Lyme Disease Hospital

There is a hospital in Massachusetts that is just for Lyme disease patients.  It is a one of a kind hospital that was founded by a former Lyme disease patient, who eventually recovered and became an advocate for others with this disease. Read more about it below:

http://www.goodhousekeeping.com/health/a39664/brandi-dean-lyme-disease/

Life After Lyme

It has been a while since I have posted anything on my blog.  I wanted this blog to be a resource for others, rather than a rant about the ravages of Lyme disease anyway. Beating Lyme disease is about like beating cancer.  I have heard others compare the two diseases and I think that it is a true comparison.  But I am here to tell you that recovery from Lyme is possible.  A year ago, I would not have said that.

It helps that I have moved to a smaller house.  I no longer have a large yard to take care of, or a long driveway to shovel in winter.  This home has a much smaller yard. There is no deck to paint or sweep, only a cement patio.  The fence is vinyl instead of wood.  The driveway is short.  There are only three trees that must be raked in the fall.  And of course, I am older and it makes that kind of work more difficult, even without the Lyme disease.

Since I have recovered from Lyme, I can do almost everything that I could do before the disease.  I can turn a doorknob, drive, walk, and I have regained most of my flexibility.  Fatigue and endurance are still a problem, but I am working on it!

I still have tinnitus, but it comes and goes.  Yesterday, I did not notice it at all, but it returned today for some reason.  From everything that I have read about Lyme disease, that sort of relapsing is very typical.  Perhaps some day, instead of calling it chronic Lyme, doctors will call it relapsing Lyme disease, because the symptoms will disappear, only to return later, when it gets cold out, or when you are under stress.

I hope that this blog has helped some people.  I am not sure that I can add much more to the dialogue about Lyme disease.  More research needs to be done on this disease.  Lyme disease needs to move up there with the Zika virus as a health concern for our country and the world.  And doctors and dentists need to be educated about Lyme disease symptoms, testing, and treatment.

Lyme Certificate for Survivors

If you have managed to survive Lyme disease, you deserve a certificate of survival and completion.  This is probably the most difficult thing that a person can go through in their lifetime.  I want to personally recognize your efforts at recovery.  You took your antibiotics on schedule, ate a sugar and gluten free diet, did not drink soda or alcohol, took the proper supplements, and never missed an appointment with your Lyme literate doctor or doctor of integrated medicine.  You did not give up or quit trying to get properly diagnosed, when many told you that you did not have Lyme disease.  You deserve an award because you are a winner!  You beat this thing!

The Link Between Lyme And Cancer, Cysts, Endometriosis, And Other Illnesses

Lyme disease can cause many body systems to break down. Here is a study that discovers the cause and effect between Lyme and other diseases:

https://sites.google.com/site/marylandlyme/lyme/cysts-tumors-lesions-cancer

Your Knee Joints and Lyme Disease

Lyme disease attacks many areas of the body.  One of its favorite targets is, perhaps, the knee joints. It will sometimes  attack one knee, or alternate one knee and then the other. It is easy for many doctors to misdiagnose Lyme for Rheumatoid arthritis or Reactive arthritis.  It does resemble both of these illnesses.  It is important to get prompt treatment because it is a progressive illness with distinct symptoms at each stage.  By the time your large joints become affected pain and swelling, you've had Lyme disease for quite some time.  For many people, swollen neck, shoulder, and knee joints are the first sign that something isn't right.  They are already in the third stage or tertiary Lyme disease.

What are some things that a person can do to help prevent damage from Lyme disease, in addition to taking antibiotics?  If you have already been "cured" of Lyme disease, how can you repair the damage caused by this bacterial infection?

Here is one idea that I have found:

http://www.healthyaeon.com/2015/12/this-miracle-recipe-will-heal-your-back.html?
utm_campaign=shareaholic\

Here is a smoothie recipe for strengthening your knees.  I posted this one before, but it's worth repeating:
http://www.healthandhealthyliving.com/pineapple-cinnamon-and-oats-smoothie-for-strengthening-the-tendons-and-ligaments-on-your-knees/

The Calcium Bomb

Calcium causes inflammation with bacterial infections:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tfgFDVjjVxQ

This book has implications for Lyme disease, Mad Cow disease, etc.

The Calcium Bomb

If you can find a copy, it is worth a read!

http://www.lyme-morgellons.com/calcifying-bartonella.html

Thyroid Gland and Lyme Disease

Your thyroid gland controls your metabolism and helps control your energy levels, sleep patterns, and heart rate.  Hypothyroidism, or low functioning thyroid is linked to Lyme disease for some patients.  I found a link that describes how to test for low iodine, which is necessary for a healthy thyroid gland:

http://theheartysoul.com/iodine-and-thyroid-test/?t=TRF

Red onion juice as a folk remedy for thyroid issues:

http://www.non-stophealthy.com/he-slept-with-a-red-onion-around-his-neck-when-he-woke-up-he-witnessed-a-miracle/