Omg...i Might Be On To Something

[CarlaB]

I have seen Lyme experts refer to Lyme as the "Gateway Disease" that allows the other issues to take hold. The body could control the other issues and rid itself of them if it weren't for the ability of the Lyme Disease to weaken the immune system.

I know that in your case, Rachel, detoxifying has done wonders for your ability to start getting well and make your Lyme a non-issue, but for me, I have dealt with parasites, leaky gut, food sensitivities, heavy metals, thyroid, etc. and am still dealing with Lyme.

I actually have gotten well in the past and gone into remission for a LONG time on detoxing alone (heavy metals). This time my illness is much more severe and this time I'm also dealing with Babesia, which is known to make it harder to eradicate Lyme.

I just think, judging from all I've read about Lyme, that it's much more complex than just fixing the body's ability to detox. Yes, it's the toxins that cause the feelings of illness, but it also has to do with the bacterial load. At some point the "drain" is smaller than the "spout" filling the tub. You can clear the drain, but you can't really make it bigger ... you have to address what's coming in, too.

[mftnchn]

Flagyl would make me tired and I would have symptoms, not every week (I took it two days a week) but many times. My LLMD told me to try taking it 10 days to 2 weeks and I did that once, and the symptoms did totally clear up. But it is just too hard on my system.

I did some blood tests this morning, will pick up the results tomorrow. They weren't able to do all the iron tests you listed Kassandra, but I got a couple of them. Maybe something will show up there and I can have it followed up in the USA.

I did CBC, blood sugar, thyroid, and transferrin, ferritin, total blood and maybe another one??

Still feeling crummy but a little better; took extra chlorella and quite a bit of charcoal.

Have a good day everyone, I'm headed to bed.

Sherry

[confused]

Rachel,

I emaild scott and he told me to read his articles. He also said he feels it is very accurate. If anyone else in here has 15 bucks to check it out, i would be interested to see what others come back with lol. I also was doingb some research on it last night and shoemaker, likes to put people on the amylose diet, which is like an atkins diet. Im wondering if this is another reason why i felt so good on the 6wbm diet, since they are similiar. I am going to research more on this today.

paula

[dlp252]

What are everyone's thoughts on eaing pork??

I eat some bacon I get at Whole Foods, but other than that, I stay away from it. I used to eat it more frequently, but it was on my list of things from my BioSET appointment that were not good for me. I try to not have it every day though.

My only words of wisdom about Questran is that first of all it causes constipation. So if you have problems with constipation, you will NEED to take something. The second thing is since it is prescription strength, it's harsh. My LLMD had me stop taking it because he felt that it was too much for my body to handle.

There are other toxin binders you can take though...charcoal, modified citrus pectin, chlorella, etc. I used to take charcoal 2x/day, but my LLMD's Naturopath said I could stop and only take it when I was feeling toxic in my GI tract. I rarely take it anymore though because it's difficult to be able to take it 2 hours away from everything else.

My LLMD won't even give me Questran, lol. I wanted to take it because of my mold exposure, but he won't give it to me.

Toxin binders...I take modified citrus pectin (Pectasol) and chlorella.

Has anyone done the vcs test on biotoxins. I was looking around on betterheatlhguy and found that test to check on how high you might be infected with biotoxins. So I figured for 15 bucks I will do it. I really felt that my test would not be high at all. But guess what it was:

Your overall Biotoxin Illness Risk Score is 99.99399%

Should I put any faith into this, or just go on with my life lol

Paula, I'm pretty sure Scott (betterhealthguy) is familiar with the test. I believe he wrote an article on biotoxins in a past newsletter. You might want to ask him what his thoughts are. Thats probably what I would do. You can contact him from his site. He's a great guy...and he'd probably be the best person to ask.

I second that Scott is a great guy. He's the one who has done my ART testing. I've seen this test and ALMOST did it, but backed out lol. Maybe one morning when I get here early I'll do it.

and yeah...I'm sure I'd be racheling bacon if only I could tolerate it!

I'm almost racheling it for you.

I know it's silly I still doubt it, but I do sometimes.

Yeah, I still do ocassionally myself, lol.

[confused]

I eat some bacon I get at Whole Foods, but other than that, I stay away from it. I used to eat it more frequently, but it was on my list of things from my BioSET appointment that were not good for me. I try to not have it every day though.

I second that Scott is a great guy. He's the one who has done my ART testing. I've seen this test and ALMOST did it, but backed out lol. Maybe one morning when I get here early I'll do it.

Opps i eat pork all the time, should I stop doing that lol. We eat lots of pork in chili, pork chops, pork ribs, sausage, bacon and ham lol.

Oh you have met him person, that is so cool. I hope you get to work early one day soon, I would love to see if urs is higher, which doesnt leave much room to be higher tho lol, or if its alot lower lol

paula

[AndreaB]

I think I've read about this from Scott's newsletter before but I forget. Is it the test that tells you your genetic susceptibility to classes of things (like viruses, metals etc)?

