Therapist:  How are you doing today Stan?

Stan:  I’m good.  I woke up to the sound of birds.  I’ve been waiting all winter for this.  Spring can come now.  I just love it.

I’m good.  I guess I’m kind of sad though.  Looking from the outside in I see that my mother and father are just so different.  They are two people that developed in their careers and professions.  They both love what they do.  They couldn’t be happier in what they are doing.

But after 30 years together they are so distant from each other.  I feel like they wasted so much of their lives with each other.  It makes me really sad.  They are always upset with each other.  They go through the same fights over and over.  For as long as I remember it’s the same cycle over and over.

When they were younger they focused on us kids.  It was family work.  Now they are left with each other and they are either fighting or are distant.  I see now that it is not just my brother’s passing.  It’s the choices they made in their life.

People go through so many changes in 30 years of marriage.  They tried but in the end it was such a waste of time.  Me and my brother know it.  I wish I could make them happy, but I can’t.

The way she is, I know what I can and can’t say.  And that is kind of sad.

Therapist:  When you and your brother move out of the house they will be left alone to face each other.  There will be no distraction.  We will see what they do with each other then.

Stan:  Even as a couple they are very lonely people.  Especially Mom.  She wants more out of Dad and he just doesn’t have the emotional capacity.

Mom always looked for more.  Look, it’s not my relationship, but it’s depressing to see such good people living out their lives of misery.

Therapist:  Do you think their unhappy marriage was in any way connected to your brother’s suicide?

Stan:  No.  He wasn’t happy with himself, his medical condition.  He loved his girlfriend but he felt he could never provide for her the way he wanted to.  Maybe the family stressors played a part, but it wasn’t the cause.

He wanted our parents to be proud of him.  It meant so much to him – not so much for me.  I never needed that, but he relied on them.

I wish Mom could see the reality of her relationship.  You know the truth?  Their relationship wasn’t a waste.  The two of them raised three good kids!  It’s just so lonely to watch them.

Therapist:  What lessons have you learned from how your Mom and Dad have conducted their relationship?

Stan:  It keeps me reminded.  It’s why I’m not dating.  It reminds me that I won’t marry because it’s “time” or because other people my age are getting married.  I will know when it’s right.  If it’s not there, it’s not there.

Therapist:  I know what you mean!  That’s what happened to me when I met my husband.  It truly was love at first sight.

Stan:  That’s what I want.  I don’t want to waste my time.  I feel that a lot of people choose comfort over love.  I want to experience love to its fullest potential.  Most people don’t really think about what they are doing and why they are doing it.

If “society” says it time to get married, I like this person enough, I am comfortable, let’s get married – what does this really have to do with the real you?  It’s like society “dumbs us down”.  Am I over-thinking here?

Therapist:  Not at all.  You are looking deeply into your feelings and what really matters to you.  You are considering the long term.

Stan:  Like my brother’s friend.  He’s been with this girl for 10 years, since Junior High School.  Their relationship already shows signs of dysfunction. He is so easy going.  He jokes around and is so much fun.  That’s the very thing that she hates about him.  Sooner or later he is going to resent her for sucking the life out of him.

I just want to shake him.  “Don’t do it!”  “What are you doing?!”

Yes, I know marriage is work. You will have ups and downs, but if you make the wrong choice, you are divorced and you just haven’t signed the papers yet!

If you don’t see it, I can’t make you see.  As for me, It would be nice for me to get married and have kids, but if I don’t I will be fine.  It’s OK.  There are plenty of kids to adopt.  Marriage is not something I expect of myself.

Therapist:  You are very wise.

Stan:  What I wish is that if I want to marry that I ask my family and friends to give me the most honest appraisal of what they see, and what they recommend for me.  They may see something I don’t.  I will listen and take seriously into account what they see.

You know what I think?  Comfort is dangerous!  It is the enemy to being true to yourself if you don’t really love at the same time.

The sun is shining today.  Summer is on the way.   Haa-haa.  I love the sun.  I love living…..

This young man is determined to find his truth and follow it.  Through the pain, suffering and loss he has gained a deep wisdom that has allowed him to forge a path of integrity and authentic love.  He has found a way to honor himself in a way that will not compromise his need for true and honest love.

What a joy to see him grow and find his true self.

Cynthia

So here is an inside look at the process.  Remember, each person is unique, each session is unlike any other.  Here is one hour in the life of a therapist and patient:

Therapist.  Hi Stan.  How are you doing today?

Stan.  I’m still doing well.  Though it has been difficult to adjust to a life without chaos.  I actually feel selfish because things are going so well.  The one thing I wanted I’m getting.  I have my mother back in my life and we are getting along just like we used to, only better. Better now than ever…. It’s hard to live without stress.  It’s a learning curve.  Ironically, it’s the hardest part!

