The Great Canadian News Special from CTV ~ Out of the Wild

CTV aired a very well done news special on Lyme Disease in Canada on November 14 2009.
The W5 staff put together an overview of a few patients and what they have to do to get treatment.

David Leggett used to love the outdoors. He was a healthy, active, family man who enjoyed camping trips with his wife and two daughters. His job as a high school principal came with a long summer vacation -- the perfect time to enjoy Canada's vast stretches of wilderness.
That all changed in July 2004, after camping in a provincial park near Sudbury, Ont. "We were out hiking and then one day I couldn't hike anymore and my knee ballooned up. I felt really, really strange. I had no energy," Leggett recalled.
By October, Leggett was too ill to work. After doing some research on his own he suspected he might have Lyme disease -- but his doctors told him that was impossible because it was too rare in Ontario and it didn't exist where he had been camping. They were wrong.

To read the rest of this article and view the W5 News special click here.

Researching Homeopathy

Vitality Magazine recently published an article entitled in their July/Aug issue entitled, Homeopathic Medicine for Treating Lyme Disease. It summarizes a little about the overall picture with Lyme Disease and includes a couple of case studies that used Homeopathy for treatment.. A well written piece giving enough background to orient the reader. Kudos for helping educate us about homeopathy and how it can be used often for 'difficult' cases.

The following excerpt is taken from the article:

"While prescribing homeopathic remedies for chronic illnesses is individualized and dependent on a collection of specific symptoms expressed by each individual, there are situations in which remedies can be used to treat large numbers of people affected by the same illness. Epidemics are prime examples where many display common symptoms. In the case of the flu epidemic, the collective symptoms tend to correspond with the remedies Rhus-toxicodendron and Gelsemium.
In the case of Lyme disease, the collective physical symptoms are homeopathically represented by the remedies Ledum Palustre, Kalmia, and Rhododendron.
Having said this, there is still a high probability for individualized expression of Lyme disease. We are all born with inherent weaknesses and predispositions to illnesses, known as miasms. As such, we each experience and express chronic illnesses a little differently than the next person.
For best results and complete recovery from Lyme disease, consult a trained Classical Homeopath."
Vitality Magazine's article: http://vitalitymagazine.com/article/homeopathic-medicine-for-treating-lyme-disease/

link to Vitality Mag's July/Aug issue article on Homeopathy and Lyme Disease

Here the remedies mentioned in this article.
Is is vital to stress that homeopathy is best administered by a trained Homeopath. The strength and frequency of dosages may bring on symptoms that the patient is not prepared for. Even over the counter strength remedies, if used often enough can cause a 'proving' of the remedy or other complications may arise. Always take homeopathic remedies under the advice of a licensed Homeopath. The information on this blog is not meant to be medical advice- please consult your medical doctor before using any homeopathics.


1) Rhus Toxicodendron

 

http://hpathy.com/homeopathy-materia-medica/a-day-in-the-life-of-rhus-toxicodendron/

2) Gelsemium

http://www.herbs2000.com/homeopathy/gelsemium.htm
http://abchomeopathy.com/r.php/Gels
 3) Ledum Palustre

Flora of the Canadian Arctic Archipelago

 

 

http://www.mun.ca/biology/delta/arcticf/_ca/www/erlepa.htm

4) Kalmia

http://www.homeoint.org/illustr/k/kalm.htm
http://hpathy.com/homeopathy-books-online/lectures-on-homeopathic-materia-medica/kalmia-latifolia-2/


5) Rhodedendron

 Rhus Tox vs. Rhodedendron

Info on Rhodedendron

More on Homeopathy

Materia Medica for Homeopathic Remedies

What is a Constitutional remedy?

Some common first aid remedies

Reflecting on an "Ordinary" Day with Lyme

Once again I awaken to the sound of my own heart pounding along with about 10 other symptoms that remind me quickly what Lyme Disease is all about. It’s a disturbing feeling when you first realize that it’s still there! I always hope that I will wake up one day and ‘it’ will be gone- possibly the whole Lyme Disease and co-infection ‘thing’ will have all just been a nightmare. 

As I lay there taking notes of what parts of my body are cooperating  today, I am reminded that ‘this’ is 
my reality and I must deal with it. Even though most of the world does not understand Lyme and what I am going through, it’s still as real as rain, whatever  label is put upon it.

