Lyme Disease in Graton

[ScienceTeacher]

I'm planning to move to Graton and have heard from more than one person living there that Lyme disease is a serious problem in the area. Can anybody confirm this and/or give details/personal experiences. Many thanks.

[Waccomole]

tuck your trousers cuffs into your sox and you'll be fine.


I'm planning to move to Graton and have heard from more than one person living there that Lyme disease is a serious problem in the area. Can anybody confirm this and/or give details/personal experiences. Many thanks.

[broadbandersnatch]

First of all, I am reminded of something an Infectious Disease doc said early on in my Lyme diagnosis/treatment. She said, the question isn't how prevalent is Lyme disease in (fill in the blank,) the real question is how present is it in your own backyard? Sonoma County is, as many of us know all too well, a land of micro climates. So in choosing to live in a certain part of the county one must consider how well that micro climates suits an individual. Those of us who suffer from allergies know this all too well.

I personally have not heard about a Lyme "hot zone" in Graton, but Lyme disease can be contracted anywhere, even in the city!

By the way, tucking in your trousers is not a global preventative. It is important to check one's whole body after walking through high grasses etc.
or anytime one might have been exposed to possible tick bites.

Be aware that in the nymph state, the lyme tick is very hard to see ,as it's only the size of a period. Nonetheless, remembering to be watchful and using common sense can prevent most Lyme infections, but unfortunately, not all.

By the way, the only absolutely 100% positive diagnosis for Lyme is the classic "bullseye" rash with a central clearing. If you do see this type of rash, it is not an indicator that you might be infected, it is proof positive of an infection. See a LLD (Lyme Literate Doctor,) immediately. Contrary to popular belief, the presence of this type of rash only occurs in a minority of cases. Diagnosis then becomes clinical and very difficult, as there is no 100% accurate Lyme disease test.

[Vet-To-Pet]

I wonder why there's no absolute test for Lyme Disease in humans; there's one for dogs.... (it's a 4-in-one test, for tick-bourne diseases). Maybe the health dept should get busy....? Also, I thought the bulls-eye rash was diagnostic (+/-) for Rocky Mt Spotted Fever; I wasn't aware that the same rash occurred with Lyme Disease. I lived on Long Island (NY), just across the LI Sound from Lyme, CN (where Lyme Disease was first diagnosed) & I don't recall hearing any warning about a circular rash. Has it mutated? The itsy-bitsy nymphs ARE very hard to see, being the size of a freckle or smaller. I had a few on me (ankles) and couldn't believe they were not part of my skin!
Paula/Vettopet

By the way, tucking in your trousers is not a global preventative. It is important to check one's whole body after walking through high grasses etc.
or anytime one might have been exposed to possible tick bites.

Be aware that in the nymph state, the lyme tick is very hard to see ,as it's only the size of a period. Nonetheless, remembering to be watchful and using common sense can prevent most Lyme infections, but unfortunately, not all.

By the way, the only absolutely 100% positive diagnosis for Lyme is the classic "bullseye" rash with a central clearing. If you do see this type of rash, it is not an indicator that you might be infected, it is proof positive of an infection. See a LLD (Lyme Literate Doctor,) immediately. Contrary to popular belief, the presence of this type of rash only occurs in a minority of cases. Diagnosis then becomes clinical and very difficult, as there is no 100% accurate Lyme disease test.[/quote]

[Braggi]

tuck your trousers cuffs into your sox and you'll be fine.


I just pulled one off my chest that was pretty well attached. [Ouch!]

Not sure how the trousers/socks program would have helped.

-Jeff

[Vet-To-Pet]

Well, My Bad....I've been frantically scanning thru my textbooks (since I'm late to leave for work) but can't find the absolute answer about the Bull-s-eye rash, but it does mention a rash in the text I read about Lyme's disease, so I'll take that back, just so folks don't think it's not a problem if they see a rash--altho any rash where a tcik has been removed would be of concern, no matter what the little bugger was carrying. I've been taught, tho, that a tick has to be attached (not just walking along on top of your skin) for 24 hours in order for a disease to be transmitted. that was what I was taught in 1994, so take that wiht a grain of salt...
Smiles,
Paula/vettopet
First of all, I am reminded of something an Infectious Disease doc said early on in my Lyme diagnosis/treatment. She said, the question isn't how prevalent is Lyme disease in (fill in the blank,) the real question is how present is it in your own backyard? Sonoma County is, as many of us know all too well, a land of micro climates. So in choosing to live in a certain part of the county one must consider how well that micro climates suits an individual. Those of us who suffer from allergies know this all too well.

