WORKSHOP GOAL:
To put the power to overcome chronic Lyme disease back in your hands .
HOW WE ARE GOING TO GET THERE:
ADJUST YOUR FRAME OF MIND SYMPTOMATIC THERAPY FOUNDATIONAL THERAPY REMOVE OBSTACLES CONSIDER HEROICS MONITOR PROGRESS
STEP 1
GET INTO THE RIGHT FRAME OF MIND.
“Wellness” Thinking vs “Illness”
Thinking
To overcome symptoms, you have to remove the obstacles to wellness instead of focusing just on reducing symptoms or eliminating “the” microbe.
A Healthy, Symptom-Free Body Is a Function of Healthy Cells.
To be healthy, cells must have:
• Water
• Nutrients
• Oxygen
• Metabolic waste removal
Symptoms Occur When Cells Suffer. Cells suffer when:
• Delivery of nutrients, oxygen, and water is disrupted
• Waste removal is compromised
• Cells are damaged directly by toxic substances or microbes
Getting well is a matter of eliminating the factors that are disrupting the health of cells in the body.
It’s never just the microbes.
All the microbes associated with chronic Lyme disease can be present in the body without causing illness.
There are always other factors!
QUESTION:
How Long Have You Had Symptoms?
Less than 6 months (acute infection) More than 6 months (chronic infection)
Chronic Infection:
• A foreign microbe persists in the body.
• This is actually very common — we all harbor microbes in our tissues.
• Symptoms only occur if immune system functions become disrupted.
• In that case, it’s not one microbe, but all microbes in the body that erupt and cause widespread symptoms (gut, skin, brain, heart, all tissues).
Chronic immune dysfunction is always a key component of chronic infection.
Five Factors of Chronic Immune Dysfunction
Microbes
Unnatural diet
Toxic environment
Chronic stress
Sedentary lifestyle/physical stress
Immune Dysfunction Can:
• Precede the infection • Be present at the time of infection • Come after the infection
QUESTION:
Do You Remember a Tick Bite?
NO YES
More than half of people don’t remember a tick bite or symptoms of acute illness.
QUESTION:
Where have you lived or traveled extensively during your lifetime?
QUESTION:
Have you tested positive for Lyme or common coinfections?
Others?
Mycoplasma
Babesia
Bartonella Ehrlichia
Epstein-Barr virus
Cytomegalovirus
Candida
QUESTION:
Are you considering new or additional testing? NO YES
Testing is most valuable for severe acute symptoms or when persistent symptoms are unresponsive to therapy.
Limitations of Microbe Testing
• Testing for chronic infection is unreliable: A negative test does not mean that you don’t have Lyme disease.
• The number of possible microbes present far outweigh the number of available tests.
• Many other microbes can be associated with symptoms common to Lyme disease.
• Everyone has coinfections; not all come from tick bites.
• You don’t need a positive test to begin natural therapy.
Criteria for Testing of Lyme + Coinfections
● Your reasons (e.g. access to new treatments; insurance coverage; desire to have a name for what’s causing your suffering; etc.)
● Cost
● Test accuracy
● Whether the results, positive or negative, will change your approach to treatment
These all have value — how much value depends on your individual circumstances...
This is the single-most important consideration.
STEP 2
IDENTIFY THERAPIES FOR TARGETED SYMPTOM RELIEF.
Heroic Restorative Symptomatic
First things first: Have you had a thorough evaluation by a healthcare provider?
QUESTION: YES NO
No? See your provider to rule out other underlying conditions that need immediate medical attention.
Examples include:
• Cancer
• Benign tumors on a hormone (e.g., thyroid, parathyroid, brain, adrenal)
• Primary heart conditions (blocked coronary artery, valve problems, cardiomyopathy)
Significant Potentially Life-Threatening Symptoms Include:
• Chest pain, pressure, or tightness
• Irregular heartbeat
• Loss of consciousness
• Severe shortness of breath
• Pain radiating to the neck or down the arm
• Severe nausea and vomiting
• Pain with specific associated symptoms
What Are Symptomatic Therapies?
