Archive for April, 2012

The following strategies are here to offer you the many refreshing and cutting edge options that are becoming fundamental in terms of healing Lyme.  Many of these healing strategies are grossly underestimated and desperately deserve more attention in the realms of healing Lyme.  Some may be somewhat controversial and their effectiveness may be disputed by some in the medical community but I believe they still deserve great attention.  I promise to add to this category as I am continuously researching and learning new concepts on a regular basis.  I want to offer you the hope and excitement that I feel as I sense that things are slowly changing on the horizon.  The tides are turning!

The borrelia bacteria is very rarely the only issue but is just a piece of the puzzle.  All the issues need to be properly treated in order to gain back your health.  You may wonder to yourself when reading some of these healing strategies but I promise you that many of the world leading Lyme Specialists are following these protocols and are highly recommending them to their patients to guide and heal them on their journey.

More and more Lyme specialists have stated that Lyme and accompanying infections have evolved over time and in turn, these infections are not as easy to treat as they may have been back in the day.  The infections have mutated and shared DNA and have essentially created new strains.  No wonder these infections are truly some of the smartest infectious agents on the planet!  In this regard, treatment protocols need to become much more advanced in hopes of eradicating these adept infections.  Trust me, I have wondered at times too, “You want me to do what now?!?”  Although desperate times call for desperate measures and why refuse to do a certain protocol when it could be something so beneficial to you.  I know I would second guess myself and have these potential options lurk in the back of my head.

I can assure you that you will hear plenty more about these therapies when doing your own research.  There are many more therapies out there, some completely out of the box, so I have decided to stick to the more common ones as to not overwhelm you.  I follow all of the recommendations listed below and have found great success with these therapies.  I have only recommended the specific ones that I have and continue to use myself.  As always, if you are under the care of an LLMD or LLND, please talk to your doctor first to make sure these strategies are right for you.  Ok…… here we go!

Health is a state of complete harmony of the body, mind and spirit.  When one is free from physical disabilities and mental distractions, the gates of the soul open.  ~B.K.S. Iyengar

Parasites – This mere word is enough to give most people the heebie-jeebies!  Gross but true is that a huge percentage of the population have these nasties lurking in their organs.  Parasites can range from hookworms, roundworms, pinworms, lungworms, liver flukes, etc.  Numerous symptoms can arise from these buggers as they wreak havoc on our bodies.  What is more scary is these critters are stealing our vital nutrients, vitamins, minerals, food and so on.  They rely on these things for their survival and are master invaders.  Parasites leech onto our intestinal walls and can be found in our brains, hearts, lungs, livers and many of our organs.  I won’t go into all the information and symptoms here but if you feel parasites may be an issue for you doing a little google search will give your much more reading on these critters.

Some key points I will mention is that parasites are found on the everyday foods we eat, the air we breath in, our environment, our pets and so on.  Healthy bodies are able to control and not acquire these nasties to such an extent as us Lymies with compromised immune function.  Properly functioning immune systems can clear parasites much easier from their bodies versus those with chronic illness.  Lyme bodies can sadly become “garbage dumps” which can host tons of these parasites and some of us may not know how big this piece of the puzzle can be for us.

I know my Lyme practitioner recommends parasite treatment early on during Lyme treatment in order to reduce the parasites that are are sucking the essential goodies from our bodies.  Dr. Klinghardt has stated that parasite treatment is just as important as Lyme treatment and needs to be properly addressed.  There are numerous parasite treatments ranging from pharmaceuticals to natural herbs.  Hopefully your Lyme specialist has addressed the parasite issue with you but if not this is certainly something you will want to bring up with them to make sure you are getting the most comprehensive treatment possible.

Autonomic Response Testing (ART) – This is an astounding form of muscle testing and is the most sophisticated form of applied kinesiology used today.  It is the most advanced and scientifically validated method of muscle testing.  It is entirely non-invasive and is used to diagnose imbalances and stressors in the body.  I continue to be in awe of this procedure as it has indicated stressed organs in my body and areas that require the most attention.  Also, it can be used in order to know which prescriptions and supplements your body is in need of and which ones don’t agree with you at any given time.  It is a sure-fire way to know exactly what you need on a daily basis and helps to tailor your treatment plan.

