Omg...i Might Be On To Something

[Rachel--24]

Dear Rachel,

At the buffet, I will just wait for you and Donna to duke it out and kill each other. Then, I will wait for everyone else to kill each other. Then I can have the food all for myself!

It wont happen..

I cant kill any of my Rachelville peeps.

I would have to back away from the pumpkin pie and gluten-free dinner rolls before things got too out of hand. I would make a few huge plates first....then go sit in a corner with all my food.

[Rachel--24]

Chinese food is one of my favorites!!

I used to get mushu (sp?) pork with those really thin pancake things that you put sauce on. OMG...it was heavenly! Also wonton soup, fried rice, mandarin or lemon chicken, chicken chow mein....mmmmm.

6-12 months.

[CarlaB]

how did you address it the previous 3 times if you didn't take antibiotics? just from other things like diet and exercise? even if I do test positive for lyme, I don't plan on taking antibiotics at least at first... I want to get an overview of the whole picture first (ie. heavy metals testing, etc.) as well as discuss the lyme situation with a LLMD... I've seen cat's claw mentioned as a natural treatment but don't know much else that is recommended for lyme besides antibiotics

The most recent time before this, I had my amalgams out by a mercury-free dentist and went on the anti-candida diet. I don't think the bacteria had as much of a chance to take over as they did this time.

I also exercised. I think exercise is essential because it keeps the body oxygenated and the bacteria don't grow in oxygen. I still exercise, but I'm too weak to do cardio right now, I lift weights (free weights).

The other two times it was lots of rest and exercise, but I didn't know it was Lyme. The docs told me I was healthy.

I just don't think the bacteria got a good hold on me the other times. This stress was for a much longer duration, plus with the bacterial infection in the beginning, I didn't have a chance!

people really don't know about lyme in other parts of the country?

and excuse my ignorance, but is it that big of a concern for you to avoid places that may have ticks? I would think that if you are on antibiotics, the antibiotics would almost serve as a preventative in the case of you getting bit by a tick again and any infection that would be inserted would be killed off pretty quickly... not that I'd recommend for you to go hiking or in the woods or anything but I wouldn't think much about going to a park in the city... but I really don't know that much about lyme yet and am probably just used to growing up in the tri-state area where ticks are common (my mom used to check me and my sister's heads quite a lot when we were kids)

There is almost no awareness at all about Lyme here. When I tell people what I have half of them know a little about it, the othe half ask what it is. Most of the half that have heard of it ask if it's from a tick.

The park they're staying at is not in the city ... if it were, I wouldn't worry about it. It's a state park and they will be doing a lot outside. Not only do I not want to get bitten again, but I don't want my kids or my husband to get bitten! My kids have already been exposed through me, so I really don't think it's a good idea to expose them again. And we certainly can't take the chance of both my husband and I being incapacitated with this!

Ticks are common here. I think Lyme is common, too. I know so many people with fibro or CFS. I think the only difference between here and there is that you have LLMD's and we don't. If there's no one to diagnose it, no one can have it! I go to NY for treatment.

My LLMD in NY is a holistic MD. He prefers not to use conventional medicine, but he thinks you have to use antibiotics to get the bacterial load down before you can use herbal protocols to keep it there. I guess it all depends on how sick you are. They said the herbal protocol definately would not be enough for me right now. I was open in the beginning to doing whatever I had to do, even though I preferred the herbal treatments.

A good LLMD tests for everything -- metals, cortisol, celiac, etc. Mine took quite a bit of blood ... plus the cortisol (saliva) and metals (urine). He didn't test me for celiac because I had already been tested, but he normally tests people for that, too. It's important to know what else is going on.

That's why Rachel is having to address different things than me. She has more of a metal/candida problem with Lyme, I'm the opposite -- mine is Lyme with some metals and no candida (yet). I'll be treated for metals later, in the same manner that Rachel will deal with the Lyme later (if she needs to). We're taking a proactive stand on the candida ... I'm on Nystatin and TONS of probiotics to avoid it. I also don't eat any sugar or alcohol.

[CarlaB]

Silver is anti-fungal so thats great too. Dr. D wrote down both Lyme and fungus so I guess it helps Lyme too?? I dont know if its a "direct" thing or maybe just helpful because it supports the immune system??

