LIVING LIGHTLY WITH LYME
Approaches for managing Chronic Lyme Disease, and other chronic health conditions
by Judy Taylor
Copyright 2011 Judy Taylor
Smashwords Edition, License Notes
This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This ebook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If you're reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please return to Smashwords.com and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.
Table of Contents
Chapter 1: Health Conditions Linked To Chronic Lyme Disease
Leaky Gut Syndrome and Other Digestive Issues
Chronic Fatigue Syndrome vs. Chronic Fatigue
Dealing with Pain and Inflammation
Dealing with Herxes and Allergic/Sensitivity Reactions
Know Your Limits, Respect Yourself
Chapter 3: Professional Assistance
Western vs. Eastern Approaches
Functional Medicine and Holistic Healing
Particularly Beneficial Alternative Treatments
Chapter 4: Coping with MCS and Environmental Illness
Factors in Environmental Illness
Greener Living and Tips for Managing MCS
Furniture, Décor, and Remodeling
Chapter 5: The Impact of our Minds
The Power of Meditation and Mindfulness
Listening to the Body and the Deeper Self
The Power of Visualization: Imagining Yourself Into Better Health
Limitations (Self-Imposed vs. Real)
Monitoring Our Media Consumption
PART III: EMOTIONAL APPROACHES
Chapter 6: Dealing Effectively with our Difficult Emotions
Becoming Aware of Our Emotions
Working with the Neuroplasticity of our Minds
Chapter 7: The Power of Positive Emotions
Meditations to Foster Positive Emotions
Chapter 8: Healing Unhealthy Emotional Patterns
Professional Assistance for Emotional Healing
Self-Administered Methods for Emotional Healing
I wish to thank my parents, Adele Hogan and Wally Taylor, for continuing to love, accept, and believe in me. I am also particularly grateful to my friends (Tom Birlin, Sue Bozzo, Elise Burrows, Marylyn Genovese, Phyllis Klein, and Rebecca Ruedy) for their unwavering support, friendship, and generous sharing of relevant health information. An extra thank you goes to Marylyn Genovese for polishing up and enlivening my book cover design.
I’d like to express further appreciation to my fellow writing comrades (Ken Dalwin, Bill Edwards, Laura Thomas, and Ron Yungul) for their practical advice and positive encouragement. And for empowering me and offering warm therapeutic support, Mick Bennett and Josie Levine deserve special acknowledgement. A last thank you goes to my editor, Walter L. Kleine, for delicately editing this book without distorting my voice.
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Most of us have heard harrowing accounts of severe Lyme infection, and you may have such a tale yourself. I always feel compassion when I hear these reports since I know they involve much suffering. Yet I am fortunate that, contrary to the prevalent Chronic Lyme narrative, my story is not so dramatic. I did not precipitously slide from a state of robust health into sudden, debilitating illness. I don’t remember being bitten by a tick, nor seeing a bull’s eye rash. My story is much more subtle and gradual.
I began experiencing health issues in my early 20’s, which included gastrointestinal problems, extreme irritability, horrible PMS, and difficulties in being able to concentrate effectively (i.e. “brain fog”). None of these matters were severe, but they gave me enough discomfort to send me running from practitioner to practitioner in search of relief. Incrementally, over the years, some of these problems have intensified, and some new issues have surfaced, such as hormonal imbalances, fluctuating myalgia, joint stiffness, multiple allergies and sensitivities, and chronic fatigue. I have gained assistance for a smattering of these dysfunctions, but there’s been no freedom from many of my other enduring complaints.
Over the course of decades, I was quite open to visiting a varied community of healthcare practitioners, from the alternative to the traditional. I knocked on the doors of MDs, chiropractors, acupuncturists, herbalists, naturopaths, homeopaths, Reiki masters, holistic healers, and energy workers. Most of these healthcare providers have only been able to help me marginally. Usually, they were mystified when my body did not respond to their protocol or could not assimilate their suggested remedies.
When I didn’t receive enough assistance from these healers, I conducted my own research. Books, seminars, radio programs, and Internet sources have been a font of self-help remedies and techniques, which I willingly experimented with. While these efforts couldn’t fully resolve my issues, my studies did provide me with a vast amount of knowledge on health topics related to my problems.