T. Harder than the chaos that you lived through?

S.  It’s like climbing out of the mental web that I built. I became so accustomed to  chaos dominating my day.  It’s weird now.  I have to be conscious all the time or I get caught back up in how I was, in how I reacted and felt then

It’s hard being here now because my mind constructs a pattern of  how to deal with the pain and chaos, even though my present life is good.

Like I drank this weekend.  I stopped for so long and it felt good, but then I got together with the guys and I went for it.  I drank.  I had a decent time but yesterday I felt so bad that I wasted my time.  I felt bad about myself.

Last night Mom and I talked.  She was rational and made so much sense.  She was calm and listened to me.  She walked me through it just like she used to.  It was so helpful.  She said, “Don’t worry” and I felt better! I told her I need reminders that it’s OK, that I’m OK.

At times I feel like I’m 30 or 40 years old.  The last three years felt like a lifetime.  With my brother’s suicide I went crazy, and the whole family broke down.  Now I see kids my age and they have moved on, they are farther along in college than me.  My life spiraled down into the depths, while their educational life took off.

That’s what I told Mom, and she told me, “What is the alternative?”  It made me stop.  She said it all evens out.

T.  That is so wise.  And you took it in?

S.  Yea, but I’m impatient.   I realize I have so much work to do.  And Mom kept on reminding me, “You’re only 21″.  But I don’t feel 21.  I’m in a mental marathon and it consumes me sometimes…. I guess I’m a work in progress….  But I did one thing right:  I asked for help before I started to spiral out of control.  I knew I started to freak and I just asked for help.

T.  Good for you.  You are starting a new pattern.

S.  Sometimes I feel like I live two different lives.  I’m here, then I jump ahead in my mind.  Like, where will I be in two years?  How will I ever do it?  When I said that to Mom, she said, “Be here now, be in this semester, breathe.”

T.  Great advice again.

S.  Now I have room to breathe.  I have room to think because we aren’t in the misery and anger and chaos anymore.  Ever since I wrote her that letter about how I really felt, it all changed.

Now I have a desire.  I am starting to think about being in a good relationship.  Before this, I was so messed up I felt I couldn’t put a woman through the complications.  My life was just too complicated.  So I decided just not to be with anyone.  For years, it wasn’t even a choice.

T.  But something is happening to you now, something is opening up so you are starting to want a connection, a real connection.

S.  But is it really possible?  And would it be positive?

T.  Absolutely!  If you are thinking these thoughts, then you are getting ready to let in someone special.  In some areas “if you don’t use it you loose it.”  Not in this area.  You have the capacity to love, and now that you have worked through your loss, you are beginning to move on, and you are ready to open up to love.  And to Now!

S.  Really??!!  This makes me feel hopeful that you say that.

T.  Yes, and when you feel ready you will send out a wavelength, a vibration – just like you can feel the energy of someone who quietly stands behind you.  And you will attract someone of the same wavelength.

S.  Ahh…  Just like in the song, “Wavelength,” by Van Morrison!

T. Right!!!  It took healing with your mother and accepting the loss of your brother to be ready and open for a relationship.

S.  I want to marry a woman who is like the best of my mother;  someone who is strong, assertive, who is an individual with her own thoughts.   I don’t want a passive and compliant woman.  The way my Mom brought me up I have a healthy respect for women.

I realize that lately I’ve been thinking about writing about my experiences and what a young person goes through when they loose a family member to suicide, and what the family goes through.  Then I wonder, who would care?  But then I say, wait, so many people have to deal with the suicide of a family member or friend.  I could write from the perspective of a young person who had to live through it.

T.  I didn’t realize that you had thoughts of writing about this.  I encourage you to start taking notes.  It doesn’t have to be in sequence, just jot down what comes to mind and you can pull it together later.  That is a fantastic idea.

S.  Yea, I have this urge to visit high schools and to be real and talk about my experiences, to give kids an idea about the consequences of a suicide, how it affects others.  Coming from a young person it could be more powerful.

T.  Absolutely!

S.  Even if I changed one mind, it would be worth it

T.  You have transformed your own pain into the gift of giving to others your hard won wisdom and love. I am so proud of you.

S.  And I realize that I need to learn how to become a man!  I like that my Mom taught me and was the one who brought me up.  I feel that that transformation will be complete when college is done.  Then I will enter life as a man.  I know I have the perfect formula.

I want to become a wise person who is positive and helpful.  I feel like I’ve already done the hard part.  The next part is in accepting how well things are going.  Now I need to accept the calmness.

