Monthly Archives: December 2019

Lymes, Why?

Touching Base: The Disulfiram Journey

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End of week 8

Well friends, I just finished my second week on 1/2 of a 250 mg pill M-W-F, with the other days of the week at 1/4 dose. I am much more tired however, I am wondering if part of that is the Bactrim that I am also on for the UTI. Throw in the holiday and planning the Gala, along with building my business, and of course I should be tired right? (wink)

Anyway, I have a few things that I have noticed in the last two weeks:

  1. While I’ve been able to walk around Disney no problem in the last few years, just walking the mall Christmas shopping made my hips, knees and ankles feel like lead weights and I had increased pain. This also made me much more tired.
  2. While my tints has been improving, this week it’s increased slightly. Not sure why except I think it may be the stress, and maybe the meds?
  3. Happy to report still no hot flashes. I thought I was having one one day and if it was it literally lasted about 2 min. and it was done.
  4. My blood pressure meds are making me cough more often than I think they should which brings me a slight concern, however, I will give it another month and see how it goes.

I wanted to share the tea I’ve been making to help me detox. I mentioned in in my last post and someone asked what I was doing. Well, one of my doctors had recommended making this when I first got sick. I am not recalling who came up with this recipe, however, you can order the herbs from Mountain Rose herbs in CO. That is where I got mine. They come in bags.

So I brew them up based on the dosage listed, let them steep, pour them into my tea pot and use 1-2 TBS each serving with hot water, lemon and a dash of Stevia. I do this in the morning. The brew usually lasts a few days then I do it again. I put it into a glass container and refrigerate between servings.

This tea is great for detoxing the kidneys. Also, I found that Beet Kavass is also great as a blood tonic. There is a great recipe in the Nourishing Traditions book. If you do not like that then make sure to eat plenty of beets with your salads, walnuts, avocados and watermelon are all great liver detoxing foods.

For another hot beverage, I make Pau d’Arco Bark tea. Again, boil it down and let it steep then add 1-2 TBS to hot water. I like to add the Stevia to it. Again, Mountain Rose Herbs. Pau d’Arco Tea is great for candida and actually helps to not only fend it off but will help break it down.

I’ve back slidden a bit on my eating with the holidays. I have eaten way too many carbs. I am working back to Whole Foods and salads with less breads.

So, that’s about all I have to report today. Looking forward to seeing what the next few weeks has to offer.

Don’t forget, if you are local, mark your calendars and keep watch on the WLN website for the details on the Gala in February. 2/28/2020. Won’t you help make a difference?

Why?

Touching Base The Disulfiram Journey

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Week 7

Well, I have to say, I am beginning to think that this is the way to go. When I saw the Lyme medical professional that is treating me this past weekend, I was able to report:

  1. My tintitus is getting better. I have days and moments when it is non existent.
  2. My brain fog has lifted.
  3. I am waking up in the morning with energy and it seems I’ve slept all night (even if I know I have not). I cannot sit still knowing that there are things to do. And guess what? I’m not tired and I am motivated to get things done. I have not had this much energy in over 36 years.
  4. My hormonal night sweats and intense hot flashes that I’ve had for almost 8 years has taken a hiatus. I haven’t had one in over a week.
  5. My word recognition is coming back. Doesn’t take me as long to find what I want to say.
  6. I am organized and prioritizing without getting overwhelmed. Wow!
  7. I actually tried some Salmon a few times in the last week and a half and I did not have any side affects. What? Yes!

Side effects I’ve noticed in the last 6 weeks:

  1. Slight tightening in my throat area, around my thyroid? Could it be helping my hashimotos? Hmmm….
  2. I had one pain that last less than 10 minutes in my chest last week. I had no other symptoms and it wasn’t concerning, I just noticed it. Helping the Lyme in my heart? Another hmmm…..
  3. My liver enzymes are slightly elevated, so I am eating more foods rich with liver detoxing ingredients to help. More bananas, beets, and avocados.
  4. I had some issues with urination a few weeks ago, burning and urgency to go. I still have an urgency yet the burning is gone. We did a urine test actually today and I will wait to see if I have a UTI. If it comes out negative, then the doc said it will be likely that it’s the die off of the lyme in my bladder and kidneys since Lyme loves that area.

I am starting my 1/2 dose of a 250 mg pill today. I do take them at night as it helps with the tired feeling after I take them. This way I don’t notice it. I will take 1/2 M-W-F for 3 weeks and still take 1/4 of a tab the rest of the week. The journey is slow and yet it is progressing. I am very excited.

I’m still making my kidney detox tea in the morning. Eating lots of veggies and am staying away from anything alcohol, vinegar, and caffeine related.

Cannot wait to fill you in how the 1/2 goes. Prayerfully well. 🙂

Lymes

Touching Base the Disulfiram Journey

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Week 5

You have all been waiting I’m sure to hear how it is going. I have to be honest….its going great. I am half way done with my second week on 1/4 dose every day. I’ve started taking it at night because I notice, as have so many others before me, that it does make me drowsy. So at night, I can sleep it off.

Improvements:

  1. For the first time in at least 36 years, I am waking up feeling as thought I’ve slept through the night, waking without feeling tired and ready to get on with the day. I feel like a little energizer bunny that has so many things to catch up on and I’m actually getting them done.
  2. My constant Tinnitus, although still there, is much less in frequency. I’ve noticed that there have been days or moments in days that I do not have it at all. Wow! Maybe my hearing loss will slow down.
  3. My brain fog and word loss is also improving. I do not search as long for the words I want to say and I am feeling as thought the fogginess in my head is lifting. Kind of like the San Francisco fog, thick and mucky, slowly parting and allowing the sun to shine.

I know I still have a long way to go yet I am beginning to think that this is definitely the course of action for many who are on this journey. (Which, if the numbers keep rising, this may be the way to go for everyone. Especially since we are at a 1 out of 2 ratio.)

On a brighter note, we are planning a gala for the Wisconsin Lyme Network. We are raising money for the new Tick-Borne Illness Center of Excellence in Woodruff, WI.

This Center/clinic is the first of it’s kind in the country. They are researching, by collecting ticks and blood samples, while also diagnosing and treating. There are other clinics around the country picking up on this idea, yet we are the first state to have one. Thanks to OMI (Open Medicine Institute) and The Howard Young Foundation. While they currently need more staffing, they are treating patients and have over 150 on a waiting list. They even received their first international patient this week, coming from Canada.

The Wisconsin Lyme Network is raising money to help fund the gala, through sponsorships and general donations. These can be made through our website Wisconsin Lyme Network, in the secure donations section of the website. Once a donation is made, you will receive an immediate thank you for your tax write off. Please make sure that your donation specifically states in the memo portion that this is for the gala. We need sponsorships for the dinner itself, band, hotel and travel for the guest speakers, mailers etc. Any little bit helps and is graciously accepted. This is our first gala in WI and we are looking forward to this becoming an annual event.

If you are interested in attending, please email us and we will send you an invitation. The date is February 28, 2020. Yes, it’s coming up quickly. We will hear from the treating doctor at the clinic, Dr. Andy Kogelnik as well as Dr. Neil Spector. While Dr. Spector may not be in attendance, we are planning on him speaking through video. If you are not aware of who he is, please take a look at and read Gone in a Heartbeat. His story is an incredible testimony to the misdiagnosis that goes on when it comes to Lyme.