[dlp252]

Opps i eat pork all the time, should I stop doing that lol. We eat lots of pork in chili, pork chops, pork ribs, sausage, bacon and ham lol.

Well, you might want to give it a trial period to see if you feel better. I've always heard that pork is one of the harder meats to digest, but certainly not for everyone.

I think I've read about this from Scott's newsletter before but I forget. Is it the test that tells you your genetic susceptibility to classes of things (like viruses, metals etc)?

I think it measures how much biotoxins are affecting you...could be wrong though because it's been a long time since I looked at it.

[confused]

Well, you might want to give it a trial period to see if you feel better. I've always heard that pork is one of the harder meats to digest, but certainly not for everyone.

I think it measures how much biotoxins are affecting you...could be wrong though because it's been a long time since I looked at it.

Ok, I will try to give it up. I wonder if this is one of the reasons why I still dont have normal BM's lol.

You are rigbht donna. It measures your biotoxins. It ask you about 25 questions then you look at about 50 visual things that go to their right, left or up and down. There were many that i could not see. They say people who have lyme or other mold issues are the ones that do the worst at it.

Im thinking i might have to break down at some point and get the igenx test done. Even tho i dont want to lol.

paula

[Green12]

Pork is one of my green proteins from my allergy testing, but I have stayed away from pork for 15 yrs now. I was always advised not to eat it as it was high in parasites, even cooked.

I just can not bring myself to eat it.......

Kassandra, I know you asked several pages back before I was away from the board about my results. Did you get your testing situation resolved?

It would be too much for me to list everything out, and you know it will be different for everybody because it is so individual.

I am finding it helpful though so far, I have lost some inflammation and keep losing it with every day.

[confused]

Julie,

Im glad you are doing better. Now that you talk about pork beingb full of parasites, I am going to give it up lol. PLus im thinking maybe the humaworm would be beneficial, but im afraid of feeeling bad for 30 days lol

paula

[dlp252]

PLus im thinking maybe the humaworm would be beneficial, but im afraid of feeeling bad for 30 days lol

I don't think you'd feel bad the whole time...I felt off for the first week, but relatively okay the rest of the time. I did have some issues I think were connected with it, mostly excess gas, etc. If you look at their website, they list all the ingredients...if you see something on that list that you KNOW causes you bad reaction they can leave it out. I had them leave out sage...that has shown up bad on every kind of testing I've ever had, lol.

[confused]

I don't think you'd feel bad the whole time...I felt off for the first week, but relatively okay the rest of the time. I did have some issues I think were connected with it, mostly excess gas, etc. If you look at their website, they list all the ingredients...if you see something on that list that you KNOW causes you bad reaction they can leave it out. I had them leave out sage...that has shown up bad on every kind of testing I've ever had, lol.

[confused]

I already have the pills, i had bought them for the whole family. They are just sitting in the fridge calling my name lol

paula

[confusedks]

I think I've read about this from Scott's newsletter before but I forget. Is it the test that tells you your genetic susceptibility to classes of things (like viruses, metals etc)?

It's not the gene test. I'm going to order the gene test today I think. The gene test is the $625 test.

Kassandra, I know you asked several pages back before I was away from the board about my results. Did you get your testing situation resolved?

It would be too much for me to list everything out, and you know it will be different for everybody because it is so individual.

I am finding it helpful though so far, I have lost some inflammation and keep losing it with every day.

No problem. I have to wait until June 2nd to have any tests done because that's when insurance kicks in fully. So, I will have the test done next week sometime.

[AndreaB]

The gene test is the $625 test.

I guess we won't see a need to get this anytime soon.......or ever, unless we start having many more health problems.

[confusedks]

I guess we won't see a need to get this anytime soon.......or ever, unless we start having many more health problems.

I'm actually really excited to do the test. Apparently it tells you exactly which enzymes you're missing, so you can supplement them...Dr H said it should definitely help with all my nausea issues after eating.

I wonder if it will be partially covered by insurance?

[aprilh]

Ok, I will try to give it up. I wonder if this is one of the reasons why I still dont have normal BM's lol.

You are rigbht donna. It measures your biotoxins. It ask you about 25 questions then you look at about 50 visual things that go to their right, left or up and down. There were many that i could not see. They say people who have lyme or other mold issues are the ones that do the worst at it.

Im thinking i might have to break down at some point and get the igenx test done. Even tho i dont want to lol.

paula

Paula,

I went on Scott's site but couldn't find the test you are referring to. What is the name of it?

[dlp252]

April, it's the VCS test (found on the mold page):

Open Original Shared Link

One testing mechanism that Ritchie C. Shoemaker, MD utilizes is called the VCS (visual contrast sensitivity) test. This test can be done online or in a doctors office and measures exposure to biotoxins. It does not matter whether the toxin came from mold, Lyme disease or other sources such as algae, dinoflagellates, or other spirochetes. The test may be a useful indicator for diagnosis and treatment of biotoxin-mediated illness. I have taken the test three times and it can be done online at Open Original Shared Link or Open Original Shared Link. It is definitely worth consideration.

