Omg...i Might Be On To Something

[Rachel--24]

What you and Kassandra are describing is what I used to do ... it was like a defense mechanism for me. I was always strong. I don't really think that it's a good thing. I ended up with a lot of emotional baggage to deal with later.

Hmmmm.....I've wondered about this before but it just doesnt seem to "fit" for me. I dont think its a defense mechanism for me....its just part of who I am I guess. I've just always been that way and I dont really carry around emotional baggage or anything. I've always had good coping skills until I got sick.

I've been tested for emotional issue type stuff....unresolved conflict or things like that which can hold me back but they dont find anything like that going on with me. I'm not the type of person who holds anything back...I pretty much let my feelings out. Its just that I dont cry often at all. I have no problems expressing myself though.

To be crying all the time and just not able to "get it together"....it just wasnt me....it didnt feel right at all. It felt like something was seriously wrong....and I guess thats because there really IS something seriously wrong.

[Rachel--24]

So, would I have to have this computer thing?

I've never seen a computer thing used for ART. They use some objects (having to do with light and things that I dont understand) and they set supplements down on some of these objects but there's no computer that I'm aware of.

[CarlaB]

Actually, I don't tend to hold things back either, but when something hurts, I don't deal with the pain, I ignore it like it's not there. The only time I really cry is during a herx, and it's not usually over something emotional ... it's just spontaneous "I have no clue why I'm crying" ... I always feel better afterward.

[dlp252]

So, would I have to have this computer thing?

I'm not even sure it's really a "computer", lol. It was like a little metal plate thing. It wasn't much bigger than a book...and there was nothing at all hooked up to me that I remember. I know that some muscle testing is done by holding the object, then they test muscle strength, but I think it would be pretty difficult to do it on yourself. If Adam learned how though, he might be able to. Scott has an assistant when he does it, so the assistant touches me, then Scott uses the assistant's arm to test my strength. The plate thingy is very close to my head, but doesn't touch me. My mind can't see anyway possible that it can work, but it was VERY accurate for me! Amazing really.

[confusedks]

I can express myself too, but it takes a while. The thing I'm REALLY good at, is pretending everything is okay! I'll never forget when I was in the hospital and I was in a lot of pain and the nurse asked me how I was doing, and I said "fine." So she didn't give me more pain meds. Then about 10 minutes later, I called her in and was like "ok, you gotta know...when I'm smiling and I say I'm fine...I'm lying!" She then knew, lol.

I just always feel like there is no need for my opinion. Just like not telling Dr H about how I feel a lot of the times, it's getting better, but I for so long have listened to other peoples opinions/feelings, I don't like expressing mine.

(There's good reasons for this...but don't want the whole world to know. I'm more than happy to talk about it in PM, just not on the world wide web!)

No matter how much therapy I go to, or how much support I get, this is still going to be a big piece of who I am. I will "carry" this with me for the rest of my life. Hopefully it will be in a positive way, but right now it's just a matter of coping and getting through today.

[AndreaB]

Theres no machine. You can have someone who's trained test you but I dont think its a good idea to try to test yourself. I've only been tested when theres 3 people involved. I'm the testee...Scott and Dr. Amy are doing the testing. The first time it was Scott and his friend who tested me.

Scott knows ART...he's gotten very good at it...but he doesnt test himself. At my last appt. he wanted to be tested for something and I assisted Dr. Amy in testing him.

I dont know anything about doing ART on yourself at home. You can ask G. or Scott about it.

Asyra is a machine but thats seperate from ART.

It's always been the children, an assistant who touches the child and then Dr. E doing the muscle testing when we did it as well. It's too easy to get wrong feedback from what you anticipate if you do it yourself.

I've never seen a computer thing used for ART. They use some objects (having to do with light and things that I dont understand) and they set supplements down on some of these objects but there's no computer that I'm aware of.

Yes, it's an object that they put things on to see how you do with them. I'm not sure how'd you'd get those though.

Julie,

That is crazy about Whole Foods! I thought they carried natural stuff and I certainly can't see farm fish being natural. That stuff's supposed to be pretty bad for you from what I've read.

On the emotional stuff. I've always been pretty emotional and do cry pretty easily. I hate it sometimes! I also was pretty good about telling people what I thought. Now, I've learned it's better to temper your words most times.

[Green12]

OMG....its totally my FAVORITE since it first came out. I saw it twice in the theater and now I own it.

I saw it with my ex when it first came out around Xmas time. Remember at the very beginning when Iris is kind of lovesick and well....kinda pathetic (to be more blunt)?? Well right at that moment when she was "surprised" at the party and there were tears in her eyes... I looked at my ex and I said "That is soooo me right now". I was totally disgusted with myself for being so weak!!