I have been variously diagnosed with Candida, heavy metal toxicity, chronic fatigue, multiple food and environmental allergies, Leaky Gut Syndrome, and more recently, Multiple Chemical Sensitivity. It wasn’t until early 2009 that my astute doctor suspected Chronic Lyme disease. His subsequent diagnosis was based on results from several tests, combined with a clinical assessment. This determination triggered a frenzied research expedition that helped me comprehend how the various pieces of my health picture fit together. Lyme disease seemed to be the “missing link” that connected my various health challenges. I felt like it might be the unknown factor that has frustrated my attempts to heal.
My approach to recovery has been holistic—I have sought healing on all levels of my being, from the physical to the mental, emotional, and spiritual. During this odyssey toward greater well-being and health, I gathered many useful tips that have allowed me to maintain a mostly “normal” existence. I’m offering these strategies here to others who face challenges similar to mine.
This book is focused on coping methods for Chronic Lyme disease and other ailments that commonly occur in conjunction with Lyme. The maladies included here are Candida, intestinal/digestive issues, Multiple Chemical Sensitivities, allergies (food and environmental), Biotoxin Illness, chronic fatigue, and Mercury Toxicity. (I do not address any of the Lyme co-infections, such as Babesia or Bartonella, since testing has not been able to verify the existence of these bugs in my system.)
What I have written here is not meant to be an exhaustive and comprehensive volume of all knowledge related to the above-mentioned conditions. Instead, it’s essentially limited to information that I have found particularly beneficial for my health and wellbeing. I feel I have more authority to speak from my own personal experiences. Thus, I spend virtually no time talking about methods and supplements that I have not personally tried. I don’t waste space criticizing practices, remedies, and treatments I utilized that have either been ineffectual or caused me reactions since I only want to focus on what has aided me.
The slant of this book is toward those of us with Chronic Lyme and Multiple Chemical Sensitivities (MCS) or Environmental Illness (EI). My inability to tolerate many foods, herbs, supplements, fragrances, chemicals, and environmental factors (mold, dust mites, etc.) classifies me as having MCS or EI. In this book, I offer the strategies that have assisted me in managing my issues. The emphasis of these pages will be on lifestyle modifications that alleviate suffering, rather than on what herb, supplement, or drug will banish symptoms and heal ailments. Yet, when I’ve found ingestible agents that my body accepts, then I do recommend these helpers. If you need more information in this regard, there are plenty of other resources available for obtaining such assistance.
I offer no quick fixes, magic pills, or miracle methods of healing, only what has enabled me to manage fairly well despite the dysfunctional condition of my body. What I present are the building blocks of health that enable anyone suffering from physical ailments to live better. Some people might overlook the suggestions I provide in favor of a more effortless way to combat their problems. And some might be inclined to disregard my recommendations since some of the ideas are common knowledge.
I urge fellow Chronic Lyme sufferers, and others with chronic health challenges, to try these methods and incorporate them into their health care regimes. Since these strategies have allowed me to live “lightly” with my chronic health conditions, I would strongly recommend a trial of my suggestions. I truly believe these practices have been responsible for keeping my case of Chronic Lyme disease at a moderate and controllable level. I welcome you to mine these pages for information that will lead you to improved wellness. Then, continue searching anywhere your curiosity or needs for comprehensive assistance takes you!
I am not a health care provider, nor medical professional. I do not make any claims for cures. The information provided here reflects only my experience, research, and knowledge. It should not be misconstrued as medical advice. Please do not rely exclusively upon any suggestions given herein. I urge you to verify these contents through your own research and experience. Readers must assume full responsibility for the use of the information contained in this book. Please consult with your health care provider for your complete health care needs.
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HEALTH CONDITIONS LINKED TO CHRONIC LYME DISEASE
As many of you already know, Lyme disease is contracted through the bite of a tick infected with the Borrelia Burgdorferi bacteria. Usually, in the acute phase of infection, this microorganism can be eradicated with proper antibiotics. If left untreated and/or undiagnosed for many months or years, the Borrelia bacteria burrow deeper into the recesses of the body, making Lyme disease increasingly difficult to diagnose, treat, and eradicate. Once it passes into the chronic phase, it manifests in a wide variety of bodily symptoms. Chronic Lyme is often misdiagnosed as other conditions, like Fibromyalgia, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS), Rheumatoid Arthritis, or Multiple Sclerosis (MS).
