Be Well Blog

Post Lyme Disease Syndrome

By Dr. C. Evers Whyte

There’s a very good chance that you’ve never heard of “Post-Lyme Disease Syndrome,” even if you’ve suffered from Lyme disease itself.  Post Lyme Disease Syndrome (PLDS) is as controversial as it is complicated, and many doctors will assert that it simply does not exist.  However, if you have been treated for Lyme disease (LD) and still feel ill, you know, along with a growing group of medical professional, that PLDS is in fact, dreadfully real.  And much like LD, PLDS manifests and presents itself in a variety of ways that can make it difficult to decipher and therefore treat.  Sadly, many Lyme experts believe that the generally-accepted assessment and treatment practices are woefully inadequate.  The good news, however, is that more and more doctors are recognizing the realities of PLDS and better still are having success treating it.  There is hope!

HOW IT ALL STARTS
To truly understand PLDS we need to begin with an understanding of LD’s basic biology and how doctors in the US have been directed to view and treat it.

LD is caused by a strain of spirochete bacteria called Borrelia burgdorferi.  Unfortunately, a majority of doctors, contrary to both empirical findings and a large body of research, stubbornly insist that once LD is treated with the Center for Disease Control’s (CDC) recommended 21-day course of antibiotics, it should be considered cured.  Therefore, patients still experiencing symptoms are too often dismissed with a diagnosis of psychosomatic post-Lyme rather than an ongoing infection, or a set of very real physical ailments stemming from the Lyme disease and probable co-infection(s). 

There are several studies that refute this outdated protocol for LD treatment.  One in particular suggests that an estimated 30% of Lyme disease patients do not recover at all after being treated with the CDC recommended antibiotic protocol. 

In addition to this, it is unusual to contract only one infection from a tick bite.  Co-infections are rampant: Borrelia; Erlichia; Babesia; Bartonella; Micoplasma; and Rickettsia are all prevalent in the northeast, and most ticks are infected with these disease causing bacteria along with the one that causes Lyme.   Still, many doctors don’t test for these co-infections, or look deeper into the patient’s whole picture for breakdowns in various other bodily systems, triggered by these infections. 

To make matters even worse, doctors are under an enormous amount of pressure to argue against the existence of chronic Lyme infection because the insurance industry doesn’t want to pay for the ongoing treatment necessary to rid these unfortunate souls of the tenacious infection(s).

Natural Allergy Relief With No Side Effects

Natural D-Hist goes head to head with Claritin with better results and fewer side effects.

Allergies can make us miserable any time of the year, but during the spring and summer they tend to be worse and keep us from enjoying the outdoors.  Unfortunately, most anti-allergy products are chemically designed to force the body to function in a way that is not natural, hence the many side effects.

Two of our Center’s most popular products are “Natural D-Hist,” for adults and “D-Hist Jr.,” for children.  Scientifically formulated for maximum effectiveness with carefully selected dosages of four natural components, and thoroughly researched, Natural D-Hist is a fast acting, non-drowsy, all natural remedy that can stop allergic reactions before they begin.  And best of all, there are no side effects and a even a money back guarantee.

To help convince you of its effectiveness, we’re offering free samples of Natural D-Hist for you to try.  To further convince you that it’s so much better for you than conventional allergy drugs, we’re providing a head to head comparison of the side effects caused by Natural D-Hist and Claritin.  All the listed information comes directly from the two products’ literature.

D-Hist Jr. & Natural D-Hist's side effects:  Their packaging information states that 

Natural D-Hist's extensive human trials have produced no side effects.  And just for good measure they go on to say that a person’s first time taking some herbal remedies may result in a mild upset stomach that usually disappears when the herb is taken closer to meal time.  And, even though none have been recorded with Natural D-Hist, they warn that if an individual happens to be allergic to any given herb, a mild rash or hives could result.

The listed side effects for Claritin tablets, Claritin Reditabs and Claritin syrup are:  Headache, somnolence, fatigue, dry mouth, nervousness, wheezing, hyperkinesias, abdominal pain, conjunctivitis, malaise, upper respiratory tract infection, diarrhea, epistaxis (nose bleed), pharyngitis, influenza-like symptoms, tooth disorder, stomatitis, earache, rash, altered lacrimation, altered salivation, flushing, hypoesthesia, impotence, increased sweating, thirst, angioneurotic  edema, asthenia, back pain, blurred vision, chest pain, eye pain, fever, leg cramps, rigors, tinnitus, weight gain, hypertension, hypotension, palpitations, superventricular tachyarrhythmias, syncope, tachycardia, blepharospasm, dizziness, dysphonia, hypertonia, migraine, paresthesia, tremor, vertigo, altered taste, anorexia, constipation, dyspepsia, flatulence, gastritis, hiccup, increased appetite, loose stools, nausea, vomiting, arthalgia, myalgia, agitation,  amnesia, anxiety, confusion , decreased libido, depression, impaired concentration, insomnia, irritability, paranoia, breast pain , dysmenorrhea, menorrhagia, vaginitis, bronchitis, bronchospasm, coughing, dyspnea, hemoptysis, laryngitis, nasal dryness, sinusitis, sneezing, dermatitis, dry hair, dry skin, photosensitivity reaction, pruritus, purpura urticaria, altered micturition, urinary discoloration , urinary incontinence, urinary retention, abnormal hepatic function, including jaundice, hepatitis and hepatic necrosis, alopecia, anaphylaxis, breast enlargement, erythema multiforme, peripheral edema, thrombocytopenia, and finally, seizures.

Many of the worse symptoms are contributed to Claritin Syrup, designed for children!

So, when are you coming in for your free samples?  Call us, we'll put some aside for you!

(203) 708-9299

 

Preferred Practitioner Recommendations

There are, occasionally, services that can only be found outside our otherwise comprehensive natural family practice.  For example, we don’t deliver babies!  Because of this, we want you to know which local professionals we feel best fit our mission of providing the most personalized, knowledgeable, total-being medical care.  As a new feature we will, from time to time, be introducing you to these providers so you’ll be able to make the most informed decision about whom you choose to entrust with the care for your health and wellbeing. 

Our first Preferred Practitioner is Dr. Brooke Davidson, a local OB/GYN who will also be giving a workshop here in July on, “Heart Disease & Women’s Health.”

Why I Do What I Do

My first gynecologist was a midwife.  She showed me my cervix with a mirror.  More importantly she made me feel totally at ease.  I think of her every time I see a nervous patient.  My long years of college, medical school and surgical training have taught me how to be a “cutting edge” doctor. 

It is my life experience though, that has shaped the caregiver that I am.  As a tri-athlete I have developed a vast knowledge base in terms of diet and exercise physiology.  With my training in osteopathic, as well as traditional medicine, I have an extensive “toolbox” of treatment modalities to draw upon.  Of course the joy that comes from delivering babies gets me out of bed in the morning (and in the middle of night quite often) but I also really enjoy working with patients to improve their lives through diet, exercise and stress reduction.