So after that movie I started getting stronger cuz thats about the time I was doing alot of treatments and such. Anyways....I didnt talk to my ex for 6 months after that (which was like a miracle to everyone around me)...and once I did I was ALOT stronger. There's no more "weepy" days and I dont feel pathetic anymore. YAY!

I think its the only reason I'm handling things so well right now. I'm not a total wreck anymore.

I think I've seen it 100 times already , it's been on cable the last several months and everytime I catch it when channel surfing I watch it again! I never get tired of it, it's as good to me the 100th time as it was the first time watching it.

LOVE, LOVE, LOVE it!!!!

It has such a good powerful message too, I can see where it would have made you wanting to get stronger, and it looks like it worked for you!!!!

Rachel, you've got GUMPTION!!

There wasn't a machine in my ART sessions either, she did lots of muscle testing on different things and weird hand motions. She even used a celiac disease with borellia sound waves to test

I think it's best to go to someone very skilled at it Carla.

The machine thing could be referring to ASYRA?

Glad you are feeling better.

To add to the emotions discussion. I can feel, and feel pretty deeply, but often times I stop myself and try to present a composed front. Which I don't think is the healthiest When I am in the state of reaction or having lots of symptoms my emotions are pretty out of balance as well, so I think there is a definite connection there.

It's like we are at group therapy here

Everyone, tell me how you are feeling??

[dlp252]

Yeah, Scott uses C.Ds sometimes too...and slides, lol. Some of the stuff he waves over me and some of them he puts on that whatevertheheckit is that looks like a metal plate, lol. He has some round glass like things that he puts near my head sometimes. Sounds hokie, but it was so very accurate.

[CarlaB]

I think it's best to go to someone very skilled at it Carla.

That's the thing, there is NO ONE here who does it. I emailed Nurse A and she said I could see her every 3 or 4 months in NY .... that's my only other option than learning it myself and having Adam learn it.

[AndreaB]

That's the thing, there is NO ONE here who does it. I emailed Nurse A and she said I could see her every 3 or 4 months in NY .... that's my only other option than learning it myself and having Adam learn it.

I thought they normally wanted to see someone around every 3 months anyway, so if you could time it with your visits that might work.

[dlp252]

Yeah, it's every couple of months or so. It isn't a treatment, but rather a way of seeing what is going on in your body at that point in time. So, it is useful as you are going through various treatments to see what changes are happening...also changes in medications, etc. ART was also useful for testing meds and supplements to see how my body responded to them. There were a few things that weren't harming me, but weren't helping me either...no sense taking something that isn't helping, lol.

[CarlaB]

I thought they normally wanted to see someone around every 3 months anyway, so if you could time it with your visits that might work.

If it worked that way, it would work .... but with both her and my doctor being so hard to book, I just don't see it working out.

[confusedks]

Carla,

Why the sudden interest in ART? I'm just curious.

I talked to my mom about seeing Dr Amy and we decided we will give IV abx a few months to see how I respond, then if things aren't changing, we will see Dr Amy. We would do it anyway, but money has to be taken into consideration.

On a random side note...Ambien stopped working for me a while ago. I am not willing to keep upping the dose, so I stopped taking it. After quite a few sleepless nights, I got Dr H to call in a prescription for something else. Well, I went today to pick up the med and it was for remeron...an antidepressant. I don't know why other than it apparently helps with sleep!

I'm a little worried about taking it. It's a tryciclic (sp?) AD which I have heard yucky things about. Also, it is known to cause weight gain. I don't WANT to gain any weight! Nor do I need to gain any weight.

Does anyone have ideas? I don't know what to do.

[Rachel--24]

Actually, I don't tend to hold things back either, but when something hurts, I don't deal with the pain, I ignore it like it's not there. . The only time I really cry is during a herx, and it's not usually over something emotional ... it's just spontaneous "I have no clue why I'm crying" ... I always feel better afterward

I guess I'm somewhat the opposite. I cant ever ignore anything....its pretty much at the forefront until I deal with it. I've never been able to really push anything aside. While I was really sick I kind of *had* to push stuff aside because my health issues were at the forefront and I couldnt even deal with the other stuff no matter how hard I tried. It all got worked out with time and as my health has improved. I feel like I'm in a good place now as far as that goes.

I'm a "talker" so when something's bothering me I pretty much dont shut up about it until its over and done with.

I dont talk to *everyone*...just the people who are closest to me. A couple times in the past (when I was younger) I went to a counselor just to vent because I needed to let stuff out. It would be like one visit....I'd say everything I wanted to say...and then I'd feel a ton better. Sometimes its better to talk to someone who's totally uninvolved....who's just there to listen.