 The symptoms that he average Late Lyme patient deals would compel most people to stay in bed.Yet the days and months and for many of us, years roll by and our symptoms are still with us. Some worse, some better, and even some new ones can crop up over time. 

I call us the ‘Lyme Pioneers’ since the medical community is still trying to prove what Lyme is and if it can become chronic? 

Usually in the “Lyme Cocktail” comes a few other co-infections and viruses. Along with probable heavy metal toxicity and maybe even a little micoplasma infection and more. 

For about eight years now I’ve been dealing with Lyme symptoms. I got diagnosed in 2006 almost four years ago soon. I have really learned how to make it part of of my daily routine is put on my ‘Positive Attitude Suit’. Rolling back over and just going back to sleep won’t get me any further in this journey through Lyme and co-infections. So I pep talk myself, finding the strength to get up and make it all work better than yesterday!   


Part of healing anything includes making wise decisions not only about what you do but also who you put your faith and trust in. Many people with chronic health problems lose contact with a number of their friends and family. 

We are just too tired to reach out as often as we did and so time just ticks by and the closeness often fades. I think if others truly understood what can happen with just one walk in the park with infected ticks, they would be more supportive of what is really going on with this controversial disease.

Ticks that are infected usually carry other infections besides “Lyme” (Borrelia Burgdorferi- Bb),

such as Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever (RMSF), Babesia, Bartonella, Ehrlichia, and more. With the symptoms being similar to other illnesses such as MS, ALS, Parkinson’s and more Lyme is known as the “Great Imitator” just as its cousin Syphilis was. 

Some of the infections are similar to Malaria and relapsing remitting fevers. Many can return months years later, as we can never kill all of any infection in our bodies. We just manage the infections and put them into remission. 

To this date technically the cure is unknown for Lyme and co infections. Yet many have regained their health through various methods. For some others the prognosis has not been as fair. 

When undiagnosed or worse even mis-diagnosed for years the patient is already so taken over by the infections that are thriving unattended, that recovery is slow and often not as successful. The vital organs are all affected within a few months Lyme Literate Doctors say.

My symptoms range from muscle tightness, repetitive strain type symptoms to tingling, osteoarthritis in two areas of spine, large joint pain and stiffness, digestive issues, skin problems  to nerve damage down the right side of the entire body plus another dozen or two. One of the more troubling ones is the visual problems including my heartbeat always pounding though my right eye and ear.

I’ve learned how to manage most of them enough that I can function.  Without the funds so far to get to a doctor that can treat Lyme I have had to pursue alternative methods as the money allows. Soon I would like to be seen by a Lyme Literate MD and a Naturopath, since under knowledgeable doctor’s care many people are having success. However to just continue to go to doctors who are not up to date on much about Lyme at all is exhausting and has become a problem for many Lyme patients.

Many Lyme patients have great difficulty finding a qualified doctor to treat their illness.  Many doctors have and are being investigated by the medical board for treating Lyme patients outside the IDSA’s guidelines.

The state of our health is caught in the middle of a controversy over who is going to pay for the long term treatments required. The IDSA is currently under investigation for conflicts of interests for these guidelines. They're policing themselves and Pharma and Insurance companies are pulling the strings it seems.

Both my son and I got turned down by one doctor since we already have been diagnosed with Lyme. This doctor is under investigation and could jeopardize his license if he treats us. Double jeopardy for us.

Not knowing this I left a couple of messages on their answering machine stating we have Lyme and need help right away. I was assuming we were on a wait list only to find out when I got the office in person again a year or so later that we could not be seen because of this. Meanwhile I have family who think I am not ‘trying’ hard enough to get treatment.

Is it any wonder that the average Lyme patient feels just a little misunderstood and invisible?

So out of this frustration “Lyme Love” was born about a year ago – early 2009. I have recently registered the business name Lyme Love and parked the domain name for the purpose of becoming a non profit in the near future. I am looking forward to what we are going to do with this Foundation.

My heart felt thanks to those friends and family who have stuck beside us during this very difficult time. A big thank you to all the online Lyme community- you are a continual source of strength and inspiration.

