Dosage for Acute Lyme Disease

Did you know that there hasn't been one scientific study to confirm that "two to four weeks of antibiotics" will cure Lyme disease? This is the guidelines set forth by the CDC, and the IDSA. (Center for Disease Control, and Infectious Disease Doctors)

So, why do they insist that this will cure Lyme Disease? (Much less, chronic lyme, which has usually had time to invade bodily systems)

Other doctors are prescribing "one dose" of antibiotics after a tick bite, assuming that this one dose will kill all infections. Other doctors are prescribing low doses, such as 100mg of doxy twice a day. This is not a sufficient dosage. You need 200mg twice a day at least.

There are some things I want you to know incase you ever get bit, or start having some strange symptoms:

1. If you get bit, there is an 80% chance that if you have been infected with Lyme, you also have been infected with co-infections.

2. "One dose" of antibiotics will not eradicate Lyme Disease.

3. You have a 40% chance of having a relapse of the disease with the current 2-4 weeks of antibiotics guidelines for Acute Lyme Disease. This percentage increases with the presence of co-infections.

4. Antibiotics will not cure Babesia, a common co-infection of Lyme.

5. Most doctors do not know anything about the complexity of these diseases. You need to be your own health advocator. Do not put all your trust in your local MD.

So, Brandi, what should we do if we get bit?

Most articles say "wait until you see a rash or have symptoms" before going to your doctor. My opinion is "why wait?" There is a huge possibility that you won't get the classic rash, and you won't have any symptoms. I say: GO GET DRUGS NOW! Beg, Borrow, Steal!!!

Convince your doctor to give you at least 4 weeks of antibiotics. That will give you time to find a Lyme Literate Doctor. Most LLMD's will treat you at least 3 months for Acute Lyme. Longer if you have co-infections. Standard tests are inaccurate, so you need to send your blood work to IGENIX. You can also save the tick and have it tested also.

In conclusion:

Acute Lyme should be treated for at least 3 months, at 200mg twice a day. And you should get tested for co-infections. If treated properly within the first stages of the disease, there is a good change that you will be cured!

Lyme and eyes

How does lyme disease affect the eye?

"In the early stage of the disease, many persons have conjunctivitis. In this condition, commonly called pink eye, the eyes are red and uncomfortable, and there is a discharge of pus. Unlike many forms of conjunctivitis, the type that occurs in lyme disease is not contagious.

In later stages of the disease, inflammation of the eye may develop. Parts of the eye that may be affected include the uvea, the middle layer inside the eye, the cornea, part of the outer coat of the eye; the iris, the colored circle around the pupil, and the choroid, a layer of blood vessels in the eye. Ocular symptoms can include sensitivity to light and floaters (spots in front of the eyes).

Inflammation of the optic nerve (optic neuritis) also can occur, which results in visual loss. Loss of vision can result from inflammation in the brain as well.

Persons who develop Bell’s palsy may be unable to blink or close their eyes. This dries the cornea and can result in an infection or even a hole in the cornea, which can endanger vision if not treated promptly."

http://www.uic.edu/com/eye/LearningAboutVision/EyeFacts/LymeDisease.shtml

I have a few eye symptoms. Floaters and sensitivity to light. I always worry about long term damage, or blindness. But I try not to become overly stressed about it and just celebrate that for now, I can still see!

Lyme arthritis

If you can't tell, Im trying to show how much my joints are inflamed. Red, swollen, painful. And its not just my hand, it is now started in my right toes. The pain in my hand is constant, and Im trying to think of ways for relief. Lyme likes to attack the joints, starting with small joints and then larger ones. They like to hide in the bone away from where antibiotics can reach, and when they release their toxins, imflamation happens. Gross, I know. But it's the reality that I have to bear everyday.

I know I said I was pain-free, but I guess I was talking about nerve pain. I would chose this over nerve pain, but it still is painful. Anyway, I need to find a way to relieve the pressure before it causes long term deformation.

Please pray for relief and a solution. Most Lyme patients say their Lyme arthritis got better with treatment, so I hope mine does too.

thanks.

Newscaster, Brooke Landau Lyme Disease Battle (ABC News Story)

Symptom update

As May comes to a close, I want to thank all my friends and family for listening to me ramble on and on about Lyme Disease. I hope you learned something that could possibly prevent you or your loved ones from experiencing this disease.

I also wanted to give you an update on my symptoms. My main symptoms right now are vertigo, dizziness, scary brain zaps (feels like electricity), insomnia, constant painful joints in left hand and feet,constant pounding in left ear, and fatigue. Im thankful to not have any nerve pain, but the brain stuff does freak me out a bit. It's been a year now since I started having major symptoms. I'm thankful that I'm doing much better than last year!

I had a follow-up appt. with my doctor a week ago (phone consult), and will be starting a new antibiotic soon. Lets hope it kills some lyme!

Thanks for the continued prayers and support.