Our bodies are continually changing so ART needs to be done at each doctor’s appointment so we know what needs to be changed and addressed in our treatment protocols.  Amazingly, it can also show what foods don’t agree with us and which foods are important to us.  ART is an art unto itself and should only be performed by a doctor who is extensively trained to muscle test.  ART is quite popular in the U.S. but hasn’t really hit in Canada yet so finding a doctor locally to perform this testing may be a challenge.  If your journey leads you to a LLMD or LLND in the U.S. I highly recommend doing some research to find a doctor who is trained and certified to perform ART.  It can take away much of the guess work when it comes to which treatments are best suited for every unique person.

Heavy Metals – These are becoming a huge problem in the world today.  Metals run rampant in our environment, our food, our drinking water and are frequently used in dental procedures.  Mercury fillings or dental amalgams pose a real threat to our well being and most Lyme specialists will recommend having them removed in order to heal from Lyme.  Metals can greatly impact us and wreak havoc on our precious bodies and organs.  Metal chelation is not an easy process and it can be lengthy but it is just as important on the healing journey as any of the other topics discussed in this category.

Some great natural tools garnering much attention that are used to bind metals in the body include:  Cilantro, Chlorella and loads and loads of minerals.  The mineral issue is becoming quite important as it has been discovered that whichever areas of our body are lacking in minerals, heavy metals attach to these sites and are a nuisance to get rid of.  Along with the fact that the Lyme ridden body already has a compromised immune system making it hard for our bodies to eliminate invaders, chelation can be a challenge.

This field is very promising as there are so many forms of chelation out there to dump metals from our bodies including IV, suppositories, oral capsules, minerals and the natural tools I previously discussed.  My doctor has me on many mineral substitutes to feed my body with as many minerals as possible to make up for my lost supply and as a supportive protocol to eliminate metals.  Also, minerals are proving to be an essential tool to provide nourishment for the immune system and keep its functioning on track in the fight against Lyme Disease.

KPU – Stands for Kryptopyrroluria which Dr. Klinghardt believes is a huge part of the Lyme Disease picture and is an obstacle to achieving wellness.  KPU in Lyme Disease has proved to be 80% or higher!  In short, KPU is a condition that leads to a significant depletion of zinc, biotin, manganese and vitamin B6 in the body.  Thus, in turn, these deficiencies cause numerous symptoms and mineral imbalances in the body.  Therapy-resistant infections are a hallmark sign of KPU and once this protocol is put into place Lyme patients are much better equipped to deal with infections and heavy metals.

BioPure offers a fabulous product – “Core” that combines all the essential minerals required to treat KPU in ready made capsules which is so much easier than fumbling around with each individual capsule.  This product and all of Dr. Klinghardt’s amazing products can be found here:

http://www.biopureus.com/

This can be a very difficult treatment as patients often experience a worsening in their condition before improving.  While undergoing treatment for KPU, heavy metals are continually being dislodged and circulating throughout the body which can cause the patient to become very symptomatic.  So in this regard, this treatment should only be done under the care and supervision of a LLMD or LLND.  For more information please read Dr. Klinghardt’s article on KPU at:

http://www.betterhealthguy.com/joomla/images/stories/PDF/kpu_klinghardt_explore_18-6.pdf

KPU levels can be measured with a simple urine test through Health Diagnostics and Research Institute (formerly Vitamin Diagnostics) in New Jersey.  Check out the link here:  

http://www.europeanlaboratory.nl/

Colonics – These are a step up from the coffee enemas.  As of recent, I have not found someone trained to perform colonics in Saskatchewan but those residing in Alberta and Manitoba may have better luck.  I believe colonics will become more widely available as the realm of natural health continues to expand.  They are becoming more and more popular in the world of chronic illness and I truly believe they are worthwhile mentioning.

