Alter Everything

Day 174: Finally, A Diagnosis. I Have Chronic Lyme Disease.

Ten months -- That's how long I have been going to doctors trying to figure out what's going on with my health.

I've been to Gynocologists, Acupuncturists, Internal Medicines Doctors, Naturopaths, Cardiologists, and Neurologists.  Today, after months of suspecting, a final blood test provided the needed clue to an exhaustive puzzle: Ehrlichia. I am positive for Ehrlichia. By association (and coupled with my other results); it's official. I've been diagnosed with Chronic Lyme Disease.

Ehrlichia, caused by Ehrlichia chaffeensis, is transmitted to humans through the bite of an infected tick.  IF detected early, Enrlichia is easily treated with Doxycycline.  Left undetected,  in an older person or someone with a weakened immune system, it can be deadly.  The CDC reports case-fatality rates of Ehrlichia as high as 5%.

Difficult to diagnose because of its non-specific symptoms--high fever, muscle aches, chills, headaches--Ehrlichia often goes undetected. In the chronic stage--it can cause confusion, hemorrhages, and renal failure. It can also be accompanied by other tick-borne co-infections such as Bartonella, Babesia, and other things... which can come out of hiding with treatment.  Ironically, one of the most concise and well-written articles I found to explain Ehrlichia was written for dogs -- not for people.

In Lyme world, Ehrlichia is considered a co-infection of Lyme (Borrelia Burgdorferi) -- a dinner companion of sorts. Other guests at my Lyme party include Epstein Barr, Parvo, M. Pnemoniae, HHV 6, and Cytomegalovirus -- all of which are known to prolong and complicate treatment. 

My Prognosis? 

Recovery from Chronic Lyme Disease is debatable. Infectious Disease Doctors say Lyme is easy to detect and easy to treat; they also say "Chronic Lyme" does not exist (two points I would definitely argue).  Lyme Literate Physicians (and those most entrenched in the battle) say Chronic Lyme is incurable; long term antibiotics are necessary to beat it into submission.

At this point, 12-18 months is my minimum estimated treatment time (and that's a conservative number).  Many of my favorite friends have been fighting Lyme for years.  I am hoping planning to avoid that fate and become one of the lucky ones.  Time will tell.

Altered Today: First of many intravenous antibiotic/nutritional treatments, new protocol, diagnosis, and new problem...how to live and finance $500/week in medical expenses.

Note: To better understand Lyme Disease, the political controversy surrounding it, how it progresses, why your insurance company probably won't cover it, and how it can affect you, I highly recommend watching Under Our Skin -- a very enlightening documentary. You can watch it now on Netflix or view it instantly on YouTube for $2.99.

Day 83: Can Oil Pulling Really Make You Feel Better?

  

A while back, I was reading a magazine and saw an article about Oil Pulling.  I don't remember all of the details, but I do remember the gist:  Amazingly sick woman, hardly able to walk, starts swishing her mouth daily with coconut oil and gets cured in two weeks.

"HMMMM," I thought, very skeptical of the whole thing.  Still, you never know, so I filed the info away for future reference.  Fast forward another two months.  I'm feeling lousy and VERY, VERY tired of being sick.  After making a horrible video talking about how hard it seems right now, I go back on line to do some research.  Again, hidden deep in a Lyme's message board, more people discuss how oil pulling has helped. Then, a third website (completely unrelated), brings up the same thing.

"OK," I think.  Bowing to some unwritten code about hearing things in threes. "I'll look into to it."

Toted as an Indian folk remedy (popular in Ayurvedic Medicine), Oil Pulling involves swishing oil in the mouth for 20 minutes to remove bacterial and draw out toxins. Practitioners swear by its ability to heal chronic and acute illnesses, including, but not limited to: yeast over growths, psoriasis, acne, gum disease, hormone imbalances, migraines, bronchitis, arthritis, insomnia, aids, and even cancer.

At worst, users excitedly talk about how the method makes their skin better and their teeth whiter.  At best, the lame can now walk. The blind can see (insert bits of sarcasm here).

How do you do it?

To start, you need a tablespoon of oil (sunflower or sesame are preferred, coconut oil--without hydrogenated by products--is also recommended).

Then, first thing in the morning (on an empty stomach without drinking any liquids), put the oil into your mouth and start swishing (Don't gargle, just move it back and forth between your teeth.  Don't be alarmed if the oil starts getting thinner).

20 Minutes Later: Spit the oil--which now may look yellow and coagulated from toxins--into the toilet. Rinse your mouth with warm water (or regular hydrogen peroxide) and spit again.

Warning: Some people report feeling sick while doing this or get large amounts of mucous in their throats or nose during the process.  If that happens, feel free to spit out the offending liquid and start over again.  Just don't swallow contaminated oil.

Personal experience?  I have to say it's weird to put oil in your mouth and avoid swallowing for 20 minutes, but it's not invasive or painful.  The oil starts out thick, but gets much thinner after about 10 minutes.  Afterwards, I definitely noticed mucous draining from my head, out of my sinuses, and into my throat. I also noticed my mouth feels much cleaner and teeth feel smoother.

Will it work?  Time will tell.

Altered Today:  Trying alternative folk cures.  Other things I've tried, but not necessarily talked about: Psychics, Acupuncture, Energy Work, Health Coaching, Prilosec OTC, Fancy Cream from Australia, Apple Cider Vinegar, Crafts, Art, Prayer, Cussing.