I was diagnosed with Lyme in the fall of 1997. I had no bull's eye rash or anything else. I had a raised growth on my leg where I was bitten by a mosquito, but thought nothing of it. I felt sick and achy for about six to eight months-and after many doctors visits, decided to contact 1-800-tick bite.
I found a wonderful doctor who determined that I had Lyme and started me on an aggressive antibiotic treatment. She determined that my infection came from the mosquito bite. I also develop a benign cancerous tumor in my leg at the point of infection. I also have rheumatoid arthritis from this horrible illness. I just want people to know that you can become infected with Lyme from a mosquito. I am only twenty-eight years old and I am facing a lifetime of dealing with this awful disease.
Thank God I have an extremely compassionate and understanding boyfriend who has on many occasions had to take care of me, carrying me up and down stairs and so on.Thank You for letting me tell my story.
Artemisia
There are three different species of this herb: artemisia vulgaris, artemisia annua and artemisia absinthium.
The first of these species is the mildest of the three, and probably not very useful in the treatment
of antibiotic resistant infections. However, the latter two species have been extremely effective at treating many different types of infections including antibiotic resistant malaria. These herbs have the following benefits: antibacterial, antimalarial antifungal, immunomodulator, anthelmintic, anti-inflammatory, diaphoretic, antihepatoxic, euphoriant, antiamoebic, antipyretic, gastric stimulant, choleretic, bitter tonic, smooth muscle relaxant.
All species of artemisia can be used in the following forms:
Taken Internally
Tea-- 1 - 2 ounces of the herb steeped in boiling water
Tincture -- Fresh plant 1:2 ratio with 95 percent alcohol -- you can use between 10 - 30 drops as many
as four times a day to treat an infection.
Capsules -- Between 1 - 5 capsules up to four times per day
Tincture -- make a tincture from the dried root -- 1:5 ratio with 60 percent alcohol -- use between 10 - 30 drops per day.
Used Externally only
Essential oil -- This can be used in a diffuser to kill airborne bacteria -- do NOT take internally as it is
very toxic.
*Caution -- This herb contains a toxic narcotic substance known as thujone, which when used
extensively, has been tied to central nervous system damage. Consequently, it should not be used for extended periods of time unless you are under the care of a homeopathic doctor. Moreover, women
whom are pregnant should not use any of the species of artemisia.
Cryptolepsis
Cryptolepsis is a shrub from the Asclepiadacea family. It has been used for hundreds of years
in the treatment of many serious illnesses. It has the following benefits: antiparasitic, antimalarial, antibacterial, antifungal. Human clinical trials have shown cryptolepsis to be very effective in the
treatment of malaria. In fact, one of these trials showed this herb to clear malarial symptoms in
a shorter time then its synthetic counterpart, chloroquine, and without the side-effects associated
with that medication.
Taken Internally
Tea -- mix a teaspoon of cryptolepsis with 5 ounces of boiling water -- can be taken up to twice a day
Tincture -- Make a 1:5 ratio mixture in 60 percent alcohol -- use between 20 - 40 drops up to four times
a day.
Capsule -- Take up to 3 capsules twice a day. Up to 20 capsules can be taken for acute conditions provided
that you are under a homeopathic doctor's care.
Used Externally
Crush herb into a fine powder. It can be applied to an external bacterial or fungal infection. Apply
up to four times per day.
*Caution -- While there are no warnings regarding this herb, people using it should be aware that they may have, or may develop an allergy to cryptolepsis. Should you develop a rash or experience any other odd symptoms while using this herb, discontinue use of it immediately.
***Caution should be taken when using herbal supplements. Many of these while harmless at their recommended dosages, can become dangerous when taken in larger amounts. In addition, some people may have or may develop allergies to an herb that has had no prior reputation for causing allergic reactions. If you feel that you need to increase your daily intake of a particular supplement, please speak with either your physician or someone who is knowledgeable with regard to pharmacognosy (the study of drugs derived from plants).
Until next month!
Jim : )
Submit your Questions
Lyme makes us "go to pot"!