Silver is a natural antibiotic. Scientists used to use it to purify their petri dishes. Royalty had "silverware" instead of "goldware" because of the antibiotic properties.

I had mastitis four times, complete with fever, when we were building our old house (the one we had trouble selling because it was in the middle of nowhere). The first time I went on antibiotics. The next three I used silver and it worked just as well and just as quickly.

The only thing that it didn't work for was strep throat.

A couple years ago I had a high fever and kidney pain. I had all the signs of a kidney infection ... even my chiropractor was trying to get me to go to the MD, and he was waaay into the natural stuff. He made me promise to go by the end of the week if I wasn't better, but the silver made me better. I took it for a month or two for that. This was just one of the many issues I've had over the past several years.

So, it should work for Lyme. I just don't know if it crosses the blood-brain barrier. ??? Obviously, if you need to address the Lyme you are going to need something that does cross over into the brain. Also, I don't know if it's anti-protozoal for the babesia. I'm surprised they don't have you taking Artemisia for the babs.

[CarlaB]

I'm going to a convention with Adam the end of next month ... here's where it is Open Original Shared Link What a great place! I DEFINATELY have enough energy to sit around a spa for a few days!!

I really like this particular convention ... it's always in a neat place and it's a business trip! Adam's dad used to be the one to go to them, now it's us! YAY!

[dlp252]

Yay! I got an email already from Scott who may be able to schedule me for ART on Saturday April 7. He emailed me some times and I've responded back with what I think would work, so we'll see. I'm so excited to think I may have some direction soon. I've been afraid to take antifungals because I was afraid I'd release more mercury into my system and I'm afraid to kill the mercury too soon too, so hopefully this will give me direction.

Buffet wars!

I still eat at buffets when I travel.

Scoop the poop!

I could totally see all of us NEVER leaving the buffet table.

We'll be climbing all over each other....pushing and shoving to get all the treats. Dude...I know I would seriously be at war with Donna...

Yes, but I'm bigger than you. Okay, I'll give you a 10 second head start only because I love my fellow OMG peeps and you haven't been able to eat for so long. But, only 10 seconds!

I will put a whole basket of Bumble Bars on the buffet table. Donna will be like this...

She will be "mesmerized" by all the chocolate ones especially.

Hehe....I'll be eating all the pumpkin pie.....mold-free of course!

Okay, I see a possible kink in my plan. But don't think you'll get away with ALL of those pumpkin pies...remember the staring incident at Whole Foods in November. I stared almost as long at the empty pumpkin pie shelf as I did the empty Bumble Bar shelf.

I'm totally thinking its the cheese...if not dairy in general.

Is the glands right under your ears swollen...or under your chin?? Those are the glands that swell up for me....the ones under my ears are pretty much permantly swollen since I got sick but when I eat something I shouldnt ....man .....they get really swollen! It also hurts to swallow when I get a reaction.

Dairy definitely does me in...my glands around my neck are almost always swollen though, even after giving up dairy.

Rachel, that part of my neck has always bothered me ... right where it meets the skull.

That's where I've been getting most of my prolotherapy injections...right at the base of my skull. I got more yesterday and am pretty sore there today.

Wow Donna....you might have worse brainfog than me!!

I've ran some red lights and stuff but I came out unscathed...guess your car wasnt as lucky.

Yep, I've been doing some really scarey things lately...that was just one stupid thing.

I've heard a lot of mixed things about colloidal silver. What's your guys's take on it.

My old ENT had me using drops in my nose to kill the bacteria/fungus or whatever he thought was causing my constant sinus infections. I found it didn't help a lot in that instance though. I've never taken it by mouth though.

Last night my mom had dinner with some of her friends....she was with them and then left to meet me for my appt. and then returned to their home after my appt. They were actually my Mom's hubbies' parents.

Anyways, my mom told me they were asking her a million questions about my appt. and stuff like that. My mom said first of all she doesnt understand anything and has no idea what to tell them.

Personally I dont think its rocket science...shes just not interested in it...thats all.

Second....she said she doesnt like talking to people about it because they "dont believe in this stuff".