• Acute relief for symptoms
• Help you feel energized and well enough to pursue the longer, restorative process
• Contribute minimally to healing and wellness
QUESTION:
What Are Your Top Symptoms?
q Abdominal pain
q Anemia
q Bell’s palsy (paralysis or weakness in the facial muscles of one side)
q Bone pain
q Brain fog or loss of cognitive function (memory loss, forgetfulness, confusion, difficulty concentrating)
q Chest pain
q Chronic fatigue
q Chronic flu-like symptoms
q Chronic infection
q Chronic pain
q Depression and/or anxiety
q Dietary concerns (food allergies or sensitivities, nutritional deficiencies, loss of appetite)
q Digestive disturbances (gas, bloating, belching, diarrhea, constipation, nausea, indigestion)
q Dizziness and instability
q “Floaters” in vision and eye discomfort
q Foot pain
q Headache
q Heightened sensitivity and agitation to noise and sound
q Irregular heart beats
q Migrating arthritis or joint pain
q Mood swings
q Muscle pain
q Muscle twitching
q Neck stiffness and creaking
q Paresthesias (burning or tingling in feet and hands)
q Ringing in the ears
q Shortness of breath or difficulty
catching breath (aka “air hunger”)
q Sleep disorders or trouble sleeping
q Stretch marks
q Sweats
q
Tooth pain
q Tremors (head and hands)
q Unstable bladder
q Visual changes or blurry vision
q Other?
Chronic Pain Relief
• CBD from hemp oil
• Medical marijuana
• Low-dose naltrexone
• Heat
• Alternative therapies (acupuncture, chiropractic care)
• PEMF
• Pharmaceuticals (with caution)
Natural Sleep Aids
• Bacopa
• Passionflower
• Motherwort
• Melatonin (1 mg)
• CBD from hemp oil
• Pharmaceuticals (with caution)
Digestive Symptom Relief
• Digestive enzymes
• Apple cider vinegar
• Slippery elm
• Berberine
• Dandelion; Milk thistle
• Chlorella
• D-limonene
• Milk of magnesia; MiraLAX
ESTABLISH YOUR FOUNDATIONAL TREATMENT PROTOCOL.
Key Steps in the Road to Wellness
• Suppress the microbes
• Protect cells / decrease cellular turnover
• Inhibit inflammation
• Restore communication / cellular connectivity
• Promote good flow
Criteria for Treatment of Chronic Lyme Disease
Efficacy: Does it work?
Safety: Potential for harm
Cost: For 6 months of therapy
Why Herbal Therapy?
• Broad-spectrum antimicrobial properties against bacteria, viruses, protozoa, and yeast
• Low toxicity; safe for extended durations
• Do not disrupt normal flora
• Protect immune cells; balance communication networks that coordinate immune system functions
• Potent antioxidants that protect cells from stress
• Anti-inflammatory
• Low relative cost
3 Categories of Foundational Support
2.
1. Antimicrobial herbs
3.
Immunemodulating herbs
Methylation + cellular support
1. Antimicrobial Herbs
• Andrographis
• Berberine
• Cat’s claw extract
• Japanese knotweed
• Garlic (allicin)
• Sarsaparilla
2. Immune-Modulating Herbs
• Chinese skullcap
• Reishi mushroom
• Cordyceps
• Rehmannia extract
3. Methylation + Cellular Support
• Activated B vitamins
• Glutathione
• N-Acetyl Cysteine
• Alpha Lipoic Acid
• Coenzyme Q10
• Milk thistle extract
• Pine bark extract
STEP 4
REMOVE THE OBSTACLES TO WELLNESS.
QUESTION:
What was happening in your life around the time your symptoms appeared?
Marriage?
Divorce?
Having a child?
Losing a loved one? Trauma? Loss of job?
Work stress? Accident?
It’s generally not one factor, but multiple factors that set the stage for chronic immune dysfunction associated with chronic infection.
