So, I guess you are wondering from the title of this, what the story is with my wife Laura. Well, she has recently been diagnosed with acute Lyme disease. It was confirmed this past week, though I have been confident in this diagnosis for over a month.
I want to talk a little about the specific diagnosis of Lyme, as well as the relationship to overall health pursuit. First off, the disease is one of a bacteria, that tends to be very aggressive in its behavior because of its mobility. Lyme comes from the bacteria transmitted by ticks, attacks the nervous system,and is usually treated with antibiotics if it is caught early. But what you don’t get from the online sources is the reality of how awful this disease is and how fast growing it is. It can move, it can bore through tissue, and it can effect ALL parts of the body. I have had a handful of patients with Lyme over the years, and currently two active patients. Perhaps the greatest frustration for most of these patients, has come with simply trying to get a diagnosis. The bacteria (borrelia borgdorferi) is hard to diagnose; the lab test looks for the presence of antibodies against this bacteria, and it is difficult to discern, sometimes not showing up for months or years in the body, causing the most com
monly used first test to come back with false negatives for almost everyone. This is POINT #1 for choosing to live healthy, eating right, getting adjusted, etc. What I mean, is that if you are suffering from symptoms that are all over the map, then step one is get yourself on track pursuing health. Not waiting for a diagnosis and letting your body deteriorate while you run from doctor to doctor. I have heard commonly, “there are two sides to fighting Lyme, doxycycline and your immune system”. Your immune system works better when you are focused on health.
My wife Laura had a suspicious bite this June. It was questionable to the two of us from the get go, though we never saw a tick (and we have now learned that most people never do see the tick). I have had tick bites in the past and I have had spider bites. The obvious differences in this one, it left a mark for four weeks; it was a non-healing center with a white appearance, and a reddened area around. BULLS EYE, just like we are taught in school. The dramatic documentary film Under Our Skin further strengthens the argument that many people never get, or at least never see the bite, or the rash, or any of the indications or expectations that the medical field expect. This is a perfect segue into her first doctor visit….
To get the initial blood test, Laura went to see her OB, as we have no other MD that we use. There she was able to get the first test performed for Lyme, which is the one that usually comes back negative regardless… called the ELISA. We got the results in just about a weeks time….negative, so we knew we needed to wait and see if the symptoms continued to progress. Her neurological symptoms had been piling up.
- Random numbness /tingling/burning sensation in the body, appearing, withdrawing, and reappearing. Much like a patient with subluxation, except this would happen in random places, with no pattern equivalent to spinal function.
- Brain Fog, Lethargy, fatigue, and abnormally heavy eyes.
- Dry Eyes to the point of corneal scratches happening.
- Loss of muscle tone, and re-gaining it as well as transient weakness- I would see her arms become soft over a few days, then appear normal again. Very obvious changes over short periods.
- Changes in her skin, and nails.
- Significant issues with temperature regulation. Feeling freezing when she was actually hot to the touch, and mostly vice versa.
These, and more actually. I had no question that she had Lyme. What else had so many neurological symptoms occur randomly in such a short period of time. I decided that there was nothing that fit better, so we called her doc and asked her to prescribe doxycycline (antibiotic) and She refused. Now this is a doctor who knows that we as a family have denied most medical interventions she has ever recommended over the past 13 years that my wife has gone to her. For us to ASK HER for an antibiotic should have seemed crazy enough, and perhaps enough to trust that we had done enough research for her to support this request. But, to those not educated about Lyme disease (and most doctors are not), the importance of taking an antibiotic early is not understood. This is so frustrating being that most doctors will randomly prescribe antibiotics for anything you visit them for and especially for the “just in case” infection. Here we are, asking for an antibiotic that is needed early to work, and we are being denied.
Now, I need to stop here and point something out. I DO NOT LIKE ANTIBIOTICS, nor does my wife. I wrote a daily sprout scathingly attacking them last week on purpose, knowing that this one was going to be written as well. I want you to know that if you take antibiotics for a cough, or a head cold, or sinus pressure, it is 98% likely that you are hurting yourself for no value. If you wait 10 days to 14 days (my plan always), then it drops to a 55% chance that you do not need the antibiotic (think viral infection, not bacterial). Which is why I say WAIT!
With Lyme, most patients who are treated in the acute phase (which is considered in the first few months of the bite), get complete healing from the disease. But if you watch the movie mentioned above, you will see awful cases, that look like parkinsons, or ALS (and many were actually diagnosed as such) because they were not treated early. We have consulted with a chiropractor in Naples FL who is part of the ownership team of Maximized Living Chiropractic. She lives clean. She had Lyme for years and never knew what she was battling early on. She explained that her effort to heal Lyme took 3 years of perfect diet, sleep/rest, and supplementation; because she had missed the antibiotic window and therefore gave up years of her life because of it. We didn’t want to do this, so when she recommended antibiotic treatment quickly, we agreed. She stated that Lyme Disease is probably one of the only diseases that she would jump at the chance to take an antibiotic as the first treatment. In our world, we say get adjusted first, supply nutrition second, and wait… rarely do we say medicate first.
