Lyme Treatment

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Lyme Treatment

TREATMENT

Lyme is about treating a combination of infections and a compromised immune system. Treatment takes months to years, depending on the severity of the infection. Lyme literate doctors have typically relied upon antibiotic therapy as their primary method of treatment. While antibiotic therapy alone can provide results, there can also be some challenges and limitations for many patients. Dr. De Monte utilizes a multifaceted approach using antibiotic treatment when it has been determined to be a good treatment for the patient, combined with other treatments that also kill Lyme bacteria, and support immune system function and detoxification. This can result in fewer side effects and feeling better sooner.
Acute Lyme

The usual Lyme treatment by the public health system is two to four weeks of low dose antibiotics (usually doxycline, amoxicillion, ceftin). This standard prescription put forth by the Infectious Disease Society of America (IDSA), however, is categorically insufficient and not current with most recent research and clinical evidence. According to The International Lyme and Associated Diseases Society (ILADS), there has never been one study that shows that 30 days of antibiotic treatment cures Lyme disease. There is, however, a plethora of studies that have shown that short courses of antibiotic treatment do not eliminate Lyme. In addition, short course antibiotic treatment does not destroy the mycotoxins and neurotoxins caused by Lyme, and cannot treat the various viral, fungal and parasitic co-infections concomitant with Lyme.

Acute Lyme disease can be successfully treated over 3 to 6 months with a comprehensive course of high dose antibiotics. This is a straight forward case without multiple co-infections or immune system complications. Additional treatments can include botanical medicines and intravenous therapies to support the immune system and detoxification processes.
Chronic Lyme
Unfortunately, in most cases (about 95%), Lyme is usually not identified or treated early and once patients have had Lyme for more than a year (chronic Lyme), significantly more aggressive treatments are required. With chronic Lyme, treatment is more difficult, more complex, can take much longer (measured in years not months), and requires even more comprehensive treatment. In addition to treating the actual infections, treatment must be directed at decreasing inflammation, supporting the immune system, detoxifying neurotoxins and correcting hormone imbalances. An uncomplicated case of chronic Lyme disease requires an average of 6 to 12 months of high dose prescription antibiotic therapy, and/or herbal antimicrobials (natural antibiotics). Improvement is usually slow in chronic Lyme and can take up to 5 years depending upon the severity of the Lyme and how long the patient has had the disease. Treatment is specific to each individual, and must take into account present state of health, proximity to clinic and response to treatment. Therapeutic trials of different treatments are often used to determine the best program for the patient.

Treatment requires a comprehensive whole body approach that includes botanical medicines, supplements, diet, detoxification, specific organ and endocrine support, and other natural medicines appropriate to each individual patient’s needs. Core treatment involves supporting the body first by maintaining sleep, balancing hormones, improving immune system function and correcting micronutrient deficiencies. Especially in chronic Lyme, these steps often take place before antimicrobials (antibiotics) are used.

Treatment is focused on four main areas.
1. Detoxification
  The majority of symptoms come from the accumulation of toxins produced by Lyme bacteria and co-infections. Treatment to remove this toxic burden allows the body to better fight infection.
2. Antimicrobial Therapy
  These treatments are directed at killing the Lyme bacterial infections and co-infections.
3. Regulation of Physiology
  Lyme disease significantly disrupts bodily functions. Nutritional support can resolve dysfunction and symptoms.
4. Immune System Support
  Most Lyme patients have compromised immune systems that are unable to fight off infections. Treatment stimulates the immune system to fight infection, allergies and other conditions.
Treatment must include multiple approaches to be effective. Antimicrobial medicines (antibiotics and herbs) are often used in combination and must be rotated to effectively kill the various forms of Lyme infection and the accompanying co-infections. Other ongoing infections must be treated and the organ systems that help support immune function to better enable the body to cope with the infection must be addressed. Antibiotics are usually not enough on their own. Effective treatment options include the following:

Antibiotics
The treatment objective is to lower the bacterial load by killing off Lyme bacteria. Comprehensive pharmaceutical antibiotic therapy for months has shown to be effective. Oral and intravenous antibiotics can be used. Doses are high and additional medicines are used to offset potential side effects.