I see that If I can put it together I have the potential to be a positive force in the world.  It’s hard as hell.  All I can do is hope and stay focused.  I couldn’t have done it without you.

T.   Congratulations.  You are transforming now into the person you have always wanted to be.  I am so honored to have helped.

So that is one session.  This is one hour in the life of a therapist and one patient!  Sounds too good to be true?  Actually, no.  This session is the culmination of years of hard work.  So young, yet he has worked through so much pain and loss, and transformed in a most amazing way.  This session is a literal transcription.  Amazing isn’t it?  Amazing but true.

Cynthia

Dr. Klinghardt is a neurobiologist, an integrative physician and is a leading proponant of holistic treatment. He studies the nervous system in an interdisciplinary way that involves other disciplines such as psychology, computer science, statistics, physics, philosophy and medicine.    He is a fierce advocate for patient self-care; he publishes and teaches his approach in America and Europe to educate us about prevention and natural treatments  so that we all have access to the means of cleansing, balancing and healing ourselves.   His work is , in many respects, consistent with other naturopathic physicians in that he seeks to assist the human body to function optimally through the use of herbs, homeopathic medicine and lifestyle changes.  He has added an energy medicine component for both diagnosis and treatment and is in the forefront in proposing this ancient, and at the same time, newest and most promising approach to healing.

The foundation of his approach is based on his understanding of the five levels of healing. While in India about 30 years ago he went to a lecture given by a Guru (wise man) who talked about an ancient  (12,000 years old) Tibetan philosophy based on an understanding of humans as beings comprised of five different levels: the physical, the electromagnetic, the mental, the intuitive body, and the spirit body.  All but the physical are invisible to the human eye, although some people can “see”, feel or sense fields of energy relating to the other, usually invisible aspects.

The premise that is most fascinating for our purposes is that in order to be well, all levels of the human being must be healed.  This is so because the physical aspect of us is the materiel manifestation of all the other components.  The other four layers interpenetrate with the physical and affect the health of the physical being.

Let’s reference each of these layers and briefly touch on how each of these layers relate to illness.  Let’s say that a person has been diagnosed with Lyme disease.  On a physical level it means that bacterial organisms are multiplying in the body, moving to different parts of the body, generating neuro-toxins which cause symptoms in their own right.  It may be that the physical body has been diagnosed with heavy metal toxicity, for example, mercury, and that the toxins need to be cleared so that the body may more effectively fight it’s battle against the bacterial invaders.  This is the world of orthomolecular and allopathic medicine.  On this level antibiotics may be prescribed to kill off the unwanted organisms, detoxifying herbs given for clearing out the neuro-toxins and by-products of the die-off.

On the second level, the electromagnetic level, it may be seen that the patient has developed an inflammatory response (physical level) that produces inflamed, painful energy in response to the direct effect of the bacteria, or the by-products of their living and dying. This energy may be present in the physical mass of muscles, joints,or organs.  Since pain causes us to contract, resist or avoid, that energy may become stuck or constricted.  Within this model, healing energy work, such as Reiki, Hands on Healing, acupuncture, reflexology, or (in Dietrict Klinghart’s lexicon) Autonomic Response testing may be used.  Through the movement and clearing out of painful, inflamed energy the void is then filled with the natural life force within all human beings; it then has a chance to flow and heal.  Note:  according to this model, the layers below (in this case the physical) are affected positively.

On the third level, the mental body, unresolved emotional conflict creates a disturbance in (what is known in neuroscience as) the bio-photon field which surrounds the body, and is generated by the DNA.

Neuro-science tells us that short term memory is tracked in brain circuitry (first level); according to this way of understanding the human, long term and extrasensory perceptions reside in the energy field that surrounds the body- the physical brain is seen as a “tuner” for memory storage. 

Fritz-Albert Popp, a German physicist pioneered research about the vibrational nature of our cells, and is reported to have confirmed the existence of biophotons which emit tiny quantities of light.  We are beginning to understand how these invisible entities communicate complex information and orchestrate metabolic function.  For details about this go to mercola.com to see an interview of Klinghardt on the subject – fascinating!)

If this Lyme disease patient were to enter into psychotherapy there may be found traumatic, unresolved issues in their own life history, or in the family history that may have been passed on.  This unresolved history is held in the field of energy that surrounds the physical body.  By facing and resolving this (conscious, unconscious or sub-conscious) pain, that then allows a flow and healing of the energy body that would otherwise weigh down or inhibit full healing.

