DMSO & LYME DISEASE

WHAT IS DMSO?

DMSO is a prescription medicine and also a dietary supplement which can be administrated orally, topically or intravenously.

DMSO or  Dimethyl sulfoxide is an approved pharmacological agent in over 100 countries. Basically it is an anti-inflammatory and analgesic compound that has been around for quite some time. Its safety and beneficial therapeutic properties are supported by close to half a century of research and  thousands of articles on its biological implications.

Originally discovered back in the 60s by Dr. Stanley Jacob, it demonstrated  incredible anti-inflammatory, analgesic and antioxidant properties. This clear and cheap compound has shown a wide array of potential medical applications such as:

  • Alzheimer disease
  • Arthritis
  • Atherosclerosis
  • Cancer
  • Down`s Syndrome
  • Drug extravasation injury
  • Eye conditions: cataracts, glaucoma and problems with retina
  • Fibromyalgia
  • Foot conditions: bunion, calluses, fungus on toenails
  • Headaches
  • Herpes
  • Interstitial cystitis
  • Lyme disease
  • Malignancy
  • Musculoskeletal problems (tendonitis, osteoarthritis)
  • Plastic surgery adjunct
  • Reflex sympathetic dystrophy
  • Scleroderma
  • Spinal cord injury
  • Stroke
  • Tic douloureux (severe facial pain)
  • Ulcerative colitis

WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF USING DMSO?

  • In combination with antibiotics, can decrease the resistance of a bacterium to the antibiotic (Pottz, Rampey, Benjamin, 1967)
  • Acts as a carrier and can transport antibiotics even to the bone marrow and brain (Sanders, 1967)
  • Relieves brain swelling and restores blood flow and oxygenation following head trauma (Dr. Stanley Jacob)
  • Dissolves the protein coating of viruses, leaving its cores unprotected and exposed to the immune system. Breaks biofilms and increase the power of the antibiotic. (Morton, 1993)
  • Alleviates lesions caused by Herpes Zoster or shingles. (Morton, 1993)
  • Unblocks sinuses within minutes after being applied topically on the face or in the nostrils of patients with polyps. (Marvin, 1967)
  • Helps fight illnesses such as arthritis, fibromyalgia, Alzheimer’s disease, ulcerative colitis and more.

WHAT ARE THE SIDE EFFECTS OF DMSO?

The use of DMSO can lead to temporary side effects such as:

  • Redness of the skin or local hives
  • Skin rash and pruritus / Burning or itching sensation after dermal application
  • Headache 
  • Dizziness
  • Drowziness
  • Nausea
  • Vomiting
  • Diarrhea
  • Constipation
  • Garlicky -taste, breath and body odour
  • Intravascular hemolysis (after intravenous infusion)
  • Gastrointestinal discomfort after oral administration (a diluted solution creates less side effects)
  • Wrinkled skin aspect when 60% to 90% DMSO is applied on the palm or hand. It may last for several days!

The warmth, burning , redness, itching and hives will go away on their own. You may use a natural aloe vera gel or cream to counteract or prevent this side effects. 

A diluted mixture ( 80 DMSO /20 water) will also reduce burning sensation, but diluting it does lessen its potency.

CAN DMSO BE USED FOR LYME DISEASE?

DMSO has the ability to penetrate membranes, alleviate pain and reduce inflammation.

On different Lyme forums you can find testimonies of patients/people who have used it for  symptoms and conditions (severe pain, muscle twitches, weakness in the limbs and shoulders, sciatica,  tinnitus, etc.) and experienced a gradual improvement. 

DMSO offers a rapid amelioration of pain, increases mobility and reduces inflammation when used topically. People can see a positive result within 5 to 20 minutes after having applied the cream. This can last up to 4 -6 hours. (Steinberg, 1967)

THE CONTROVERSY – FDA and DMSO 

DMSO had been used an alternative treatment for many conditions, including for Chronic Lyme disease. When applied topically, the DMSO can  penetrate the synovial fluid and decrease joint inflammation. 

Despite its many beneficial properties and its widespread use, the FDA approved it only for the treatment of interstitial cystitis (chronic inflammatory condition of the urinary bladder), motivating a lack of data on its safety and efficacy for human use.

A study made on horses, showed that DMSO has dramatically reduced the swelling and inflammation in the joints of the animal. So, if it works for animals, does it work for humans too? Some say yes, others say no.

Given that DMSO is an inexpensive compound and it is quite cheap to make it, there is no profit to be made by the pharmaceutical companies. Also it is ineligible for patenting by the big pharma. Due to this controversy,  many of its benefits are still unknown and unavailable to the public.