I personally have not heard about a Lyme "hot zone" in Graton, but Lyme disease can be contracted anywhere, even in the city!

By the way, tucking in your trousers is not a global preventative. It is important to check one's whole body after walking through high grasses etc.
or anytime one might have been exposed to possible tick bites.

Be aware that in the nymph state, the lyme tick is very hard to see ,as it's only the size of a period. Nonetheless, remembering to be watchful and using common sense can prevent most Lyme infections, but unfortunately, not all.

By the way, the only absolutely 100% positive diagnosis for Lyme is the classic "bullseye" rash with a central clearing. If you do see this type of rash, it is not an indicator that you might be infected, it is proof positive of an infection. See a LLD (Lyme Literate Doctor,) immediately. Contrary to popular belief, the presence of this type of rash only occurs in a minority of cases. Diagnosis then becomes clinical and very difficult, as there is no 100% accurate Lyme disease test.

[Peace Voyager]

Yes, we got a lot of ticks when we lived in Graton. Watch out for them in wood piles, hike in clearings, as they like to drop down from trees when they notice something warm below.



If you find a tick on you and are concerned about Lyme's, preserve the tick and take it to the County Health Dept. (next to Sutter). They will do the test for a small fee.

Natural repellents (for you and your pets) are found in your favorite health food store, or Rosemary's Garden in Sebastopol. You may enjoy learning to make your own from local herbs like Pennyroyal, etc. Use with caution, especially if pregnant.

The best Lyme's disease expert is Wayne Anderson, who works with Dr. Gordon in SR.

Good luck,

Colleen Fernald

[Malene]

Ok, so I am curious about the controversies around lyme disease.

Some say that lyme disease somehow goes on for years, and continue to live in a person. The medical establishment seems to think that once lyme disease is treated its over.

I think I heard at one point that there is a test out for it now, a blood test, but that the medical establishment really doesnt accept its findings in cases of ongoing lymes disease.

I have heard those that say lyme disease goes on as a disease say they need to take large ongoing doses of antibiotics - which on its own is unhealthy of course - in order to function.

Can anyone give me a good picture of what the whole argument is about? I am less interested in the motives of those that might hold an opinion, and more interested in what the actual opposing opinions are.

Ohh, and Dr. Paula, nice to see you on here. All three babies are doing just fine, with Niles ruling the neighborhood. Sofie's stomach troubles has cleared up, although we occassionally give her some of the stuff you gave us to keep her regular.

Dr. Paula is a wonderful vet, highly recommended.

Thanks!

Malene

[phooph]

My sister just sent me this cute youtube video and it recalled to me this thread.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S6YfVbtVawY&NR=1

Ruth

[niboroo]

