Tag: steempress

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!

SUPPLEMENTS FOR LYME DISEASE

What are the main supplements for Lyme Disease?

Vitamin deficiencies are common among those suffering from Lyme Disease and its co-infections. The following list of supplements for Lyme Disease help lymies get better and overcome many of their symptoms. Supplements, vitamins, exercise and the Lyme disease diet enable them to have a “normal life”.

supplements for lyme disease

Alpha lipoic acid

It does wonders for the liver, helping it detox. It facilitates the entry of C0Q-10 which plays a vital role on your energy levels. Recommended dose: 300mg once or twice a day.

 

Co-Q10 (ubiquinone)

The human body produces its own Co-Q10 but in a very small quantity and usually only when stimulated by aggressive exercise. Since most of the Lyme patient are not in condition to follow a rigurous exercising routine, their bodies are deficient in Co-Q10. Unfortunately these deficiencies lead to a poor heart function, lower or limited stamina, gum disease and a close zero resistance to infections.

**Note: This supplement can be taken for longer periods of time. You can have it until your symptoms will improve and you will be able to exercise on a regular basis.**

**Additional note: It is not recommended to take this supplement while being administered Mepron or Malarone!**

 

Magnesium

There is no surprise that Lyme literate doctors recommend their patients to take Magnesium; it decreases the intensity and frequency of the following symptoms: tremors, twitches, cramps, muscle soreness, heart skips, weakness.

Keep in mind that all supplements should not be taken in the same time with your antibiotics! In case you are on antibiotic treatment, you will need to take your supplements at lunch and bedtime, if you take the antibiotics at breakfast and dinner. 

Avoid buying Magnesium Calcium tablets or similar combinations as they are not absorbed by the body!

There are several brands that are good, among which Magnesium Malate, Magnesium Potassium Aspartate. One of best Magnesium supplements is Mag-tab SR-made. You may know it as “Slow Mag”, magnesium L-lactate dehydrate, made by Niche Pharmaceuticals.

You can have one tab two times per day. Although a higher intake of Magnesium can be beneficial, it does cause diarrhea as side effect.

 

Vitamin B

It had been proven by clinical studies that this supplement helps improve or even clear neurological symptoms. Patients infected with Borrelia have experienced a decrease of their neurological symptoms after taking 50-100 mg B-complex capsule on a daily basis.

In case of a sever neuropathy, it is recommended an additional dose of 50 mg of B6.

 

Multi-vitamin supplement

Multi-vitamins, mineral supplements and anti acids should be taken once a day, but not with antibiotics. Otherwise the supplement will bind to the antibiotic and prevent its absorption.

 

Essential Fatty Oils

Fatty acids are divided in two broad classes: those derived from plants and those obtained from fish or krill. A regular intake of these supplements can improve symptoms such as:

  • fatigue
  • aches
  • dizziness
  • joint pain
  • weakness
  • vertigo
  • memory
  • concentration
  • depression.

Among the plant oils, you can opt for Borage Oil, Evening Primrose or Black Currant Seed Oil which are effective against inflammation due to their higher amount of EPA.

You can start with two capsules daily with food for three or four months and then reduces the dose to one capsule twice a day. You can also chose a refrigerated mixture of omega oils from your closest health food store and take 1-2 tbs daily.

 

Omega 3

Omega 3(fish, krill) should be taken twice per day for three or four months, with meals. Then the dose should be decreased to one pill twice a day.

Ideally it would be to buy a supplement free of any heavy-metals, organic toxins. Make a habit of reading the labels and look for a brand made organically certified. Usually these are under liquid form and they have a higher potency than capsules.

 

**Please consult your physician before trying any new vitamin or supplement as I am not providing medical advice. I only share my experience!**

 

This post contains affiliate links and I may receive commissions for the purchase made through this link at no extra cost to you.

LYME DISEASE AWARENESS MONTH

Awareness Month for Lyme Disease

May is one of the most important months of the year for Lymies, as it is the awareness month for Lyme disease. Although we do our best throughout the year to inform and educate people about this life-threatening illness, in May we do it in a more alert pace. That’s because the awareness campaigns move from the virtual world into the streets.

