet, heat therapies (raising the body temperature to inhibit bacterial growth) and stress reduction techniques.

Homeopathic treatments work on overall health and well being.  They tackle not just the condition itself but also any weaknesses in the body’s system that could be contributing to ill health.  Many Lyme disease patients have responded well to homeopathic treatments and this could be worth investigating if you are not happy with conventional treatments.

Lyme disease is a complex bacterial infection which can spread throughout the body causing a number of different symptoms. It is transmitted by the bite of blacklegged ticks and is prevalent throughout Europe and parts of America.  The Borrelia bacteria which cause the  infection can trigger inflammation in many different parts of the body including vital systems, organs and tissues.  This is one of the reasons why Lyme disease can be such a debilitating condition with wide ranging symptoms.

Black legged tick

Dealing with widespread infection can be difficult and this is why Lyme disease can be a complex condition to manage.  At the heart of any Lyme disease treatment is the necessity to eradicate the Borrelia bacteria which is causing the infection and inflammation.  The recommended treatment is currently a three to four week course of an oral antibiotic such as doxycycline or amoxicillin (a penicillin based treatment).  Studies have shown that a minimum 10 day regime of one of these antibiotics was enough in most cases to successfully clear up the main infection.  However this is only effective on cases of initial Lyme disease infection.  Once the bacteria has had a chance to spread throughout the system it can be much more difficult to deliver the antibiotics to the infection sites.  Intravenous ceftriaxone may be prescribed if there are any signs of infection or inflammation in major systems such as the central nervous system or brain. 

Treating Inflammation

Even during the successful treatment of Lyme disease inflammation can persist for weeks and in some cases can get much worse before it gets better.  This is why it is important not just to treat the main cause of the infection but also the side effects.  Inflammation resulting from Lyme disease can be painful and can also cause debilitating problems such as Lyme arthritis.  This is when the bacteria invades the joints causing severe inflammation and swelling, particularly in the knees.  There are a number of ways in which you can manage the symptoms of inflammation in cases of Lyme disease.  Many patients suffering from Lyme disease inflammation can respond well to holistic treatments and a change in diet.

Diet

A low-carb, low sugar diet has been shown to be effective at reducing internal inflammation in a wide range of conditions.  This is because the high levels of sugar and starch found in most modern diets can actually promote inflammation as they encourage the growth of bacteria and yeast.  These microbes cause inflammation because they excrete acids and toxins when they feed on complex sugars.  By cutting down on sugar and starch in your diet you can help to ‘starve’ these microbes and reduce the amount of toxins they produce, therefore reducing swelling.

Dietary Supplements

There are several supplements available which have been shown to be effective at reducing inflammation.  These include:

• Methylsulfonylmenthane (MSM) – this supplement needs to be taken in quite high dosages to be effective, but it is one of the safer dietary supplements.  It is well known for reducing inflammation and can be used to treat Lyme disease symptoms.
  

  Cats Claw

• Green Tea – you can take green tea in supplement form or drink it as a herbal tea.  It has been used for hundreds of years to treat internal infections successfully and recent studies have shown it can inhibit the growth of bacteria and yeast in the body, reducing inflammation.
• Salmon Oil – salmon oil is very high in Omega-3 fatty acids.  In particular it contains the fatty acids EPA and DHA, which have been found to reduce inflammation.
• Cats Claw – this supplement has been shown to significantly inhibit bacteria growth and reduce inflammation.
• Vitamin C - this is a common supplement and recent studies have revealed the powerful effects this can have in supporting healing systems in overcoming system wide infections.

If left unchecked the bacteria which causes Lyme disease can spread to the nervous system and cause a number of problems, including some severe conditions such as dysautonomia.  Dysautonomia is a dysfunction that can occur in the automatic nervous system (ANS).  This can have serious implications on the body as it can affect involuntary processes that regulate key functions such as heart rate, breathing, blood pressure and more.

Chronic Lyme disease has been shown to interrupt ANS functions causing dysautonomia and this can lead to a whole host of serious conditions including postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS), mitral valve prolaspe and diabetes.  Dysautonomia also affects the body in a number of minor ways such as causing tiredness, faintness, nausea and memory loss.  Although these symptoms are not life threatening they can have a significant affect on quality of life and may even prevent the sufferer from carrying out normal everyday functions such as working full time or driving.