It's true that the fact of Lyme Disease (that's its actual name - first discovered by a pediatrician in Old Lyme, CT in 1975 who saw a huge
cluster of the same symptoms in his child patients) is unnecessarily clouded by the lag time that seems to exist always when a 'new' disease is discovered. The American Medical Association (to which half or fewer of the U.S.'s doctors belong) is virtually always the last to come on board, even
as monumental evidence mounts, and it has. See the CDC's cluster map for
Lyme in the U.S. (last time I looked it was very outdated, but still impressive).
Lyme D. is very personal; I have had it for at least 43 years, though it was a mystery until I had yet another bite five years ago that produced a huge, expanding bullseye rash - very often not present, so don't rely on that as a symptom.
Lyme D. is also slowly becoming global, with some clusters in Western Europe. It has been around, according to old Dr. records, from the 19th century. The fact of its recent rapid spread is probably yet one more result of our crowding into animals' spaces with our housing, developments, explorations and continuing closeness, in this case, mostly to the deer population. Deer carry the tick but don't get the disease; also field mice.
Humans are vulnerable (sorry, don't know the chemistry involved here). Dogs carry ticks also, and, again, I don't know if dogs can get LD.
The leading researchers post on <www.ILADS.org> and are far ahead of the AMA and the Centers for Disease Control (CDC); also look for wider, deeper info from us 'lymies' at <www.LymeDisease.org>. both sites have other links. Even the CDC believes that LD is way larger than what has been already identified as numbers of people and clusters.
People with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, when and where they can, are getting tested for LD and many are finding that they have been treated for the wrong disease, CFS instead of LD - very different.
Yes, it's unfortunate, but also fortunate (I speak personally here) that antibiotics have to be involved. But I'd rather tame or eliminate LD than try to ignore it or, at this time, go with a less tested method.
Here's the skinny on 'cure' so far: IF you have been bitten for the first time and are paying attention, i.e. finding the tick right away, pull it out with a pair of tweezers, by/at the head - pull straight up. Do not use a match, etc. Take the tick right away to the Sonoma Co. lab or your Lyme-wise doctor - we have several here in the county.
The surest thing to do is not wait for the results, but get the shot, or the series of doxycycline immediately. You've got about 48 - 72 hours before the infectious tick (they aren't all infected) bites and leaves you with what quickly turns into a corkscrew shape "spirochete" that tunnels its way
through white blood cells, thereby coating itself so the immune system can't
find it. If you haven't had a chronic LD condition, treating the first bite immediately with several weeks of 'doxy' will most likely eliminate the spirochetes that might have taken hold, and you then won't have LD.
If you have chronic LD, symptoms, of which there are dozens, may have come and gone in no particular pattern for years. Could be bouts of crushing fatigue, pain that moves around mysteriously, inability to concentrate or remember, and many others. Chronic LD can affect many body systems. Get educated.
Until recently, there was the ELISA test (large percentage of error), then the Western Blot test (much more accurate) and CD-57 that tests the strength of your immune response. The ILADS site and others have much more information. Work is happening on many fronts including finding a way to immunize. Researchers have taken many biopsies of tick rashes (they may also be streaks or just look rashy), and duplicated the spirochetes' paths in the human body, in the lab.
So much remains to be done and is underfunded. There is definitely an epidemic, particularly from New England and down the eastern coast as well as many other places. Ours zones here are from Marin up through Mendocino County at the present.That doesn't mean you can't get bitten somewhere else. If you're out trekking, carry the tweezers and a little baggie to put the tick in. As has been rightly said here before, wear light colored long pants that you tuck in to your socks; you can ID ticks much faster and they can't as easily get into your body. They love hair too.
As usual, follow the money. Who would rather that we not know too much about what is by now an epidemic of large proportions? Insurance companies, the corporate media, foot-dragging doctors, et al. No surprise here. So get educated, take precautions, do tick checks, follow through.
Lastly, we apparently don't yet know if chronic LD can ever be cured, but it can be greatly subdued and that may take maybe two to four years of
various antibiotics (Do take strong Probiotics during your treatment - those are much stronger than yogurt). The chances of one's getting one or more
co-infections along with the LD itself are common, and each has its own characteristics and its own antibiotic treatment, one reason that treating
an entrenched case of LD can take so long.
Hope this clears up some of the mystery and serves as prevention. Take
a look at the websites, and pass along only the most reliable information you can get from them.
Note: For those with LD, Chronic Fatigue, Fibromyalgia and/or Multiple
Chemical Sensitivities, and their loved ones/supporters, we have a wonderful
long running monthly meeting of the Carousel Network. We meet every first
Saturday of the month, 2 P.M. at Palm Drive Hospital in Sebastopol. There are presentations by doctors, chiropractors and many other kinds of health specialists. Virtually all meetings are audio or videotaped, and those tapes
are in a much larger library we have been collecting. You can visit, become a supporting member (who can then borrow books, tapes, etc.) The meeting is two hours, and there is always time left for questions or discussion.
See <www.cndsinfo.net> for more on this.


Ok, so I am curious about the controversies around lyme disease.

Some say that lyme disease somehow goes on for years, and continue to live in a person. The medical establishment seems to think that once lyme disease is treated its over.

I think I heard at one point that there is a test out for it now, a blood test, but that the medical establishment really doesnt accept its findings in cases of ongoing lymes disease.

I have heard those that say lyme disease goes on as a disease say they need to take large ongoing doses of antibiotics - which on its own is unhealthy of course - in order to function.