The forth level of healing is identified as the Intuitive body.  It is realm of the shaman, the religious, the spiritual, and your metaphysical experiences.  Dr. Klinghardt postulates that on this level unresolved conflict and trauma from a person’s past and from their history can generate physical illness.  Unless these traumas are faced and resolved, they may act out these unresolved issues in spite of a medical approach dealing only with the physical body.

So for our purposes, with this same Lyme disease patient, if this person, for example, had parents or grandparents who were sexually or physically abused, the unresolved trauma may be carried on the the person’s memory/field of energy;  unless faced, mourned and the associated feelings of anger, rage and despair are released, the effects of the trauma are played out in the present.  Klinghardt developed something he calls Family Constellation work to delve into the family history and therapeutically identify and resolve the trauma.

Our Lyme patient may receive the best treatment for the physical components of Lyme disease, but, according to this model, the patient will be vulnerable to continued illness unless this “contaminating” emotional disability is healed through psychotherapy, family therapy or other uncovering and healing teahniques.

The fifth level of healing, the individual’s connection to the divine, is deeply personal, and is the most important and largest part of the human being.  This is the level of self-healing and relates to the “highest self”.

Klinghardt’s premise is that illness can originate on any of the four lower levels and unless the source of the illness is healed disease will be resistant to healing, or it may transform into another form of disease.  Illness that is treated symptomatically but that does not treat the actual cause of the illness is short-sited and will likely be unsuccessful.

This concludes my summary of Dr. Klinghardt’s work.  I hope you have found it as stimulating and as interesting as I have.  Please let me know what your thoughts are, and send along any questions you may have!

Cynthia

Beginning on Thursday November 19th, 2009 a new support group will be held at the Old Lyme Town Hall.  Meetings will be held the third Thursday of every month at 6:30 PM in the beautiful new setting of Town Hall.  Meetings will be chaired by Cynthia M Chase, MSW, LCSW and Kelly Smith, Lyme Advocate.  We welcome all of you to come and share your stories, bring your questions and bring your loved ones.  If you are a caregiver, friend or relative of someone with Lyme, you are welcome.  this disease affects everyone who comes in contact with the one who is ill.

• How do we really take care of ourselves, what does this really mean?

A.  Physical care for the caretaker

• A day in the (ideal) life
• Sleep – six to eight hours per day; create a sleep sanctuary, low electric magnetic frequency in room, no light, shades to keep out light, replace light emitting electronics, regular bedtime, natural bedding and covers, animals in the bed or room?, earplugs, (for you or partner, sleep apnea?)eye covers, cotton pajamas or no clothing, no TV in bedroom, no drinks after 6, dinner as early as possible, light dinner, heavier meal at lunch, warm shower or Epsom salt bath before bedtime, soothing CD to assist with relaxation, herbal tea to promote relaxation – not too late, melatonin, valarian, hops, liquorish, combination teas for sleeping, routine, calming ritual, foot bath/soak (Epsom salt), sit back on neck or back massager in chair
• Awakening – natural or alarmed? if alarmed, can it be soft, gradual? Or a combination of increasing natural light with carefully chosen music, hot-cold shower, glove scrubber, gentle, pure soap to reduce allergen challenge,  pure shampoos, other personal products, stretch neck in shower with hot water on neck, left and right, then forward (Yoga stretch), focus on stress and worry flowing down your body and down the drain – takes no additional time,
• Dry brushing with a natural bristle brush all over your body, all in the direction of your heart
• Neti pot – nasal lavage – 2 times per day to prevent colds, flu, sinus infections, nose bleeds, ear infections, etc.
• Frequent hand washing with warm water and soap (no need for anti-bacterial agents, can create rebound)
• Dental health critical – electric tooth brush preferred; regular dental appointments and cleanings
• Regular health check-ups
• Weekly or bi-weekly massage, Energy healing
• Daily moderate exercise at a regular time (15-20 minutes a day, at least three times per week); mix and match

1. Yoga – physical, emotional, spiritual practice – all encompassing life style
2. Walking – can be gently aerobic, easy on joints, can use iPod with uplifting music, mood elevating; running if conditioned, though this is potentially more dangerous
3. Biking (spinning classes)
4. Pilates – combination of Yoga and western type exercising – but be careful for pulling muscles
5. Swimming – excellent all over exercise; aqua classes are gently aerobic and strengthening as well as social
6. Jacuzzi, hot tub – toxin release
7. Sauna – toxin release
8. Steam room – toxin release – all are stress reducers

