Healing therapies

HBOT

January 8, 2023 by LovingtheSpectrum

We bought a HBOT

Yes, we are now the proud owners of a Newtowne 27″ Hyperbaric Chamber with a 10-liter Air Sep Oxygen concentrator.

We decided to remark on a series of hyperbaric chamber therapies again. I still think this is a great way to aid recovery; however, due to his demeanor and frustration tolerance as he has gotten older, it became impossible to convince him to dive. Instead, I committed to a two-year dive schedule to see if I could affect any of the symptoms I regularly struggled with due to a diagnosis of fibromyalgia. I completed my final dive of that period in July 2022 and have felt some amazing, lasting effects from the chamber. No foot pain, no migraines, and able to finally sleep on my left side without vertigo, decreased back pain and increased energy. I continue to dive on a regular basis and have chosen it as an integral part of my recovery including continuing during three rounds of the latest viral infection.

Returning home from Lyme Laser Treatment Centers of New England

August 19, 2017 by LovingtheSpectrum

Returning home from Lyme Laser Treatment Centers of New England

Day 75

We have been home now for 5 days and I can honestly say the adjustment was slightly chaotic. We haven’t really unpacked yet but supplements still must be given on time, as per our previous schedule. It definitely has taken more than a couple of days to get back to a routine, now it’s Saturday and we finally executed our schedule perfectly. I have managed to source some of the pieces of the program that we would like to continue at home, so while we are technically finished at the clinic, we will maintain the supplements, footbaths, exercise and diet schedule for many months going forward. We, of course, brought a large bag of supplements back home with us, but they have been reduced now we are in maintenance mode.

Overall, the progress continues. Both kids are adamant they are happy they did the program, annoyed at missing summer with their friends but feeling about 70% better than they did when we left. I am a little nervous because if we were in MA still, we would not be in maintenance for another week or two. I am praying it doesn’t set us back because we left early. Dr. Wine is confident in our recovery from here as long as we maintain the program, but I have had so many false starts during our journey, I am always just really nervous about going backward.

So week 11, now behind us, heading into week 12. Really nothing drastic to report, just more of that steady climb upwards to feeling healthier. If you ask my kids, “do you think it was worth it?” they now reply with a resounding “YES!!” which makes it so worth the sacrifices we all made to get there. They are definitely feeling better each and every day. One still has frustration and is still experiencing some obtrusive/obsessive thoughts, the other is feeling nauseous on and off, which has been an ongoing issue. We think it is related to candida and food intake. We will hope that as that resolves (Dr. Wine’s protocol addresses that), nausea starts to remit as well.

Anyway, first two days back to school went phenomenally well for both. The one with memory issues was happily surprised to find that everything stuck during the first days of classes, this was one of our greatest hopes going up for treatment. The memory issue in conjunction with poor processing has been a great source of frustration, so having both issues improve is very exciting.

So all in all, a really great week. Again, both feeling better each day, maintaining gains and happy to be back in a routine. For sure, both are ready to have some fun at the amusement park tomorrow, it will be interesting to see how they enjoy that with all their extra energy and motivation. Roll on week 12…

New England Day 61

August 5, 2017 by LovingtheSpectrum

New England Day 61, Lyme Laser Treatment

I am updating a little faster than is typical for my crazy hectic schedule simply because we finally have good things to report. Yesterday, on day 60 – B told me, “I am so happy with how much progress I have made since I have been here, I can’t tell you why I feel better, I just remember that this is not how I used to feel!” Add to that, his long term memory is coming back, sleep is coming easily and I think we may have finally started the shift we have been hoping and praying for or at least we are heading in the right direction. Additionally, the other one is consistently waking up without the trademark black eye circles (typically an allergen but to what we have never been able to pinpoint), and we seem to have the hypoglycemic rages under control. We really enjoyed a full day yesterday of shopping and she complained of zero foot pain. Those feet have hurt all the time for a very long time and typically, after an hour or so, she will be so exhausted she will want to go home. Not so yesterday. We have slowly been increasing her stamina by walking around the campground three times a day so perhaps that is helping build tolerance but overall it was really a good day yesterday, at least on those levels.

Anyway, another full day of shopping, school looms and every single thing must be new for their return. I am so happy New Hampshire is super close and tax free every day 😉 wish us luck on our quest to complete that shopping list. Happy weekend everyone.

Things I learned in MA

August 3, 2017 by LovingtheSpectrum

Things I Learned in MA…

or things we learned treating Lyme in Massachusetts.

Thinking this trip through before we left I knew there were going to be additional challenges over and above managing the kid’s behaviors and treatment compliance. First of all, I am scared of the dark, secondly, I am afraid to be alone at night while I sleep! Two major obstacles especially for someone who was considering living on a campsite, away from landline phones, 24/7 alarm monitoring, solo with two kids who require 24/7 management. The whole idea had my imagination in overdrive. Not to the point where I considered not coming, but I knew it was going to be a real test of my own strength and determination during the three months we would be here. Honestly, with less than 2 weeks to go, I am pleasantly surprised and a little impressed with my ability to buckle down and just make the best of what we have done. Weirdly it has also been far easier than I envisioned and certainly not even close to as scary as I initially imagined.