Colonics are a perfectly safe, sanitary and effective procedure used to remove waste from the large intestine.  Water is flushed into the colon which reaches far up into the large intestine to help remove waste, toxins and parasites.  For those suffering with chronic illness one treatment will not be sufficient so even if you can do one every couple of months it is definitely helpful to dislodge years of accumulated plaque.  I used to dread having to get colonics done when I make my trips to the U.S. because of sheer embarassment but now I actually look forward to them.  I actually feel energetic after the treatment and feel like I can take on the day!  The rewards are profound!

EMF’S – Electromagnetic Fields or Electrosmog are garnering more and more attention as being extremely toxic to those suffering with chronic illness.  More like these exposures are not healthy for anyone!  The biggest culprits come from cell phone towers, cell phones, wireless internet, computers, hair dryers, alarm clocks, microwaves, etc.  It is extremely difficult to avoid EMF’s on a daily basis as they surround our environment no matter where we live these days.  It is not possible to try and shelter ourselves away from these unless we live on a remote island somewhere in the world.  But even little steps to correct these toxic burdens can be profound.

Since EMF’s are hard to avoid during the day, bedtime is the most convenient time to take action.  I realize so many of us love and utilize these conveniences regularly and some of these ideas may seem drastic.  When you sleep this is really the only time your body can fully restore, heal and regulate itself so these steps are important for improving your health and clearing electrosmog.  Try these tips at nighttime!

• Remove your TV from your bedroom
• Use a battery operated alarm clock versus a plug in one and keep it at least a few feet from your bed
• Unplug electrical devices and appliances
• Disconnect your wireless internet
• Purchase an Earthing sleep pad as described below

Earthing – This is a fairly new and unique advancement for us Lymies!  It’s a very simple and natural concept in that by connecting barefoot with the earth we are readjusting ourselves to a new level of functioning.  This can be as easy as stepping barefoot on concrete or on the ground outside.  Earthing gives us support for clearing electrosmog from our bodies from the many electronic devices we use on a daily basis.  An important note is that it also is helpful for sleep, improves circulation and discharges inflammation, pain and stress from our burdened bodies.

Earthing outdoors is the simplest method to ground ourselves.  As I previously mentioned you can achieve this easily by walking barefoot on concrete or walking on the ground or grass for a few minutes at a time.  There are many other helpful products that can be purchased to help ground  yourself indoors at your office or during sleep.  I plan on buying an Earthing sleep pad for my bed as this is one of the most convenient ways to restore your body during the night to wake up with less pain and start the day refreshed.  You can find more information on Earthing and purchase these fantastic products I have talked about at:

http://www.earthing.com/

To add a little humor into the mix…… here are a few slightly irritating comments to hear when you have Lyme:

• “You look good, you don’t look sick!”- Oh my, if I had a quarter every time I heard this comment!  Is there supposed to be a certain way you need to look to be sick?  Thank God I don’t look as awful on the outside as I feel on the inside some days!  Do we need to look like a character from a horror movie to prove we are actually sick?  There are many people in this world who are walking around with chronic illnesses everyday and I know for certain that we wouldn’t be able to pick them all out on physical appearance alone and why should we?
• “You can still do things that other people who aren’t sick can do!” – Yes, we may be able to get together with friends for a laugh or go to a movie, etc. but our energy is very limited and we have to conserve the little amount of health we have just to be able to plan to leave the house and be one with society.  We may look fine and seem to act normal like other people but trust me, our bodies are very different and every little task we do can be a struggle some days.  The pain, fatigue, exhaustion and mental fog is like a constant gray cloud that doesn’t disappear.
• “You are able to work so you can’t be that hard done by!” – It is true that some people suffering with Lyme have no choice but to work in order to keep a roof over their heads and have the funds in order to survive.  It is a sad but true fact that Lyme can be a costly disease to treat and has been coined as a “rich man’s disease”.  The heartbreaking truth is that some Lymies are not fortunate enough to qualify for long term disability.  Or if they are single parents with no financial support from family or friends…… they don’t have many options of supporting themselves and their children other than the income from a full time job.  It is not that those inflicted with Lyme don’t want to work, they desperately want to fit in like everyone else and be able to hold down a full time job.  What seems like such an easy accomplishment to a healthy individual can feel like a road trip straight through hell when someone has Lyme.

