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Post by Admin/ Traveler on Oct 1, 2017 16:48:44 GMT
Well, I've got a lot of ground to cover with my background with these infections. For those of you that don't know, I have lived with these infections for most of my 54 years now. Below is how I explained things on another forum, so I copied and pasted that, and then added the more recent information. I was first infected at the age of 7 (way back in 1970) with Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever and by the age of 9, I was showing the symptoms of late stage Lyme disease (Lyme arthritis), as well as chronic Bartonella symptoms. I may have had more tick-borne infections at that time, but no one was looking for them or their signs, so I learned to live with the ups and downs. I had periods of my life where I was plagued with different symptoms (narcolepsy, extreme pain, and so on) and I was bed ridden for periods of time as well, then at the age of about 30 I realized that I could no longer work outside the home. IN 2002, I had a Neuro tell me that I had Bell's Palsy due to Lyme disease - but I wasn't ready to hear that - even though I had been looking into that possibility since 2000! LOL!!! eyes I was in denial. It wasn't until 2007, when I was 44 years old, that I found a LLMD that agreed to treat me - the late, great Dr. Edwin Masters (RIP). I used antibiotics for a full 12 months and only got worse. I believe there were a number of reasons for this, not simply just because I was using antibiotics. I now know that my body was badly compromised and couldn't detox very well. I stopped all treatments as I was beginning to have seizures and a ton of serious issues with cognitive function, my intestines shutting down and more. I quite honestly thought I was going home to die. I even called my kids to come up and we had "the talk" of what to do once I was gone. Fortunately, my husband was not ready to give in just yet and he found a Holistic doctor not far from us that agreed to treat me, even though she said she knew nothing of these infections, but she was willing to learn. At first, after doing her intake of me, she said she wanted me to just go straight to the hospital due to my adrenals crashing - but I refused (LOL!) as I knew that I would have a fight on my hands keeping them from giving me steroids since Lyme isn't even recognized as a threat here. As I said, My practitioner knew nothing of these infections, but since there was no one else in my state willing to treat those who had Lyme and other tick-borne infections, I decided to start treatments with her and help her learn all I could. I kind of felt like it was my one last chance. The first 6 months all I did was detox and get my organs and systems in my body to balance back out using herbs and acupuncture. My adrenals were crashing, I had Hashimoto's Thyroiditis, serious issues with my digestive system along with all the symptoms of Lyme, Bartonella, Babesia, chronic Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever and more, so we had our work cut out for us. After the first 6 months, we agreed I would start on the "Chronic Tonic" herbs that can be found on page 77 of this pdf: Chronic Tonic for Lyme Although my Practitioner had me make the medicinal tea differently, I used all the herbs listed and in the amounts listed. Here is the link to how I made the CT on my own: www.healingwell.com/community/default.aspx?f=30&m=3244272 . It only took 2 months of using this medicinal tea before I started really feeling some decent improvements in my symptoms.I used this medicinal tea for a total of a full 12 months. Three months after starting the 'Chronic Tonic', we added in Houttuynia - also made into a medicinal tea for my Bartonella infection. I used this medicinal tea for a total of 9 months and finished the same time as I finished my Lyme treatment. At this point I didn't seem to have many symptoms of either infection left, although it was obvious that my nerves hadn't healed yet. We started treatment for Babesia, which proved to be quite stubborn for me. We used many herbs - often changing them every 2 weeks, tons of acupuncture and many changes in my diet to help me get through. This is also why it's taking me so long to put together what all I did for Babesia - there were so many herbs that were used to support the different organs I was having issues with, like my spleen, liver, (always) intestines, even my kidneys for a while. After treating for a full 12 months, we decided it was time to take that nerve racking 'trial run' without any treatments, only life had a way of really testing me. My Father-in-law was doing quite poorly due to Alzheimer's disease. He had been living alone, and although family was just across the driveway, he was good at hiding how he was declining. Once it was discovered how poorly he was really doing, my husband and I set out and remodeled a bedroom (smhair) and moved him in - to my delight. I had been hoping that he would come to live with us actually! It was only for 3 months, but it was the most intense 3 months that I have ever lived, as he deteriorated very quickly. The last 2 weeks, hubby and I slept in rotation, usually 2 or 3 hours at a time, as it quite literally took both of us to keep up with his care and my Father-in law passed here at our