[confused]

Donna, thanks for posting that for me. I have been outside having an breakdown with my porch lol. I did it from the second site posted for 14.95.

Kassandra, cant wait to see what the gbene test will tell you. I dont think i could spend that much on a ene test, cause i think the rsults would scare me way to much lol

paula

[confusedks]

Paula,

Which site did you take the test from? I think it would be fun to do...

[confused]

Paula,

Which site did you take the test from? I think it would be fun to do...

The second one. I just did the single test. I thought i would pass it and not need to fo it again, boy was i wrong lol

[confusedks]

Thanks Paula.

Carla, I was just reading on Scott's website about Tindamax. He said it has anti-parasitic properties about it. I wonder if part of your strong herx was parasites...? Maybe you already knew this, but it was an "OMG" moment, for me, about you!

[Rachel--24]

I have seen Lyme experts refer to Lyme as the "Gateway Disease" that allows the other issues to take hold. The body could control the other issues and rid itself of them if it weren't for the ability of the Lyme Disease to weaken the immune system.

I totally agree with this. I dont think Lyme is the only "gateway" though.

*Anything* which has the ability to weaken the immune system is capable of letting other issues take hold. Lyme isnt the only thing capable of weakening the immune system....so for some people with Lyme Disease other issues may be even more of a stressor than the Lyme itself. Its not uncommon for that to be the case.

I know that in your case, Rachel, detoxifying has done wonders for your ability to start getting well and make your Lyme a non-issue, but for me, I have dealt with parasites, leaky gut, food sensitivities, heavy metals, thyroid, etc. and am still dealing with Lyme.

I'm dealing with everything that you're dealing with.....just in a different order. Noone ever said that Lyme is a non-issue for me. Its just not a big stressor right now....all that means is that treating it isnt really going to change my situation. I might feel worse trying to treat it but I'd be going in circles because I have other things which are having a much greater impact on my health.

If not for ART prioritizing the issues I might be treating Lyme right now...who knows.

This time my illness is much more severe and this time I'm also dealing with Babesia, which is known to make it harder to eradicate Lyme.

I have Babesia too...but again its not a huge stressor for me. We have the same issues....we're just treating in a different order. Lyme is your biggest priority and its less of a priority for me.

Some people are going to have these infections and yet not get better while treating them because they have bigger issues which are not being addressed. I'm pretty sure if I were aggressively treating Lyme I'd get alot worse....only because I'd be doing things backwards.

I'm not questioning your situation. I'm simply sharing another side. Not everyone treating Lyme is going to get better with aggressive treatment. There is plenty evidence of that all over the Lyme board. I think its good to share what we know....I'm not an expert but I do know that people with chronic Lyme have multiple issues. Any LLMD who doesnt acknowledge that is not an LLMD that I'd want "on my side".

Its also true that Lyme is not the main stressor for alot of people who are treating it. I'm definately not an isolated case. Some people might be interested to know that in case they feel like they are going in circles or not getting the same results as others who are treating Lyme...like you.

I just think, judging from all I've read about Lyme, that it's much more complex than just fixing the body's ability to detox. Yes, it's the toxins that cause the feelings of illness, but it also has to do with the bacterial load. At some point the "drain" is smaller than the "spout" filling the tub. You can clear the drain, but you can't really make it bigger ... you have to address what's coming in, too.

It *is* more complex than just fixing the body's ability to detox. I've never said that this isnt complicated.

You cant really clear the drain as long as the tub is still totally full of junk....it wont take long for the drain to get plugged up again. You have to keep working on the drain AND you have to work on getting the junk out until the load is gone. If you leave some junk in the tub the chances of the drain getting plugged up again are pretty high.

If the bacteria load is high its pretty safe to assume there is also alot of *other* junk in the tub. If you only focus on *some* of the junk you never really get the results you want.

Again, this is not directed at your own situation. I'm just making some points for other people who are trying to learn about this disease.

[Rachel--24]

Rachel,

I emaild scott and he told me to read his articles. He also said he feels it is very accurate. If anyone else in here has 15 bucks to check it out, i would be interested to see what others come back with lol. I also was doingb some research on it last night and shoemaker, likes to put people on the amylose diet, which is like an atkins diet. Im wondering if this is another reason why i felt so good on the 6wbm diet, since they are similiar. I am going to research more on this today.

paula

Paula I've read Scott's articles and I also recall reading on the VCS site about the Amylose diet. Its been awhile so I'll have to refresh my memory but I'm totally game for taking the test.

[dlp252]

Okay, I'll take the test too, lol. I just registered, but I probably won't take it until tomorrow morning when there are less people around and I'm on my own time.