Antibiotic treatment can be very complex and many patients are unable to sustain it because of unpleasant reactions and symptoms that develop. Chronic Lyme patients often respond with exaggerated healing responses (Herxheimer Reaction) that can limit continued treatment. Ideally some form of antibiotic treatment at the correct dosing and even for a short period of time is beneficial. Other treatments, however, are required to support the patient during the Lyme killing process that can result in significant die off symptoms.

Intravenous Therapy
The intravenous administration of the antibiotic ceftriaxone is common for chronic Lyme and patients with neurological symptoms. Hydrogen peroxide can be given intravenously to kill Lyme bacteria and co-infections. High dose vitamin and mineral intravenous infusions support the immune system and the body during the killing of the infection, improve energy, and reduce pain and brain fog. Often a patient is compromised by heavy metal toxicity and intravenous detoxification (chelation) is required.

1

Botanical Medicines

Specific combinations of herbs are effective at killing Lyme bacteria and co-infections, supporting detoxification and boosting the immune system, and repairing and rebuilding body tissues and systems.

Even though many patients tend to respond better to a specific treatment or two, many types of treatment are often necessary to treat Lyme. Irrespective of the treatment, the nature of Lyme disease is such that treatments need to be rotated to effectively kill the infection and co-infections. The challenge is that Lyme and co-infections have slow growth cycles, usually measured in many months. In addition, Lyme is a sophisticated disease that hides from specific treatments by going from the blood into the tissues. As a result, combination therapy for Lyme means rotating and pulsing treatments.

Herxheimer Reactions

A common marker in Lyme treatment is the Herxheimer reaction. Patients respond to treatment with periodic exacerbation of their symptoms. It is referred to as a herx or herxing, and occurs when the injured or dead bacteria release their endotoxins into the blood and tissues faster than the body can handle them. This provokes a sudden and exaggerated inflammatory response. While the objective is to minimize Herxheimer reactions, they are unavoidable and are beneficial to gauge treatment.

Why Lyme is Difficult to Treat

Treatment for Lyme disease is complicated and difficult for a variety of reasons.

The Lyme bacteria can change form to evade antimicrobial killing agents. It’s usually seen in the blood as a spirochete, but when under attack will change into a variant L-form and then into a cyst that hides in the tissues.
The life cycle of the bacteria is long (6 months) and variable depending upon its form. The longer the life cycle, the longer it takes for antimicrobial treatments to effectively kill the bacteria. By comparison, a flu bacteria has a life cycle of about 7 days, meaning that typical antibiotic treatment for 10 days can usually kill it.
Biofilm in the blood accompanies the infection. This is a mucous type covering that shields the bacteria from treatment. Biofilm is a protective layer that resists antibiotics.
Co-infections complicate treatment. Whether it’s another bacteria, virus or parasite, co-infections produce similar symptoms as Lyme bacteria. They are difficult to identify and in some cases, the co-infection actually becomes the main culprit.
The infections release biotoxins when attacked by antimicrobial treatments. This is another level of infection that increases the toxic burden and compromises the patient.
While Herxheimer reactions can signal that treatments are effective, they can be debilitating for patients. Patients can be forced to slow or stop a successful treatment because the Herxheimer response is too overwhelming.

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OFFICE:
3009 43 Avenue, Unit 4, Vernon, BC V1T 3L4

PHONE:
250-545-0800

EMAIL:
demontereception@shaw.ca

About

Dr. De Monte's practice focus is Lyme disease and infection, hormone imbalance and auto-immune conditions.

Office Hours

Tuesday - Thursday

9:00AM–5:00PM

Closed 12:15-1:15 for lunch

© 2018 Dr. Denise De Monte, ND. All right reserved
The material and recommendations provided are for informational purposes only and are not intended to replace the advice of your physician.
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TREATMENT

Acute Lyme

Chronic Lyme