• Diet

1. Andrew Weil’s anti-inflammatory diet
2. Blood Type Diet
3. Drink ½ your body weight in ounces (if you weigh 120 lbs, drink 60 oz per day) – spring or filtered water
4. How much did you weight at age 20-25?  Was that your ideal weight?  Gradual restitution of body balance fosters the body’s self-healing
5. Focus on fresh, organic vegetables and some fruits – nurturing for the body, and detoxifying
6. Garlic, garlic, garlic
7. Focus on whole foods (foods that your grandmother would have recognized as food) – do you know what processed food is?  In my lifetime:  processed foods, genetically modified, chemicalized, denatured, dyed, bleached, enriched, stripped, hormone-fed, artificial fertilizers, artificial ingredients with names you can’t pronounce.  Read the labels, keep it simple and natural.  Introduce more raw foods into your diet – vita-mix and juicing; if our body does not “recognize” food substitutes, it turns to fat and cellulite (pollution)
8. Do not cook with aluminum pans; rather use cast iron or enamel covered pans
9. Use some Himalayan or Celtic seas salt:  provides micro-nutrients – composition is compatible with our body composition
10. Some animal and fish protein – organic and free range – very important.  Have less but of better quality – same money
11. Substitute natural sweets for white, cane, processed sugar; eliminate foods containing xxx corn sweetener xxx – molasses, local honey to reduce allergies, fruit, naturally dried fruit, 85% cacao chocolate
12. Moderate caffeine usage (excessive caffeine restricts blood flow to the brain, lowers cognitive function and can exacerbate emotional and mental health problems.)
13. Introduce green tea to promote focus, and enhance anti-oxidant function
14. Greens in powdered for capsule form helpful in detoxing
15. Moderate alcohol consumption of red wine with meals
16. Celebrate with each meal!  Candles at the dinner table, pleasant table talk, social time, or if alone, celebrate with yourself.

C.  Mental, Psychological, Emotional Care for the Caretaker

• The Dark Side:

1. My state of happiness depends on you; if you are well, then I will be OK
2. I love you
3. You matter more than me
4. I am unworthy of care and love
5. I am a function of giving
6. I do not honor my individual self
7. I am here for you
8. I am a machine; I can give unconditionally without regard to my own resources
9. I can do anything out of Love for you regardless of my own needs
10. I have no needs, it’s all about you
11. You first
12. Me last
13. I deny my exhaustion, pain, fear, need
14. I insist I can do this
15. I have no time for caring for myself
16. I am too busy, I have too much to do
17. Doing is more important than being
18. Love is a one way street, for now
19. My time will come, but I can’t think about that now
20. I numb myself in order to keep on going
21. I am helpless to heal you
22. I cannot control your illness, so I feel out of control
23. I want to fix you so you will feel better, then I will feel better
24. I am overwhelmed
25. I find myself compulsively engaging in pleasurable but dangerous behavior
26. I get irritable and tired, but I must ignore it
27. I feel like I am being used and victimized
28. No one is taking care of me and I resent it
29. I am sacrificing myself and no one even notices it
30. I don’t feel appreciated
31. I resent that others are not helping out
32. Why am I always the one that others rely upon?
33. Why do I have to do it all?
34. I am angry, but feel guilty about it
35. I shouldn’t be feeling what I am feeling
36. I love you, but now you are becoming a burden
37. When will it be over?
38. I want out
39. Guilt, guilt, guilt
40. I hate you
41. I hate myself for hating you
42. I should be a better person
43. I deserve punishment for being so mean, irritable and hateful
44. I don’t feel well
45. I am tired
46. I have pain and misery
47. I feel isolated and alone
48. I can’t tell anyone about these dark thoughts and feelings
49. If I did they would see through me
50. I would be rejected for the selfish person I am
51. I feel like giving up
52. Stop being a baby
53. Buck up
54. Get over yourself
55. I am hungry
56. I am tired
57. I want to disappear

• The Light Side

1. I love myself
2. I love you
3. I deserve time for myself every day
4. I nurture myself for me
5. I nurture myself so that I can share my love and care for you
6. I consciously work at balance in my life
7. I tune into my feelings and my body
8. I identify compulsive behaviors and begin a recovery program
9. I am aware of what defenses I use, and use them consciously as I need them, not automatically
10. I identify and express my feelings in a healthy, assertive manner
11. I avoid extreme and all or nothing thinking
12. I challenge rigid thinking and seek to expand my consciousness
13. I key into my body to check for somatic feelings so I can know what I am feeling
14. I recognize boundaries and maintain boundaries with others
15. I stop trying to control and fix others. I give less advise and fewer explanations
16. I treasure myself
17. I eat well, I exercise and relax every day
18. I honor the different parts of me: wife, husband, daughter, son, mother, father, aunt, uncle, colleague, student, friend, worker, chef, housewife
19. I honor the physical, mental, psychological and spiritual aspects of myself
20. I remember that I am larger than any one moment
21. I swim, walk, meditate, dance, pray
22. I get massages, energy work, other healing on a regular basis
23. I watch funny movies
24. I nurture my creativity
25. I remember what play is; I play
26. I learn to trust myself
27. I love you
28. I care for you
29. My cup floweth over and I joyfully share what I have with you
30. I say No so I can say yes
31. I talk to you (as appropriate) about my feelings and needs
32. I honor your strength and gifts and ask for your help in the ways that you can give
33. In so doing, that strengthens you
34. I confront you if you become abusive or irritable with me
35. I offer “in your face compassion” if that is what is needed
36. I protect myself from abusive and destructive relationships.
37. I focus on what people do, not what they say:  reality
38. Therapy helps at an impasse