Chronic Lyme symptoms vary widely between individuals because the bacteria tend to reside in the physically weakest areas of the body. Consequently, it can affect many organs and systems of the body. CLD is a tricky condition to diagnose since there is a wide variance in clinical manifestations, and diagnostic tests are notoriously unreliable, often missing many valid Lyme cases. Added to this is the existence of various strains of the Borrelia bacteria, which usually don’t get tested for.
Chronic Lyme disease is considered a complex condition because it is multi-systemic, and the tick often transmits co-infections (other disease-causing bacteria, such as Babesia, Bartonella, Mycoplasma, and Erlichia) along with the Borrelia. The Lyme bacteria also weakens the immune system, and this allows other opportunistic infections to invade and flourish. Some of these other pathogens are yeasts, parasites, viruses, or bacteria. The accumulation of heavy metals in the body can also be an issue for Chronic Lyme sufferers, generating additional troublesome manifestations and the need for serious detoxification. Chronic Lyme itself puts severe stress on the body, and the overlay of these extra problems increases the load on the body and immune system, making CLD a complicated affliction to contend with. It is quite common to see a Chronic Lyme patient wrestling with many of the disorders I describe in the following sections, such as Candida and Mercury Toxicity.
Chronic Lyme disease can also interfere with the function of our hormones. Adrenal fatigue, inadequate serotonin, imbalanced sex hormones, and thyroid issues all quite frequently occur in conjunction with CLD. Adrenal fatigue will detract from the efficacy of any Chronic Lyme treatment program, and low cortisol will contribute to food sensitivity issues, so it is undoubtedly important to have these issues tested for and addressed, since they impede healing. Better-functioning hormones will raise the body’s ability to combat the Lyme bacteria. I have discovered some highly effective natural aids for a few of these imbalances. DHEA and Siberian ginseng (Eleuthero) have bolstered my adrenals, and progesterone cream (contraindicated for Candida sufferers) evened out my PMS hormonal cycles. DLPA has quite successfully pierced through some of my depression since it produces tyrosine, which is needed by the body for adrenal and thyroid hormone production.
There is a massive amount of information about Lyme on the web and in book form to help us tackle this complex affliction. Since my body has not been able to tolerate many substances, I have not tried the plethora of great herbs and natural supplements suggested to either eradicate the bacteria or ameliorate symptoms. What I provide in the coming chapters is information on how one can best cope with Chronic Lyme symptoms and its concomitant maladies. The basic recommendations of lowering your stress load, getting plenty of rest, exercising daily, healing emotionally, and consuming a healthy diet are essential elements for Lyme recovery. In addition, these are critical requirements for any health regimen that’s formulated to combat illness and/or maintain wellness. I would urge readers not to summarily dismiss these building blocks.
Many LLMDs put their Lyme patients on long-term antibiotics, and some seem to feel much improved after this extended treatment. (I cannot verify this benefit since I am unable to try the protocol due to my liver’s inability to handle most prescription drugs and my body’s proclivity towards developing Candida.) Other Lyme specialists caution that antibiotics only drive the bacteria deeper into the tissues of the body. Relief may be obtained, but the condition has often not been eradicated, only placed into dormancy. A stressful episode in one’s life, or a new infection, has been known to instigate a resurgence of Lyme. I would urge extreme care and thorough research before blithely downing massive amounts of antibiotics.
There is also controversy in the Lyme field regarding whether the Borrelia bacteria can be entirely wiped out. Some LLMDs state unequivocally that Lyme can be completely destroyed. Conversely, other practitioners feel that patients can only lower their internal bug count and boost the immune system. This approach is purported to bring the body to near-normal health since a stronger immune system is able to knock down the level of infectious agents and co-exist asymptomatically with the rest.