They were telling her that my Dr.'s are quacks....just trying to get money, dont know what they're talking about...pulling a scam, etc.

The woman told my mom that I probably have AIDS because that affects the immune system.

OMG...people are so ignorant sometimes. They have no idea what they're talking about. I've been tested for AIDS (which by the way is easy to determine)....I am low-risk for AIDS, I dont have the symptoms of AIDS...and oh yeah....my immune system works fine...I dont even catch a cold.

But yeah....I must have AIDS.

Oh grrrr! My mom is being pretty good about the whole thing, and even my aunt who usually thinks I worry too much about stuff is being very understanding and supportive about all this testing. I think it's because they are actually starting to SEE some improvement in me. My mom regularly tells me that she was getting really worried about me for a while there because I just looked sick. She tells me I look much more alert and alive now. Fortunately my health doesn't come up a whole bunch outside of the family cuz my mom and aunt have no friends, lol. The one "friend" they talk to regularly is such a health nut, that my stuff sounds normal.

Do they take a blood draw for bioset. That is something T wants to know.

Yep, like Rachel said, only a couple of drops after a tiny prick on the finger. I think it's probably time for me to give a new sample too, but so far I've only done it the very first time.

At the buffet, I will just wait for you and Donna to duke it out and kill each other. Then, I will wait for everyone else to kill each other. Then I can have the food all for myself! Who cannot get all competitive about food? I am always sitting around hearing people talk about sex. I could not care less! I can have an orgasm eating a cookie, who needs sex?

[jerseyangel]

We hope to continue seeing Patti, Mango, SusieQ, and Vincent and also hope Julie pops in once in awhile.

Thanks, Andrea-- I always read here, I just usually don't have anything meaningful to add. I just pipe in to let you all know I'm still here

Mine seemed to take celiac more seriously after talking to a neighbor that was familiar with the term. She was very surprised. I still don't know if she really understands.

My mom is the same way! I can talk myself blue in the face, and provide credible written information--but its only when a neighbor, friend, or the anchorwoman on TV says the same thing does she take it seriously.

[dlp252]

I'm going to a convention with Adam the end of next month ... here's where it is Open Original Shared Link What a great place! I DEFINATELY have enough energy to sit around a spa for a few days!!

I really like this particular convention ... it's always in a neat place and it's a business trip! Adam's dad used to be the one to go to them, now it's us! YAY!

Wow, looks like a great place!!

[CarlaB]

I am always sitting around hearing people talk about sex. I could not care less! I can have an orgasm eating a cookie, who needs sex?

Apparently, you are WAY more interested in food than I am!

[CarlaB]

Wow, looks like a great place!!

I thought so, too! That's why I had to share it with my buddies!! I'm definately going to get at least one of the massages, etc.! Which one? Hmm. This is MY kind of menu ... I could give up eating tomorrow!

Patti, it doesn't have to be meaningful.

Laura, I see you check in once in a while, how's it going? Are you through your herx? I am, I'm just normal bad now ... I can't wait till normal isn't quite so bad!

[dlp252]

I thought so, too! That's why I had to share it with my buddies!! I'm definately going to get at least one of the massages, etc.! Which one? Hmm. This is MY kind of menu ... I could give up eating tomorrow!

Patti, it doesn't have to be meaningful.

Laura, I see you check in once in a while, how's it going? Are you through your herx? I am, I'm just normal bad now ... I can't wait till normal isn't quite so bad!

The hot/cold stone massage sounds interesting. I've been curious about the hot stone massages...the place I go to does them, but I love my deep tissue massage so much I always just have that. One of these days I'll have to try it.

[jerseyangel]

Carla, the resort sounds heavenly!

My hair salon is also a day spa, and offers various massages. I've never had one, but one of these days....

They offer the one with the hot stones--that one looks like something I'd possibly try. Maybe a good place to start?

[CarlaB]

The hot/cold stone massage sounds interesting. I've been curious about the hot stone massages...the place I go to does them, but I love my deep tissue massage so much I always just have that. One of these days I'll have to try it.

I've read several times that massages should not be considered a luxury when treating Lyme ... Healing Lyme (the book) says to get them weekly. The specifically mention deep tissue massage. I've read though that deep tissue is not very comfortable/relaxing, is that true?

