It's officially Lyme Disease!

My last two posts revolved around my new Lyme literate doctor giving me the clinical diagnosis of Lyme disease based on my symptoms, history and "indeterminate" Lyme tests. I'm here to share in this post that my Igenex test results are officially CDC guideline meeting positive!  I found out last night at my latest follow up and I can't even begin to describe the feeling. I was overcome with so many emotions and brought to tears. This has been a 2 year journey and all of my prayers crying out to the Lord "WHAT IS WRONG WITH ME????" have finally, without a shadow of a doubt, been answered.  Now that we know what's  (been) wrong, I can focus on my treatment. I'm not thrilled at the idea of starting antibiotics and lots of supplements and herbs, but it must be done.  So, here is my treatment plan for the next 30 days:

*I do not endorse or encourage the following treatment plan for anyone else who has, or thinks they have, Lyme disease.  This is specific to me.

• Minocycline 
• Stevia whole leaf extract 
• Grapefruit seed extract
• Transfer Factor Multi-Immune
• Probiotics

This treatment goes along with the following detox, which I wrote about in my last post:

• Alpha Lipoic Acid
• N-Acetyl Cysteine
• S-Acetyl Glutathione
• Burbur detox
• Pinella brain/nerve cleanse
• Magnesium

In addition, I am taking the following supplements due to my low levels:

• Vitamin C
• B-Minus (the Transfer Factor Multi-Immune has 5-Methyl folate & B12)

It's kind of an overwhelming list of things to take but I made out a timeline of when to take what each day and, I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me (Phil 4:13)!

It's Lyme Disease: Part 2

"They will have no fear of bad news;

their hearts are steadfast, trusting in the Lord" 
(Psalm 112:7)

I met with my Lyme doctor yesterday to get the results of all my recent blood work. While my latest Lyme test was indeterminate yet again, I did have some results that prove some type of chronic, raging infection is going on inside me. I tested positive for active infections of mono, herpes virus type 6 (no, not the sexually transmitted kind), brucella and chronic fatigue syndrome (based on the results of various IGM/IGG testing performed). The positive herpes result indicates immune system suppression and a test called comp protein C4A indicated very high levels of inflammation (anything over 2,000 is considered inflammatory and my levels were 19,000). Some other highlights: low testosterone, low VEGF (some experts believe this may be linked to mold), extremely low Vitamin C, low Vitamin D, B1 and high TSH (thyroid level). 

My doctor still believes this is Lyme Disease, noting that his other Lyme patients present with the same active infections. Something is causing all of this, that is undeniable. So, I'm going to have some more tests first to gather even more information before coming up with a treatment plan (Genova Ion Test, Igenex Lyme Test, Comprehensive Digestive Stool Analysis and maybe a repeat of Doctor's Data Urine Toxic Heavy Metals).

In the meantime, my doctor advised me to take the following supplements to begin a detox regime:

• Alpha-lipoic acid, 600mg 2x/day
• NAC 600mg 2x/day
• S-acetyl-glutathione 2 capsule, 2x/day
• Pinella, 10 drops 2x/day
• Burbur, 10 drops 2x/day
• Magnesium 300mg 2x/day
• Vitamin C 1000mg 2x/day

Also:

• Epsom Salt baths
• Infrared sauna use (if possible)
• Drink at least 60oz of water per day

I'll be the first to tell you that I'm tired of having to take supplements after what I went through last year.  For now we're starting with the magnesium, Vitamin C, Pinella and Burbur and praying about the rest (also searching for cheaper prices as supplements can be very expensive). I'm increasing my water intake and may try an Epsom salt bath but the sauna is out of the question. Even if we had the money to go out and buy one, which we don't, there's no room in the house to put one!  

I left the office last night feeling very overwhelmed, a little discouraged and somewhat scared.  I know these are normal feelings but I also know I have a sovereign God with everything under control. I was praying this morning that I would leave all of this in His hands and just continue to trust Him and He brought me the encouraging scripture from Psalms that I quoted above. I've been reading through a book on encouragement for caregivers and that was one of the scriptures she mentioned in my reading this morning.  That is so like God and His timing, knowing just what I needed to hear. So, I will have no fear of bad news as my heart remains steadfast, trusting in the Lord.