Unfortunately, I do not know which of these perspectives is true. I feel that the best approach allows for either outcome. I am working toward totally obliterating the Borrelia, but if my immune system cannot completely eradicate the entire bug population, I will be perfectly happy with reducing their numbers enough so that I feel better and am able to function at near optimal levels.
Biotoxin Illness is a recently-coined term that encompasses all the ailments caused by biotoxin poisoning in the body. Biotoxins are generated by certain bacteria (Borrelia or the cyanobacteria in blue-green algae), toxic fungi, and dinoflagellates (found in bodies of water). Most people’s systems can readily clear these biotoxins after they remove themselves from the offending environment (e.g. a moldy building), or they eradicate the causative agent (bacteria, fungi, etc.). Unfortunately, there is a percentage of the population whose bodies are genetically unable to naturally detoxify these biotoxins. This defect allows biotoxins to circulate endlessly, which then continually re-poison the body. Biotoxin Illness is born in these individuals until they can find an appropriate substance to safely expunge the biotoxins.
Sadly, many people in this genetically susceptible set go from doctor to doctor seeking relief from various disturbing and painful physical symptoms without realizing that their distress is caused by the biotoxins their bodies are unable to eliminate. These patients, and the doctors attempting to heal them, remain unaware of the true cause of their misery, and they stay sick for many years. Fortunately, the emerging information about Biotoxin Illnesses can assist many suffering individuals in diagnosing this disorder and gaining freedom from their physical discomfort.
The presence of biotoxins in the body causes a number of distressing symptoms. Some of the hallmark effects of biotoxin poisoning are chronic fatigue, excessive thirst, frequent urination, light sensitivity, impaired concentration, poor temperature regulation, numbness, vertigo, and joint pain. More information can be found on the Biotoxin Illness website, www.chronicneurotoxins.com. This site is extremely informative and offers a simple visual test to determine one’s likelihood of having a biotoxin illness. Another great resource is the book Mold Warriors by Dr. Ritchie Shoemaker. It is quite lengthy, but reads like an anecdotal, easy-to-comprehend primer on the damaging effects of mold and biotoxins on the body.
After becoming aware of the biotoxin issue and having a lab test confirm my genotype as one that cannot readily detoxify mold and Lyme biotoxins, I suspect that the genesis of some of my earliest health problems may go back to a college living situation. I was renting an apartment on the top floor, which began to leak once the rainy season commenced. I didn’t pay sufficient attention to this problem until one day, to my horror, I found mushrooms growing under the end table! I informed management, and they promptly repaired the roof and removed the ugly growth from my carpet, but I am certain that they either did not conduct proper mold remediation (often the case), or the initial mold exposure generated enough biotoxins in my body to give me years of ensuing problems.
I remember that while residing in that moldy apartment I began to experience some cognitive impairment. I had difficulty focusing my brain on the page and on the teachers’ lectures, despite my level of interest in the subjects. My roommate may have also had a reaction to the mold, as she had to drop out of school after developing a mysterious, intractable bronchial ailment.
The laboratory test to determine if your genotype is the kind that will have trouble removing biotoxins is a special HLA test. It is HLA-DR #012542 administered by LabCorp.* I found it immensely helpful in alerting me to the multiple susceptibility issue I have—being sensitive to both Lyme and mold biotoxins. This result means that I can’t purge biotoxins without assistance. Thus, I must consume certain substances to remove these offenders. The usual prescription is Cholestyramine, and the natural alternative to this drug is Chitosan. Instead of these standards, I take two of the supplements recommended by Dr. Dietrich Klinghardt--Zeolite and Chlorella. This substitution is necessary due to my allergies and my liver’s inability to handle most pharmaceuticals.
*Most health practitioners won’t know how to interpret the results of this test. However, Dr. Shoemaker’s book, Mold Warriors, contains an excellent guide for figuring out your genotypes from your lab report.
Many people have experienced Candida. Candida is a condition of imbalanced gut flora. A healthy intestinal tract is one where beneficial bacteria reside along with bad bacteria. Candida occurs when there is an overgrowth of the detrimental Candida albicans bacteria. This condition happens frequently in immunocompromised individuals, such as Chronic Lyme patients. Left untreated, Candida can become chronic, progressing beyond a simple intestinal imbalance to infiltrate all areas of the body. Symptoms of this development include brain fog, bloating, constipation, irritability, itchiness, fatigue, aching muscles and joints, and depression.