I was prompted today by a friend online in our Lyme community who asked if any of us ever  feel like giving up? It got me thinking about what keeps us going under adversity.

When I wake up every morning and feel my symptoms still there waiting to be recognized I remember my children. That fuels me up and provides that motivation and then I feel grateful that I am awake. Whatever it takes to keep us going. We have lost much with Lyme including many friends and family. Those that are left are amazing people and I feel a sense of gratitude for what I have.

My mom continues to be a source of motivation to me as do both my sisters and my brother.  Their compassion helps keep me going.

Alexis and Jason- 1995

I use to think getting a head cold or a flu was a challenge. Lyme is like the flu that never went away! It’s my hope that as we continue to form a strong Lyme Community online we will be able to reach enough people to get Lyme the attention it deserves. Even the CDC admits the numbers of tick borne infections is growing more rapidly than they are reporting. Estimates are that Lyme is growing faster than AIDS.

So it is time for the world to pay attention. This problem isn’t just going away!

Lyme Love is Sewing Pillows!

Little did I realize how precious  those pillows would become when I started sewing them in 2002. After having slightly injured my back the year before, I designed a few pillows to help get more comfortable.

That summer - July 2002, was when I showed the first tell-tale sign of Lyme Disease- the classic bulls eye shaped rash! It was on my left wrist and I never did see a tick.

                                                                                                                                 

The rash disappeared as did the flu-like symptoms, even before we got home from camping at Long Point Provincial Park (north shore of Lake Erie). A few months later I started to develop many seaming unrelated medical problems.

I continued designing new sizes and shapes of pillows to help support my ever increasing number of spasming muscles and sore joints. I remember thinking at the time, how peculiar it was that here I was making pillows and never had there been a time I needed them more! Starting around the Fall of 2002 I had to use a small pillow under my arm while driving my vehicle, in order to prevent my shoulder from 'dropping'. Not only was I starting to develop a repetative strain problem, but also tingles, shooting pains, headaches, Bell's Palsy and more!

 

Before ever displaying 'symptoms' (major ones at least), I left my career of 14 years in November 2001 to venture out on my 'own'. Having operated a family business during those years, I was excited to get my hands into some new projects. I had actually started 2 new ventures at that time. The 'pillow project' ended up being the 'after-thought'.

First were the Bolster pillows then the throw pillows with dolphins and Orcas- stuffed with whatever I could find! Next came the buckwheat hull filled pillows- November 2002, right when I was coming down with what we now know was full-blown Neuro Lyme with the typical side dish of multiple co-infections.

I started making all different sorts of shapes to wedge under my arms, legs, and neck.  This actually enabled me to function a little better. I'd slip a pillow under my lower neck for extra support while I would drive. Another smaller neck one for dentist visits helped enough to revise it a few times.

By 2004 I had developed over 50 different sizes and shapes- all very useful in my world.

It's interesting looking back now for me, realizing I had designed all those pillows during what was my worst stage of Lyme Disease and Co. I am still battling 'Late Lyme and Co.'. Not being diagnosed until June 2006 has made my road to recovery a rather bumpy one. That's another blog post some day.

I've decided to start sewing pillows again after being away from it for 3 years. I barely got the 'new'  name for the pillow business picked on Vancouver Island  ( we lived there- 2005- 2007). So for now the old name of 'Van Island Dreamz' stands. We'll see what the future brings. 

My very first Bolster pillow 

- made out of some 'extra' upholstery fabric my mom have given me

 

 

Lyme Love on a Mission

Lyme Love was started to advocate for all those affected by Lyme Disease and TBI's (Tick-borne infections).

To address and support the needs of those living through Lyme, as well as their families and loved ones; serving to educate about the harsh realities of how wide-spread Lyme has become.

Since most Lyme patients have faced more than their fair share of opposition on the journey to getting medical treatment, Lyme Love is here to help bring a spirit of compassion.

More effective medical support is direly needed. Far too may people are suffering, needlessly, silently, even dying. With readily available medical treatment the Lyme epidemic could be held at bay.

Many people believe that with reliable testing the statistics would show that Lyme is growing at a rate faster than AIDS! We ask ourselves then, "Why are Lyme patients finding themselves caught in a political debate over the definition of Lyme Disease?".