D.  Spiritual Care for the Caretaker

1. I express gratitude for the gifts of life
2. I practice surrender to a higher power
3. I pray (talk to Spirit) and meditate (I listen to Spirit) daily – start out with just 5 minutes—up to 30 minutes
4. I walk the earth and feel connection with the force of nature, and accept solace from that connection
5. I practice living in the present, being here now
6. I practice compassion and forgiveness for myself and others
7. I open myself to intimacy and tenderness in my relationships
8. I practice the art of “seeing” the beauty in nature, art, music
9. I remember that this, too, will pass
10. I remember that I, and we are part of the whole
11. I surrender to Spirit and ask for help
12. I remember that I am not alone

Namaste,

Cynthia

It is as though Dr.Eva Sapi is on a Safari in the deepest jungle in Africa.  She is mapping out a totally unknown area of the world filled with dangerous animals, new forms of life never seen by man (or woman) and she is armed only with her microscope.  She is in this reality Eva Sapi, Ph.D., assistant professor of cellular and molecular biology at the University of New Haven, Connecticut.  Her brand new article in the Lyme Times summarizes her research on an entity called biofilm.  A rather dry word, but an amazing concept.  For those of us lay persons interested in Lyme disease and co-infections and why it appears that some people have chronic infection the concept is revolutionary in its possibilities.

Here is how it works:  the research shows that when enough microbes gather they begin to adhere to each other or to living or inert surfaces.  These organisms then communicate to each other and start a change in “gene expression” that allows the cells to produce something called “exopolysaccharide” which becomes a “protective matrix“.

Like a moat which surrounds the castle it provides protection from attacking forces – like phagocytes or antibacterial agents!  Not only that, German scientists  using  marine bacteria identified that this biofilm actually is capable of  releasing a paralyzing agent.  “It appears that biofilm is not just a defensive fortress, it can also fight back.”

Dr. Sapi in conjunction with Dr. Alan MacDonald has recently worked “in vitro” to study biofilm formation of Borrelia burgdorferi. In her words:  “In summary, if we can demonstrate that biofilm structure of Borrelia burgdorferi renders them resistant to antibiotics, it could provide a logical explanation as to why extensive antibiotic treatment for patients with a tick-bite history could fail.  The end result from our study could provide novel therapeutic approaches for Lyme literate physicians to explore for chronically ill patients”

Please go to lymetimes.org for the above-reviewed article in its entirety and join to receive the most up-to-date research and support.

Cynthia

_{By Dr. Jessica Sedita, ND}

Lyme disease is a complicated condition to diagnose and treat correctly. Treating Lyme is so much more than just taking an antibiotic for a few weeks to rid the body of the Lyme spirochete. First, any present co-infections need to be treated as well, to have any chance of a full recovery. The co-infections are what truly complicate the situation, because each one is a distinctly different type of organism. Ehrlichia is bacterial, Bartonella is similar to cat scratch fever, Babesia is parasitic and Mycoplasma is an anaerobic bacteria. Each one of these has its own pattern and life cycle that it follows. Each organism needs a distinctly different form of treatment that is specifically designed to target that particular organisms make up. There is no one single type of medication that can be used to treat all the co- infections. Multiple medications need to be administered at various times during the course of treatment to attack all of the co-infections as well as the Lyme.

What are the treatment options for Lyme disease? There are many choices that are available to treat Lyme disease some options are antibiotics, herbal formulas, homeopathic remedies and Rife Frequency therapy. Antibiotics are usually used as the first line of defense and if prescribed at the correct point during a course of treatment they can be effective. Antibiotics are most useful if used quickly after contracting Lyme and/ or while it is still active in the blood stream. Once Lyme has changed into the cystic form and left the blood stream the antibiotics are on longer effective. Antibiotics have the highest effective concentration circulating in the blood stream and cannot leave the blood stream. If the diagnosis of Lyme disease doesn’t happen for months or years after initial infection, antibiotics may not be as useful at this stage. Another common situation is when someone is on antibiotics for months or years continuously they will often reach a plateau in recovery. They often feel they are not progressing and that the antibiotics are not working anymore. They are correct; after a certain time the Lyme becomes resistant and can evade the antibiotics. So antibiotics are useful if given at the correct stage and used for a certain time period.