For most individuals with basic Candida, it can be eradicated by temporary changes to the diet and the use of anti-fungals and probiotics. However, for some of us with CLD or other ailments that lower with our immune functioning, Candida becomes chronic and difficult to eliminate. I’ve had to endure this kind of Candida for many years.
By following the traditional yeast-free dietary recommendations, I’ve been able to significantly control my Candida overgrowth. The Candida-fueled brain fog and irritability rarely occur for me any more, as long as I monitor my diet. Since brain fog is a common Chronic Lyme symptom, many CLD sufferers might be able to regain some of their cognitive clarity once they adopt yeast-free eating practices.
The Candida diet involves eliminating the following foods: sugar (all forms can be problematic, including honey and fruit sugar), yeast, fermented products (vinegar, alcohol, even black tea), mushrooms, peanuts (actually all nuts can give rise to Candida), food additives, aged or processed cheeses, and gluten products. It’s best to eat foods as unprocessed, natural, fresh, and as organic as possible since most prepared and packaged goodies are full of the Candida triggers listed here. Most items that can be eaten off-the-shelf without cooking, such as canned or jarred foods and dry snacks in bags, can be problematic for individuals who have a high level of Candida or mold sensitivity. I find that I must eat mostly cooked foods. A smattering of raw produce is acceptable, as long as it’s fresh.
Taking probiotics to re-establish and maintain healthy intestinal flora, anti-fungals* to eradicate the Candida overgrowth, and enzymatic products to break down the Candida cell wall will also help to manage or lessen the condition. While neither fun nor easy, I have found that these measures, along with following a rigid anti-Candida diet, are absolutely necessary for minimizing my uncomfortable Candida symptoms. As Chronic Lyme sufferers, we are more likely than most folks to develop Candida since Lyme causes immune system imbalances. A malfunctioning immune system can’t easily balance gut flora, so we are more prone to an overgrowth of the bad bacteria. Thus, it is necessary for us to institute this yeast-free protocol until we can beat down the Lyme population. Long-term antibiotic use can also instigate a Candida condition.
Candida was one of my first health issues, and I have grappled with it for nearly 30 years. I believed for a long time that this was my basic health challenge. But I could never understand why the commonly promoted methods couldn’t rid me of my Candida problem. I always thought it was a bit “unfair” that this condition persisted despite rigorous adherence to my diet and regular consumption of all known Candida fighters and cleansers. At least now I know that a crucial reason for this intractability is the presence of Lyme in my system, which interferes with proper immune function.
However, instead of having Candida, I may just be experiencing a manifestation of Lyme. Many Chronic Lyme and Candida symptoms are identical, like brain fog, depression, constipation, fatigue, and food intolerances. It can be very tricky to determine which is the source of problems since the Lyme bacteria have been demonstrated to colonize in the intestinal lining. (See Dr. Raj Patel's article on diet and Lyme). Thus, one’s ongoing discomfort may not be entirely due to a Candida overgrowth, but to the Lyme bacteria itself.
While it is possible to hold the bad bacterial population down with diet, anti-fungals, and probiotics, you cannot completely eradicate the Candida symptoms until the Lyme is killed off. The presence of Chronic Lyme disease, along with any accumulated mercury in your system (see the “Mercury Toxicity” section for information on how it relates to Lyme and Candida), will all serve to keep Candida an issue you must micromanage.
*When using anti-fungals, be sure to rotate between different products since the Candida bacteria will become resistant to anti-fungal agents that are used continuously and repeatedly.
Leaky Gut Syndrome and Other Digestive Issues
The existence of Lyme bacteria in the intestinal tract promotes inflammation in the intestines, which can then lead to Leaky Gut Syndrome (LGS). Leaky Gut Syndrome is a condition where the intestinal lining has become permeable, thereby allowing undigested food particles, toxins, and bacteria to be released into the bloodstream. Once these substances enter the body freely, they can cause inflammation anywhere. Inflammation contributes directly to many diseases, like arthritis, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS), and Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS). Gut inflammation can also induce hormonal imbalances and allergies.