Well, hello everyone, and thank you for the many responses to last months topic, "Alcohol use and the Lyme patient." In this months column, I will discuss as per your requests the following, Caffeine. Please "keep in mind" past news letters, especially last months on alcohol to better understand how caffeine may affect the Lyme patient. That is, the various organ systems, and why you may choose to remove this from your menu.
"Caffeine Use And The Lyme Patient"
Caffeine like alcohol is a drug! Caffeine, an ingredient in coffee, tea, and numerous carbonated soft drinks, is perhaps the most widely used and abused drug. It is popular due to its stimulating action upon the CNS, or Central Nervous System.
Caffeine is also an ingredient in some OTC (over the counter) headache remedies, cold medications, appetite suppressants, and stimulants. A related drug, theobromine, is found in cocoa and chocolate. Caffeine is related chemically to the bronchodilator drugs aminophylline and theophylline.
The major pharmacologic importance is that it can cause an anxiety disorder called caffeinism, like we need more anxiety in our lives eh?
This drug is readily absorbed from the GI tract, and partially metabolized in the liver and excreted in the urine.
Pharmacologic Effects upon our organ systems:
Caffeine, like theophylline, stimulates the CNS and heart and relaxes smooth muscle in blood vessels and the bronchi. Vasodilation and cardiac stimulation increase renal (kidney) blood flow, which may be seen to increase urine output. Its a diuretic, causing "diuresis." Gastric acid secretion is also increased. In high doses, respiration is increased. The appetite is decreased, and blood glucose increases, it also causes a certain euphoria.
Side Effects, Adverse Reactions, and Contraindications
Caffeine as shared earlier overstimulates the CNS and sympathetic nervous systems. Common central signs, familiar to many of us include jitteriness, restlessness, nervousness, excitement, and insomnia. Flushed face, palpitations, and diuresis are common autonomic side effects. Some persons may show signs of considerable stimulation with daily doses as low as 250 mg. per day (two or three cups of brewed coffee). If a person who has not developed a caffeine tolerance ingests about 1 g in a day, such CNS effects as periods of inexhaustibility, psychomotor agitation, rambling thoughts and speech, tinnitus, and hallucinations may occur.
Peripheral effects include muscle twitching, tachypnea or respiratory distress, severe nausea, and vomiting, and a variety of cardiac problems ranging from palpitations to arrhythmias.
Gastrointestinal distress can occur because caffeine irritates the gastric mucosa (lining) directly and stimulates more acid secretion.
Those of us with Lyme Disease need to make "changes" in our activities of daily living. If our body is crying out for rest, the introduction of a stimulant is not the way to go. Many of us have experienced heart palpitations, arrhythmias, PVC's, and the introduction of caffeine can only worsen matters. Many of us have become dehydrated, caffeine can only do us more harm. Excess sugars, fast foods, have become a way of life for many of us, however we can and must make changes in our life styles and eating habits.
If we are having trouble sleeping, have night mares/terrors, experience racing thoughts, mood swings, irritability, poly urination, headaches, ringing in the ears, blood pressure changes, glucose (sugar) changes, too much-too little, liver enzyme abnormalities, cholesterol changes, lipid changes in our labs, being tense, then...........we may want to seriously think about avoiding caffeine in our diet and drinks and see for ourselves if changes do present themselves for the better in our "Unfolding Drama" called Lyme Borreliosis.
Well that's it for this month. Keep the questions coming and I will do my best to assist. For those of you new to this column, copies of other volumes are available and I recommend them to better understand just what Lyme Borreliosis can do to our bodies. This news letter is a continuous source of information, that is, it builds each month and while I attempt to refrain from using "words" that are not common to the lay person, sometimes, due to lack of space a word here and there may be used that has been explained in detail in past news letters. Chin up....Stephen
Email Steve, click here
I Have A Question or Suggestion Steve
This is the video clip of Dr. B's Dateline show. It takes a while
Last year many of us lost a very close friend to death due to Lyme disease. What I might feel is more painful for some of us, is not. There is no measure of the loss of a friend, mentor and patient advocate of Lyme victims as well as survivors. Beverly Stanton, "Country Girl" was all of these things and more.