In addition to antibiotics there are many herbal remedies that are effective for Lyme disease as well as for all the co-infections. Some of the herbs that are capable to of killing Lyme are Venus flytrap, Oregano, Samento, Andrographis, Polygonum and Artemisia. All of these herbs can be administered in all stages of Lyme treatment. They can be used one at a time or in conjunction with one an other. All of these herbs can be taken alone or along with antibiotics. The best way to combine the two is to start herbal remedies along with antibiotics then when antibiotics are stopped continue with the herbal supplements. This combination will often be able to prevent a relapse or aggravation in symptoms and break the cycle of having to go on and off antibiotics.

Homeopathic remedies are also useful in the battle against Lyme disease. They are used most often in the latter stages of a treatment plan when severe symptoms have subsided. Homeopathic remedies can draw the Lyme out from deep within the body and can also stimulate the immune system to seek out and attack the Lyme.

Another important treatment for Lyme is Rife Frequency therapy. Rife is a machine that utilizes electromagnetic frequencies to rid the body of harmful pathogenic organisms. It can destroy bacteria, parasites, yeast, fungus, Lyme (both active and cystic forms) and all the co-infections. The Rife is based on the phenomenon that every organism has its own unique vibrational frequency. When an organism encounters its own vibrational frequency from an outside source it will explode resulting in death. It is similar to the opera singer that can break the wine glass when the frequency of her voice reaches the same frequency as the glass. A typical treatment with Rife first involves scanning with an F-scan machine to determine the exact frequencies of the organisms. Those specific frequencies are then entered into the Rife machine to be treated. Since the treatment is so targeted to kill only the desired organisms, the frequencies will just pass through the rest of body without harming anything else. Rife can reach cyst colonies that have traveled deep with in the body where antibiotics or herbal remedies could not access. Rife is usually used in addition to herbal remedies and/or antibiotics to finish off the organisms that were able to survive  and hide from previous treatments. By adding Rife Frequency therapy into a treatment plan the recovery time can significantly be reduced over just using antibiotics and/or herbal remedies. Most every patient that has chronic Lyme has a high chance of cyst colony formation in various areas of the body. These patients would benefit greatly from destroying the colonies with Rife.

If left untreated the cysts will lay dormant until the immune system is compromised or weak, so they can become active again. The key to any successful treatment is to change and rotate various modalities to avoid mutations and resistance to any one treatment. Lyme spirochetes are very good at adapting to their environment to maintain survival. Due to this adaptability any one treatment alone is just not strong enough to kill off Lyme completely. It is like trying to put out a forest fire with a cup of water: it just isn’t enough. Lyme needs to have everything thrown at it, including the kitchen sink! No matter what course of treatment is chosen a patient should be constantly monitored by a physician to check the effectiveness of treatment and to check toxicity and detoxification capabilities of the body. The key is to check the functioning of organ systems such as the adrenals and the thyroid, due to the extra stress that is placed on these systems during the treatment process.

^{Guilford Holistic Health Practitioners}

^{5 Durham Rd Bld 2, Suite B-6}

^{Guilford, CT 06437}

^{(203) 453-1906}

Send any questions, or topic suggestions for future issues to: drsedita@gmail.com

Reference

Rosner, Bryan. When Antibiotics Fail…Lyme Disease and Rife Machines.2004.

Dr. Jeffrey Klass and Dr. Jessica Sedita of Madison Connecticut offer to those of us fortunate enough to live in this area a holistic, complementary healing approach that works at both killing off the microbes (whether they be Babesia, erlichiosis or the Lyme spirochete), but also focuses on clearing and cleansing the toxins that create symptoms as debilitating as the diseases themselves.  (For those of you in other areas of the country, please check internet sources for the same or similar resources, or check with me.)  The area of “vibrational medicine” is a “new” and exciting adjunct to the healing of the person with Lyme disease (and the coinfections).  When combined with the principles of naturopathic medicine, it offers a powerhouse of tools to add to the wellness approach that is at the foreforont of the treatment of Lyme and other coinfections.  Here is a newsflash from Dr. Sedita that I am sure you will find enlightening and helpful:

_{Dr. Jessica Sedita, ND}

Just a few years ago Lyme disease was only heard about once in a while; today the situation is much different. Today the chance of contracting Lyme disease has significantly increased, putting everyone in the northeast at great risk. This condition is becoming much more common than anyone could have ever imagined. Anyone afflicted with Lyme needs to fully understand the condition and its progression. Lyme is an organism in the spirochete family that is similar to syphilis. It is transmitted through a bite by an infected deer tick. Once infected, a person will experience flu like symptoms as the immune system attempts to fight off the invader.