Inflammation in the intestines can lead to additional problems. Since it impairs digestion, nutrient absorption becomes inhibited. Gut inflammation also destroys the enzymes needed to break down carbohydrates. Due to these issues, Chronic Lyme patients often have a difficult time digesting sugars and starches. These malfunctions can eventually instigate intestinal Candida.
Aside from LGS and inflammation, the “gut-brain axis” plays a role in gut dysfunction. There is a connection between the gut and the brain where what affects one, affects the other. Moods or emotions can upset the GI tract, and gut dysbiosis can generate negative emotional states. It’s well-known that stress will worsen many chronic conditions. Less recognized is the fact that gut conditions, like constipation or IBS, can create depression or anxiety in the sufferer.
I know that when my Candida has caused constipation, I feel either depressed or irritable. Once the blockage is relieved, my mood changes instantly. The fog of depression immediately lifts, and the embers of irritation are flushed away. I become more upbeat and less rattled by life. Apparently, there are many neurons in the intestinal system which send information back to the brain via the vagus nerve. This channel has a hand in mood generation.
Leaky Gut Syndrome can be detected through diagnostic tests. If these analyses don’t suggest LGS, but gut issues persist, other lab tests can uncover any parasite, yeast, or bacterial presences. I have received good information from comprehensive microbiology and parasitology tests, which indicate whether any microbial pathogens are contributing to gut dysbiosis. If some of these critters are present, many herbal and homeopathic remedies exist to rid the intestinal tract of these invaders. (I can’t recommend specific herbs since I’ve been either too sensitive or allergic to the usual suggestions.) Unless you have a particularly virulent strain, the natural methods are probably strong enough to do the job. Otherwise, pharmaceuticals will definitely eradicate the pathogens. Homeopathic remedies have been particularly helpful for me in eliminating intestinal Strep bacteria.
Another source of gut issues are food allergies. Any undiagnosed or uncontrolled food allergy can cause continual inflammation and digestive upsets. (And inflammation may eventually lead to LGS, if left unchecked). Regardless of the source of your intestinal dysbiosis, a healthier diet will improve how your body functions, and it can eliminate some of the discomfort. Healing from Leaky Gut or any digestive issue requires that we consume a diet free of junk food, sugar, soda pop, caffeine, alcohol, drugs, and refined carbohydrates. Staying away from these offenders has certainly decreased my physical suffering.
It is often recommended that CLD sufferers also abstain from gluten and dairy products, since it’s common to develop allergies or sensitivities to these two substances. There are plenty of delicious alternative grains, such as millet, buckwheat, or quinoa, to choose from, which offer the necessary complex carbohydrate component of the diet. Dairy substitutes are also abundant. Milks, yogurts, and cheeses derived from soy, almond, and rice are quite easy to find.
I have gained some relief through using beneficial aids, such as probiotics, to establish a healthier intestinal flora, L-glutamine to repair the gut lining, and agents like slippery elm bark, citrus bioflavinoids, and Omega 3 EFAs to soothe and heal the intestinal tract. Ingesting digestive enzymes (if you can) and high fiber foods are two essential means to achieving better digestion and elimination. In addition, taking enzymatic supplements and toxin binders, like fiber, clays, zeolite, or charcoal, is recommended for dealing with Lyme biofilm since this substance may also engender food allergies and malabsorption. Biofilm is the coating that bacteria and fungi generate to protect themselves from destruction. It is necessary to bust apart this protective covering so that the Borrelia spirochetes can be accessed and extinguished. Enzymes will break apart the biofilm while the toxin binders will clean up the resulting debris.
In addition, low stomach acid has been implicated in Leaky Gut Syndrome. A good HCL supplement is often recommended to help remedy this situation. LGS and inadequate stomach acid are also associated with autoimmune diseases. My intestinal tract has been dysfunctional for many years, and most of my practitioners have surmised that I have a leaky gut situation. No autoimmune condition developed until quite recently, when I’ve started to develop one. Perhaps there is a hereditary precursor in my genes for this disorder, but I do not doubt that the stress of an inflamed gut and low stomach acid have created a situation ripe for development of an autoimmune malady. Overcoming any autoimmune condition requires that we mend the lining of the gut, increase intestinal functionality, and, in the instance of CLD, attack the Borrelia. Otherwise, any treatment is really only symptom abatement.
