Step right up. You can learn more than you ever wanted to know about Lyme disease here. This article includes many facts and at the end, a protocol you can try to get un-sick if you have this.
After a month on antibiotics and herbs, I was starting to feel normal again, but three weeks later, right now I feel like crap. Yesterday it was headaches. Today I feel like I have a flu, but my temperature is 98.1, less than normal. Did I move enough today? No, I worked on this article all day. My possibly Lyme symptoms include loud tinnitus, tons of floaters in my vision, a stiff neck, pain in the neck and back on movement, numb fingers on waking, muscle aches and a slight headache, vibrations at night, and more. Earlier I had a strong jolt of pain in my gut with a simultaneous electric shock feeling on my hand closest to where my gut hurt. One more unexplainable symptom which unfortunately probably means there is an unresolved brain infection. Hands and guts don’t hurt in a single jolt of pain. It hasn’t come back and there is no paint triggered by pressing on the gut were the pain was. It could always be space aliens zapping me for their own reasons unknown to any humans. Hey, it could have been a galactic cosmic ray hitting my brain and causing a cascade of experience. That probably wouldn’t cause this no-temperature flu feeling, however. Enough about me.
Lyme is infecting 100 times more people than HIV, yet it receives almost no funding. The evidence for an ongoing Lyme disease pandemic is underscored by a significant increase in reported cases, with the CDC noting that 62,551 cases were documented in 2022, representing a 1.7-fold rise compared to the average of 37,118 cases from 2017 to 2019[1]. This surge is attributed to various factors, including the expanding geographic range of the Ixodes tick vector due to climate change, leading to increased tick populations and higher transmission rates of the Borrelia burgdorferi bacteria responsible for Lyme disease[4]. Furthermore, the implementation of revised surveillance practices has facilitated more accurate reporting of cases, highlighting the growing incidence in high-risk areas across the Northeast and Midwest regions of the United States[1][2]. The persistence of symptoms in some patients post-treatment, known as Post-Treatment Lyme Disease Syndrome (PTLDS), also reflects a broader public health concern regarding long-term effects and the need for continued research and awareness[5].
Lyme disease is a complex and increasingly prevalent tick-borne illness that poses significant challenges for patients, healthcare providers, and researchers. Below is a detailed summary of key facts, controversies, and future outlook regarding Lyme disease, incorporating all provided information.
Prevalence and Impact
- Annual Cases: An estimated 500,000 new cases of Lyme disease occur annually in the United States.
- Long-term Symptoms: Approximately 10-20% of patients remain symptomatic after receiving antibiotic treatment.
- Aftereffects: Around 2 million people in the U.S. suffer from the aftereffects of Lyme disease.
Diagnostic Challenges
- Mimicking Conditions: Lyme disease can mimic various conditions, including chronic fatigue syndrome, fibromyalgia, multiple sclerosis, and Alzheimer’s.
- Testing Reliability: Standard testing for Lyme disease is unreliable, especially in later stages, leading to misdiagnoses.
Patient Experiences
Many patients struggle to obtain accurate diagnoses and proper care. The documentary The Quiet Epidemic highlights these struggles, including:
- Julia Bruzzese’s Journey: Julia’s story gained national attention after an encounter with Pope Francis.
- Dr. Neil Spector’s Experience: A cancer researcher who struggled for years to get a proper Lyme disease diagnosis and eventually needed a heart transplant.
- The impact of medical skepticism on patients’ lives, including financial and emotional strain on families.
Research and Advocacy
- Promising research in imaging techniques could potentially detect Borrelia bacteria in patients’ bodies, which may help resolve ongoing controversies surrounding diagnosis and treatment.
- Patient advocacy has been crucial in advancing understanding of Lyme disease’s complexities. Dr. Horowitz emphasizes the importance of a patient-centered approach and addressing multiple factors in treatment.
- Dr. Spector argues that good science will lead to changes in clinical practice, public policy, and insurance coverage for Lyme disease.