I also went to a counselor when I was really sick and getting extremely frusterated with the conventional doctors. I had to vent and noone close to me was really "getting it" during that time. I saw that counselor a few different times.

When I'm really toxic I get depressed so I'll cry pretty easily (which is not normal for me).....little things will bother me so much more and the big things will totally crush me.

[CarlaB]

Kassandra, I've always been interested in it. I'm researching that bionic 880 being talked about on LN and it needs muscle testing with it. So, I've been looking into my options with that.

I believe in using abx to kill the bugs when you're as infected as I am. But I also believe something has to be done to rebuild health.

This information about light therapy just makes sense to me. I don't know why, it just clicks. There's just not a lot to read about it since it's mainly in Germany. I'm finding all the websites have about the same article on them.

I'm also thinking ART could play a role as I'm progressing in treatment. In the beginning, everything seemed to help me. Now, I'm on a new treatment plan after being on Doxy and Levaquin, which did no good for me whatsoever, so during that time I was just continuing to decline. I'd also like to streamline my supps/herbs.

I've always thought at some point I would incorporate it into my treatment if it was available to me ... especially as I was nearing the end of treatment ... not that I'm nearing the end now, but I want to have researched these things when the time comes.

If that Bionic 880 is everything it's cracked up to be, it's the miracle cure .... but my intuition is telling me if it's too good to be true, it is ... but then again, that doctor in Germany has cured 1200 people of Lyme over the past 8 years with over a 90% success rate, which includes no relapse.

We use lasers/light now for so much -- hair removal, skin tightening, teeth whitening. If it can do these things, why couldn't a stronger laser heal the cells at a deeper level? This guy did win the Nobel Prize for his research.

[Rachel--24]

That's the thing, there is NO ONE here who does it. I emailed Nurse A and she said I could see her every 3 or 4 months in NY ....

Dr. K.'s nurse is good...if you can work it out she'd be really helpful. I would try to do this rather than trying to learn it at home. I think it would be best to see someone who's had alot of experience with ART....and she does.

I only see Dr. Amy every few months....I think thats all you would need anyway. I'd totally go for it.

[Rachel--24]

Another thing about doing ART at home...you would need all the testers. Otherwise how would you identify what might be a stressor...a a parasite, metals, a co-infection, etc?? Nurse A. would have it all.

[confusedks]

I'm going to visit a Lymie tonight! She's in the hospital and her mom called me and asked if I would go visit her because she needs some cheering up. I don't have too much time since I'm supposed to leave tomorrow for Vegas, but I couldn't not go visit this girl.

Carla, this is the girl on LN whose mom wrote about her being hospitalized for being underweight. She said she has been really down and she mentioned the possibility of me coming to see her and she perked up. I'm excited! Another fellow teen lymie who lives close to me! Yahoo!

[Guest LittleMissAllergy]

Hi everyone-

It's so weird how so many things that you discuss hit home with me, and you always discuss topics at the SAME time that they come up in my life. Does that make any sense? Sorry, lyme brain.

But I just saw my LLMD yesterday because I was doing very, very poorly...even though I've been off antibiotics for four days.

He started muscle testing me for things that supplement my body, and for alternative lyme treatments, and he said my body couldn't handle ANYTHING. NOTHING. It won't accept anything.

And of course I started freaking out inside, but stayed emotionless on the outside, like usual.

Then he brought up emotions. He said "you know...I think you are emotionally preventing me from treating you. Right now, no one can heal you. Can you tell me why you think this is, or what you think is underlying here? If you can't then I can suggest some tools to help you look inside and find the answer. But until you do, you are just going to be very, very sick."

My parents were sitting there with me. I never cry in front of ANYONE. I'm that "emotional rock" for everyone, just like you all talked about. But I cried ALL the way home.

I think my problem is fear. Fear holds me back. I've been sick for years, and that's hard at 19. I'm sure you can all relate. But conventional doctors couldn't find anything. I have thought that I was going to die of some disease that they were missing for years now, and even though this LLMD who practices both western and alternative medicine has provided me with answers, I still can't escape that fear of "missing something"...or dying basically. I know that all sounds so weird.

And I know that's weird to bring up when you all dont know me that well.

But I'm just wondering if anyone else has experienced this...

and what you did about it.

Because this has of course, produced more fear. That no doctor can help me. I'm in a vicious cycle. And I know I put myself there.

[Guest LittleMissAllergy]

Oh and by the way, the Holiday IS my all time favorite movie. Incredible story line, I could relate to a lot. Plus, there's just something about movies that are set during the Holiday season. Just love it.

[CarlaB]

Another thing about doing ART at home...you would need all the testers. Otherwise how would you identify what might be a stressor...a a parasite, metals, a co-infection, etc?? Nurse A. would have it all.