home. I had very little sleep during that time and was quite concerned that my infections would all come roaring back due to the stress. To my absolute delight and surprise, I did not relapse - although I did spend some time waiting for the 'other shoe to drop'! The interesting thing was that my stress levels didn't end there. Both a blessing and a hard thing, one of our dairy goats delivered triplets the very same day that my Father-in-law passed - only she waited until late evening, so I was up until the wee hours. So chores started too! Feedings for the babies start at 5 times a day for the first week, plus having to milk the Doe twice a day - then 10 days later our other goat delivered twins......at 2 am!! I was pretty tired, but never like I had experienced with these infections. So while I was amazed and awed, I was also incredibly happy that I had managed to make it through all of that without any relapse!! turn :-) turn So now I'm just over a year after all of that and still doing well - despite menopause setting in this year as well. *current* So, I ended up developing Addison's and being hypothyroid. I saw a doctor that specialized in treating those conditions and she helped me get started on the right track and understand a lot of information about living with very low adrenal and thyroid functions - but due to her accusing me of things that I never did (not paying my bill of all things!) - so I left her as well and have been on my own for the last 3 years (about). I take high dose Ashwagandha (herbal) and high dose NatraBio adrenal and thyroid supplements (homeopathic) to keep my adrenals and thyroid on track. Good news is that I have lost much of the 60 lbs I gained during my time with these conditions and I'm feeling better on that front! I have stopped much of my treatments for these infections - not because I am healed, but because I'm functional and I understand that it's more about support and making myself functional at this point in time for me. The one treatment I am currently doing is cistus incanus tea daily, at low (about half) doses and I only use it once a day. It's highly antiviral, and it's antibacterial and antifungal, breaks up biofilms and is antifungal - so it can be pretty strong for some of us. The rest of my herbs and supplements are for support mainly, as many areas of my body/organs aren't working properly. I will be happy to list these and go over them if anyone is interested.
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Post by Admin/ Traveler on May 2, 2018 18:25:35 GMT
Updating what I'm doing.... I have carefully researched each thing and added them one at a time to be sure I could watch to see how my body responds to each thing, finding my dose that helps me the most. So, here goes: ** = my "killing herbs', # =thyroid support, ^ adrenal support Intestinal help: Intestinal Cramp herbs (still can't go without these - licorice, white peony, peppermint - I mix these myself) - 3 times a day Magnesium oxide - am and pm Quercetin Ginger Probiotics HCL with pepsin MTHFR supplements: Melthylfolate Methyl B-12 Sleep support: Melatonin Tyrptophan (Lidtke brand only - it's processed differently for higher potency) Valerian Various support: **Astragalus #Selenium Magnesium orotate Vitamin C Lysine (herpes virus treatment/control) D3 Zinc Alpha lipoic acid (glutathione precursor - helps detox) Turmeric with black pepper (detoxes liver, protects liver, lowers inflammation, thins blood) Kudzu root (brain fog) Lion's mane (nerve support/remyelination of nerves, some immune support) 14 mushroom mix (immune support) Gingko Biloba (helps support getting enough blood into my brain - had SPECT scan that showed I have 2 areas of my brain that have lowered blood flow) ^Ashwagandha Glucosamine/condriotin/ hyaluronic acid (joint support - I must have the hyaluronic acid or it's not as helpful) Tinctures I take: Avena sativa (green tops only) -I make my own (nervous system support/calming nervous system/anxiety) Hops - I make my own (digestive bitter/calming to the intestines) **4 Thieves tincture - I make my own (Immune support) "Lymph mover" (detoxing the lymph system) - I make my own Dandelion - I make my own (works as 'bitters' for digestive support, as well as liver detox) Motherwort - I make my own (works as 'bitters' for digestive support) Violet (leaves/stems) ( Violet usage) #Iodine #NatraBio Thyroid ^NatraBio Adrenal DHEA
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Post by Sharpy on Jul 24, 2018 17:06:13 GMT
In this first 6 months what were you taking to detox? The first 6 months all I did was detox and get my organs and systems in my body to balance back out using herbs and acupuncture. My adrenals were crashing, I had Hashimoto's Thyroiditis, serious issues with my digestive system along with all the symptoms of Lyme, Bartonella, Babesia, chronic Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever and more, so we had our work cut out for us. Read more: dogwoodtraditionals.freeforums.net/thread/88/travelers-infection-background#ixzz5MC0Dt4uH
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Post by Admin/ Traveler on Jul 24, 2018 17:52:45 GMT