Medical Community Divide
There is disagreement over the existence and treatment of chronic Lyme disease. The documentary calls for a shift in medical approaches to complex, chronic illnesses and improved diagnostic tools.
Future Outlook
- There is cautious optimism about progress in diagnosing and treating Lyme disease, despite significant remaining challenges.
- Increased awareness, new research, and advocacy efforts are slowly changing the conversation around Lyme disease.
- An urgent need exists for consensus, improved diagnostic tools, and effective treatments as Lyme disease continues to affect more people each year.
Prevention Strategies
Given the challenges in diagnosis and treatment, prevention is emphasized as essential. Key strategies include:
- Avoiding tick-prone areas
- Wearing protective clothing
- Conducting thorough tick checks after potential exposure
- Proper tick removal and testing if bitten
The Different Versions of Lyme
Dr Klinghardt in this first video explains some history of Lyme disease. The rest of this article is related to the information he gave in this video. His talk gives some background on Lyme as a neurological disease. While it is also a digestive disease and a muscular skeletal disease, odd things that never existed in neurology are new symptoms with Lyme disease due to neuro-inflammation from neurotoxins. In that section mentions the weird sense of vibration. This is something I have that doctors have been unable to explain thus far. He also mentions brain fog and exhaustion.
Excitotoxins
In the talk Dr. Klinghardt mentions foods that have excitotoxins, substances that simulate glutamate can stimulate neuroinflammation. He stresses the importance of avoiding common excitotoxins found in foods. Although he did not mention them, a separate search showed that they include these items:
– Monosodium glutamate (MSG)
– Hydrolyzed vegetable protein
– Aspartame
– Natural flavorings
– Yeast extract
– Soy protein extract/concentrate
– Caseinate
– Autolyzed yeast
– Malt extract/flavoring
– Bouillon, broth, stock
– Carrageenan
– Whey protein concentrate
These excitotoxins are often added to processed foods to enhance flavor, especially in low-fat or frozen prepared foods. They are not used for preservation. Excitotoxins can overstimulate neurons, potentially leading to cell death and brain damage. They are particularly concerning for children, the elderly, and those with certain neurological conditions. Liquid forms of excitotoxins (like in soups and diet sodas) may be more easily absorbed and reach higher blood levels. Even low doses of multiple excitotoxins used in combination can become toxic. Some researchers believe excitotoxins may play a role in various neurological disorders like migraines, seizures, neuro-degenerative diseases, and learning difficulties.
The FDA still allows many excitotoxins to be added to foods, despite concerns from some scientists and clinicians about their safety. Reading ingredient labels carefully is important, as excitotoxins are often disguised under different names. Eating whole, unprocessed foods is the best way to avoid exposure to added excitotoxins in the diet.
WHile results present concerns about excitotoxins, scientific consensus on their effects is not unanimous. More research is needed in this area.
Vascular Causes of Neuro Inflammation
COVID-19, caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus, has been linked to a range of neurological issues, primarily through mechanisms involving neuro-inflammation. The virus’s interaction with ACE2 receptors on endothelial cells in blood vessels is a critical factor in this process, leading to potential blockages and subsequent inflammatory responses.
Microwave Exposure
The telecommunications industry is 6 to 8 times financially larger and stronger than the pharmaceutical industry. Leaders in these sectors have positioned themselves as owners of medical and scientific journals, which has hindered doctors and scientists from publishing serious research on the health dangers of microwave radiation. Everyone reading this is experiencing man-made, non-normal neuro-inflammation, which detracts from the beauty of life. Choosing to use cell phones and other technologies that promote inflammation is a personal decision, and we should each do what we can to improve the situation and minimize the damage.
Emerging evidence suggests that exposure to EMFs may worsen Lyme disease symptoms. For individuals with Lyme disease, who often develop sensitivities to various environmental triggers, EMF exposure could further aggravate their condition. This is particularly relevant given that many patients report increased symptom severity in relation to their exposure to radio frequencies.