That's what I was wondering. She is the one that sells the videos to learn it, so I need to find out from her if that includes the materials .... it costs $195. I know G. on LN does it at home, she mentioned it on LN.

I'm going to visit a Lymie tonight! She's in the hospital and her mom called me and asked if I would go visit her because she needs some cheering up. I don't have too much time since I'm supposed to leave tomorrow for Vegas, but I couldn't not go visit this girl.

Carla, this is the girl on LN whose mom wrote about her being hospitalized for being underweight. She said she has been really down and she mentioned the possibility of me coming to see her and she perked up. I'm excited! Another fellow teen lymie who lives close to me! Yahoo!

That's great Kassandra.

Then he brought up emotions. He said "you know...I think you are emotionally preventing me from treating you. Right now, no one can heal you. Can you tell me why you think this is, or what you think is underlying here? If you can't then I can suggest some tools to help you look inside and find the answer. But until you do, you are just going to be very, very sick."

I would start addressing these issues under his guidance. You need to what you have to do to make progress with treatment. Sometimes other things need to be addressed before you actively start fighting the Lyme.

I'm wondering what would have happened if he would have muscle tested you after that good cry.

[confusedks]

Then he brought up emotions. He said "you know...I think you are emotionally preventing me from treating you. Right now, no one can heal you. Can you tell me why you think this is, or what you think is underlying here? If you can't then I can suggest some tools to help you look inside and find the answer. But until you do, you are just going to be very, very sick."

Ohhhh I could have written that! We need to talk on the phone if you're up to it! I have LOTS to say about this! If you want to talk, I will PM you my phone number.

My LLMD said basically the same thing to me. And I did tear up, and had to look away because I would have had a total meltdown in his office. It was the most amazing thing though for me...a real big emotional breakthrough. And to have that with a Dr is a HUGE deal to me! I NEVER liked talking to Dr's about how I felt, etc.

Seriously though, if you want to talk on the phone, I would love another Lyme friend! (And I can talk to you about my experience in fear, etc.) It's also really great when you feel like you're dying, to pick up the phone and call someone who understands.

[mftnchn]

That's the thing, there is NO ONE here who does it. I emailed Nurse A and she said I could see her every 3 or 4 months in NY .... that's my only other option than learning it myself and having Adam learn it.

I agree with the others that I think seeing Nurse A if you can would be the best. Dr E has a whole wall of bookshelves lined with things that she tests, seems like you would need that "library" to benefit from this.

Who knows? Maybe the timing could work out, and the offices could work with you on it.

Sherry

[mftnchn]

This information about light therapy just makes sense to me. I don't know why, it just clicks. There's just not a lot to read about it since it's mainly in Germany. I'm finding all the websites have about the same article on them.

I'm also thinking ART could play a role as I'm progressing in treatment. In the beginning, everything seemed to help me. Now, I'm on a new treatment plan after being on Doxy and Levaquin, which did no good for me whatsoever, so during that time I was just continuing to decline. I'd also like to streamline my supps/herbs.

I've always thought at some point I would incorporate it into my treatment if it was available to me ... especially as I was nearing the end of treatment ... not that I'm nearing the end now, but I want to have researched these things when the time comes.

If that Bionic 880 is everything it's cracked up to be, it's the miracle cure .... but my intuition is telling me if it's too good to be true, it is ... but then again, that doctor in Germany has cured 1200 people of Lyme over the past 8 years with over a 90% success rate, which includes no relapse.

We use lasers/light now for so much -- hair removal, skin tightening, teeth whitening. If it can do these things, why couldn't a stronger laser heal the cells at a deeper level? This guy did win the Nobel Prize for his research.

Carla I am also interested. My LLMD used a treatment for me last winter that I would like to continue where they have a UV light in a box, and draw a syringe of blood out and back in through tubing that is treated by the light. It is a simple looking machine, but my doctor says they are way too expensive. It "activates" the blood cells that in turn activate other cells to really beef up the immune system to go against the bugs.

Do you know what this machine costs, just as comparison? I can't find any info on that.

Sherry

[Rachel--24]

That's what I was wondering. She is the one that sells the videos to learn it, so I need to find out from her if that includes the materials .... it costs $195. I know G. on LN does it at home, she mentioned it on LN.

I'm pretty sure G tests her husband and vice versa....but she's had alot of experience with all of this...and for many years. She's had alot of one on one time with not only Dr. K but Nurse A., Dr. C and others.

I dont think the cost would include testers. When I'm at BioSET having my ART sessions there are literally hundreds of testers available. I think that kind of supply would cost thousands of dollars.

Thats why I'm saying it would be more beneficial to get tested by someone who is experienced and also capable of looking at everything....not just one or two things.