While it is true the cooking al fresco and the laundromat situation drive me insane, conversely, the simplicity and small space make any house-related stress impossible. It also turns out I do know how to change gas bottles, light pilot lights, replenish toilet enzymes, and even remember to purchase biodegradable washing soap. To my credit, I have fixed beds, hung tarps, taken care of copious rain-related issues, made campfires, and even chosen to re-caulk the bathroom fittings – a job poorly executed by the fabricators of our little Jayco. I have totally proven to myself that I can clean, cook, and live quite easily in this tiny space all while taking care of these two whirling littles by myself. Plus my neighbors are awesome. Being so close to the beach, the campsite is full of “seasonal” campers, these folks come every year and stay for the summer. Most are long-time residents here and there is a real community of friendly, fun and hospitable folks, which makes it all a little more enjoyable.

… but honestly, I hate it. I don’t mean I hate parenting solo, taking care of everyday challenges, or even camping, I mean I just hate being away from my husband. For sure, I already knew that I relied on him for plenty at home. He thankfully takes care of things I can’t while I take care of the kids and sometimes that’s a lot because my health is not as optimal as it should be. Being away from him this long, after never really being apart since we met 18 years ago, I realize I am not missing “what” he does for me, i’m actually missing “why” he does what he does because truthfully that’s what I miss the most.

Like so many Biomed husbands – mine not only takes care of funding this three-ring circus we call life, he also picks up a lot of my slack at home. He will do laundry, cook, do the dishes, mow the lawn, paint, clean, and make coffee all just because it needs doing. He doesn’t do any of this to “help me.” and that’s why I miss him, he doesn’t do any of it because he is obligated, he does it because he loves me. He sees what needs to be done and he does it to make my day a little easier. He is a true, no-arguments, fully-fledged, 50/50 partner and I have never been more grateful for anything in my life as I am for God sending him to cross paths with me. This man sees our family as a unit and sees his role as completely linear to mine. I miss him because I swear he gets up every day and asks himself “What can I do to make my family’s life a little easier today.” There is always something he does that helps us all. So in the end, it hasn’t been the dark or the safety that has gotten to me, it’s been the “missing my other half” that has been the toughest part of this whole summer.

Thankfully we just rolled into day 59, and the kids and I are anxiously counting the days until we can get back home – it’s 12 if you are counting along with us. It has been hard seeing so little progress from the program because we know eventually, it will prove successful. We committed to being apart for what we knew would be a difficult few months, and secretly we both keep praying for the change that will make it all seem worthwhile, tonight we had a little epiphany. During a phone call, it dawned on us that B has been willingly going to bed around 10.30/11 pm for several nights. I thought he was playing on his phone, taking advantage of the peace and quiet in his tent but as we talked, we realized neither of us had seen him online later than 11 pm. I asked B about it and apparently for the last 3-4 nights he has been going into his tent and actually going to sleep. He is asleep well before midnight and has been able to get up around 8. While 3-4 nights of what is obviously a late-ish bedtime will seem insignificant to most, this represents a turn of events for us. This child has literally outpaced every single person in the house with his ability to run on limited to no sleep – for as long as we can remember. Even when he was a baby, no sleep. We have had periods where he may sleep for 1, 2 even 3 nights during a treatment phase but his last sleep study was the same as we have typically seen, continual waking approximately 15-18 times an hour, no restful/restorative sleep ever comes for him, until apparently this week. So a glimmer, a tiny glimmer of something working perhaps? Added to this new sleep schedule, (yeah we are calling it that even after just 4 days) at the clinic today on what is typically an off day (catch up treatments before we leave) B was disappointed that there was no oxygen treatment scheduled. Last week he had said in passing, “I feel really good about myself for some reason while I am on the machine and using oxygen” and today he was disappointed about it not being part of his routine reiterating what he had said before. We have yet to replicate that feeling for him outside of an oxygen mask but is this another tiny glimmer of hope in the healing process? Regardless, I am taking both of these things as good signs. Certainly, the sleep is to be celebrated, as sleep just does not come easily for him. The internal dialogue quietening while on oxygen is something we may have to explore later when we have time, but for now, there are only 12 days to go. We are ready to go home. I am ready for my sleep-number to be 30 instead of particle board, I am ready for a dog door so I don’t have to walk at 6 am and I am really ready for a fridge that holds more than 6 eggs and 2 packets of bacon but most of all, I am ready to live back with my husband, my awesome, amazing, you know he loves me the mostest, husband. Get the kettle on, I am coming home …

Day 43

July 19, 2017 by LovingtheSpectrum

Day 43 and we are still here.