In this first 6 months what were you taking to detox? The first 6 months all I did was detox and get my organs and systems in my body to balance back out using herbs and acupuncture. My adrenals were crashing, I had Hashimoto's Thyroiditis, serious issues with my digestive system along with all the symptoms of Lyme, Bartonella, Babesia, chronic Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever and more, so we had our work cut out for us. Read more: dogwoodtraditionals.freeforums.net/thread/88/travelers-infection-background#ixzz5MC0Dt4uH Well, it actually depended on where I was in the process of getting my toxin load lower. When I first started out, I was only using Epsom salt/peroxide foot soaks for no more than 5 minutes (even though it really felt like more waste!), and I had to skin brush while my skin was wet, and only with a wet washcloth (or my skin would be on FIRE for days - I was already to a point where I couldn't cover up with a sheet to sleep, or wear clothes). As my body was able to lower it's toxin load, I was able to progress into my detoxing routines, which were similar to what I do now. Detoxing routines/supplements I used previously - and what I am now doing: Epsom salt/peroxide foot soaks (no more than 5 minutes) - I actually go back and forth with this, I use it now only when I need a boost in my detoxing. I have never been able to tolerate full body soaks with Epsom Salt/peroxide without setting myself back several weeks of progress. Dry skin brushing - started with 'wet skin brushing', transitioned to dry skin brushing, and am still doing this today. Lemon water is something I started very early on, and although my use of it has dropped down (only about 2 - 3 times a week now), I was drinking only lemon water for a long time - but I also learned a valuable lesson!! Even if you don't damage the enamel of the teeth (because I don't have any teeth), you can make your mouth 'slough off' skin by drinking lemon water too much! It's acidic, even though once it hits the stomach acid it becomes alkalizing for the body. Lymph massages - boy oh boy, do I ever use these!!! I've been doing this daily since the very first month of my trying to recover. Not only do we get some lymph movement when we dry skin brush, but I need to do more manual lymph massages as well. I also now take a tincture that I make ("Lymph mover") that is really helpful for me, but I still have to do the manual lymph massages daily. The lymph mover helps tremendously with my spleen, as well as making it not so painful because those lymph nodes were always so very swollen when I would do the massage. It also contains burdock root, and red root - good for moving lymph throughout the body. Activated charcoal I used this extensively for about 6 - 8 months, and have been steadily able to rely on it less and less. It's now been about 7 months since I've had my last dose. Sweating/soaking my clothes daily has been really good for me this summer, but not every summer can I do this. I used ACV (Apple Cider Vinegar - with the 'mother') to help with detoxing and killing of candida in my GI. I rarely use it now, as it has started really upsetting my stomach when I use it - maybe because I no longer need the help it provides? Either way, I don't use this any more. I used to use Benadryl to help depress my CNS (Central Nervous System for those with brain fog), as my nervous system symptoms were out of control with an inflamed spine, neck, brain, and the other nerves on fire all day. I don't like using it, but when I can no longer sleep...... I also like to save it so that it's effective if I need it for an allergic reaction, as I have a bad allergy to all soy and MSG - and you don't always know where it's hiding! I did try a castor oil pack over my liver once - but I think I was too brain fogged to do it right (lol), and it was really messy. I switched over to dandelion early on and have been using it for the last several years. I did use cilantro and parsley (fresh) in my daily smoothies when I was starting out - I grew up with a mouthful of amalgam fillings because of bad enamel, thanks to these infections early in life -so it was kind of a no brainer that I needed to detox that as well, especially since I've been infected since around the time the first molars start coming in through the gums for kids (age 6- 7). I've also lost a lot of bone in my jaw due to this, and am on high dose Vit. D3 to help some. So, I don't use milk thistle, because I'm allergic to it. I have also added in methyl B-12 and methylfolate as I do believe I have a minor genetic mutation that makes it harder for my body to detox - but I have not been tested. I only knew that I had a lot of trouble detoxing, so I tried them and discovered that I now detox easier, although it wasn't evident for a few months after I started the methylated products. I have added in ALA (Alpha lipoic acid), as that is a way of enhancing glutathione (the 'master antioxidant) recycling: Alpha Lipoic Acid I take high dose Vitamin C as well (another good antioxidant)- 3,000 mgs, 3 times a day. I've tried dropping my dose, only to find that I don't feel as well within a few weeks. I have also added in the use of Yogi Detox tea (regular flavor) as with some research, I was able to find out that the herbs in it will help detox the liver and kidneys. My coffee substitute also has herbs in it that will help detox the kidneys! Most of these detoxing ideas appear on this page: tired of lyme - detox methods I hope that's helpful!