The Mgh Lyme Chat room was renamed by John Lester in memory of Beverly Stanton for all the work she did there and people she helped. We teased her about "opening and closing down Lyme Chat" on a daily basis. Dr. Lester, (Harvard, Mgh), organized and attended a 2 day memorial service via the internet for family and friends. Bev's sister Trish was there to meet Bev's "internet Lyme family" for the first time. This was the first internet funeral I had ever been asked to attend, and as anyone would hope, the last. I even dressed for it. Once logged in, I couldn't seem to leave. I suppose it was the fist time the internet became virtual reality for me.
PSpatches who authors Lyme Matters newsletter and Pat's Tips & Tricks (for internet help), built a memorial site in Bev's honor a year ago. Even to this day it is open for those who want to stop by, to visit or read remarks left by others. Some are about Beverly and others, some are about the daily struggles we all feel from time to time. Some are in frustration, pain or alienation that this disease can bring. I visited today and that is why I am writing.
You are invited, when you get a chance, to stop and visit for a minute at the memorial site of Beverly Stanton, Lyme victim, age 53. Read some entries and remember how blessed we are to be a part of a group of people who I know to be loving, compassionate and with an attitude of gratitude. I have no doubt it will renew your spirit. Share in the guest book if you choose to.
I suppose this seems a strange message today being Valentine's Day, the "day of love." But love, support and encouragement is what life is about when all else seems to have been taken away. It has kept me willing to persevere beyond all obstacles placed in front of me thus far. I know sometimes we want to give up; remembering how Beverly touched the lives of many challenges me to remain busy and available, positive and strong.
Thank You,
Brite
Beverly
http://lymebev.homestead.com/bevlyme.html
Lyme Awareness, Inc.
P O Box 20107
Bowling Green, KY 42102-6107
This is a great cake for any occasion.
And it is so easy to make and everyone will be sweet on you for making it!
You do need a bundt pan to make it.
It is also great to serve just a little bit warm with vanilla ice cream
:) :) Enjoy
Preheat oven to 325*
1 Duncan Hines Yellow Cake Mix 4 eggs
I pkg. Vanilla pudding (instant) 1/2 cup oil
1/2 cup water 1 Bag of chocolate chips
1 German chocolate bar for baking.
Mix cake mix, pudding, oil, water & eggs. Fold in bag of chips and shave the German chocolate into the batter. Pour into bundt pan.
Bake for 1 hour and 15 minutes at 325*.
I like to dust the chips with a little bit of the dry cake mix so they don't sink to the bottom. This cake taste like the best chocolate chip cookie you have ever had.....:):)
If anyone wants to share a recipe to put in the column please do!
Click here.
Recipe
As many of you know, NYS has become the primary battleground for Lyme
patients in their fight for appropriate medical care. The Office of
Professional Medical Conduct [OPMC] of the NYS Department of Health, by
prosecuting two of our most important Lyme doctors - Dr. Burrascano and
Dr. Horowitz, could create an atmosphere in which it will be
impossible for Lyme patients throughout the country to get effective
medical care.
MARCH 27th, LOBBY DAY IN ALBANY - FAIM and many NYS Lyme disease
activists are organizing a day for New Yorkers to meet with legislators
and the press to call for:
1) an investigation by the legislature of the OPMC's bias against
physicians who are willing to treat Lyme disease patients aggressively.
2) a change in the laws governing the workings of the OPMC which
would insure due process for all physicians charged in the future.
WE URGE ALL NEW YORKERS TO ATTEND. The activities on that day for
New Yorkers will be two fold:
1) FAIM has arranged for a room in the legislative office building for
legislators, legislative aides, media and a small group of Lyme patients and
friends
and family to attend a teach-in about Lyme disease.
2) Monica Miller will be making appointments for the other Lyme patients
and friends and family to meet with state legislators in their Albany
offices to urge both the investigation of OPMC bias and OPMC reform.
THE FIRST STEP is for all who plan to attend to contact:
Joan Green at JGreen1471@aol.com
A head count will better enable us to make plans for transportation
(probably best to charter a bus). Also, we can then arrange for a
time when Monica Miller and Lyme patients experienced in lobbying can
meet with any of us interested in preparation for how to deal with
the legislators.