Biological Mechanisms – The proposed mechanisms by which microwave exposure could exacerbate neuro Lyme symptoms include:
- Oxidative Stress: Increased oxidative stress due to EMF exposure may hinder the immune response against Borrelia infections.
- Neurological Effects: Microwave radiation has been shown to affect neurotransmitter balance and blood-brain barrier permeability, which could contribute to cognitive dysfunction associated with neuro Lyme disease.
- Microbial Behavior: There is speculation that EMF exposure might influence microbial behavior and ecosystem dynamics, potentially impacting tick populations and the transmission dynamics of Lyme disease.
Alzheimer’s Disease Link
A researcher found that there was not Alzheimer’s brain tissue without spirochetes. Dr. Klinghardt shows images in his talk of spirochetes embedded in the myelin sheath of neurons. She concluded that spirochetal infection occurs years or decades before the manifestations of dementia.
The presence of spirochetes in Alzheimer’s brain tissue suggests a significant link between chronic spirochetal infections and the development of dementia. This conclusion is supported by various studies indicating that spirochetal infections, particularly from organisms like Borrelia burgdorferi (the causative agent of Lyme disease), may occur years or even decades prior to the onset of Alzheimer’s symptoms.
Once you know you have or had it and do something about it, you greatly improve your odds of not getting it. In other words, you do something about the slow decline of vision, the tinnitus, brain fog, the digestive problems and so on. However, it slowly nibbles away on the hippocampus and there is slow destruction of parts of the brain, but not after 60 years of not attending to it at all. Treatment such as is done with syphilis has a good chance of stopping the dementia outcome. If you have symptoms, follow the best advice on treatment.
1. Association with Alzheimer’s Disease: Research has shown a statistically significant association between spirochetes and Alzheimer’s disease (AD). In one study, spirochetes were detected in over 90% of AD cases analyzed, with *Borrelia burgdorferi* found in approximately 25.3% of these cases, indicating a higher prevalence in AD patients compared to controls[1][2][3].
2. Pathological Mechanisms: The presence of spirochetes in the brain is believed to contribute to the pathological hallmarks of AD, such as amyloid deposition and neuro-inflammation. Studies have demonstrated that exposure to spirochetes can reproduce key features of Alzheimer’s pathology in vitro, including increased levels of amyloid-β and tau phosphorylation[1][4][5].
3. Chronic Infection and Inflammation: Chronic spirochetal infections may lead to persistent inflammation, which is thought to play a crucial role in the progression of neuro-degenerative diseases. The immune response to these infections can result in the accumulation of amyloid plaques, further contributing to cognitive decline[1][5].
4. Implications for Prevention and Treatment: Given the potential link between spirochetal infections and Alzheimer’s disease, there is a call for further research into the role of antibiotics and anti-inflammatory therapies as possible preventive measures against dementia. Some researchers advocate for early intervention in patients with chronic spirochetal infections to potentially prevent or mitigate the onset of Alzheimer’s symptoms[1][3].
In summary, the research indicates that spirochetal infections could be a significant factor in the development of Alzheimer’s disease, occurring long before clinical symptoms manifest. This highlights the importance of understanding infectious agents’ roles in neuro-degenerative diseases and exploring therapeutic options that target these underlying infections.
Multiple-Sclerosis Link
In at least 90% of multiple sclerosis (MS) patients, Klinghardt found spirochetes present in their nervous systems. Because the myelin sheath is attacked as if it were the enemy, the immune system targets it for destruction. This leads to the destruction of both the myelin and the spirochetes within it; however, the result is a nerve without insulation, which contributes to the effects of MS. He suspects that a similar process occurs in Parkinson’s disease, but in a different area of the brain.
How Lyme Spreads in the Brain
This research showing spirochetes inside the myelin sheath in the neurons has not been reproduced. He also found that the spirochetes move along the myelin sheath; they travel along it. When they reach a synapse, they travel through the membrane across the cleft and into the next nerve. So they can move freely in the brain, infecting one nerve after another, leaving their progeny behind, slowly settling in larger and larger parts of the brain. This is something you have to know when dealing with neuro Lyme. You have to get there with your diagnostic tools and then with medicine, with treatment. It bears repeating that the spirochete is in the nerve, not inside the blood or sometimes urine which doctors test. He says later, however, that the bacteria exited red blood cells under a microscope when given hyaluronic acid.