Five Factors of Chronic Immune Dysfunction
• Microbes
• Unnatural diet
• Toxic environment
• Chronic stress
• Sedentary lifestyle/physical stress
DIET ASSESSMENT
Most days, I do this consistently well:
YES NO
Eat mostly whole, fresh foods
Eat ample vegetables
Eat probiotic and/or prebiotic foods
Minimize carbohydrates
Avoid eating on the run
Avoid fried foods
Avoid foods that trigger digestive symptoms
Other
If you answered “NO” to 1 or more criteria, and/or you’re regularly experiencing digestive symptoms, diet is likely an obstacle to your recovery.
Why Poor Diet is a System Disruptor
● Excess carbs lead to sustained elevation of insulin levels, insulin resistance, a suppressed immune system, and altered hormone function.
● Common foods inflame the intestinal tract, tip the gut microbiome off balance, and disrupt immune function, e.g.:
• Lectin-containing foods (grains, legumes, tree nuts, nightshade vegetables)
• Gluten-containing foods (wheat and related grains like rye and barley)
• Soy and soy products
• Foods high in mycotoxins (processed meats, peanuts, mushrooms, uncultured dairy)
General Diet Guidelines
• Make at least 50% of your diet vegetables
• Cook your vegetables
• Avoid packaged, processed foods
• Avoid fried foods
• Minimize carbohydrates (starches and sugar)
• Eat mindfully; chew food well
Depending on your level of gut dysfunction, follow an elimination diet for at least 2 weeks to remove things from your diet that are known to cause digestive dysfunction to allow your gut to heal.
Foods to Eliminate
• Gluten + other storage proteins
• Lectins
• Isoflavones (soy and soy products)
• Mycotoxins
• Toxic fat
• Dairy
• Oxalate (nuts, most grains and legumes)
• Alcohol
• Artificial preservatives
• Artificial sweeteners
• Artificial pesticides and herbicides
• Phytate (aka phytic acid; nuts, seeds, grains)
• Goitrogens (cruciferous veg, soy, peanuts, strawberries)
ENVIRONMENT ASSESSMENT
Most days, I do this consistently well:
YES NO
Ensure home and work space is free from mold
Eat fresh, organic food
Drink filtered water
Use natural skin care and cleaning products
Avoid tobacco
Avoid exposure to harmful chemicals
Have no more than 1-2 alcoholic drinks
Other
If you answered “NO” to 1 or more criteria, environment is likely an obstacle to your recovery.
Why Toxins Are a System Disruptor
• Compromise cellular production of energy
• Disrupt hormone systems, energy pathways, and homeostasis
• Act like free radicals (unstable atoms that damage cells) and cause systemic inflammation
• Strongly suppress immune system functions
To Eliminate Mold
• Have any visual evidence of mold removed by a professional.
• Have heating and air conditioning systems checked for mold and cleaned.
• If the smell of mold is still present or testing is still positive, drywall and insulation may need to be professionally removed and replaced with moldresistant drywall and insulation.
• Temporary measures: HEPA filters, ozone treatment (when the building is unoccupied), diffusion of essential oils
To Minimize Additional Toxin Exposure
• Choose organic whenever possible
• Use the Environmental Working Group (EWG)
• “Dirty Dozen” list
• Skin Deep® Cosmetics Database
• Replace your HVAC filters
• Use water filters certified by an independent third-party certification party
• Quit smoking
• Minimize alcohol consumption
Natural Ways to Detox Your Body
• High-fiber foods
• Chlorella
• Glutathione
• Far infrared sauna
• Rebounder
STRESS ASSESSMENT
Most days, I do this consistently well:
YES NO
Avoid stressful situations or relationships
Actively manage daily stress levels
Avoid excessive physical labor
Get enough sleep (7-9 hours/night)
Feel well rested in the morning
Other
If you answered “NO” to 1 or more criteria, chronic stress is likely an obstacle to your recovery.
Why Stress Is a System Disruptor
• When stressed, all resources of the body are directed toward dealing with that threat
• General maintenance functions — digestion, immune function, daily maintenance and repair — are put on hold
• Chronic stress keeps you in alert mode, which weakens other functions
Natural Ways to Manage Stress
• Make your world small
• Dedicate a little time to daily stress relief (walking, yoga, prayer, music, qigong, gardening, etc.)