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Post by Sharpy on Jul 25, 2018 17:13:10 GMT
In this first 6 months what were you taking to detox? The first 6 months all I did was detox and get my organs and systems in my body to balance back out using herbs and acupuncture. My adrenals were crashing, I had Hashimoto's Thyroiditis, serious issues with my digestive system along with all the symptoms of Lyme, Bartonella, Babesia, chronic Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever and more, so we had our work cut out for us. Read more: dogwoodtraditionals.freeforums.net/thread/88/travelers-infection-background#ixzz5MC0Dt4uH
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Post by Admin/ Traveler on Jul 25, 2018 21:45:48 GMT
In this first 6 months what were you taking to detox? The first 6 months all I did was detox and get my organs and systems in my body to balance back out using herbs and acupuncture. My adrenals were crashing, I had Hashimoto's Thyroiditis, serious issues with my digestive system along with all the symptoms of Lyme, Bartonella, Babesia, chronic Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever and more, so we had our work cut out for us. Read more: dogwoodtraditionals.freeforums.net/thread/88/travelers-infection-background#ixzz5MC0Dt4uH Hi Sharpy, This is just a repeat of the previous question, which I did try to answer. Did you not understand, or are you having troubles?
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Post by Sharpy on Jul 26, 2018 14:47:49 GMT
In this first 6 months what were you taking to detox? The first 6 months all I did was detox and get my organs and systems in my body to balance back out using herbs and acupuncture. My adrenals were crashing, I had Hashimoto's Thyroiditis, serious issues with my digestive system along with all the symptoms of Lyme, Bartonella, Babesia, chronic Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever and more, so we had our work cut out for us. Read more: dogwoodtraditionals.freeforums.net/thread/88/travelers-infection-background#ixzz5MC0Dt4uH Well, it actually depended on where I was in the process of getting my toxin load lower. When I first started out, I was only using Epsom salt/peroxide foot soaks for no more than 5 minutes (even though it really felt like more waste!), and I had to skin brush while my skin was wet, and only with a wet washcloth (or my skin would be on FIRE for days - I was already to a point where I couldn't cover up with a sheet to sleep, or wear clothes). As my body was able to lower it's toxin load, I was able to progress into my detoxing routines, which were similar to what I do now. Detoxing routines/supplements I used previously - and what I am now doing: Epsom salt/peroxide foot soaks (no more than 5 minutes) - I actually go back and forth with this, I use it now only when I need a boost in my detoxing. I have never been able to tolerate full body soaks with Epsom Salt/peroxide without setting myself back several weeks of progress. Dry skin brushing - started with 'wet skin brushing', transitioned to dry skin brushing, and am still doing this today. Lemon water is something I started very early on, and although my use of it has dropped down (only about 2 - 3 times a week now), I was drinking only lemon water for a long time - but I also learned a valuable lesson!! Even if you don't damage the enamel of the teeth (because I don't have any teeth), you can make your mouth 'slough off' skin by drinking lemon water too much! It's acidic, even though once it hits the stomach acid it becomes alkalizing for the body. Lymph massages - boy oh boy, do I ever use these!!! I've been doing this daily since the very first month of my trying to recover. Not only do we get some lymph movement when we dry skin brush, but I need to do more manual lymph massages as well. I also now take a tincture that I make ("Lymph mover") that is really helpful for me, but I still have to do the manual lymph massages daily. The lymph mover helps tremendously with my spleen, as well as making it not so painful because those lymph nodes were always so very swollen when I would do the massage. It also contains burdock root, and red root - good for moving lymph throughout the body. Activated charcoal I used this extensively for about 6 - 8 months, and have been steadily able to rely on it less and less. It's now been about 7 months since I've had my last dose. Sweating/soaking my clothes daily has been really good for me this summer, but not every summer can I do this. I used ACV (Apple Cider Vinegar - with the 'mother') to help with detoxing and killing of candida in my GI. I rarely use it now, as it has started really upsetting my stomach when I use it - maybe because I no longer need the help it provides? Either way, I don't use this any more. I used to use Benadryl to help depress my CNS (Central Nervous System for those with brain fog), as my nervous