Can anyone give me a good picture of what the whole argument is about? I am less interested in the motives of those that might hold an opinion, and more interested in what the actual opposing opinions are.

Ohh, and Dr. Paula, nice to see you on here. All three babies are doing just fine, with Niles ruling the neighborhood. Sofie's stomach troubles has cleared up, although we occassionally give her some of the stuff you gave us to keep her regular.

Dr. Paula is a wonderful vet, highly recommended.

Thanks!

Malene

[nicofrog]

Hey;
good thread, sometimes the only way we get to know what is going on is by
communicating across a "broad band" of the populous .
I believe I MIGHT have had Lyme, I was beginning to get arthritis in every joint I used frequently, Before the whole fuss came up, I had MANY ticks,and lots of strange rashes with them, including one I distinctly remembered having an odd bullseye effect. I was also spaced out a lot, but I always have been, and there could be numerous causes for that.
Then I went to the hospital, for an unrelated infection problem, and I was on serious multi-spectrum antibiotics(inter-venous) for about 9 0r 10 days
After that experience, I suddenly noticed ALL the arthritis was and still is GONE ,That was 15 years ago. Naturally, I am still quite spacey, but that as I said, could be from a dozen different lifestyle choices and wounding in my early childhood.
Other than the occasional nasty headache, I enjoy what I would call exceptionally good health(flu? whats that?) .
Thank providence for that. SO ,it might have been Lyme,who knows?
I take ticks of my cats by the dozens in the Green Valley winter.
Do CATS get Lyme? If the human tests for Lyme are so uncertain, how is it that they seem to have a quick easy test for ticks,who are presumably dead when they arrive for testing?
I wash up good after dealing with ticks. We seem to have a disproportionately huge Raccoon population, that I attribute to rural folks being a little casual about letting them raid the compost or"Garbage".
Please, don't make the"feeding the coons is cute" mistake!
Raccoons belong deep in the woods scrounging for nibbles of hard to find omnivorous fare, not being "spoiled "by our relatively rich human cuisine!
I can help folks set up a strong composting system if needed!
Nico

[broadbandersnatch]

I just want to say that Niboro's info is accurate and up to date as far as I know. Thanks for posting such a thorough and informative summary.



It's true that the fact of Lyme Disease (that's its actual name - first discovered by a pediatrician in Old Lyme, CT in 1975 who saw a huge
cluster of the same symptoms in his child patients) is unnecessarily clouded by the lag time that seems to exist always when a 'new' disease is discovered. ...<www.ilads.org><www.lymedisease.org><www.cndsinfo.net></www.cndsinfo.net></www.lymedisease.org></www.ilads.org>

[arthunter]

Hi there everyone,

This subject is of great interest to me and I think that it deserves a serious discussion.

I was diagnosed with Lyme disease a great many years ago and I've had recurring health problems ever since. At the time my symptoms included anxiety, crashing headaches, fatigue ( especially in the afternoon ), joint pain, brain fog, insomnia, hyperactivity, recurring flu symptoms ( monthly cycle ), bad nightmares, episodes of rage, depression, stomach problems, and the list goes on.

At the time there was very little information about Lyme disease and it took me 10 years to figure out what was going on. I had had numerous tick bites in Sonoma County and several of them produced a bullseye rash. My husband was also diagnosed with Lyme disease after a bout with Bell's Palsy which resulted in a trip to the emergency room at Palm Drive Hospital where he was diagnosed.

Thanks to the internet and a surgeon friend I ended up treating myself with very large doses of Amoxicillan. This went on for 5 years and eventually my symptoms went away. This was temporary relief though as the antibiotics destroyed my intestinal flora balance and I ended up with a severe case of candidiasis. Candidiasis is the overgrowth of Candida yeast in the body and it can produce symptoms that are as serious as Lyme. During this time I was prone to panic attacks, muscle and joint aches, anti-social behavior, chest pain, depression and intestinal distress. My thyroid gland also stopped working which enhanced a lot of these problems.

I have been looking for a forum to warn others about both of these maladies as they can truly destroy one's life. Here are the facts, as I know them, but please do lots of your own research if you suspect that you are suffering from either problem.