So we have just passed day 43 of what is technically an 84-day program. Sadly, we will be leaving around day 70-ish because school is back in session on August 17th. The students are returning earlier than usual because of something to do with the 2017 Solar eclipse. To be honest, when school is in session I can barely keep up with paying bills, getting them both to school, managing my own work, their schedules and getting the assigned homework done and handed in. There just never seems to be any time left for anything, so I didn’t really read about what the school board was voting on although I know I really should pay better attention. All I know is this, my kids have to (want to) be back home, all waxed and shiny the night of the 16th so they can begin school with their friends the next morning. Anyway, as is my habit, I digressed…

Progress So Far…

Well, what have we to report after 6 weeks of treatment? First and foremost we have managed to sustain the keto-type diet we have to follow for the duration of our time here and beyond (no sugar, soy, wheat, gluten, carbs or anything remotely artificial. No “added” nitrates, no fillers). Truthfully, no one is more shocked than I that both my children have complied. Note I didn’t say willingly, I simply said: “complied”. As a result of eating this way, we have all dropped about 10 pounds each and now walk around happily hiking up our pants while lamenting about the days we used to enjoy a good strawberry donut from the Peach Stand. Maddening because outside our campground home there is a drive through for Dunkin Donuts. This location taunts us every time we leave, but resist we must and we do. As far as diet goes we generally stick to meat, fish (occasionally lobster), veggies and now finally after day 36, they are allowed very limited access to fruit. The only downside for me is that now my days begin with a frying pan in one hand and breakfast supplies in the other. I traipse outside in my PJs and light our small camping stove. I imagine this is how the pioneers felt minus, of course, the refrigerator, propane stove, air conditioning, fans, fresh eggs, indoor plumbing…. well you get the picture. I do have to wash the pots by hand so that counts as a hardship – right? Anyway, every day has started with eggs, bacon and sometimes fried tomatoes or if I am feeling really generous, pork patties masquerading as sausage to break up the tedium. It works. No one apparently feels cheated, although I fear if a cake could walk across our campsite I doubt it would make it to the shower block alive! So, in terms of healthy eating and resisting no-no foods, we are really doing great so far. ✔️#ApplegateFarms #NelliesFreshEggs Supplements? We remain on our original herbal protocols. Truthfully, I don’t even know what herbs we are taking (I just assume some variation of a typical Lyme protocol, or perhaps similar to those recommended by Stephen Buhner) but I have never bothered to ask. We originally started out at 15 drops 3 times a day and recently dropped down to just 10 drops 3 times a day. We also continue taking all the same Apex Nutritionals supplements and powders designed to rebuild and support their immune systems while they move forward with treatment. Clinic visits? Still twice weekly. Cold laser, chiropractic adjustment, oscillator, oxygen, brain tapping and footbaths. Once again all designed to encourage detox and provide support while the laser therapy does its job. Bu-Bye spirochetes. Progress to date? Honestly, very limited. We can’t say behaviorally that they have changed at all. However, we have noticed that their Bartonella rashes are reduced. We can see the angry red streaks that run both vertically and horizontally across their abdomens and their backs fading to mostly whitish-pink streaks and comparing photographs we can see clearly that some of these streaks are disappearing altogether. Behavior? Awful, truly awful. They torment each other relentlessly from the time they get up and take the first round of supplements to the midnight “end of my tolerance – just go to bed PLEASE” hour. Scrapping, fighting and spewing rhetoric as we move throughout our daily routine. Nothing there has changed. The not so neurologically impacted one is still experiencing pain in joints and muscles and is also now admitting to periods of extreme sadness and depersonalization, we are addressing this. B is as he ever was, mostly sarcastic in tone, intolerant of us all and majorly oppositional. Truthfully, the slightest thing can set off a rage of epic proportions, and so disappointingly, really no change or respite there for us or them. I have spoken to several people at the clinic over the past few weeks and even though it seems everyone feels their recovery differently – those with a neurological impact may be the slowest to change. At least to me, the few patients who have told me about their neurological disturbances anecdotally speak of a longer time to really begin to see results. Although, everyone I speak with definitely reports progress within the 12-week time frame. As far as I can tell from our own journey, the physical pain and symptoms are seeming to resolve a little sooner than the neurological and behavioral impact. I still have tremendous hope for our ultimate success with this program. The Bartonella is dying, I can see the streaks fading away with my own eyes, therefore I know it is being taken care of. We also know Bartonella, out of all the Lyme co-infections can affect neurology in the worst way so this amount of time for recovery is really not surprising. Besides, after 13 years this is not going away overnight (or in 42 days), we always knew we would have to fight for this recovery and fighting we are. Anyway, we have now officially reached our halfway mark and are excited and ready to see some real changes from here on out! Wish us luck as we continue on 😀