Lyme Love was created to help give a voice to the thousands of Lyme patients, both those already diagnosed and those mis and un-diagnosed.

We deserve medical treatment! While the medical community debates over the definitions and criteria, we are still sick.

All those who have survived Lyme are truly pioneers with unrelenting determination. Those "in-the-know" about Lyme understand that with early detection and treatment Lyme has a much higher success rate of being fully healed.

The medical community must listen! We are not going to just go away! We demand accurate, readily available, affordable testing. We demand access to the best known treatments.
Those with M.S., Autism, A.L.S., Parkinsons, Fibro, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, Lupus, (plus many other conditions) all deserve to be tested for TBI's, to determine what part Lyme may have played in their illnesses.

We deserve the truth about where Lyme came from and what information has been suppressed from the public.

Our voices cannot be silenced! We have suffered long enough. Countless numbers of us battling Lyme ourselves are also mothers and fathers, brothers and sisters of Lyme "victims". It is common for several members in the same family to all have Lyme, many the entire family, in Lyme endemic regions.

Many of us were angry so long that our anger has now transformed into sheer determination.

We demand to be have our medical needs re-examined fully.

Questions About Lyme

10 Questions to Ask About Lyme

1) How many people are being infected by Lyme? How many more are misdiagnosed or undiagnosed?

2) What % of ticks are infected in your backyard and the parks you frequent?

3) Does your doctor know the early symptoms of Lyme and TBI's (Tick borne infections) and will he/she be able to provide you with reliable testing should you get infected?

4) Have you been to Endemic regions and do you know where they are?

5) Are you aware of the risks involved from a tick bite and do you know how to ensure your safety?

6) What is the most effective treatment protocol for both acute and late Lyme infections?

7) If I should get Lyme, how many doctors will it take to get accurately diagnosed and how long will it take?

8) Who's "responsible" to find an effective quicker treatment for Lyme? Who's to cover the bill for the health care costs and lost income due to late diagnosis?

9) Why are we in denial in Canada that we have a major TBI problem? Do ticks stop at the border?

10) Why are WE letting this epidemic fly under the radar??

These questions are meant to get you thinking about the realities of Lyme Disease and Tick Borne Infections.

Early diagnosis greatly increases one's chances of getting fully well more quickly.

The public deserves to know about this epidemic.











What You Need to Know

You May Have It And Not Know It

Lyme Disease Is No Walk In The Park

Find Out What You Need To Know
Lyme disease is a bacterial spirochete (organism) transmitted by ticks. The name of the particular bacteria is Borrelia Burgdorferi. Many people do not know how widespread the Lyme disease epidemic is and the high odds that someone they know may be affected. Please take a few moments to read the following facts that demonstrate the seriousness of the disease and how it can be prevented.

The above paragraph is taken from the Turn the Corner Foundation's website.
Please follow the link above to read the rest of the article.




Official Statement from Daryl Hall about George Bush and Lyme Disease

Los Angeles, CA - August 9, 2007 - The news that President George W. Bush has been suffering from Lyme Disease for more than a year really caught the attention of Daryl Hall, one-half of the world's biggest-selling music duo of all time Daryl Hall & John Oates, and someone who was also diagnosed with the illness over two years ago.
Hall is hoping the President's admission will focus more attention on the causes and antidotes of the little-known malady: "While I'm sorry when anyone gets Lyme disease, maybe it takes a person in power to draw attention to what all of us who have the disease, are going through. The withholding of information for a year points out the confusing politics of the disease. Now, George Bush can feel our pain."
Caused by a bite from an infected blacklegged tick often found on a deer, Lyme disease symptoms include fever, headache, fatigue and a characteristic skin rash. If left untreated, infection can spread to joints, the heart and the nervous system. Most cases of Lyme disease can be treated successfully with a few weeks of antibiotics. Steps to prevent Lyme disease include using insect repellent, removing ticks promptly, landscaping and integrated pest management. The ticks that transmit Lyme disease can occasionally transmit other tick-borne diseases as well.


Stay Well
Lyme Love

Launching Lyme Love

Launching Lyme Love

"Lyme Love" will serve to be a space to share about my family's journey living through Lyme and co-infections.
Hugs
Shari