Snapshot of the Central Nervous System

Treating Dysautonomia

It is important to treat the root cause of dysautonomia, which in the case of Lyme disease sufferers is the widespread infection of the Borrelia burgdorferi bacteria.  This can be done with antibiotics, and it may take from a few weeks to a few months of continuous treatment until the bacteria is eradicated, and in some cases even years if the infection has been left untreated for a long period of time.  It can take a lot longer for the ANS problems to settle down and regain more natural functions, but there are some ways in which you can help to alleviate symptoms:

• Avoid Caffeine – stimulatants such as caffeine can aggravate the symptoms of dysautonomia, so it is best to cut down on coffee, tea and soft drinks  which contain this ingredient.
• Small Meals – dysautonomia can cause problems with bowel regulation so try to avoid eating big meals and sugary or fatty foods that are hard to digest.  Eating more fibre and fresh fruit and vegetables can help to keep the bowels moving.

• Prolonged Activity – standing up or engaging in heavy physical work or exercise for long periods of time can also worsen the symptoms for dysautonomia sufferers.  Make sure you take the regular breaks and follow a moderate to light exercise program.
• Prolonged Inactivity – laying or sitting down for long periods of time can also be a problem for dysautonomia sufferers.  Try and get up and move around regularly if you can, even if it is just to make a drink or do some light household chores.  If you are bedridden due to Lyme disease or another medical condition then you can ease dysautonomia symptoms if you sit slightly propped up as much as possible, and ask your care provider if they can help you move into a chair or onto the sofa for part of the day.
• Relax – stress can aggravate dysautonomia symptoms so if you are under a lot of pressure try and find ways to relax and take time out, whether this is just going for a walk at the end of the day or doing some yoga or meditation.
• Medications – some medications such as over-the-counter cold medications and sleep enhancers can upset bodily rhythms and worsen symptoms of dysautonomia, so try to avoid these whenever possible.

Erythema migrans rash

It is widely recognized that there are three stages of Lyme disease, and a good basic understanding of the symptoms that present in these stages can help you to identity the presence of this condition so that you can seek treatment as soon as possible.   If you have been exposed to ticks by traveling in high risk areas such as woodland edges and grasslands then you should monitor your health for a few weeks following this exposure and note down any symptoms you may experience for your physician.

Early Stages

There are two main stages after the initial Lyme disease infection, and these are known as ‘early localized’ and ‘early disseminated’.  These first two stages present different symptoms such as:

• Early localized – one of the key characteristics of Lyme disease is the skin rash known as Erythema migrans (EM). This occurs in two thirds of patients between 3 to 30 days after the initial infection and manifests as a red mark on the skin (at the site of the tick bite).  This mark gradually expands in a circular fashion, rather like a bull’s eye and can be hot and sore to touch and multiple lesions can form in other areas of the body. Typically EM rashes fade after around four weeks, but this does not mean the infection is gone, but instead that it has moved onto the next stage.
• Early disseminated – once the Lyme bacteria begins to spread through the body (via blood and lymph systems) then other symptoms can begin to manifest. This typically includes a flu-like state, with symptoms such as fatigue, chills, fever, stiff joints, and a general feeling of being unwell, which can last for weeks.  The generic symptoms can be difficult to diagnose when they manifest without the characteristics EM rash, and many patients are incorrectly diagnosed.  At this stage some patients may experiences fibromyalgia, which cause symptoms such as muscle pain and joint stiffness and this can develop into Lyme arthritis if left untreated.  Neurologic abnormalities have been known to develop in around 10-15% of patients during the early disseminated stage of Lyme disease and this can result in conditions such as cranial neuritis (typically Bell’s palsy), and an inflammation of the brain known as meningoencephalitis (which resembles meningitis).

Late Stage

The late stage of Lyme disease occurs when the infection is left to spread throughout the system unchecked.  This stage can begin months or years after the initial infection and one of the most common symptoms is Lyme arthritis, which develops in around 60% of patients.  Lyme arthritis can be a painful and debilitating condition, and although it can be cleared up with antibiotics, long term exposure can lead to permanent damage to the lining of joints, and in particular the knees.  Chronic fatigue can also characterize the late stages of Lyme disease infections, and further neurologic abnormalities can develop including a variety of brain problems which can seriously affect mood, memory and sleep.