Mercury is a dangerous toxin that can accumulate in the body and cause serious health problems. Seafood consumption, amalgam fillings, and vaccines containing thimerosal are some of the vehicles that contain and contribute to surplus mercury in the body. Unfortunately, even rigorous avoidance of these mercury sources can’t completely protect us from mercury contact since we’re all routinely exposed to it through the contamination of our air and water.
Mercury has the ability to bind to bodily tissues and render itself nearly impossible to eliminate. Fortunately, most bodies are naturally capable of flushing out the mercury. However, some people don’t have the genetic capacity to effectively expel mercury. For these folks who can’t easily detoxify mercury, it builds up in the body to dangerous levels. I haven’t been tested for this disability, but I suspect that I am in the handicapped population since heavy metal testing has routinely indicated off-the-chart mercury scores for me. Despite taking mercury chelators and limiting or avoiding known mercury sources, the mercury persists in my body at unacceptably high levels.
Mercury toxicity is a common problem for those of us suffering from Chronic Lyme disease. Since mercury suppresses the immune system, it can lower our ability to fight infection. The Lyme bacteria have an easier time proliferating when we are mercury-toxic. The reverse situation, where Lyme has already severely weakened one’s ability to detoxify harmful substances like mercury, can allow excess mercury to accumulate in the patient’s system. Either way, those struggling with these dual conditions must not only focus on fighting the Lyme bacteria, but they must also employ ways of removing the mercury. True healing has to include tackling both of these issues.
I understand that clearing mercury from the tissues is a complicated business. Natural mercury chelators exist, such as chlorella, MSM, and cilantro, yet these are ineffective removal agents. They are reportedly not strong enough to completely transport mercury out of the body. It is often dropped along the way and reabsorbed by other tissues. These substances become mercury redistributors rather than mercury eliminators. Better chelators are DMPS, DMSA, or Alpha Lipoic Acid. Extreme care must be exerted in handling these substances since the prescribed amounts need to be ingested at certain times to properly perform the job. The chelators must be administered in large enough doses, and at regular intervals, in order to be effective. An additional caution is that these agents can cause serious side effects. I would urge anyone contemplating this protocol to work with a knowledgeable healthcare practitioner. I am aware that more harm than good can result if this treatment is done improperly.
As prescribed by my doctor, I used a very small dose of transdermal DMPS for a short time without experiencing any negative repercussions. I have also tried the oral DMSA, but since it passes through the digestive tract, it caused intense gastrointestinal upset and constipation. DMSA is considered safer, but the side effects were more than I could tolerate.
Symptoms of mercury toxicity and Chronic Lyme disease are very similar. It may be impossible to tell which condition you’re suffering from, at times. Actually, elements of the two can commingle, as researchers have theorized that Borrelia has the ability to store mercury in its cells. If this is the case, large deposits of mercury get bound up with the Lyme cells. The only way to release this mercury is to kill the Lyme bacteria. Regular detoxification and chelation must then be performed to cleanse the body of the liberated mercury. These facts suggest that is it vital to treat both conditions in tandem.
Further complications exist with having both Chronic Lyme and mercury toxicity. Since mercury is an immunosuppressant, toxic levels of it may hide many of the inflammatory symptoms of Lyme disease. Once you begin chelating mercury, you may start to feel worse as the immune system improves and your body can now combat the Lyme bacteria. Herxheimer reactions (see section “Dealing with Herxes or Allergic/Sensitivity Reactions” for further explanation) result as the Lyme bacteria are killed off. This contributes to increased Lyme symptoms in the short term, until the bacterial detritus gets eliminated from the body.
Candida is also a problem in many who are mercury toxic. The yeast cells bind to the mercury in order to protect the body from the metal’s damaging effects. Thus, an inability to totally eliminate Candida despite rigorous efforts suggests that high mercury levels may be promoting yeast overgrowth. So, again, both of these conditions must be dealt with in order to heal. One must work at chelating mercury in order to cure a case of obstinate Candida.