Since this is a day to lobby the New York State legislature, this
specific item is only for New York State residents. I know that all New
Yorkers for whom it is physically possible to get there will be there.
Please don't forget to enlist friends and family. We promised we would
not go away!!!!
Thanks,
Ellen Lubarsky
Joan Green
Hi folks,
Now that the main announcement of Lobby Day is out, I wanted to get to
you to answer some questions.
1) Lobby Day participation is limited to New Yorkers at the
recommendation of advisors in the state legislature. Lyme patients
across the country have been responsible for the successful letter
writing campaigns that have made the NYS legislators aware of the issue
of the harassment of LLMD's. The best advice we have now is that for
the New York State legislators to act they will need to see that this is
an issue that is important to their constituents.
I completely understand that this misses the fact that what happens in
NYS affects Lyme patients throughout the country. However, we have to
think strategically and follow the advice of those who are in a position
to know.
2) There will be some representation from other states in the form of a
very carefully organized silent vigil. We will want two people from
each state to be present near (but not in) the area where New Yorkers
are lobbying. There will be more information posted on this later.
Because of the limitation to two people from a state, many will still be
disappointed about not being able to participate directly. This
disappointment is very understandable, but it can't be helped because we
MUST do what will be effective politically.
3) At this moment, the most urgent help needed from people across the
country is to stay on the phone and or e/mail and fund raise for Dr. H's
Legal Defense Fund. Please do not wait for the big events like the
auction. Call or write to everyone you know and ask, as Jeannine
suggests, that they send you your birthday gift early in the form of a
contribution to the Legal Defense Fund. Please do not minimize the
importance of this. It is the most important work needed right now.
I debated whether to put this in this post or not, but here goes..... I
hope that we can become adept enough at fund raising that we not only
can raise enough for defense funds, but we can go on to hire a political
organizer and a publicist to keep the issue of LLMD harassment so much
before the public that we can win the fight once and for all. No
grassroots POLITICAL movement has ever really succeeded without the help
of a professional staff. Even if it was possible to do so, we are just
too damned sick to do it. I am racing with time to try to get the
above action points into motion because I know I do not have much
reserve to continue organizing. Limited energy is an issue with all our
Lyme activists.
I wish we had the funds now. We could call the Gay Men's Health Crisis
and ask them to recommend an experienced AIDS organizer/publicist who
could probably hit the ground running on the issue of LLMD harassment
with very little prep time needed.
So, my point is do not underestimate the importance/urgency of fund
raising. If we collect enough to insure that our doctors have
adequate representation (the most important thing by far), we could
then turn our attention to hiring the political organizers/publicists
we need so that we do not have to spend the rest of our lives on the
defensive in one battle after another.
Please make your checks out to the Horowitz Legal Defense Fund and mail
to:
Horowitz Defense Fund
c/o Monica Miller
PO Box 410
Kinderhook, NY 12106
Thanks,
Ellen
The information provided in this newsletter, accompanying articles, and links to other related Web sites is provided as a courtesy to our readers, and all material is intended for information, communication, and education purposes only, and is in no manner an endorsement, recommendation or approval of anyone, any product, or treatments in issues of "Lyme Matters." The information presented is not to be considered complete, nor does it contain all medical information that may be relevant, and therefore, is not intended as a substitute for seeking medical treatment and appropriate care. Please consult your doctor or medical advisor before making any treatment changes.
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click the link.
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If you would like to be changed to the non-graphic issue, let
us know.
Or, email, PSpatches@aol.com & LYMECHAT@aol.com
Comments
The Lyme Quilt Page
!Award Winner!
This announcement is an ongoing project and will always be on
this newsletter for the newcomers.
Lyme Quilt Page
Read the stories here to get an idea of how to compose your own.
Click here to submit a story. If you have questions click the link also.
Jim will be happy to help you.
Submit YOUR Story
Life with a Twist of Lyme
My Home Page
http://angelfire.com/ny/lymedisease/index.html
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https://www.angelfire.com/ny2/lymedout/index.html
Lots of info on Lyme
Regards,
Your friends & hosts,
Pat & Jim
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