I have been listening to Remedy a program on herbal medicine this week. One section was focused on herbs to treat Lyme disease and coinfections. It was great that this series included Lyme. Chronic lyme disease is no longer a oddity of New England States. Lyme infection rates are high and spreading across the country. Lyme is present in all 50 states.
Herbalists spoke about the strategy for early Lyme, bitten today, what do I do in comparison to the too often common late stage diagnosis. Several of the herbalists had dealt with chronic Lyme in their own bodies.
The Testing Quandary Continues
Part of the frustration with Lyme is our inability to identify and treat it quickly. The stealthy nature of this bug and its ability to mimic other illness can delay treatment and have serious health consequences. The definition of a positive test result varies between the CDC and other organizations. Igenix Western blot is one of the more reliable options. If there is any question about potential infection do the tests. Test the tick if you have it and test yourself as well.
Newly Infected
Consider yourself lucky if you never get infected or when you find the infected tick attached to you and have it tested or see the bullseye early. This is where western medicine can really help. All the herbalists said just bitten get yourself to a lyme literate MD and on antibiotics pronto. Augment this with a herbal protocol either at the same time as the antibiotics or following them.
A Lyme infected tick bite might mean 30 days of doxy or amoxicillin plus herbs to clear out the infection followed by herbs. This combination works but not all the time. Success depends on a number of factors including coinfections, duration of treatment, the health of your immune system and how long between infection and treatment.
With Lyme Disease Information is Power Get Informed Get Treated Get Better
People don’t get how critical it is to jump on this. The window for eradication is small. I was meeting a couple of friends for tea. One said, oh I got bit by a tick this morning. She showed us the area and a bullseye was forming. Call the doctor right now I said and see if you can get into the office today. She said oh I’ll call tomorrow. My friend and I said No, you call now. So she did and got on doxy for 21 days starting that day. I told her if you have any symptoms go back and ask for more help. You don’t want to end up with years of struggle like me.
Given what I know now, I would urge anyone infected to take it very seriously from the get go.
Long Term Chronic Lyme
Suppose you missed the tick bite or did not recognize when you got infected. You go get tested after years of feeling increasingly crappy. Yuck a you get a lyme diagnosis.
Chronic Lyme is tough to cure, doctors and herbalists agree. They all suggest that you rebuild health and manage your infection. A big part of reclaiming your life is to bring chronic inflammation under control.
Some of the herbs involved in support and rebuilding include, Japanese Knotweed, Cat’s Claw, Astragulus, Andrographis, and Artemesia. There are many more herbs to support reducing expression of specific symptoms. Your health care team will tailor your herb mixture to lower inflammation, manage the pathogens and support organs and systems are showing signs of Lyme attack.
I had huge hopes to hear about some fantastic new breakthrough on Remedy. That didn’t happen, but listening to the Remedy program affirmed I am on the right path to evolve post lyme. Herbal support and active self care are the key parts of my plan.
Are You making progress in your recovery? If not get help.While there is not always a cure, there is always healing. The point is to live a full life as close to symptom free as you can get.
The purpose of this blog and its contents is to share and educate on Lyme disease recovery strategies. The information provided on this website is not a substitute for professional medical care, treatment or advice. All the material here is for information purposes only. Always share strategy and work with your health care team.