It’s difficult to get an accurate assessment of mercury levels in the body. Most tests (urine or blood) do not indicate how much mercury is actually present in the tissues. A commonly run test is a hair analysis. Since doubts remain about the precision of this assessment tool, a negative result does not necessarily rule out the possibility of excess mercury in the body. An unrelenting case of Candida may help suggest that mercury toxicity is a problem, despite inconclusive test results.
I have read that a more informative way to determine the amount of mercury in the system is the challenge test. A significant dose of DMSA is ingested and urine samples are taken before and after the test. Extreme caution must be exerted since such large doses of DMSA can pull too much mercury out of the tissues too quickly, causing liver damage or impairment. A safer way to discover any stored mercury in the body may be a porphyrin analysis. This simple urine test reveals whether mercury and other contaminants have interfered with heme production. My doctor performed this test on me, which reaffirmed the fact that mercury is causing problems with my body’s functioning.
Chronic Fatigue Syndrome vs. Chronic Fatigue
Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS) and chronic fatigue are not the same thing. While many of us experience constant fatigue, this is not necessarily CFS. True CFS afflicts only a small subset of the population and encompasses more than just a persistent and unrelenting sense of body tiredness. This condition may include flu-like symptoms, as well as cognitive impairment. Chronic Lyme disease sometimes gets misdiagnosed as CFS since chronic fatigue and other CFS characteristics are standard features of the CLD symptom package.
Many factors, other than Lyme or CFS, can contribute to feeling low in energy. Since CFS has been linked to mold sensitivity, exposure to this environmental toxin can strain the susceptible body, leading to energy depletion. I know I am definitely more tired during the wetter months of the year.
Eating a junk food-laden diet will also reduce vitality since health-promoting nutrients are missing and the body must work harder to cleanse itself of substances not fit for human assimilation. I find that a healthy, organic diet contributes to improved vigor and a feeling of better health.
Unmitigated stress, or too much physical activity, will definitely result in increased fatigue. I have found that if I refrain from pushing my body beyond its limits, I lessen the chance of experiencing a span of reduced-energy days where I feel semi-flulike. If I have allowed myself to overdo it, then decelerating my lifestyle temporarily will usually restore my energy within a day or two.
Lifelong, incurable viruses can be a source of fatigue. New research has postulated that a retrovirus, XMRV, may be the cause of CFS. Most varieties of the Herpes viruses, such as Herpes Simplex (HSV), Zoster, HPV, or Epstein-Barr produce fatigue, whether ongoing or intermittent. Much of the population is infected with some form of these viruses, but most of these cases go dormant and are asymptomatic. If the immune system is suppressed or already under stress from Lyme or other disease agents, these viruses may reactivate, bringing on fatigue with their resurgence.
Eleuthero has been proven to be quite effective in lessening the occurrence of HSV 2 outbreaks. Also, limiting your Arginine consumption, along with increasing your supplementation of Lysine, is a good outbreak preventative measure for all forms of the herpes virus. Foods high in Arginine include nuts, seeds, oats, wheat, brown rice, chocolate, dried beans, and caffeine. Highly acidic foods, such as citrus fruit and vinegar, should also be avoided, as they can aggravate the virus. I have seen that these dietary guidelines make a huge difference in staving off outbreaks.
Other than correcting for the energy-sappers I’ve just mentioned, I can’t say that I have the solution to alleviating constant tiredness. I’ve found that moderate exercise is a helpful palliative measure. It seems to lessen my overall feeling of enervation, and conversely, lack of exercise seems to increase my weariness. By aiding circulation and detoxification, exercise helps the body function better. This raises one’s general level of health, which ups the body’s energy. Yet for many with CFS, exercise may be contraindicated since they suffer from post-exertional malaise (PEM). I’ve discovered that I can significantly reduce the chance of PEM by exercising in shorter time segments rather than slogging through my entire workout all at once. Regardless, it’s best to consult your doctor before jumping into any fitness program.
Finding supplements to augment your energy would depend upon what is actually causing the fatigue. This is best addressed with your doctor since the causes of enervation are many and varied. In general, Chronic Lyme disease sufferers will regain energy as they bring down their internal bug population.