Regarding Lyme:

1. It's common in our area and it's not always possible to see the tick that has caused it. Some are very tiny and in the nymph stage. There is also a suspicion that it is sexually transmitted with about half of all Lyme doctors agreeing to this theory based on clinical observations. ( My husband had it and after our separation my boyfriend came down with it ) ... There's also suspicion that it can be passed on by mosquitos, fleas, and mites but, in my opinion, there's not enough evidence to support this theory. It might also be passed down in the womb from mother to child.

https://www.ei-resource.org/illness-information/related-conditions/lyme-disease/

2. There is not always a bulls-eye rash.

3. Lyme has been misdiagnosed as Alzheimer's (https://www.canlyme.com/phys.html#alz), ALS (https://www.canlyme.com/phys.html#als) (Lou Gehrig's Disease), Parkinsonism (https://www.canlyme.com/lymepark.html), Multiple Sclerosis (https://www.canlyme.com/phys.html#ms), Chronic Fatigue, Fibromyalgia, Crohn's disease (https://www.canlyme.com/crohn%27s.html), heart disorders, psychiatric disorders and many other chronic illnesses of 'unknown origin' which collectively cost the taxpayer billions of dollars.

4. Testing for Lyme is woefully inadequate. I received my positive diagnosis from IGeneX Labs in Palo Alto,... I've read that they're one of the best labs in the country for Lyme detection.

5. Don't even try to deal with this through your health insurance because, in most cases, they're not interested. I had trouble getting Kaiser to even enter my positive lyme test into my medical records. Their treatment was inadequate and I ended up paying thousands of dollars to a Lyme specialist in the town of Sonoma. His name is Dr Preen and I don't think that he's still practicing. He was overwhelmed by the number of patients seeking his advice and so if he is practicing there's probably a huge waiting list to see him.

6. Antibiotics might cure lyme if they're taken right away. The latest theory is that the lyme spirochete can mutate into a cyst form which protects it from antibiotics. Some experts believe that antibiotic pulsing is the answer because when symptoms are present it means that the lyme spirochete is no longer protected by the cyst. This is how I attacked it ( without even knowing what I was doing ) and I am mostly symptom free. Treatment protocols vary as do opinions and this remains a mystery disease so please don't take anything that I say as gospel truth.... this is just my experience and information based on current research.

7. Animals can and do get lyme disease. There's the general notion amongst vets that cats are less susceptible then dogs but, based on my personal experience, I question this. I rescued a female cat about 3 years ago. When I rescued her she was covered in fleas and ticks. She has had intermittent lameness and neurological problems ever since. These symptoms are relieved by antibiotics so I suspect Lyme. To make matters worse she had kittens before I could get her to Forgotten Felines for spaying ( she was half feral ). The kittens have also had neurological problems that are relieved by antibiotics. Lyme in animals is characterized by intermittent lameness, lethargy, lack of appetite, and spaciness.

8. There's the possibility of hope on the horizon. A new substance called "Samento" is having positive effects with Lyme patients. If you suspect that you have Lyme then please do research about this. I'm testing it now and it does have amazing benefits. It's also effective against candidiasis and a host of other ailments.

9. Almost all Lyme patients will come down with candidiasis and this too must be treated. Treatment for this is extremely difficult but I recommend a product called "Candex" which will provide temporary relief at least. Candex, a strict candidiasis diet and probiotics are your only hope for curing this condition.... and it's not easy. Look for probiotics which are refrigerated and guaranteed to bypass the stomach acid ( most of them never reach the intestines where they need to be ).

More information:

https://www.canlyme.com/phys.html#other


Regarding Candidiasis:


It is my personal belief that this ailment is just as destructive as Lyme disease. I also believe that it's very prevalent in our society. Candidiasis can be caused by even one lengthy course of antibiotics. I've read that it can also be caused by birth control pills, steroids, bad diet ( sugar-based ), alcoholism and stress. There's a theory that candidiases can even cause or enhance alcoholism because the Candida yeast causes cravings for sugar, bread, and alcohol to "feed" itself.

https://www.ei-resource.org/illness-information/environmental-illnesses/candida-and-gut-dysbiosis/

Based on my own experience, I believe that this disorder could be at the root of a lot of chronic illness. Here's a list of symptoms from the Environmental Illness Report ( link above ):


Fatigue
Weakness
Muscle & joint aches
Headaches
Feeling of being "hung over"
Gastrointestinal disturbances - diarrhea, constipation, nausea, bloating (https://www.ei-resource.org/#) after eating
Psychological disturbances - depression, anxiety, irritability, mood swings
Cognitive dysfunction - poor memory, lack of concentration
Recurrent vaginitis
Menstrual Disturbances and Infertility
Allergies
Skin irritations/rashes/acne
Recurrent throat/ear infections
Hypoglycemia I have had most of these symptoms so I know for a fact that this list is accurate.



