Reply To: Lyme Disease

Supplied by “Yesh Tickva“

LYME DISEASE

It is possible for one tick bite to transmit several strains of Lyme called co-infections, which may account for increased severity of symptoms and/or persistence of illness. Each co-infection often requires its own treatment

TESTING for TICK-BORNE ILLNESS

Lyme disease needs to be diagnosed clinically, using your medical history in conjunction with one or more of the available tests. There are a number of tests for these illnesses, however, they are not sufficiently sensitive to be conclusively diagnostic. Your test may come back negative by CDC standards, yet you may still be positive for Lyme disease. Some of the basic tests are:
1. ELISA (not very reliable)
2. C6Peptide
3. IgG and IgM Western Blots (best done at Stony Brook University Medical Center Laboratory (631) 444-3824/7965 or IgeneX 800-832-3200)
4. PCR (DNA analysis) (best done at IgeneX)
5. CD57 (best done at LabCorp)
6. Co-infection testing e.g. ., Ehrlichiosis, babesiosis, bartonellosis staphlococcus etc..

Two schools of thought, exemplified by the organizations International Lyme & Associated Diseases (ILADS) and the Infectious Disease Society of America (IDSA) have developed with regards to the diagnosis and treatment of Lyme disease. The root of the controversy, put simply, is the lack of the reliable biological markers and diagnostic tests for the disease. In addition, it is also difficult to determine whether a patient has been fully cleared of the disease. Therefore, arguments over diagnosis and treatment approaches will continue.

A patient can test negative and still have Lyme disease.

Many physicians have not received education on chronic Lyme disease in medical school, since Lyme is still being researched.

SYMPTOMS

EARLY STAGES: Symptoms may appear from 48 hours to several weeks after a bite from an infected tick.
• Flu-like symptoms: fatigue, muscle and joint pain, headache, fever, chills, swollen glands, sore throat, stiff neck

LATE STAGE (CHRONIC /SECONDARY LYME): Symptoms may occur weeks, months, or even years after the bite, and the symptoms may come and go cyclically.
• Profound fatigue
• Continued flu-like symptoms with swollen glands, low-grade fever
• Chills, sweats, and skin flushes
• Night sweats
• Migrating arthralgias (swollen or painful joints)
• Muscle pain, weakness, paralysis
• Severe headache, stiff neck, backache
• Distortion of smell or taste
• Sensitivity to lights, sounds, motion, odors, blurred vision or loss of sight
• Cognitive dysfunction, difficulty organizing or making decisions, memory loss, anxiety, sleep disorders, panic attacks, depression, psychiatric disorders
• Irregular heartbeat, palpitations, heart block, chest pain, difficulty breathing

TREATEMENT

Lyme disease is treated with antibiotics, given orally, by injection (intramuscular), or intravenously.

Treatment of an early diagnosis is at least six to eight weeks of antibiotics or until the symptoms completely subside (which can be up to a year).

Treatment for an infected person having undiagnosed Lyme for months or years will need a longer course of antibiotics. In some severe neurological cases, IVIG is used to support the immune system during treatment.

Especially in patients who have had previous treatment or inadequate treatment (inadequate doses or inadequate length of treatment), Lyme can form an L-form or a cyst. The infection then becomes resistant to antibiotic therapy. Specific treatment is often required.

It is vital that the body not see the same antibiotic treatment for too long, as resistance, cysts, and side effects develope. Consider changing dose, timing, and drug regularly to keep the germs responsive to therapy.

Alternative and complimentary custom treatments such as a variety of probiotics, vitamins, mineral, herbs, and homeopathics are essential to support and build the immune system while undergoing heavy antibiotic treatment. Chronic illness is famous for depleting vitamin stores. In chronic cases of patients with absorption problems iv can be used for vitamins and minerals.

A combined approach is the key, treating bacteria and all affected organs at the same time.

Do non aerobics exercise every other day. Get out on fresh air. Make sure to oxegenate your body as bacteria cannot live with oxygen.

Heat packs and a hot bath in baking soda or Epsom salt are known to be helpful for pain relief, as heat kills bacteria. Avoid refined sugar and simple carbohydrates as well as chemicals.

A diet rich in raw or steamed veggies and lean protein, coupled with elimination of nightshade foods are vital to improving overall health.

Newest symptoms tend to leave first as older ones leave last.

Be an educated consumer and find a Lyme literate practitioner that follows ILADS guidelines. Your excellent pediatrician or PCP may not have enough knowledge about late stage Lyme disease .Be careful when looking for an infectious disease doctor as many follow IDSA guidelines.

Yesh Tickva! Hope and Daven, be metzapeh leyeshuas Hashem!

Good luck to your Hishtadlus. Contact Yesh Tickva for any advice and support.