It's been a while since my last post, so I thought it is time for an update..
Unfortunately, IGeneX blood test results are not back in yet. Today is exactly two weeks since I sent the blood and they are in California, USA, so I guess its not that bad....yet:)
Now, about SPECT... I believe I never explained what it is. Single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT, or less commonly, SPET) is a nuclear medicine tomographic imaging technique using gamma rays. It is able to provide true 3D information. The basic technique requires injection of a gamma-emitting radioisotope into the bloodstream of the patient. This radioisotope actually is the reason why I haven't done this test yet. As my doctor told me last Saturday, the 2 radioisotope-providers (in Canada) of the hospital doing SPECTs here in Greece, have a major problem in production, therefore no radioisotope-no SPECT! They estimate that the problem will be solved in September... The good news is that the Turkish doctor who conducts SPECT here in Greece, came anyway, and my doctor who works closely with him arranged me a consultation. The even better news is that this doctor, except from a nuclear medicine physician specialized in neuroinflammatory diseases, he is also Lyme literate!!! He was very interested in my (as he said) "complicated case" and we discussed for a long time. He excluded the possibility of ALS, and by looking my MRIs, history, tests and treatments so far, he thought that it is something we can win! He also suggested that I should go and have the SPECT in Istanbul, Turkey asap, because he wants to see what exactly is going on in my brain. We'll see... When I told him that my goal is to recover by at least 90%, he said: "But you can't salsa with 90%......We'll go for 100%, ok?"
In the meantime, I continue my antibiotic treatment with some small changes... Stopped Avelox, replaced it with Doxy (Vibramycin) and Malarone. Also added Carbatrol (Tegretol), which is btw, a very tasty syrup-yummy:)
I feel tired and sleepy most of the time and my knees hurt, but I have to note that my twitching is a little better, my left thumb (which was the worse-looking and moving) feels a little stronger, and my tongue (which was white-coated and "cracked") is pink and pretty again! Well, it is too soon for anything...I know I have a long and difficult road ahead, but I have a feeling I'm finally moving into the right direction.
Wednesday, July 21, 2010
Wednesday, July 7, 2010
New Treatment - Day 15
I don't have much to say, things are more or less the same. I am still on Zithromax and Avelox protocol, after a 4-day break from both, for monitoring my symptoms & side effects which haven't really changed. I had a general blood test and liver profile after the first 10 days of antibiotic treatment... Everything ok, within normal range! Funny isn't it?... Being so sick but blood tests looking so great! However, I will have my blood and liver tested every 2 weeks...
I also had some blood sent to California, to finally have the Western-Blot by IgeneX Lab!!! Yayyy:) The WB by IgeneX is maybe the ONLY reliable test for Lyme disease. So I have to wait for their results, probably for around 10 days!
I also still wait for the SPECT test! The SPECT scan is very new in Greece. There is only one private hospital in collaboration with a foreign Doctor (specialist) doing the test, whenever this Doctor comes to Greece. It was supposed to take place a few weekends ago for a group of people including me, but was canceled so we have to wait for a new date now...
Well, I'm busy waiting lately, but what can I say?....
I also had some blood sent to California, to finally have the Western-Blot by IgeneX Lab!!! Yayyy:) The WB by IgeneX is maybe the ONLY reliable test for Lyme disease. So I have to wait for their results, probably for around 10 days!
I also still wait for the SPECT test! The SPECT scan is very new in Greece. There is only one private hospital in collaboration with a foreign Doctor (specialist) doing the test, whenever this Doctor comes to Greece. It was supposed to take place a few weekends ago for a group of people including me, but was canceled so we have to wait for a new date now...
Well, I'm busy waiting lately, but what can I say?....
Sunday, July 4, 2010
Lyme Diet & Nutrit. Tips
People with Lyme disease or any neuroinflammatory illness should follow a special diet, free of sugar, gluten and casein. I strictly follow such a diet for about a year now!
Here is the information I gathered and organized, based on my Doctor's instructions and Dr.Burrascano's guidelines (http://www.lymediseaseasso
UNRESTRICTED FOODS:
ALL PROTEIN FOODS, such as meat, cheese, eggs, tofu.
Fish, mussel and shrimps are strictly prohibited though, because of heavy metals.
NUTS WITH SHELLS - (walnut, hazelnut, pistachio, sunflower seed, cabbage seed, almond etc). They have rich amino acids and minerals (zinc, selenium, magnesium etc). 1-2 full-hand/s daily (25-50 gram) is very beneficial. They should be preferred as raw and low-salted.
FATS - Limitation of fats is harmful for the body. Contrary to known, foods with less fat but with high sugar levels, make people get much more hungry and fat.
OLIVE OIL - Perfect! Especially extra virgin olive oil should be preferred.
VEGETABLES AND GREEN LEAVES - Any kind can be eaten. They should mostly be consumed raw. Dark green leaves are rich in vitamin K, calcium and magnesium, in addition to omega 3 fatty acids. As greener as the vegetables are, they contain higher level chlorophyll, which means they can detoxify heavy metals and toxins. If urinary oxalate levels are high, limit the vegetables and fruits rich in oxalate (egg plant, spinach, unpeeled cucumber, blackberries, blueberries, kiwi, beets, green beans, parsley, green peppers, sweet potatoes etc.)