[CarlaB]

Carla, the resort sounds heavenly!

My hair salon is also a day spa, and offers various massages. I've never had one, but one of these days....

They offer the one with the hot stones--that one looks like something I'd possibly try. Maybe a good place to start?

I've never had a hot stone one, but I think everyone needs at least one Swedish massage in their life!! I also like facials as much as massages. It's not "just" your face, they massage your scalp, neck and shoulders, too. That's the area I really need it anyway!

Last time I went on a trip with Adam, I had a body wrap. It was interesting. I had very dry skin, so I got a moisturizing one. It felt good, but there was no massage to it. Rachel would LOVE it, very warm.

How's your hair doing these days? Are you still growing it, or did you break down and get it cut? How's the straightening holding up?

[dlp252]

I've read several times that massages should not be considered a luxury when treating Lyme ... Healing Lyme (the book) says to get them weekly. The specifically mention deep tissue massage. I've read though that deep tissue is not very comfortable/relaxing, is that true?

Yes, it's true to an extent. They go very deep, although my therapist always asks if the pressure is okay, and she will adjust and go lighter as necessary--you can always ask them to go less deep. I like it deep, so I let her use heavy pressure. Oddly, even with the discomfort, I DO feel relaxed, even during the massage until we get to my back which has the tendency to tense up...I have to really concentrate on relaxing at that point, lol. My muscles are always tight and sore so it is uncomfortable, but when we're done, I feel so much better.

The second part of it is to go home and soak in a tub with epsom salts for a while which help draw out all the toxins that were released, and they have me drink extra water too. That's when I feel MAJOR relaxation, lol.

[CarlaB]

This explains a lot ... Open Original Shared Link

Fatigue is a common symptom experienced by Lyme disease patients, and it can be prolonged and very debilitating. This fatigue can be accompanied by either excessive sleeping or insomnia. Some patients may experience the fatigue intermittently or after exertion, while others may be bedridden. Lyme disease fatigue is NOT the same as simply being tired from overwork or stress. Much like Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, Lyme often causes a profound exhaustion that is significantly worse than what is seen in other illnesses.

Fatigue is common in Lyme disease because energy is being used to battle the systemic infection. Therefore, antibiotics can play an important role in the treatment. Other causes of fatigue, such as anemia, sleep apnea, hormonal disturbances and lifestyle factors should also be evaluated.

[jerseyangel]

I've never had a hot stone one, but I think everyone needs at least one Swedish massage in their life!! I also like facials as much as massages. It's not "just" your face, they massage your scalp, neck and shoulders, too. That's the area I really need it anyway!

Last time I went on a trip with Adam, I had a body wrap. It was interesting. I had very dry skin, so I got a moisturizing one. It felt good, but there was no massage to it. Rachel would LOVE it, very warm.

How's your hair doing these days? Are you still growing it, or did you break down and get it cut? How's the straightening holding up?

They do facials there, too. I may just have branch out from the usual hair services

I've actually been growing my hair this whole time. I figured that with the recovery time after the surgery, I'd be mostly at home anyway, so I just washed it daily and deep conditioned it often.

I went to Patti for a trim a few weeks ago, and she couldn't believe how much it had grown. She trimmed the edges and we cut bangs (!) It's even all around, about an inch above my shoulders.

I had it straightened in October, and will have it redone in April. It stayed very easy to blow out--I will need the roots done, though--especially as we head into summer and humidity.

I want to keep it to every 6 months, as the process is pretty damaging

[CarlaB]

The second part of it is to go home and soak in a tub with epsom salts for a while which help draw out all the toxins that were released, and they have me drink extra water too. That's when I feel MAJOR relaxation, lol.

I'd have to come home and sit in the sauna ... I don't have a tub. The kids do, but I don't know that I'd find it relaxing soaking in the kids' bathroom. Their bathroom is on the first floor, so is the main bathroom .... it's an old, quirky house.

Maybe I'll try that. I've heard that with Lyme, the massages can cause a herx, that'd be what I'd worry about! Getting out too many toxins at once!

[dlp252]

I'd have to come home and sit in the sauna ... I don't have a tub. The kids do, but I don't know that I'd find it relaxing soaking in the kids' bathroom. Their bathroom is on the first floor, so is the main bathroom .... it's an old, quirky house.