One could assume that they would be sick for a few days or a week while the immune system fights of the infection then leading to a full recovery. Unfortunately this is not how the events unfold at all. The Lyme spirochete is able to evade the immune system so most of the time it is not completely killed off. This allows the Lyme to roam free and proliferate in the body undetected for years. The longer it is present in the system the more time it has to set up colonies all over the body. Once it has left the blood stream and traveled to multiple areas it is said to have progressed from acute to chronic Lyme. During periods of stress, physical or emotional, the immune system becomes suppressed and the Lyme is able to further advance and colonize new areas of the body. This is why many patients will notice a flare-up in symptoms during or shortly after even small periods of stress.

The array of symptoms Lyme can produce are so numerous and constantly changing many people think they are imaging it. Lyme can imitate almost any disease that exists and should be considered as a possible diagnosis of any condition that is not resolving with treatment. Lyme can mimic various conditions such as fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue, bells palsy, ADD, MS, ALS, RA, migraines and any other autoimmune diseases. Lyme produces a significant amount of inflammation in numerous areas and organ systems of the body. The majority of the inflammation is due to the secretion of a neurotoxin produced by the Lyme that travels around the body which puts stress on all organ systems. The Lyme and its neurotoxin can pass through to the brain with the potential to cause encephalopathy and meningitis, which is swelling and inflammation of the brain. The exposure to the neurotoxin over time can cause liver dysfunction, fatigue, headaches, mental confusion, muscle and joint pain. These symptoms can indicate possible dysfunction in other regulatory organs such as the thyroid, hypothalamus and adrenals. All of these symptoms can come and go just a quickly as they appeared or they may persist and there could even be periods that are symptom free. Many people think the symptom free periods are when they have finished their battle with Lyme and won. But that is not correct. Often when there is a remission in symptoms it can mean the immune system is not actively fighting off the Lyme. This leaves it free to travel around the body causing inflammation, dysfunction and then ultimately hiding so the immune system can not destroy it.

Many patients are lead to believe that after being infected with Lyme all that needs to be done is take antibiotics for a few months or even a few weeks and then they will be cured. This may have been enough to treat Lyme in the past but currently for most patients this often is not effective enough to provide a full and complete recovery. Antibiotics are commonly prescribed in all stage of Lyme disease. They can bring a person from acutely ill to a stable point. There are however a few drawbacks to treatment with antibiotics alone. They are often unable to kill off the disease completely. The presence of the antibiotics stimulates a defensive mechanism causing the Lyme to become dormant and will avoid being killed. This change to the dormant state is called the cystic form of Lyme. In this form, a protective coating is formed around a group of spirochetes. This coating protects the Lyme by not allowing the antibiotics to penetrate.

They are also only able to kill the Lyme when it is in the active form in the blood stream.

In the cystic form it is able to move deeper into the body and wait until it senses the absence of the antibiotics. Once the antibiotics have left the body the Lyme will become active again and move back into the blood stream and begin multiplying again. This migration

back to the active form can cause a sudden spike or relapse of intense symptoms. While the Lyme is in the cystic form a person can be symptomatic or still extremely ill. Since antibiotics are not able to access other areas well outside of the blood stream the cysts are left to hang out all over the body producing symptoms. The specific symptoms that are experienced are often dependent on what areas in the body the cysts have traveled to.

As if Lyme alone is not enough there are a myriad of other organisms that the tick can be harboring and transmitting during the bite. These other organisms consist of Mycoplasma, Ehrlichia, Babesia and Bartonella, known as the co-infections. The co-infections are commonly present in people with Lyme disease. They can add to the array of confusing symptoms by further stressing the immune system and increasing the overall number of pathogenic organisms in the body. In a large number of cases antibiotics are not able to eradicate any of these organisms from the system completely. They are able to hide in the body, mutate and evade the antibiotics and the immune system. Having all or even just one of these co-infections in addition to the Lyme can complicate the case significantly.

Guilford Holistic Health Practitioners

^{5 Durham Rd Bld 2, Suite B-6}

^{Guilford, CT 06437}

^{(203) 453-1906}

Send any questions, or topic suggestions for future issues to: drsedita@gmail.com

Reference

Rosner, Bryan. When Antibiotics Fail…Lyme Disease and Rife Machines.

2004.