Avoid or limit starchy vegetables (potato, rice, beans, etc.). Fried potatoes should not be eaten at all. Small amount of potatoes can be added to vegetable meals (because of high sugar content).
SPICES - Because of their vitamin, mineral and antioxidants, they are very beneficial. Be careful they should not be molded.
PICKLES - They are quite beneficial and rich with probiotics. Because of high content of betain (DMG) beet pickle is very beneficial. Lessen the salt of pickles (while preparing the pickles use lemon salt, ascorbic acid or vinegar, instead of salt). Vinegar (especially extra grape vinegar, balsamic vinegar) is very beneficial.
WATER - Drink as much as water until color of your urine not dark. Do not drink cold water. First preference is natural springs water rich in some minerals. But they can contain some heavy metals. As usual, if you are not sure about ingredients of the water, then filter it with a help of quality filter. Do not drink water with meals, because it decreases the effects of digestive liquids by diluting them. Half an hour before and after meal you can drink water. It is advised to drink one or two glass/es of water before sleeping.
RESTRICTED FOODS:
FRUITS
Fruits may be a problem because they contain a large amount of sugars. However, if the fruit contains a lot of fiber, this may make up for the sugars to some degree. Thus:
• Fruits are only allowed at the end of a meal, and never on an empty stomach
• Only high fiber fruits are allowed
• Only very small amounts!
EXAMPLES:
ALLOWED IN GENEROUS AMOUNTS
Grapefruit, lemons, limes, tomatoes, avocado
ALLOWED IN SMALL AMOUNTS ONLY! (The high fiber content in these hard, crunchy fruits partially makes up for the carbohydrates)
Pears, apples, strawberries, cantaloupe, etc.
NOT ALLOWED (These soft fruits do not have enough fiber)
Oranges, watermelons, bananas, grapes, etc.
No fruit juices either!
MARGARINE: Strictly prohibited.
LIQUID SEED OILS (sun-flower, cotton, corn, soy and ext..): They should not be used or used very little. They destroy the ratio of omega-6/omega-3 to the benefit of Omega-6. These hot pressed produced oils have oxidative characteristics.
STARCHES
None!! If it is made from flour it is not allowed. (No breads, cereals, cake, etc.) Products made from gluten free flour can only be consumed. There are a lot of different brands with their different range of gluten-free products.
SWEETENERS
NOT ALLOWED
No sugars at all, and no fructose or corn syrup
ALLOWED (if tolerated)
Stevia (safest), honey, and Splenda. Saccharin products are not recommended. Especially aspartame (found at diet coke, sugar free gum and many diet foods) can cause many side effects, including depression.
DRINKS
ALLOWED
Water, seltzer, coffee and tea without sugar or caffeine, vegetable juices
NOT ALLOWED
Fruit juices, regular sodas, and any drinks sweetened with sugars or syrups
No Alcohol at all!!!!!!!
OTHER TIPS & HINTS
Do not skip any meals. At least three regular meals daily are needed; a better option is to eat very small portions but have between meal snacks to maintain blood sugar and insulin levels. Bedtime snacks, if taken, must be totally carbohydrate free!
Foods should be cooked with their own water slowly; traditional ways (steamed way) and oven with turbo can be used. This way does not harm their nutrition harmed too much.
Fast cooking ways (such as microwave) cause loss of nutrition, and can be carcinogenic.
Do not consume frozen foods too much.
If it is possible, do not consume preserved foods at all (except home made).
Do not wrap hot foods with aluminum foils.
For cooking prefer earthenware or glass pots. Enameled and steel pots are next preferences.
Teflon and aluminum types should never be used.
MERCURY SOURCES
Auto exhaust
Pesticides
Amalgam tooth fillings
Drinking waters
Felt
Ear and nose drops
Some vaccines (hepatit B, HiB, flue)
Contact lens lotions
Fabric softener
Seafood
Talk powder
Cosmetics
Wooden preservatives
Floor waxes and polishes
LEAD SOURCES
Auto Exhaust
Waters reaching home through lead pipes
Permanent lipsticks
Vinyl school bags
School materials
Paints
Textile colors
Toys
Drinking waters
ALUMINUM SOURCES
Cooking pans
Foils
Vaccines
Drinking waters
Antacids
Vaccines such as Pneumococus, Hepatitis A, HPV
Here is the information I gathered and organized, based on my Doctor's instructions and Dr.Burrascano's guidelines (http://www.lymediseaseasso
UNRESTRICTED FOODS:
ALL PROTEIN FOODS, such as meat, cheese, eggs, tofu.
Fish, mussel and shrimps are strictly prohibited though, because of heavy metals.
NUTS WITH SHELLS - (walnut, hazelnut, pistachio, sunflower seed, cabbage seed, almond etc). They have rich amino acids and minerals (zinc, selenium, magnesium etc). 1-2 full-hand/s daily (25-50 gram) is very beneficial. They should be preferred as raw and low-salted.