HOW TO USE DMSO?

DMSO can be used both orally and topically. Generally found as a gel, cream or liquid, DMSO provides relief for joint pain more than any other NSAIDs. Note that  you must buy the pharmaceutical grade, not the industrial grade which is not intended for human use.

EXTERNAL USE

Since it acts as a remarkable carrier, it can be used in different combinations for better results:  

    • DMSO + antibiotic  enhance the efficacy of the antibiotic.
    • DMSO + pure B12 with no additive or flavoring for better pain relief
    • DMSO + oral fat soluble B1 (Allithiamine), 3-5 capsules per day decreases the pain
    • DMSO +B12 +Magnesium oil reduces the fatigue and brain fog
    • DMSO + Essential oil (Tea tree oil or oregano oil)
    • DMSO + Epsom Salt Gel + Arnica Montana for pain relief and decreased inflammation

Prior to applying the DMSO on your skin, you will need to clean the area with 91% isopropyl.  The transdermal absorption will pull anything you apply on the skin directly into your bloodstream, as the DMSO opens the capilllaires. You may use a dilute 70% DMSO or a higher grade. 

Whenever combining DMSO with anything else, ensure not to contaminate the two substances! It is recommended to use a medicine dropper.

DMSO must be completely dry before you add anything else on the area where it has been applied. Keep in mind that is a solvent and it can take your perfume, cream, germs directly into your body!

It is recommended to do the application over an unbleached white towel, using clean instruments and hands. Please ensure you allow enough time (20-30 minutes) for the DMSO to completely dry out before covering the area with clothes or anything else.

Note that DMSO should be stored in a glass container as immune disruptors in plastic may be carried into your bloodstream!

INTERNAL USE

When taken orally, the common dose is 1 tsp of DMSO 70% per day. (Morton, 1993). 

Due to the fact that DMSO can trigger detoxification reactions and it can take 1-3 days to have the DMSO flushed out of the body, it is wise to take it initially only once a week. 

You can start with 1/2 tsp of DMSO 50% and slowly increase to 1 tsp of DMSO. You will need to listen to your body and increase it only if you can tolerate the detoxification reactions.

Just start with a low dose of 3.5g (1tsp = 3ml) in a glass of water and wait to see if you experience any improvement of the symptoms. If DMSO helps alleviate the pain, continue to take the same low dose.

In case no improvement is noticed, you can increase in increments of 3.5g per day.

DIRECTIONS FOR ORAL ADMINISTRATION
  • Fill a glass of water(300ml /10oz) with grape juice, water or cooled tea and pour 3.5g of DMSO. Do not combine DMSO with tomato juice because DMSO releases histamines from body cells). The juice will help with cope with its bitter taste.
  • Stir the mixture as DMSO will go straight to the bottom of the glass.
  • It is advisable to take DMSO after breakfast or during the day. DO NOT take it at night, or right before going to bed, because it does have a diuretic effect and it will disrupt your sleep.
  • If you are planning to use DMSO on a daily basis, you should take two days off per week. Also when used for on a regular basis for long term, you should discontinue its usage for 2-4 weeks, each 6 months.

Health care providers and naturopaths around the world have used DMSO with varying dosages and concentrations for pathogen eradication. 

WHAT CONCENTRATION SHOULD YOU TAKE AND FOR HOW LONG?

  • 50% or less for the face and neck as they are sensitive areas
  • 70% or less in areas with a reduction of circulation / poor blood circulation

Some patients reported having their symptoms improved within minutes or hours, while others suffering from chronic pain have seen results only after 6 weeks of using DMSO.

The greater chronicity of the disorder, the longer the treatment with DMSO must be employed in order to achieve palliation. (Steinberg, 1967)

According to Gabriela Segura, M.D.` Quick Guide and Ailments, the early use of DMSO in acute musculoskeletal injuries and inflammations, the more dramatic the result. She mentions that a mixture of  70% DMSO and water (8-12ml) applied on or around an injury three times per day can have positive healing affect in 4 out of 5 people.

WARNINGS

The use of DMSO is NOT recommended for:

  • patients taking blood thinners as it counteracts the platelet aggregation.     
  • pregnant women or breast-feeding moms
  • patients suffering from diabetes
  • patients with certain blood disorders
  • patients with liver or kidney problems/ conditions.

Please consult your physician before starting DMSO!

WHERE CAN YOU PURCHASE DMSO?

Although you don`t need a prescription to buy DMSO, it would be ideal to have it prescribed by your medical professional, just as  safety measure!

You want to make sure that you get a medical grade DMSO without any impurities which can damage your health.