Candidiasis can also be sexually transmitted.




I'm not a frequent contributor to this forum but I felt that I had to speak up about this stuff. These are serious, life-complicating illnesses that you need to be aware of. There's no need for panic because they are treatable but awareness is extremely important.



Before I knew what was happening to me I lost everything to these illnesses ... businesses, relationships, my home, my credit, etc. I'm now 54 years old and I'm having to rebuild my entire life.... but I'm reasonably healthy and I consider my awareness of these problems to be the "gift" of my experience.


Recently, it's been suggested that I start a chronic illness support group for the purpose of information sharing and support. If anyone out there is interested in this idea then please let me know.


Oh, and please respond publicly to this post so that your input can be viewed by all.


Thanks!

[niboroo]

:Yinyangv: I'm so glad that people are paying attention and adding some well experienced and researched further information on Lyme Disease, as well as
the frequently accompanying Candidiasis (which was one of my first symptoms too).
As we are seeing,, and as I said, the list of possible symptoms is very long, the longest I have ever seen, (having a health practitioner background). The number of educated doctors, et al, falls woefully short of what we need. We need to feed our doctors more information, demand that they get up to date, and stop ignoring what often presents as a bewildering set of conditions. We are the 'consumers', the payers, the clients, the ones
who are suffering.
In a review of my reply to the thread, I see that the web sites I typed in
didn't make it in - probably my hypersensitive keyboard. These are:
<www.ILADS.org> (the most advanced researchers post here); <www.LymeDisease.org> (the 'Lymies' site), and they both have other links.
Some doctors locally, whom I know of, who are more on top of all this are:
Dr. Moses Goldberg, the office of Dr. Eric Gordon (several Drs. there, but they don't take MediCare or MediCal - you pay (a lot) up front and can then use their payment receipts to send them in on your own), Dr. Peter
Stricker in SF, Dr. Terri Turner, and any of these may be able to give you more Dr. names. Though Dr.Wayne Anderson started at the Occidental Area Health Clinic, I do not know if any other doctors there are truly Lyme-wise,
as he is; he's at Dr. Gordon's office.
This looks like a thread that may increase both in volume and depth. Keep
going! This is valuable information to share with your family, children, friends, workmates, playmates and in school health departments as well as with health practitioners of all kinds and the herbal, etc. departments of our natural food stores. Let's be Health Warriors ! (thanks, Wayne, for that accolade).
robin :thumbsup:
More: Repeating previous statements about antibiotics wrecking your gut:
Make sure to add in a strong, refrigerated probiotic into your health and
treatment regimens. When you take them, keep them about two hours apart from the intake of antibiotics, as well as from other medicines.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------


Hi there everyone,

This subject is of great interest to me and I think that it deserves a serious discussion.

I was diagnosed with Lyme disease a great many years ago and I've had recurring health problems ever since. At the time my symptoms included anxiety, crashing headaches, fatigue ( especially in the afternoon ), joint pain, brain fog, insomnia, hyperactivity, recurring flu symptoms ( monthly cycle ), bad nightmares, episodes of rage, depression, stomach problems, and the list goes on.

At the time there was very little information about Lyme disease and it took me 10 years to figure out what was going on. I had had numerous tick bites in Sonoma County and several of them produced a bullseye rash. My husband was also diagnosed with Lyme disease after a bout with Bell's Palsy which resulted in a trip to the emergency room at Palm Drive Hospital where he was diagnosed.

Thanks to the internet and a surgeon friend I ended up treating myself with very large doses of Amoxicillan. This went on for 5 years and eventually my symptoms went away. This was temporary relief though as the antibiotics destroyed my intestinal flora balance and I ended up with a severe case of candidiasis. Candidiasis is the overgrowth of Candida yeast in the body and it can produce symptoms that are as serious as Lyme. During this time I was prone to panic attacks, muscle and joint aches, anti-social behavior, chest pain, depression and intestinal distress. My thyroid gland also stopped working which enhanced a lot of these problems.