FATS - Limitation of fats is harmful for the body. Contrary to known, foods with less fat but with high sugar levels, make people get much more hungry and fat.
OLIVE OIL - Perfect! Especially extra virgin olive oil should be preferred.
VEGETABLES AND GREEN LEAVES - Any kind can be eaten. They should mostly be consumed raw. Dark green leaves are rich in vitamin K, calcium and magnesium, in addition to omega 3 fatty acids. As greener as the vegetables are, they contain higher level chlorophyll, which means they can detoxify heavy metals and toxins. If urinary oxalate levels are high, limit the vegetables and fruits rich in oxalate (egg plant, spinach, unpeeled cucumber, blackberries, blueberries, kiwi, beets, green beans, parsley, green peppers, sweet potatoes etc.)
Avoid or limit starchy vegetables (potato, rice, beans, etc.). Fried potatoes should not be eaten at all. Small amount of potatoes can be added to vegetable meals (because of high sugar content).
SPICES - Because of their vitamin, mineral and antioxidants, they are very beneficial. Be careful they should not be molded.
PICKLES - They are quite beneficial and rich with probiotics. Because of high content of betain (DMG) beet pickle is very beneficial. Lessen the salt of pickles (while preparing the pickles use lemon salt, ascorbic acid or vinegar, instead of salt). Vinegar (especially extra grape vinegar, balsamic vinegar) is very beneficial.
WATER - Drink as much as water until color of your urine not dark. Do not drink cold water. First preference is natural springs water rich in some minerals. But they can contain some heavy metals. As usual, if you are not sure about ingredients of the water, then filter it with a help of quality filter. Do not drink water with meals, because it decreases the effects of digestive liquids by diluting them. Half an hour before and after meal you can drink water. It is advised to drink one or two glass/es of water before sleeping.
RESTRICTED FOODS:
FRUITS
Fruits may be a problem because they contain a large amount of sugars. However, if the fruit contains a lot of fiber, this may make up for the sugars to some degree. Thus:
• Fruits are only allowed at the end of a meal, and never on an empty stomach
• Only high fiber fruits are allowed
• Only very small amounts!
EXAMPLES:
ALLOWED IN GENEROUS AMOUNTS
Grapefruit, lemons, limes, tomatoes, avocado
ALLOWED IN SMALL AMOUNTS ONLY! (The high fiber content in these hard, crunchy fruits partially makes up for the carbohydrates)
Pears, apples, strawberries, cantaloupe, etc.
NOT ALLOWED (These soft fruits do not have enough fiber)
Oranges, watermelons, bananas, grapes, etc.
No fruit juices either!
MARGARINE: Strictly prohibited.
LIQUID SEED OILS (sun-flower, cotton, corn, soy and ext..): They should not be used or used very little. They destroy the ratio of omega-6/omega-3 to the benefit of Omega-6. These hot pressed produced oils have oxidative characteristics.
STARCHES
None!! If it is made from flour it is not allowed. (No breads, cereals, cake, etc.) Products made from gluten free flour can only be consumed. There are a lot of different brands with their different range of gluten-free products.
SWEETENERS
NOT ALLOWED
No sugars at all, and no fructose or corn syrup
ALLOWED (if tolerated)
Stevia (safest), honey, and Splenda. Saccharin products are not recommended. Especially aspartame (found at diet coke, sugar free gum and many diet foods) can cause many side effects, including depression.
DRINKS
ALLOWED
Water, seltzer, coffee and tea without sugar or caffeine, vegetable juices
NOT ALLOWED
Fruit juices, regular sodas, and any drinks sweetened with sugars or syrups
No Alcohol at all!!!!!!!
OTHER TIPS & HINTS
Do not skip any meals. At least three regular meals daily are needed; a better option is to eat very small portions but have between meal snacks to maintain blood sugar and insulin levels. Bedtime snacks, if taken, must be totally carbohydrate free!
Foods should be cooked with their own water slowly; traditional ways (steamed way) and oven with turbo can be used. This way does not harm their nutrition harmed too much.
Fast cooking ways (such as microwave) cause loss of nutrition, and can be carcinogenic.
Do not consume frozen foods too much.
If it is possible, do not consume preserved foods at all (except home made).
Do not wrap hot foods with aluminum foils.
For cooking prefer earthenware or glass pots. Enameled and steel pots are next preferences.
Teflon and aluminum types should never be used.
MERCURY SOURCES
Auto exhaust
Pesticides
Amalgam tooth fillings
Drinking waters
Felt
Ear and nose drops
Some vaccines (hepatit B, HiB, flue)
Contact lens lotions
Fabric softener
Seafood
Talk powder
Cosmetics
Wooden preservatives
Floor waxes and polishes
LEAD SOURCES
Auto Exhaust
Waters reaching home through lead pipes
Permanent lipsticks
Vinyl school bags
School materials
Paints
Textile colors
Toys
Drinking waters
ALUMINUM SOURCES
Cooking pans
Foils
Vaccines
Drinking waters
Antacids
Vaccines such as Pneumococus, Hepatitis A, HPV
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