Treating Lyme Disease

Oral antibiotics such as doxycycline, amoxicillin and cefuroxime axetil can be effective at treating Lyme disease in the early stages, but once the condition has progressed then intensive intravenous antibiotic treatment may be required to target the widespread bacteria.  Most patients respond well to antibiotic treatment, although some may find that symptoms can persist for months or even years before they are fully recovered.

The recommended treatment for Lyme disease is a short course of antibiotics, and it is widely recognized that the sooner after the initial infection you get this treatment the more effective it will be.  Therefore if you discover you have been bitten by a tick, or you have symptoms follow a trip to a high risk tick area (such as woodlands and grasslands), then you should consult your healthcare advisor as soon as possible.

General Treatment

Oral antibiotics including doxycycline, amoxicillin and cefuroxime axetil are typically prescribed for Lyme disease, and should be taken for two to three weeks to eradicate the infection.  Doxycycline is also effective for a number of other tick-borne diseases as well, but it not used to treat young children or pregnant/breast feeding women as it can cause potential harmful side effects.  In these cases amoxicillin, cefuroxime axetil, or penicillin will be prescribed. Effective treatment with antibiotics can help to prevent any further symptoms such as arthritis and neurological problems, however Lyme disease can be difficult to diagnose so you may have already progressed to the next stages of the condition before you seek treatment.  In these cases different antibiotics will be prescribed to treat specific symptoms.

Oral antibiotics including doxycycline are prescribed for Lyme Disease

Lyme Arthritis

If you are diagnosed with Lyme arthritis then oral antibiotics will be prescribed for mild symptoms, but severe cases may be treated with a more intensive intravenous (through a vein) ceftriaxone or penicillin treatment.  Alongside antibiotics other drugs may be prescribed to ease the discomfort of the Lyme arthritis condition and this can include anti-inflammatory drugs.  In severe cases fluid may also be drawn from the affected joints to ease swelling, or the inflamed lining may be surgically removed.

It can take from a few weeks through to a few months for antibiotics to begin to show beneficial effects for Lyme disease, although in some severe cases it can take years for the condition to be treated successfully, and the patient could be left with some permanent damage to the affected joints.

Neurological Problems

If left untreated the Lyme disease infection can spread to the central nervous system and this can cause neurological problems.  This can be treated with antibiotics such as ceftriaxone, which is typically given intravenously every day for around two to four weeks to tackle the infection quickly before it spreads any further.  This has a good success rate and most people recover completely from neurological related Lyme disease problems.

Heart Problems

Long term exposure to Lyme disease can result in heart problems, and the treatment is similar to that of neurological problems and daily intravenous antibiotics such as ceftriaxone are typically prescribed for two to four weeks.  People normally recover well from Lyme disease heart problems and rarely suffer from any long term damage to the heart.

Once you have received treatment for Lyme disease symptoms you may feel very tired for a few weeks, and suffer from headaches and muscle aches.  You may also experience some neurological problems such as lack of concentration, memory problems and slight speech problems (such as muddling up words).  This should pass after a few weeks, but if the symptoms persist you should seek further advice from your physicians.

Lyme disease can manifest itself with many different symptoms which occur at various stages of the disease. Much also depends on the strain of Borrelia burgdorferi one is infected with and on the patients immune system.

1. Early Localized Lyme Disease
In the early stage of Lyme Disease, which occurs days to weeks of being bitten by an infected tick, one may experience a classic initial rash which looks like a “bull’s-eye”. This initial rash is called “erythema migrans”. When this happens the local skin around the bite develops an expanding red ring. There may also be an outer ring of brighter redness and a central area of clearing.  Patients often can’t recall the tick bite since ticks can be very tiny. Also, they may not have the identifying rash to signal the doctor. Many patients never get a rash at all. It has been reported that about 40% of Lyme patients never got a rash at all. It is very important to note that no evidence or recall of a rash does NOT mean no Lyme Disease to the clinician.

Early Localized Lyme Disease also frequently starts with flu-like symptoms such as headaches, stiff neck, fever, muscle aches, fatigue, muscle and joint stiffness, soreness in the jaw and swollen glands.

The rash (if present) resolves, without treatment, in about a month. Weeks to months after the initial bite from an infected tick, the bacterium and its effects spread throughout the body.