I have been looking for a forum to warn others about both of these maladies as they can truly destroy one's life. Here are the facts, as I know them, but please do lots of your own research if you suspect that you are suffering from either problem.


Regarding Lyme:

1. It's common in our area and it's not always possible to see the tick that has caused it. Some are very tiny and in the nymph stage. There is also a suspicion that it is sexually transmitted with about half of all Lyme doctors agreeing to this theory based on clinical observations. ( My husband had it and after our separation my boyfriend came down with it ) ... There's also suspicion that it can be passed on by mosquitos, fleas, and mites but, in my opinion, there's not enough evidence to support this theory. It might also be passed down in the womb from mother to child.

https://www.ei-resource.org/illness-information/related-conditions/lyme-disease/

2. There is not always a bulls-eye rash.

3. Lyme has been misdiagnosed as Alzheimer's (https://www.canlyme.com/phys.html#alz), ALS (https://www.canlyme.com/phys.html#als) (Lou Gehrig's Disease), Parkinsonism (https://www.canlyme.com/lymepark.html), Multiple Sclerosis (https://www.canlyme.com/phys.html#ms), Chronic Fatigue, Fibromyalgia, Crohn's disease (https://www.canlyme.com/crohn%27s.html), heart disorders, psychiatric disorders and many other chronic illnesses of 'unknown origin' which collectively cost the taxpayer billions of dollars.

4. Testing for Lyme is woefully inadequate. I received my positive diagnosis from IGeneX Labs in Palo Alto,... I've read that they're one of the best labs in the country for Lyme detection.

5. Don't even try to deal with this through your health insurance because, in most cases, they're not interested. I had trouble getting Kaiser to even enter my positive lyme test into my medical records. Their treatment was inadequate and I ended up paying thousands of dollars to a Lyme specialist in the town of Sonoma. His name is Dr Preen and I don't think that he's still practicing. He was overwhelmed by the number of patients seeking his advice and so if he is practicing there's probably a huge waiting list to see him.

6. Antibiotics might cure lyme if they're taken right away. The latest theory is that the lyme spirochete can mutate into a cyst form which protects it from antibiotics. Some experts believe that antibiotic pulsing is the answer because when symptoms are present it means that the lyme spirochete is no longer protected by the cyst. This is how I attacked it ( without even knowing what I was doing ) and I am mostly symptom free. Treatment protocols vary as do opinions and this remains a mystery disease so please don't take anything that I say as gospel truth.... this is just my experience and information based on current research.

7. Animals can and do get lyme disease. There's the general notion amongst vets that cats are less susceptible then dogs but, based on my personal experience, I question this. I rescued a female cat about 3 years ago. When I rescued her she was covered in fleas and ticks. She has had intermittent lameness and neurological problems ever since. These symptoms are relieved by antibiotics so I suspect Lyme. To make matters worse she had kittens before I could get her to Forgotten Felines for spaying ( she was half feral ). The kittens have also had neurological problems that are relieved by antibiotics. Lyme in animals is characterized by intermittent lameness, lethargy, lack of appetite, and spaciness.

8. There's the possibility of hope on the horizon. A new substance called "Samento" is having positive effects with Lyme patients. If you suspect that you have Lyme then please do research about this. I'm testing it now and it does have amazing benefits. It's also effective against candidiasis and a host of other ailments.

9. Almost all Lyme patients will come down with candidiasis and this too must be treated. Treatment for this is extremely difficult but I recommend a product called "Candex" which will provide temporary relief at least. Candex, a strict candidiasis diet and probiotics are your only hope for curing this condition.... and it's not easy. Look for probiotics which are refrigerated and guaranteed to bypass the stomach acid ( most of them never reach the intestines where they need to be ).