system symptoms were out of control with an inflamed spine, neck, brain, and the other nerves on fire all day. I don't like using it, but when I can no longer sleep...... I also like to save it so that it's effective if I need it for an allergic reaction, as I have a bad allergy to all soy and MSG - and you don't always know where it's hiding! I did try a castor oil pack over my liver once - but I think I was too brain fogged to do it right (lol), and it was really messy. I switched over to dandelion early on and have been using it for the last several years. I did use cilantro and parsley (fresh) in my daily smoothies when I was starting out - I grew up with a mouthful of amalgam fillings because of bad enamel, thanks to these infections early in life -so it was kind of a no brainer that I needed to detox that as well, especially since I've been infected since around the time the first molars start coming in through the gums for kids (age 6- 7). I've also lost a lot of bone in my jaw due to this, and am on high dose Vit. D3 to help some. So, I don't use milk thistle, because I'm allergic to it. I have also added in methyl B-12 and methylfolate as I do believe I have a minor genetic mutation that makes it harder for my body to detox - but I have not been tested. I only knew that I had a lot of trouble detoxing, so I tried them and discovered that I now detox easier, although it wasn't evident for a few months after I started the methylated products. I have added in ALA (Alpha lipoic acid), as that is a way of enhancing glutathione (the 'master antioxidant) recycling: Alpha Lipoic Acid I take high dose Vitamin C as well (another good antioxidant)- 3,000 mgs, 3 times a day. I've tried dropping my dose, only to find that I don't feel as well within a few weeks. I have also added in the use of Yogi Detox tea (regular flavor) as with some research, I was able to find out that the herbs in it will help detox the liver and kidneys. My coffee substitute also has herbs in it that will help detox the kidneys! Most of these detoxing ideas appear on this page: tired of lyme - detox methods I hope that's helpful!
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Post by Sharpy on Jul 26, 2018 15:17:57 GMT
Well, it actually depended on where I was in the process of getting my toxin load lower. When I first started out, I was only using Epsom salt/peroxide foot soaks for no more than 5 minutes (even though it really felt like more waste!), and I had to skin brush while my skin was wet, and only with a wet washcloth (or my skin would be on FIRE for days - I was already to a point where I couldn't cover up with a sheet to sleep, or wear clothes). As my body was able to lower it's toxin load, I was able to progress into my detoxing routines, which were similar to what I do now. Detoxing routines/supplements I used previously - and what I am now doing: Epsom salt/peroxide foot soaks (no more than 5 minutes) - I actually go back and forth with this, I use it now only when I need a boost in my detoxing. I have never been able to tolerate full body soaks with Epsom Salt/peroxide without setting myself back several weeks of progress. Dry skin brushing - started with 'wet skin brushing', transitioned to dry skin brushing, and am still doing this today. Lemon water is something I started very early on, and although my use of it has dropped down (only about 2 - 3 times a week now), I was drinking only lemon water for a long time - but I also learned a valuable lesson!! Even if you don't damage the enamel of the teeth (because I don't have any teeth), you can make your mouth 'slough off' skin by drinking lemon water too much! It's acidic, even though once it hits the stomach acid it becomes alkalizing for the body. Lymph massages - boy oh boy, do I ever use these!!! I've been doing this daily since the very first month of my trying to recover. Not only do we get some lymph movement when we dry skin brush, but I need to do more manual lymph massages as well. I also now take a tincture that I make ("Lymph mover") that is really helpful for me, but I still have to do the manual lymph massages daily. The lymph mover helps tremendously with my spleen, as well as making it not so painful because those lymph nodes were always so very swollen when I would do the massage. It also contains burdock root, and red root - good for moving lymph throughout the body. Activated charcoal I used this extensively for about 6 - 8 months, and have been steadily able to rely on it less and less. It's now been about 7 months since I've had my last dose. Sweating/soaking my clothes daily has been really good for me this summer, but not every summer can I do this. I used ACV (Apple Cider Vinegar - with the 'mother') to help with detoxing and killing of candida in my GI. I rarely use it now, as it has started really upsetting my stomach when I use it - maybe because I no longer need the help it provides? Either