Speed of Lyme Bacteria
Dr. Klinghardt made some claims that Lyme bacteria move 2000 times faster than the white blood cells that attack them, but traveling the entire body is seconds is not supported by research I found. Motility is an essential virulence factor for pathogenic spirochetes, and loss of motility due to a lack of flagellar genes attenuates their ability to infect hosts and cause disease. Spirochetes like Borrelia burgdorferi possess unique periplasmic flagella that enable them to swim efficiently through viscous environments. These flagella are located between the outer membrane sheath and cell cylinder, and their rotation causes the entire cell body to rotate and undulate, propelling the bacterium forward. B. burgdorferi has 7-11 flagella attached at each cell pole that wrap around the cell cylinder, giving the spirochete its distinctive flat-wave morphology. The flagella serve both motility and skeletal functions – mutants lacking flagella are not only non-motile but also lose their characteristic shape and become rod-shaped. B. burgdorferi can swim at speeds up to 4 μm/s in liquid media and up to 2 μm/s in gelatin matrices that mimic host tissues. This motility allows the spirochetes to disseminate through the extracellular matrix, evade immune cells, and establish infection in various host tissues. The unique motility of spirochetes is crucial for their pathogenesis and life cycle, enabling them to navigate complex environments within tick vectors and mammalian hosts (Charon et al., 2012; Motaleb et al., 2000; Sultan et al., 2013).
Spirochete Survival Mechanism
The spirochete is vulnerable and dies quickly outside its host environment[1]. However, the round bodies (also called cysts) formed by some Borrelia species are more resilient[2]. Grapefruit seed extract, Tinidazole, or N-acetylcysteine (NAC) may affect the integrity of these cysts, though more research is needed to confirm their efficacy[3].
Some researchers hypothesize that using pulsed antibiotic doses could be effective by targeting spirochetes as they emerge from cysts[4]. Hyaluronic acid may stimulate cyst transformation back into spirochetes, which could explain why Borrelia are often found in tissues high in hyaluronic acid like joints and eyes[5].
Biofilms containing round bodies can adhere to cell walls, potentially shielding bacteria from the immune system and antibiotics[6]. Some practitioners use herbal antimicrobial compounds as an alternative to antibiotics, though clinical evidence for their effectiveness is limited[7].
Studies have found that a significant portion of patients treated with standard antibiotic regimens continue to experience symptoms months or years later[8]. However, the reasons for persistent symptoms are complex and debated in the medical community.
It’s important to note that Lyme disease patients experiencing ongoing symptoms should work closely with their healthcare providers to develop an appropriate treatment plan.
Autonomic Response Testing
Dr. Dietrich Klinghardt’s Autonomic Response Testing (ART) is a diagnostic technique that utilizes muscle biofeedback to assess the autonomic nervous system (ANS) and identify various health issues, including the presence of Lyme spirochetes in the brain. Klinghardt claims that this method can determine not only the existence of these pathogens but also their specific locations within the body in less than two minutes.
- Development: ART was developed by Dr. Klinghardt, integrating elements from traditional kinesiology and advanced biofeedback techniques. It aims to evaluate the body’s response to various stimuli, including toxins, pathogens, and emotional stressors.
- Mechanism: The test involves placing stressors on the body and observing changes in muscle tone, which indicates how the autonomic nervous system reacts. A weakened muscle response suggests a disturbance related to the tested stressor
Coin Toss Benchmark: For any diagnostic method to be considered effective, it should ideally demonstrate accuracy greater than 50%, which is the baseline established by a coin toss. Without empirical studies showing that ART consistently yields better results than random chance, it cannot be deemed reliable.
Skeptical Perspectives: Critics argue that ART lacks the objective measures necessary for validation. The reliance on muscle testing and subjective interpretation raises concerns about its consistency and reproducibility.