More information:

https://www.canlyme.com/phys.html#other


Regarding Candidiasis:


It is my personal belief that this ailment is just as destructive as Lyme disease. I also believe that it's very prevalent in our society. Candidiasis can be caused by even one lengthy course of antibiotics. I've read that it can also be caused by birth control pills, steroids, bad diet ( sugar-based ), alcoholism and stress. There's a theory that candidiases can even cause or enhance alcoholism because the Candida yeast causes cravings for sugar, bread, and alcohol to "feed" itself.

https://www.ei-resource.org/illness-information/environmental-illnesses/candida-and-gut-dysbiosis/

Based on my own experience, I believe that this disorder could be at the root of a lot of chronic illness. Here's a list of symptoms from the Environmental Illness Report ( link above ):


Fatigue
Weakness
Muscle & joint aches
Headaches
Feeling of being "hung over"
Gastrointestinal disturbances - diarrhea, constipation, nausea, bloating (https://www.ei-resource.org/#) after eating
Psychological disturbances - depression, anxiety, irritability, mood swings
Cognitive dysfunction - poor memory, lack of concentration
Recurrent vaginitis
Menstrual Disturbances and Infertility
Allergies
Skin irritations/rashes/acne
Recurrent throat/ear infections
HypoglycemiaI have had most of these symptoms so I know for a fact that this list is accurate.



Candidiasis can also be sexually transmitted.




I'm not a frequent contributor to this forum but I felt that I had to speak up about this stuff. These are serious, life-complicating illnesses that you need to be aware of. There's no need for panic because they are treatable but awareness is extremely important.



Before I knew what was happening to me I lost everything to these illnesses ... businesses, relationships, my home, my credit, etc. I'm now 54 years old and I'm having to rebuild my entire life.... but I'm reasonably healthy and I consider my awareness of these problems to be the "gift" of my experience.


Recently, it's been suggested that I start a chronic illness support group for the purpose of information sharing and support. If anyone out there is interested in this idea then please let me know.


Oh, and please respond publicly to this post so that your input can be viewed by all.


Thanks!

[sakunda]

Thank you for sharing this info!

Also --I've heard that Rife technology, Far Infra Red, Electro-frequency - QXCI type of modalities have been known to assist Lyme disease as well as Candida patients.




:Yinyangv: I'm so glad that people are paying attention and adding some well experienced and researched further information on Lyme Disease, as well as
the frequently accompanying Candidiasis (which was one of my first symptoms too).
As we are seeing,, and as I said, the list of possible symptoms is very long, the longest I have ever seen, (having a health practitioner background). The number of educated doctors, et al, falls woefully short of what we need. We need to feed our doctors more information, demand that they get up to date, and stop ignoring what often presents as a bewildering set of conditions. We are the 'consumers', the payers, the clients, the ones
who are suffering.
In a review of my reply to the thread, I see that the web sites I typed in
didn't make it in - probably my hypersensitive keyboard. These are:
<WWW.ILADS.ORG>(the most advanced researchers post here); <WWW.LYMEDISEASE.ORG>(the 'Lymies' site), and they both have other links.
Some doctors locally, whom I know of, who are more on top of all this are:
Dr. Moses Goldberg, the office of Dr. Eric Gordon (several Drs. there, but they don't take MediCare or MediCal - you pay (a lot) up front and can then use their payment receipts to send them in on your own), Dr. Peter
Stricker in SF, Dr. Terri Turner, and any of these may be able to give you more Dr. names. Though Dr.Wayne Anderson started at the Occidental Area Health Clinic, I do not know if any other doctors there are truly Lyme-wise,
as he is; he's at Dr. Gordon's office.
This looks like a thread that may increase both in volume and depth. Keep
going! This is valuable information to share with your family, children, friends, workmates, playmates and in school health departments as well as with health practitioners of all kinds and the herbal, etc. departments of our natural food stores. Let's be Health Warriors ! (thanks, Wayne, for that accolade).
robin :thumbsup:
More: Repeating previous statements about antibiotics wrecking your gut:
Make sure to add in a strong, refrigerated probiotic into your health and
treatment regimens. When you take them, keep them about two hours apart from the intake of antibiotics, as well as from other medicines.
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[niboroo]

Hello all, especially those interested in the Lyme Disease topic,
I see that for some glitchy techy reason way beyond my grasp, the web site info I keep posting doesn't seem to make it through with the rest of
the text. I'll try again: www.ILADS.org (https://www.ILADS.org) (where the leading researchers
post) and www.LymeDisease.org (https://www.LymeDisease.org) (by, for and about us "Lymies").
Hope this one makes it through! Thanks for all the very interesting mail by everyone on this subject. The more public the better for this hidden epidemic.
robin