Symptoms of Stage 1 Lyme Disease:

• Rash
• Fever
• Headaches
• Stiff Neck
• Muscle and Joint Aches or Stiffness
• Fatigue
• Soreness in the Jaw
• Swollen Glands

2. Early Disseminated Lyme Disease
Early disseminated Lyme Disease is the second stage of Lyme Disease.  As the Borrelia burgdorferi spreads throughout the body, more and more of your systems can become affected.

At this stage it can affect the central nervous system and cardiac system. Symptoms can come and go and may disappear after days, weeks, or months.

The later phases of Lyme disease can affect the heart, causing inflammation of the heart muscle. This can result in abnormal heart rhythm and heart failure. The nervous system can develop facial muscle paralysis (Bell’s palsy), abnormal sensation due to disease of peripheral nerves (peripheral neuropathy), meningitis, and confusion. Arthritis, or inflammation in the joints, begins with swelling, stiffness, and pain. Usually, only one or a few joints become affected. The arthritis of Lyme disease can look like many other types of inflammatory arthritis and can become chronic.

Symptoms of Stage 2 Lyme Disease:

• Blurred vision
• Fainting
• Fatigue
• General discomfort, uneasiness, or ill feeling (malaise)
• Headache
• Heart palpitations
• Joint inflammation in the knees and other large joints
• Lethargy/Fatigue
• Muscle pains
• Stiff neck
• Abnormal sensitivity to light
• Confusion
• Decreased consciousness
• Drooping eyelids
• Dysfunctional movement
• Facial paralysis (also called Bell’s palsy)
• Hallucinations
• Loss of muscle function and feeling
• Nausea and vomiting
• Numbness and tingling
• Speech impairment

3. Late Stage Lyme Disease
Late stage Lyme Disease is Stage 3 of the disease and can be very debilitating, greatly effecting the quality of one’s life. At this stage the Borrelia burgdorferi infection has spread into deep body tissues with the Lyme Disease possibly becoming chronic and very difficult to eradicate.

Symptoms of Stage 3 Lyme Disease:

• Chronic arthritis
• Joint inflammation in the knees and other large joints
• Memory loss
• Mood disorders
• Sleep disorders
• Abnormal sensitivity to light
• Confusion
• Decreased consciousness
• Numbness and tingling

It is critical to get a propper diagnosis as early as possible in order to stop the bacterium from spreading into the deeper tissues of the body. The further the infection spreads the more dificult it will be to rid oneself of this nasty persistent bug.

It has been about tree weeks since I had started my antibiotic treatment with Doxycycline 100MG twice a day for 30 days and I don’t think it’s working. During these three weeks I do not feel much better. The nausea is a little better but the joints in my fingers are now swollen and painful, almost feels like arthritis. This is making it difficult to work on my computer which is my main source of income.

I will be going back to the Doctor soon and will see what he says.

I Just found out I have Lyme Disease today. I had been feeling very fatigued for about five to six months and over the last two months began feeling other symptoms like joint pain, weakness, brain fog and constant nausea. It got so bad that I became depressed and lost my appetite. It’s really hard to eat when you are constantly feeling like you are going to though up; over the last couple of months I had lost about 20 pounds.

I was really scared and somehow convinced myself that I must be terminally ill and the doctor will tell me I have three months left to live. When I saw the doctor he seemed very concerned and ran many tests including full blood work and an abdominal CAT scan. Two days after the test I was feeling so sick that I could not go to work again. I missed a phone call and when I listened to my messages it was my doctor; he sounded very serious saying that I should call his office as soon as I get this message. I was terrified. I was convinced that was is it. He was going to tell me that the end is near. I worked up my nerve to finally call him and to my surprise he told me that what was making me so sick was Lyme Disease.

My first reaction was a deep breath of relief. Yes Lyme Disease is a very bad thing and had made me very very sick, but I wasn’t going to die. At least this was something I could fight and hopefully beat. My doctor referred me to an infections disease specialist and I immediately made an appointment for the earliest date available Monday the 11th.

I am starting this blog partly as an outlet for my stress due to this disease and partly because there are others out there in the same situation who would like to hear about my experiences and maybe share their own. For we are not alone and together we can all beat this. I will be posting constant updates here and will discuss my treatment and progress. I look forward to hearing from you.