Nowadays you can find it on health food stores, mail order, online or even at Walmart. 

Best place to get legit pharma grade DMSO would be the DMSO online store or their Amazon store.

HOW TO MAKE YOUR OWN DMSO?

If you are worried about preservatives or any other additives, you can make your own mixture. 

In order to have your own gel, you can mix in a glass container 1oz of 70% pure DMSO with 3 oz of Aloe Vera gel (99.55% pure). Mix it well and store in a cool place. Ideally would be to combine the two ingredients a few minutes before applying it on the skin.

For a more in depth reading on DMSO, click on the following links:

 DMSO Safety Handling Recipes

DMSO 

DMSO – Alternative Medicine Digest

DMSO The Real Miracle Solution

DMSO/MSM for Lyme/MSIDS

Do NOT use DMSO without your physician’s consent. Please talk to your physician and inquire if it can be used as an alternative treatment for you. 

Did you ever used DMSO for Lyme? Did you find it helpful? I would love to hear about your experience! Drop me a line in comments section below!

GOT LYME? MAKE A LYMONADE! -part 2

Change is always for the better!

One morning I asked myself if it wouldn’t be easier for me to do what I could do and completely forget about the others. Solely focus on me and my needs. I kept on telling myself this until I incorporated it into my way of thinking. The moment I changed my way of thinking, everything seemed easier, better, brighter.

It hurt for a few weeks until one day when I discovered I was enjoying my new freedom. I felt free because I could have stayed the whole day without feeling weird, inventing excuses, or having polite conversation in an environment I did not fit.

Slowly I start identifying myself with different mentalities. I discovered parts of myself I had long forgotten, also new emerging ones, taking me to new paths.

For me, my time had become precious. I started to spend more time on my own. What was different this time was the fact that now I was spending time for me and with me. I learnt that small little pleasures could make up for a sleepless night or for couple of hours of pain. Happiness comes in small increments!

BLOCKING THE PAIN CAN HAVE NEGATIVE CONSEQUENCES

 

When you are chronic pain sufferer or a Lymie (Lyme disease victim) you are accustomed to pain. You can’t complain anymore about it because it is part of your normality. By now you learnt how to live with it and how to ignore it.

You don’t run to the doctor anymore when your joints get swollen and ache or when you have muscle pain and twitches, horrible migraines, heart palpitations and so on. The doctor can’t help you anyway! He can’t make them go away! He’s not a wizard!

Since you are dealing daily with a cocktail of symptoms it is hard to dissociate Lyme symptoms from others ones. Add a nasty flu to it and then it is nearly impossible to know what caused what. All you know is that you feel awful and you need a break from it.

The danger with blocking the pain or ignoring the symptoms can have negative consequences. You can assume that it is only a flare up, while in reality it can be something more severe, even life-threatening.

CAN LYME DISEASE CAUSE PROFOUND HEARING LOSS?

According to an article that appeared recently in Huffington Post, Tracy Murphy, AuD, an audiologist based in Illinois, USA, member of the American Academy of Audiology Board of Directors stated during an interview that “Many Lyme patients lose their hearing from the disease.

Murphy affirmed there is connection between the hearing loss and Lyme, that the latter may be the culprit. She also emphasized on the importance of drawing  more non-hearing-related symptoms from a patient before the making a diagnosis.

I wish that at least one of the specialists I have seen, would have had the same mindset as Murphy. It would have saved me time and money.

I wonder how long it will take to hear more specialists acknowledging the connections between Lyme and their specialties?

 

 

 

 

ARTHRITIC GLOVES FOR LYME? WHO KNEW?

Among the many symptoms that a Lyme sufferer has to deal with on a daily basis, the Lyme arthritis is by far one of the most painful. The pain, the swollen joints, the stiffness experienced in the late stages of Lyme disease are hard to cope with, especially during the colder months.

Some patients find relief from pain with heat or cold therapy. By using or alternating heat or ice packs, they can reduce inflammation. In my case, it turned that only heat could help me cope with the pain.

As much as I tried to protect myself from the harsh cold by wearing all sorts of gloves to keep me warm, I still had pain in my hands. I had pain while I was outdoors and indoors.

That was until I discovered Thermoskin Arthritic Gloves which provided me the warmth and the gentle compression meant to bring me the long waited relief. For years I had been looking for some product that would help me with my rheumatic pain, that would make my aching hands feel better.

These Thermoskin gloves did the trick. I admit they were a bit pricy compared to other models available on the market, but for me, they did and still do the job. I am curious to learn more about the Thermoskin slippers if they could help or no with the pain?!

How are you protecting yourself against the cold? What are the remedies or tricks that worked for you?