• Take herbs to balance your HPA axis
• Ashwagandha
• L-theanine
• Magnolia officinalis and Phellodendron amurense
To Improve Sleep and Feel More Well Rested
• Practice good sleep hygiene
• Allow extra time to hit your sleep goals
• Avoid caffeine and alcohol
• Practice relaxation techniques
ACTIVITY ASSESSMENT
What is your capacity for physical activity?
Unrestricted for my age; I can do most anything I want
Somewhat limited by symptoms and next-day fatigue, but still active
Bedridden LIMITED OR NO CAPACITY
Limited to low-intensity exercise (walking, yoga, qigong)
Very low capacity for physical activity
If you have limited capacity for movement, inactivity is likely an obstacle to your recovery.
Why Inactivity Is a System Disruptor
Prolonged inactivity (sitting for extended periods; lack of regular physical activity) is stressful on the body:
• Decreases blood flow
• Increases toxin retention
• Disrupts immune function
• Decreases endorphins
• Zaps energy
If You Are Bedridden…
• Avoid exercise until you feel ready.
• Do far infrared sauna.
• Try breathwork to improve lung capacity, boost circulation, and enhance mobility and flexibility around the ribcage.
If You Have Low or Limited Capacity to Exercise…
• Do not exceed 70% of your full capacity to move — whatever your current capacity is.
• Redefine exercise as something that supports healing (vs. presses your limits).
• Try breathwork to improve lung capacity, boost circulation, and enhance mobility and flexibility around the ribcage.
• Try gentle practices (restorative yoga, pilates, qigong).
• Take regular rest days.
Your Obstacles Checklist is a Symptom Detective
Remember: Symptoms are a red flag of obstacles to recovery
Unhealthy, processed food diet
Exposure to environmental toxins
Chronic stress or lack of sleep
Inactivity or excessive activity
Microbes (flare-up of existing or new exposure)
Additional Herbs, If Symptoms Persist Despite It All
• Cryptolepis (dose varies based on preparation)
• Black walnut (use with other herbs for short duration)
• Alchornea (dose varies according to preparation)
• Artemisia (dose varies according to preparation; should not be taken for longer than 7 days)
• Bidens pilosa (alcohol tincture; dose varies according to preparation)
• Neem (dose varies according to preparation)
• Red root (dose varies according to preparation)
CONSIDER HEROIC THERAPIES? STEP 5
Many Options Are Available; Some You May Encounter:
• Antibiotics
• Steroids
• Anti-inflammatory drugs
• Oxidative therapies (ozone, hyperbaric oxygen)
• Rife machines
• Hyperthermia
• Immunoglobulin
• Oligonucleotide
• Phage therapy
MONITOR YOUR JOURNEY PROGRESS.
New Symptoms? Here’s How to Tell What’s Going On
HERXHEIMER RX LYME FLARE
SYMPTOMS Intensified fatigue, muscle pain, and flu-like symptoms such as headache, nausea, GI distress, other
ONSET Symptoms intensify in tandem with starting a new therapy.
Intensification of fatigue, arthritis (joint pain, swelling, and stiffness), flulike feelings, GI distress, recurrence of your usual Lyme symptoms
TREATMENT RX
An allergic-like reaction (hives, itching, skin rash, runny nose, watery eyes, wheezing)
TELLTALE SIGNS Symptoms may gradually improve with continuation of therapy, and worsen again when you increase the dosage or add a new therapy.
Symptoms are often precipitated by extra stress to your system, not starting a new therapy (though the two may coincide if you experienced stress before starting the therapy).
Your best clue is timing: A Lyme relapse typically occurs while taking a stable dose of treatment and in reaction to some type of stress, so look for recent lifestyle changes (i.e., diet changes, travel, sleep loss, relationships trouble).
Symptoms develop within about an hour of taking a new medication or herb
Your symptoms get better when you take an allergy remedy such as an antihistamine.
Do Weekly Self Check-Ins
• Are you sticking to your protocol?
• How are you feeling (energy, mood, stress levels)?
• How are you sleeping?
• How is your digestive function?
• Any symptom changes (better or worse)?
• Any personal milestones (no matter how small)?
Wellness is within your reach.