way, I don't use this any more. I used to use Benadryl to help depress my CNS (Central Nervous System for those with brain fog), as my nervous system symptoms were out of control with an inflamed spine, neck, brain, and the other nerves on fire all day. I don't like using it, but when I can no longer sleep...... I also like to save it so that it's effective if I need it for an allergic reaction, as I have a bad allergy to all soy and MSG - and you don't always know where it's hiding! I did try a castor oil pack over my liver once - but I think I was too brain fogged to do it right (lol), and it was really messy. I switched over to dandelion early on and have been using it for the last several years. I did use cilantro and parsley (fresh) in my daily smoothies when I was starting out - I grew up with a mouthful of amalgam fillings because of bad enamel, thanks to these infections early in life -so it was kind of a no brainer that I needed to detox that as well, especially since I've been infected since around the time the first molars start coming in through the gums for kids (age 6- 7). I've also lost a lot of bone in my jaw due to this, and am on high dose Vit. D3 to help some. So, I don't use milk thistle, because I'm allergic to it. I have also added in methyl B-12 and methylfolate as I do believe I have a minor genetic mutation that makes it harder for my body to detox - but I have not been tested. I only knew that I had a lot of trouble detoxing, so I tried them and discovered that I now detox easier, although it wasn't evident for a few months after I started the methylated products. I have added in ALA (Alpha lipoic acid), as that is a way of enhancing glutathione (the 'master antioxidant) recycling: Alpha Lipoic Acid I take high dose Vitamin C as well (another good antioxidant)- 3,000 mgs, 3 times a day. I've tried dropping my dose, only to find that I don't feel as well within a few weeks. I have also added in the use of Yogi Detox tea (regular flavor) as with some research, I was able to find out that the herbs in it will help detox the liver and kidneys. My coffee substitute also has herbs in it that will help detox the kidneys! Most of these detoxing ideas appear on this page: tired of lyme - detox methods I hope that's helpful! Thank you so much for the information!
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Post by Admin/ Traveler on Jul 26, 2018 21:07:40 GMT
Hi Sharpy, All you have been doing is quoting what I said already. Maybe just try asking your questions, rather than trying to quote and ask questions?
I'm not sure how to help you as I don't understand what troubles you are having!
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Post by Admin/ Traveler on May 3, 2021 20:36:09 GMT
I just realized just how out of date this thread is on my infection background, and what I'm currently going through!! Yikes!! Although it doesn't necessarily have anything to do with my past infections, there is an update that has yet to be determined if it's due to having these infections - although I don't believe it can ever be proven one way or another, there is a distinct possibility that what I'm currently dealing with happened because of my infections, so I want to include it - it may serve as a warning to others. So, I went on to heal from my infections - but needed to continue quite a few herbs to keep me active and on the go like I desire. No problem!! LOL! I have learned what my body needs and how to prepare the herbs I needed - then disaster struck - not with the herbs, but my conditions. I discovered (late in the game) that I was living with high blood pressure!! I didn't know it because (just like my body), I didn't have any of the typical symptoms. Here is what we all need to learn: "Most people with high blood pressure have no signs or symptoms, even if blood pressure readings reach dangerously high levels. A few people with high blood pressure may have headaches, shortness of breath or nosebleeds, but these signs and symptoms aren't specific and usually don't occur until high blood pressure has reached a severe or life-threatening stage." link I was one of the ones that didn't have typical symptoms, but after I had been diagnosed with it, I started researching and putting in my symptoms along with "high blood pressure, and low and behold, it all came up showing the connection!!! My symptoms were severe migraines most days of the week, stabbing knife pain in between my shoulder blades, seriously tight upper back muscles, and a couple of other symptoms (I hope to remember exactly what the other ones were and will update if/when I remember!). What alerted me to the fact that I had high blood pressure is silly - my husband's health insurance company sent him a blood pressure machine and I though, well, let's just check out this thing!! So I took my BP and when I saw the numbers I gulped. Uh oh!!! I made an appointment with a local clinic (that I'll never go to again!!) and got on one medication, after checking with my daughter for her recommendations. It wasn't too surprising that I had developed high blood pressure, as both my Mom and brother have high blood pressure (although they are significantly overweight, and I wasn't). I had none of the predisposing conditions to develop high blood pressure, but had a family history of it. **The reason I checked with my daughter is because she is a medical researcher with a University hospital, and works under a Cardiologist. Boy am I ever glad I pulled her into this mess with me!