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We think my husband may have Lyme. He was bitten by something a week ago, and a few days ago developed a round, red, bumpy, slightly itchy rash around the bite. He is at the doctor's office right now getting it checked out. I know the first plan of attack is usually to hit it with antibiotics and my husband says he's okay with that. He's a fairly healthy guy and he takes probiotics on a regular basis. I just wondered if any of you had any advice or experience with Lyme and alternative treatments. Thanks.
I would ask Dr B actually
I would ask Dr B actually about this in case there is a herbal way. Would be worth doing that rather than the atx if at all possible. Hope all is well.
AGh!! my worst fear! I might
AGh!! my worst fear! I might actually go for the abx in this case. Not sure
Lisa,
Lisa,
My partner has had Lyme for 7 years because he wasn't able to get quick antibiotic treatment initially. His life is a nightmare. He can't work, can't think clearly, and is often in agonizing pain worse than mine. I know abx are bad for us, but I would not mess around with alternatives if you're fairly certain he's had a lyme bite. The sooner he can get treated, the better. It is a horrible, horrible disease that takes people's entire lives away, much like IC. I would really recommend doing the abx for this, as they do prove effective if taken early on. If he waits, the chances of them working are much reduced. (This is coming from someone who has waited 7 months to clear a uti with herbs- so I'm not one to take abx lightly...)
I feel guilty advocating use of antibiotics, as they do cause a lot of havoc for many people. However, I would say lyme is one case where they can be good. My partner has tried so many alternative therapies to no avail. If anything, I have seen him get progressively worse in the 3.5 years we've been together. This year, after doing MANY alternative therapies, he has been on 3 antibiotics for almost 5 months, which is way, way worse on the system than 2-4 weeks of one initial abx. So, in the end I'm not sure it's a bad thing to do the initial run if it clears the spirochetes before they become embedded in his central nervous system. I know my view is biased, but I would hate to tell someone to seek alternative options and have them get so much worse, when they have just gotten a bite and could easily resolve the issue with one round of abx.
Of course, how the body responds to the abx depends on his overall immune system and a million other factors. But I'd encourage him to look at the ILADS website for good info on how to proceed. Dr. Richard Horowitz is also a lyme specialist who bridges the gap between "alternative" therapies and western meds.
-Claire
I agre Claire. My son Frankie
I agre Claire. My son Frankie got the rash and the acute Lyme symptoms and i did choose to go with Abx for him assuming he was strong and healthy and we could rebuild better from the abx than the Lyme. My husband's aunt is in a similiar boat with your boyfriend. So sorry. That is very sad.
Lisa- so sorry you are going thought this scary thing. Hope all goes well!
Claire and Deirdre,
Claire and Deirdre,
Thank you! This is exactly what I needed to hear. I feel the same way about the abx. I don't like them, but I feel like in this case, they have the potential to save his life. Lyme isn't something to mess around with and there isn't any clear cut alternative that I can see. He only has the rash right now with no other symptoms. The doc's office sent a blood sample away to test for Lyme (although I know it can test negative at this stage even if it's in his body) and they will test again after taking the antibiotics.
I did email Dr. M about it and I asked for her thoughts, and I also asked what he can take supplement-wise to help bolster his immune system while he's taking the abx.
He just started a diet program three weeks ago with a weight loss center that uses whole foods. Phase one starts with cutting out all grains and starches, dairy (except greek yogurt, butter, and cheddar cheese), and sugar. So he is eating very clean right now and has taken mega and bif for the last couple years, and will continue to take them. This makes me feel a little better about him taking the abx. And he hardly ever gets sick, he has a strong immune system.
Claire, I'm so sorry about your partner. I will pray that things turn around for him. Thank you so very much for sharing your story with me. It's so hard to know what the right thing is to do sometimes. I thought I was doing the right thing when I took Elmiron and Atarax for 10 years for my IC. Little did I know it was hurting me more than it was helping. But now I'm on the right road, and I pray that your partner will discover what he needs to do to get better.
xo
Might be worth a read...
Might be worth a read...
http://www.health-truth.com/233.php
x
Thanks for your sweet words
Thanks for your sweet words Lisa! I hope your husband has a swift and easy recovery.
xoxo
Healing, thanks for the great
Healing, thanks for the great article. :)
I've got an update. It looks like my husband actually has Southern Tick-Associated Rash Illness (STARI). I was doing more research last night on Lyme's and saw that STARI is very similar, but is not as severe as Lyme's. I saw a pic of a STARI rash and it looked exactly like my husband's rash. The treatment protocol is the same as the one for Lyme's and is usually very effective if started early. Dr. B said she would have him do the antibiotics and give him probiotics after to recover from them. He is taking probiotics 2 hours before or after his antibiotic dose just to be safe. This was the reccomendation I saw online from several sources. It won't interfere with the antibiotic's effectiveness, but will protect his intestines.
Thanks for all your help girls!
Good. Glad you know and can
Good. Glad you know and can do something about it!!
This sounds great and like he
This sounds great and like he will be just fine! Great news x