Feeling that Laura definitely had Lyme but having a negative first test and a doctor unwilling to prescribe an antibiotic put us in a bind. If you have a disease that responds early to antibiotics but one that standard tests can’t typically detect in your body for months, you have a frustrating dilemma, compounded by doctors who are ignorant to the disease pattern. Thankfully, we found a back door way to doxy, through a friend, who had a prescription, and no it isn’t legal, but I surely won’t share any more than that. This was necessary, so she started the doxy.
Since then, it has now been six weeks, and Laura is still on the antibiotic. She is on an 8 week course of treatment for now. She did a more detailed blood test called the Western Blot for Lyme and after 3 weeks of waiting, it came back with a positive acute Lyme test result. This confirms the presence of antibodies against Lyme. It is considered positive for acute Lyme because of the type of antibody, suggesting we are still in early stages of the disease (whew, more hope for quicker response). Sadly however, we knew this 8 weeks ago but no one would listen.
She has been seeing positive results with the antibiotic so far, but the antibiotic also has been creating symptoms. So it is hard to tell if it is really working or not. Some people seem to get the antibiotic, and all symptoms end. Others seem to take time post treatment, and of course still others, do not see any change at all. We will see.
As soon as she stops the antibiotic, we will be doing Suero Viv cleanses, she will be doing an AMASAI every day, and we will be doing the Daily Detox. Regardless, we have a plan now for the ongoing effort to eliminate all toxins, so that her nervous system can coordinate an immune system strike, that will kill off whatever is left. But remember, she has to overcome the damage done to her immune system by the doxy. We have work to do. Serious work. I’ll be adjusting her atlas daily as soon as we get off the drug. Another couple weeks and we are done with this part, and on to the hard work.
So…. What does it all mean to you? As always, I think there are teaching moments in life. First, I hate antibiotics‘ and their use in our country, but love that they are available when really needed. We just don’t need them like you think. Learn from that… when to say when. Second, I only scratched the surface, but there are some tough diseases out there to fight, or to diagnose, and especially to cure. Lyme is one of them. My wife has done very well, and I know it is because of her overall health state. Focus on health all the time, and you will be more resilient.
Last, I wanted to share my story. I want you to know that my life has been complex in the pursuit of health. Myself, for the loss of my eye sight and my wife now with this. We have seen cancer really close many times, and get the difficulties of health absence, and the effort of coming to grips at times that things won’t improve. Please trust me, it is never easy to commit to your health, BUT it is always worth it!
Be well and be blessed, and say a prayer for my wife please. Thank you! – Dr. E
[…] am going to go back to my wife’s battle with Lyme disease, and use this as an example. Lyme disease is based on these bacteria that attack the body in may […]
Thank you Krissy – my wife and I will give it a listen! I need to update with our current status soon! Be Blessed!
I found this by google searching “lyme” and “suero”. Praying for your wife tonight. We also get adjusted by a maximized living dr. here in TN. Essential oils help if you haven’t tried them yet. We have podcast if you want to hear it! http://www.faithfulwellness.org/lyme.
Blessings,
Krissy
[…] if you aren’t sure where I am coming from, go back and read about her being diagnosed with Lyme. At this time she has been on antibiotics for about 9 weeks. Shocking for me, or my family. I […]
Thank you Jeanine. Yes, I have been aware of your stroke, and that has grieved me at times. Such a difficult thing I am sure, for such an active woman. But, I know that you must be finding ways to stay active and ON MISSION regardless! Blessings to you!
Doctor Eric, we are so sorry to hear you and your wife are having this problem. We have a friend in Auburn who has Lyme and is going somewhere in Louisiana for treatment. You have written a great description of the disease that will help me be more in tune to her difficulties. Than you for sharing. My cancer has not returned but Jan may have told you of my spinal stroke which has left me paralyzed from the waist down…result of heart surgery. You were so kind to get me on the right path for healing and I will never forget you for that. Our prayers are with you daily for a complete recovery for you wife.
WOW, just WOW! I am moved in two ways…your love for your wife Eric and also your heart for true health. Marti and I will be praying for you both, for wisdom from heaven and for healing to bring God his due glory. BUT, he sure does love your faith as you pursue the cure…as if he wants you to get up and walk with Him.
Blessings to Laura today, asking God to reveal his love to her at full throttle!
Rex and Marti Briant
Eric and Laura – our family sends prayers and thoughts of healing your way. You both are committed to healing and that strength will ultimately persevere. While I wholeheartedly understand and agree with you on the use of antibiotics, I’ll take this as one instance where the nudge from Doxcy plays it’s part. Thank you for this information and you guys hang in there…
I love you, Laur! Hang in there. This is a tough one!
Prayers are going up for such a TOUGH CHIC. If any of you think Eric is the toughest – you haven’t met his wife -A ROCK:) And one of THE most caring persons on Earth. We will stand with you in prayer that your body will line up in the name of JESUS and function as he created it too – whole and healthy. Father, you are the Great Physician – we know you can use Dr’s and medicine to heal your daughter or give a supernatural touch to her and she’s instantly healed. We ask in Jesus name for the supernatural touch, but we trust you with the way you think is best. We thank you for loving your daughter Laura more than we can comprehend.
Laura – we will be holding up your arms like the Israelites did for Moses when he got weary:)
LOVE YOU!
I know that Laura’s healthy lifestyle is helping her but I also feel that prayer is an important part of this. We depend upon God always and seek His intervention.