“THE SPOON THEORY”

A truly original and interesting new way of understanding and relating to someone who has a chronic illness is portrayed beautifully in “The Spoon Theory”.

http://www.butyoudontlooksick.com/articles/written-by-christine/the-spoon-theory-written-by-christine-miserandino/

Happy, Inspiring Activities

• Watch a movie that makes you feel good.  Whether is be a comedy, romantic comedy, drama, documentary and so on.  It is amazing how a good movie can make you feel!  If you are feeling up to it why not invite a friend and go to your local theatre as a good excuse to get out of the house if you are feeling cooped up.
• Spend time with family and friends.  Don’t completely become a hermit because of your illness!  Of course you will have days where there is no way you can leave the house or even get out of bed for that fact.  Just do what your body allows and don’t forget how revitalizing and refreshing it can be to have a good conversation with a loved one.  I can feel my soul strengthen and true happiness consume me when I share a good laugh with a friend and it doesn’t matter what you do because conversation is sometimes all you need to brighten your day and outlook on life.
• For those of you who have pets, they can bring so much joy and unconditional love to your life!  They are content just to be with you and always love you no matter what.  If you are feeling lonely and want a buddy I totally suggest looking into getting a pet, whether it be a rescue pet from a shelter or from a reputable breeder.  There is no way to put into words the way your heart feels when your furry friend snuggles up to you.
• Read a great book and escape reality and your health problems for a little while.  I find when I am reading a book I thoroughly enjoy I feel completely captivated by the story and feel like I am right there with the characters.  Sometimes it is hard for us “Lymies” to concentrate and it may take a little longer to finish a book or you may have to reread sections over to fully absorb the concept but that is ok.  Take all the time you need and work on your own time.
• Find a new hobby or try out new activities that make you happy.  A hobby could be anything you enjoy such as reading, mild exercise, scrapbooking or even a cooking class, etc.  Never try to let this disease overshadow your life and find an activity you relish that you are capable of doing without putting too much burden on your body.
• Music……if you are having an off day or you are feeling bummed out, listening to your favourite CD or songs on your IPOD are guaranteed to lift your spirits.  No matter what kind of mood you are in there are definitely a great assortment of songs always waiting for you.  I have recently discovered how amazing I feel when I go for a slow walk around the neighborhood with my dog and my IPOD.  Now that spring is here it feels so awesome to get out and get the adrenaline and circulation going and who better to accompany me than my four legged buddy.
• Oprah is consistently a source of inspiration.  I am so sad that her show has now ended although I fully intend to subscribe to her network to get my daily dose of inspiration.  Despite her daily show being over I know we will still hear and learn much from Oprah.  She has and will continue to explore topics that are great for the human spirit and soul.   There is no greater inspiration than Oprah!  You can still learn to live your best life by tuning in to Oprah’s re-runs over the summer, picking up a copy of O magazine or checking out her amazing new network OWN.  Here is her website at:  http://www.oprah.com/index.html

   

Turn your wounds into wisdom.  ~Oprah Winfrey

• Who doesn’t love Dr. Oz?  I really respect his true desire to educate the public everyday on his TV show.  He is charming, incredibly intelligent and he stays up to date on the newest ground breaking health issues.  I have learned so much from his show and enjoy watching it as often as I can (without being a couch potato of course, ha ha!).  I truly admire him for stepping out of his comfort zone time and time again knowing he may stir the pot with the conventional medical community.  He has briefly talked about Lyme Disease and has been straight up about its complications when left untreated long term.  It is so refreshing to see such a respected and wonderful Medical Doctor such as the Oz man be open and honest about the seriousness of Lyme.  I really look forward to seeing more about Lyme on his show!  Check out Dr. Oz’s website at:  http://www.doctoroz.com/
• Give back to your community!  Many times dealing with chronic illness makes you entirely grateful for what you have in your life and you begin to embrace a simpler lifestyle.  You start to see the world in a whole new light and want to help out the less fortunate.  It truly doesn’t matter how little or how much you can do!  This could range from anything to making a donation to your favourite charity, donating your used clothes to an organization, volunteering at a fundraiser or just anything that makes you feel good.  I truly believe that the good karma we put out will come back to bless us when we need it.  Let’s be kind to each other!