To me, muscle testing is something woo woo that you put up with because these doctors really do help patients in their vast experience and ultimately that’s what matters to you. I’d be glad to learn there is something to it, but I’ve never seen any reason from scientifically valid studies that shows that to be the case. Not yet, anyway.
Bullseye Rash
It is found in less than 25% of people with full-blown Lyme. Dr. Klinghardt believes the bullseye rash is a second strike phenomena, it only happens in people who already have an infection. This happens if they are hit with the same or similar spirochetes.
Best Testing for Lyme
Dr. Kinghardt Part 2 Lyme Disease Talk
Embedding has been disabled for this one but you can watch it by clicking here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bP1P51TazUM
Dr. Klinghardt Part 3 Lyme Disease Talk
Frustration
I confess to getting frustrated watching these videos, feeling that I was being lead around by too many details. Not that I don’t love details, I do, but what’s the protocol?
You could spend the rest of your life doing tests he mentions and draining your savings dry trying things. I guess that’s the reality, that’s what people do sometimes. This medical festival of uncertainties is a Lyme trap people do not talk about. All in all, I spent an entire exhausting day trying to get something useful out of this to DO to feel better and I just feel wiped out, sick and bummed out about how powerful this supposed Lyme is in evading overall destruction in the late stage.
What is the Klinghardt Lyme protocol? I did find this, and will try something like it perhaps.
The Klinghardt Lyme Protocol, developed by Dr. Dietrich Klinghardt, is an integrative treatment approach for Lyme disease and related chronic conditions. This protocol combines various therapeutic modalities, including the use of hyaluronic acid and specific herbal remedies, aimed at detoxifying the body, enhancing immune function, and addressing co-infections.
Key Components of the Klinghardt Lyme Protocol
1. Hyaluronic Acid
– Purpose: Hyaluronic acid is utilized to help “tease out” microbes that may be hidden in protected areas of the body, as well as to support joint and connective tissue health.
– Dosage: The recommended intake is typically 3-4 dropperfuls twice daily, with a possible third dose if joint pain is significant. This dosage can be adjusted based on individual tolerance and response[3]. Approximately 200 mg per day is common for therapeutic purposes in this protocol. This can be taken in divided doses, such as 100 mg twice daily.
2. Herbal Remedies
– Cistus Tea: Known for its borreliacidal properties and ability to dissolve biofilms. Patients start with 2 cups per day, gradually increasing to 8 cups, depending on their tolerance and improvement in symptoms[3].
Binders:
– Lava Vitae (zeolite): Taken at 2 scoops 2-3 times daily between meals to capture mobilized biotoxins.
– Chlorella: Recommended at 8-16 tablets (250 mg each) three times per day, also taken before meals[3].
– Fiber: He mentions vegetable juice in the morning
3. Therapeutic Techniques
– The protocol emphasizes the use of Autonomic Response Testing (ART) for personalized treatment plans, helping to identify specific pathogens and toxins within the body.
– The application of therapeutic ultrasounds is also a key feature, which aids in optimizing drug uptake and enhancing the effectiveness of treatments[1][2].
4. Additional Considerations
– Patients are encouraged to monitor their reactions closely, especially for any die-off effects from the herbs or treatments, adjusting dosages as necessary.
– The protocol often requires several months of commitment, with many patients beginning to feel improvements within 3-4 months and achieving significant recovery after about 18 months[3].
– Dr Klinghardt says that aluminum is a growth factor for Lyme spirochetes, so getting rid of aluminum in the body is part of the winning strategy.
In summary, the Klinghardt Lyme Protocol integrates hyaluronic acid and a variety of herbal remedies into a comprehensive treatment strategy that addresses both Lyme disease and its associated complications. It focuses on detoxification, immune support, and personalized care through advanced diagnostic techniques.