Maybe I'll try that. I've heard that with Lyme, the massages can cause a herx, that'd be what I'd worry about! Getting out too many toxins at once!

Okay, yes, kid's bathroom is a no go, lol. Hum, the sauna draws out it's own toxins right...but still they're leaving the body, so I would think it would still be good. At the spa you can soak in a hot tub afterwards.

[jerseyangel]

Interesting about the fatigue. I'm dealing with that--for a different reason, of course.

I'm not on any HRT, and have been having night sweats and bouts of insomnia that go from a few minutes to hours. What I would do right now for a full night's sleep!

A massage might really help!

[CarlaB]

Patti, I've found that eating something with protein right before bed helps with the insomnia. A sauna right before bed is wonderful, too.

I get night sweats, too ... it's from the babesia in my case. I'm getting them less often than I used to with all the drugs I'm on.

[CarlaB]

They do facials there, too. I may just have branch out from the usual hair services

I've actually been growing my hair this whole time. I figured that with the recovery time after the surgery, I'd be mostly at home anyway, so I just washed it daily and deep conditioned it often.

I went to Patti for a trim a few weeks ago, and she couldn't believe how much it had grown. She trimmed the edges and we cut bangs (!) It's even all around, about an inch above my shoulders.

I had it straightened in October, and will have it redone in April. It stayed very easy to blow out--I will need the roots done, though--especially as we head into summer and humidity.

I want to keep it to every 6 months, as the process is pretty damaging

I missed this post.

Mine has gotten about 3 or 4 inches below my shoulders, but I've not let her cut it, except for the ends for a long time, so I'm going to get a good cut this time. It won't affect the length, but the layering. It's all grown out, except for this top layer that's 4 inches shorter than the rest of the hair. It's looks stupid ... like a shelf. I'm going to have her blend the ends into that layer. I don't really know how this happened.

We need a new picture of these bangs! I never let my stylist touch my bangs. I cut them myself if they need cutting ... she always cuts them above my eyebrows, and I don't like that.

I've been mostly home, too ... so it's actually even a good time for braces! Hardly anyone sees me except for the gym and Church.

Well, speaking of the gym, I've really got to try to peel myself out of this bed and get over there to lift some weights ... I'm exhausted just thinking about it.

[CarlaB]

Okay, yes, kid's bathroom is a no go, lol. Hum, the sauna draws out it's own toxins right...but still they're leaving the body, so I would think it would still be good. At the spa you can soak in a hot tub afterwards.

Yes, the sauna does pull out toxins, through the skin. So I'm thinking that the toxins released by the massage might come out.

Morgan just scheduled a massage for us both this weekend ...

[dlp252]

Yes, the sauna does pull out toxins, through the skin. So I'm thinking that the toxins released by the massage might come out.

Morgan just scheduled a massage for us both this weekend ...

Yay!!! I'm jealous, lol. I get little mini massages for my neck and shoulders every Monday, Wednesday and Friday at my PT session--about 10-15 minutes depending on who gets me (there's one guy that will give me longer if he can), but I really should go back to my girl and get a full 1 hour massage! I think I need one and I miss them. Course the PT guy is just as good as my girl and I think he also does longer massages...maybe I'll ask him to schedule me for a long one one day.

[AndreaB]

Yay! I got an email already from Scott who may be able to schedule me for ART on Saturday April 7. He emailed me some times and I've responded back with what I think would work, so we'll see. I'm so excited to think I may have some direction soon. I've been afraid to take antifungals because I was afraid I'd release more mercury into my system and I'm afraid to kill the mercury too soon too, so hopefully this will give me direction.

Hope the 7th works out. Now I'm excited to hear how it goes for you.

Health nuts.

I don't remember if I had anything else to comment on.

Need to get off of here. It's way past breakfast time.

A massage might really help!

Sure, get a massage.

Well, speaking of the gym, I've really got to try to peel myself out of this bed and get over there to lift some weights ... I'm exhausted just thinking about it.

Have a good workout.

Morgan just scheduled a massage for us both this weekend ...

Good for Morgan! I'm sure you'll be looking forward to it.