IV Gamma Globulin Treatment

Someone asked me on the facebook lyme site that I frequent about the IV infusions that I get. Here is my response to her:

I had my 7th treatment on Labor Day. (Nurse was willing so I could get one in before the start of school) My lld sent me to an infectious disease dr, they and my GP agreed that my immune system was shot. I only showed antibodies to tetanus even after receiving a flu shot and pneumonia shot. (that is the 2nd ID dr bc the 1st one looked at my blood work, gave me nasal spray and said make an apt for 3 months) I had the 1st two infusions at her office and have been receiving them at home since. I am given prednisone (this makes a mess of immune system for Lymies but is necessary to avoid rejection)  and benadryl (this helps prevent allergic reaction) 1/2  hour before. The IV bag  is connected to a monitor that I can walk around with bc it is in a fanny pack! Nurse checks temp(which I usually run), and blood pressure every 15 minutes, then every 30. I drove myself to my 1st two appointments which I do not advise. If someone can drive you ask for help. I am usually extremely tired and "loopy" after. My temp usually goes up and Fibromialgia  pain is pretty strong. Headache usually kicks in too. This lasted 3 days at first (advil helped, I had stronger meds to take but didn't) but now only about the 1st day. I try to get them at 8AM so I am good for the next day. After the nurse leaves, I SLEEP. It's a good day to watch movies. You must drink a lot for a few days before so your veins are primed for the infusion. I am starting to have problems with this so we run my arm under hot water for a bit before she tries putting the needle in. Oh, typically for a week or so after I don't run a fever and the fibro pains are less so I think it is doing some good.

If anyone else is getting this treatment or is thinking about it I would love to hear from you. 

This is what I've been experiencing for the past three years...

Diet & Lyme

drrajpatel.net

Dr. Raj Patel is trained in Family Medicine serving the San Francisco Bay Area.

Most patients with Chronic Lyme disease have significant gastrointestinal issues. Symptoms resemble Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) and it is not uncommon for these individuals to have previously been labeled as having IBS. These issues include diarrhea and/or constipation, bloating after meals, flatulence, burping, and abdominal discomfort. In addition, people also experience hypoglycemic symptoms between meals with irritability, lightheadedness, and headaches that are promptly relieved by eating.

Borrelia, the bacteria causing Lyme disease, as documented in the medical literature, has been well demonstrated to invade and multiply in the intestinal lining. Here it causes inflammation resulting in "leaky gut." As a result, chronic lyme disease sufferers cannot fully digest certain carbohydrates. You see, the last step in carbohydrate digestion involves disaccharidases (enzymes that breakdown two-sugars into single sugars) which are normally... found on the intestinal lining. With intestinal inflammation, these enzymes have been wiped out. Therefore, these double sugars instead of being broken down and absorbed, travel further down the GI tract serving as fuel for the overgrowth of yeast and abnormal bacteria in the colon. The resulting intestinal dysbiosis (unhealthy balance of healthy bacteria and yeast in the colon) can cause a variety of symptoms including impaired immunity, fatigue and cognitive issues.

Another dietary issue for all Lyme patients undergoing treatment with antibiotics is the overgrowth of candida in the GI tract. Intestinal candidiasis has been shown to cause gas, bloating, fatigue, cognitive impairment, and immune compromise. Both antibiotics as well as the intestinal malabsorption mentioned above can play a huge role in promoting yeast overgrowth. In such a situation, consuming alcohol or refined carbohydrates can cause the yeast to grow in an explosive fashion (pun intended)! It's recommended you refrain from anything sweet including natural and artificial sweeteners as much as possible....See More

Diet & Lyme

drrajpatel.net

Dr. Raj Patel is trained in Family Medicine serving the San Francisco Bay Area.

http://www.holtorfmed.com/lyme-disease-evade-immune-system/

Really good site that explains Lyme clearly. I think I will print out this information for people that ask questions and regard lyme as something that clears up in a few weeks.
How many of you have to deal with that?

Have you ordered your magnet yet? I have 40 left.

Went to Gluten and Allergen Free Expo today. Learned so much and got lots of free samples. I will be eating better and learned about a lot of good food choices I can make. My husband learned that he can eat some of the same food and so we don't have to cook so many separate meals, Yahoo!