Here’s more, in his own words:
More Reading on the Klinghardt Lyme Protocol
[1] https://thescipub.com/abstract/ajisp.2017.114.126
[2] https://thescipub.com/pdf/ajisp.2017.114.126.pdf
[3] https://klinghardtinstitute.com/dr-klinghardt-biological-lyme-protocol/
[4] https://citeseerx.ist.psu.edu/document?doi=0ec50430a0772e7e601913ca11a5d2eda3f842d4&repid=rep1&type=pdf
[5] https://anantahealth.ca/radio/episode-93/
[6] https://www.aph.gov.au/DocumentStore.ashx?id=eff143df-0a0c-4a02-b1ce-9bec95f39c30&subId=409056
[7] https://www.aph.gov.au/DocumentStore.ashx?id=bc4edce0-6aec-4661-8667-f2e5409c9949&subId=411882
[8] https://www.amazon.com/gp/customer-reviews/R332IGMJYLJT5D?tag=reviewmeta0b-20
More About Circumventing Spirochete Survival
[1] https://www.editage.com/insights/7-common-errors-in-the-usage-of-symbols-in-scientific-writing
[2] https://www.reddit.com/r/excel/comments/17j3mez/very_long_numbers_pasted_as_text_show_up_in/
[3] https://techcommunity.microsoft.com/t5/excel/unwanted-automatic-change-of-text-number-format-to-scientific/td-p/195397
[4] https://stackoverflow.com/questions/51595259/problems-viewing-large-numbers-in-excel-scientific-notation-in-text-formatte
[5] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6yPtVmsDud0
[6] https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/microbiology/articles/10.3389/fmicb.2021.711291/full
[7] https://www.nature.com/articles/nrmicro2714
[8] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6521364/
More Reading on Lyme Bacteria Speed
[1] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3676011/
[2] https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/immunology/articles/10.3389/fimmu.2017.00114/full
[3] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC27121/
[4] https://www.mdpi.com/2218-273X/10/4/550
[5] https://www.nature.com/articles/s42003-021-01783-1
[6] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8301104/
[7] https://news.tulane.edu/pr/study-finds-evidence-persistent-lyme-infection-brain-despite-aggressive-antibiotic-therapy
[8] https://www.hanscom.af.mil/Portals/57/Lyme%20Disease_%20What%20you%20need%20to%20know.pdf
More Reading on Excitotoxins
[1] https://recipes.eatingforyourhealth.org/content/excitotoxins-taste-kills
[2] https://www.burnthillschiropractic.com/excitotoxins-in-your-food
[3] https://www.jpands.org/hacienda/article27.html
[4] https://www.alternativetomeds.com/blog/excitotoxins-food-dangers/
[5] https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/7854587/
[6] https://globalhealing.com/blogs/education/6-dangerous-excitotoxins
[7] https://branchbasics.com/blogs/food/how-excitotoxins-affect-health
[8] https://drjoe.com/excitotoxins-a-word-you-need-to-know/
More Reading on Lyme as a Pandemic
[1] https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/73/wr/mm7306a1.htm
[2] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6336907/
[3] https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/lyme-disease-resolving-the-lyme-wars-2018061814071
[4] https://www.epa.gov/climate-indicators/climate-change-indicators-lyme-disease
[5] https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/news/newsroom/news-releases/2018/02/study-shows-evidence-of-severe-and-lingering-symptoms-in-some-after-treatment-for-lyme-disease
[6] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4477530/
[7] https://www.health.ny.gov/diseases/communicable/lyme/
[8] https://www.jpands.org/hacienda/article27.html
More Reading on Lyme and Alzheimers
[1] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3171359/
[2] https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/genetics/articles/10.3389/fgene.2018.00362/full
[3] https://academic.oup.com/innovateage/article/1/suppl_1/274/3897801
[4] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8842785/
[5] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5008232/
[6] https://www.mdpi.com/2673-4087/3/2/19
[7] https://www.j-alz.com/editors-blog/posts/alzheimers-disease-and-spirochetosis-causal-relationship
[8] https://www.alzheimers.org.uk/about-dementia/managing-the-risk-of-dementia/possible-risks-of-dementia/infections