Share the awareness message!

You can do it at your own pace, on your own terms. There are many ways you can help raise awareness. You can distribute green ribbons and flyers, talk to people about what it entails to be a Lymie. You can tell your story to others or write a blog post about it.  Or choose to wear a Lyme awareness tee; you will certainly get more than couple of people asking you about it.

If your health allows it, join a 5K march or simply display some green light bulbs on your porch or balcony. Throughout these small little steps that we all take, a message is sent. It might not seem much, but when you look at it at a bigger scale, it does. More people become aware of the dangers of contracting Lyme and learn how to avoid getting bitten by ticks.

 

lyme disease awareness screwed by a tick

Educate people using humour!

Throughout the years I noticed  that the most effective way to attract people’s attention was to crack a joke about those nasty ticks that started all. Humour has always been an important tool for establishing a connection with someone. People tend to listen more to someone who makes them laugh then to one who complains.

Though when you use dark humour as part of the remission, chances are that people won’t get where you’re heading at and they might not like you. Luckily, some do! I am grateful to those who spare a few minutes of their time to listen to me.

As chronic illness sufferer, when you understand that your chance to recover depends on how strong your mind, you learn to cope with pain. You accept it and start working on the healing process. Thus your perspective changes. You slowly shift from complaining towards making fun of the situation. You develop a dark sense of humour that could be interpreted as cruel or inappropriate by others.

The fact that you dare to look at the ugly truth with your eyes wide open and make fun of it denotes strength. Humour can facilitate a more pleasurable approach to problems, as it enables you to reduce the somatic stress. Battling chronic illness with humour is one of the best weapons one can get! It’s a win-win as it is helping both body and mind. Laughter is a good medicine after all!

lyme disease awareness

How can you celebrate the Lyme awareness month?

You can start by educating yourself about this infamous illness. The Lyme Disease Awareness campaigns are open to everyone! Pass on your knowledge to your loved ones. Teach them how to prevent getting bitten by ticks, how to look for tick bites and what to watch out for as an early-stage symptoms. Remember that prevention is key, as there is no cure for Lyme, only remission!

Share more information about Lyme on your social media accounts. More and more people will learn about the dangers of getting infected with Borrelia Burgdorferi via Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, Medium, Reddit, etc.

Participate at a Lymewalk in your area to raise awareness and funds for Lyme research. All funds raised by the event will help Lyme Ontario continue research and education.

A Walk For Hope is the 4th annual 5km walk organized by Lyme Ontario. The event is taking place on May 25th in Beachway Park, Burlington ON. The registration fee is only $15! If you are living close by the area you should give it a try! 

 

MEDICAL CANNABIS – AN ALTERNATIVE TREATMENT FOR LYME DISEASE?

 

medical marijuana cannabis for lyme disease

Nowadays numerous online sources praise the benefits of CBD oil (cannabidiol) as an alternative treatment for symptoms varying from chronic pain, anxiety, inflammation, to nausea and epilepsy.

As a result more and more specialists and Lyme sufferers decide to give it a try since it seems to help all kinds of conditions. In fact, there has been an increase of people coming forward and asking to legitimize hemp and CBD as medicine.

In the Chinese medicine, CBD oil is a known method of pain management.

 

CBD (OIL) AS AN ALTERNATIVE TREATMENT FOR LYME DISEASE

Some patients are still reluctant to give it a try because of the social stigma attached to it. The lack of information on the topic and the cloud of negativity surrounding it prevent sufferers from taking advantage of its beneficial effects. 

Other ones, who considered they had nothing left to lose, moved across the country after they have learnt about the healing powers of cannabis. Couple of years down the rode, they stated they were feeling much better.  