** About a week after I had started my new BP med - all sorts of craziness broke out - my BP was in stroke range, and it wouldn't come down. Every afternoon, it would significantly elevate into stroke range, and I would shake (so bad I couldn't walk a straight line) and start profusely sweating. I couldn't sleep either, it was just impossible with the way I felt (obviously!). To shorten this as much as possible, after my daughter helped me get on 7 different blood pressure meds and it was still going into stroke range daily (roughly 3 weeks as we tried/switched/added several different meds), I was admitted to the hospital. Well, they tried to kill me there, and I was discharged 2 nights later with unstable blood pressure on a Friday. By Monday I was in my brand new, never before seen Nurse Practitioner's office with blood pressure back in stroke range, and all the other symptoms I mentioned as well. Fortunately, my NP has proven to be extremely helpful!!! She gave me an "emergency medication" only to be taken when my blood pressure was 190 or above for systolic(top number), or my diastolic blood pressure (bottom number) was 100 or above. I was having to use it daily, and I was suddenly bed-ridden again!!! UGH!!!! I have been doing most everything around the house for my husband since he's had two spinal fusions performed (and actually needs more) and is riddled with arthritis. I was feeling good, so why not?? Ha. The poor guy had to take over every single thing that I did every day and on his own - I couldn't even coach him - and he had to do everything for me, including running to the pharmacy every couple of days as a new med was added. I ended up on 7 different blood pressure medications before it started to lower and stay under the danger zones, couldn't sleep more than 3 hours a day, couldn't eat, couldn't sleep, couldn't be out of bed more than 10 minutes or my BP would sky-rocket again - scared the bejeebers out of me!!! But, I just wasn't done here yet, so I've survived yet another health catastrophe! But, I was not done yet with this crisis yet either. It was decided that I needed to go stay with my daughter and her husband - who took 2 full weeks off from work to help me start my recovery (I AM truly blessed!!). My body crashed hard - I couldn't tolerate most foods, and had to stay in bed the whole time - I don't remember 3 weeks of this, 2 of those weeks were before going down to stay with my daughter and son-in-law. Chalk it up to just more time lost for me. At the end of those 2 weeks, my husband had things under control (in his own way, lol), so it was decided that it was time to get me back home. The ride wiped me out for 3 days (no memory of those days), even though I didn't sleep that much. I was put on Trazodone to help me sleep, so I was up to a whopping 5 hours a sleep by then, and was finally able to digest fats, and handle a bit of protein each day. Very, very slowly, my BP has stabilized, and I've been able to reduce the meds so that now, I'm only on 2 BP meds, potassium, Trazodone for sleep, melatonin, and an antihistamine (for side effects of the meds) and am now on a high salt diet. After having a suspicion that Lyme could have possibly trigger this, I started looking up research papers - and low and behold, I found some papers that link high BP with adrenal tumors, and adrenal tumors with Lyme disease!! WOW! Double WOW!!! I have finally been released from the doctor's care from the doc that picked me up in the hospital, and my NP, my daughter (she's still involved with every step and every decision, even my NP wants her involved!) and I have agreed that my next step is to see a Cardiologist and an Endocrinologist. It just so happens that my son-in-law has been using a very good Endo for a number of years due to his own health issues - and this Endo was able to get him off of meds!!! So, it was decided for me to go see that specific Endo - the referral has been made, I'm waiting to hear when my appointment might be. This waiting is NO FUN!! I continue to suffer from adrenal issues (I know the symptoms all too well, ugh), although my BP is now steady and LOW. I'll update as I get new information - but the wheels turn every so slowly, so no one hold their breath! LOL, I'm trying not to!!
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