 

“When you tried several treatment options without seeing some serious improvement, you find yourself asking what do I have to lose? I have been a lab rat on antibiotics for couple of years. I doubt that cannabis can do the same liver damage as all the chemicals in those pills that I took so far.” -Anonymous Lyme sufferer from Colorado

 

 

Back in 2008, a study revealed that cannabis was effective against an “antibiotic-resistant” strain of MRSA. The researchers disclosed the strong antibacterial properties of numerous cannabinoids (CBC, THC and CBD).

Another online publication talks about the anti-inflammatory and anticonvulsant mechanisms of CBD, emphasizing on the benefits of replacing the inflammatory medication with high-CBD strains.

CBD Oil is the most common form of herbal medication as it has less adverse side effects than the smokable forms.

Dr. Ernie Murakami has been preaching the benefits of CBD oil as form of treatment for quite some time.

Not everyone knows that marijuana has 483 phytocannabinoids, that effectively treat different symptoms. Most of people only heard about the THC – the psychotic component that gets one experience a psychoactive giddiness.

According to dr. Daniel A. Kinderlehrer, M.D., the THC is quite beneficial for pain, sleep, nausea, appetite, and PTSD. He claims that the two strains of cannabis: Indica and Sativa are both beneficial for Lyme patients. He adds that cannabis is not a treatment for Lyme, but a way to control symptoms.

Cannabis and hemp products help to alleviate some of the symptoms associated with Lyme disease. Read here the story of an athlete whose condition improved considerably after using cannabis products. 

Marty Ross, M.D. explains in depth the benefits of using medical benefits for Lyme (see table below) and other illnesses.

 

benefits of medical cannabis for lyme disease

HOW TO TAKE CBD FOR LYME DISEASE?

First step would be to talk with your doctor and ask him to prescribe you medical cannabis. Once you have your prescription, you can either order it online or purchase it directly from different shops. 

Though a quick visit to CBD shop can leave one confused as the sight of wide range of products available: oils, tinctures, creams, mints, gums, chocolate, teas and so on! From edibles to vaping and smoking or injections for those who find themselves in severe pain.

Dr. Bill Rawls, a Lyme-sufferer himself, states that: “The best way to take CBD oil mixed with a carrier oil to a specific concentration is to place a few drops or dropperfuls under your tongue for 15 seconds to access the sublingual gland.” For a more in depth reading on the topic, click the link above.

WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW ABOUT CBD OIL WHEN USED FOR LYME?

  • Note that it takes up to two or three weeks for one to experience the full effect of the treatment.
  • Never take it on your own without medical supervision. Ask your Lyme specialist or physician to prescribe you medical marijuana. Ensure you purchase only pure strains. Organic grown CBD without any pesticides.
  • Never buy it from the street as it won`t help your condition and you might end up in some serious legal issues if marijuana consumption is not legalized in your state or country of origin.
  • Always respect the dose prescribed by your physician. If necessary, have him adjust it during your next consultation.
  • You may experience a Herxheimer  reaction when you just start the CBD treatment.
  • Cannabinoids naturally detox your system, thus take it slowly.
  • Just because cannabis is not considerate addictive as heroin or other drugs, there are some possible side-effects. 

 

IS CBD OIL BETTER AT TREATING LYME THAN OTHER HERBS?

There is no doubt CBD oil offers some relief to those affected by Lyme disease, fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue syndrome and other chronic illnesses!The research has shown that cannabis has analgesic, anti-inflammatory and neuro-protective properties.  Used in combination with other herbal remedies such as antimicrobial herbs like Japanese knotweed, cat’s claw, andrographis, garlic, sarsaparilla, and berberine  it could have a more beneficial effect on patients.

 

CONCLUSION

Maybe it’s about time to cease treating everything with synthetic drugs and use nature to our advantage. Cannabis` potent antibiotic properties are not fully exploited yet, although they would be beneficial in the healing process.

No one knows for sure if cannabis is the cure for Lyme disease, as there is no research showing concrete data. Though on the bright side, physicians are more open to try experimenting with CBD-rich products which was totally unheard of until recently!

When you are looking for an all-natural way to decrease the intensity of certain symptoms caused by Lye, CBD oil can offer the needed relief.

º°

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