AMEN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Thank you for the poem!

I've been using a cream for about a week, recommended by my doctor to help with lymph blockage. He thought I had a blockage up around my neck. So I tried the cream (it's homeopathic) and within minutes my sinuses started draining and within 30 minutes the pain in my shoulders decreased. I thought the intense pain I've been having in my shoulders (mostly the left side) for the past six weeks was due to Lyme, but after using this cream for a week now I see that it was due to a Lymph blockage. I guess it's still due to Lyme indirectly. I had tried the same formula only as the drops about six months ago and got no help, that I could tell. It seemed Red Root did a much better job for me. But I have to say the cream form is fantastic! At least for me   Here's a link to a site that has free shipping.

http://shop.lwtinternational.com/product_p/itires%20ointment.htm

Quoted from nowishow

I've been using a cream for about a week, recommended by my doctor to help with lymph blockage. He thought I had a blockage up around my neck. So I tried the cream (it's homeopathic) and within minutes my sinuses started draining and within 30 minutes the pain in my shoulders decreased. I thought the intense pain I've been having in my shoulders (mostly the left side) for the past six weeks was due to Lyme, but after using this cream for a week now I see that it was due to a Lymph blockage. I guess it's still due to Lyme indirectly. I had tried the same formula only as the drops about six months ago and got no help, that I could tell. It seemed Red Root did a much better job for me. But I have to say the cream form is fantastic! At least for me   Here's a link to a site that has free shipping.

http://shop.lwtinternational.com/product_p/itires%20ointment.htm

What are the directions for using this?  I read the write up on the product but didn't see specific directions for using it.

Interesting!

Quoted from Kim

What are the directions for using this?  I read the write up on the product but didn't see specific directions for using it.

You rub it on the area of suspected blockage, twice a day. My doctor said I could rub it on 7-8 times a day if I liked. I had to cut back though it was draining things a little too fast and taxing the rest of my system. Areas on me that usually get blocked are: under my jaw (back by my ear), upper neck (next to the spine), around the collar bone on the left side, upper back (somewhat close to the spine), under my arms (close to my breast). These places get hard and swollen on me, so that would be something you could look for. The spleen area might be a great place too, if you have pain there. Lymph glands are all over the body and people have different places that gets blocked. I talked to a woman that has a spot near her knee that gives her trouble.

I hope this helps!

Something you may want to print for family and friends...

"But You Don't LOOK Sick..."

10 Commandments for interacting with the chronically ill

In the realm of chronic illness, one of our more challenging tasks can be
gaining support from others. As if finding a knowledgeable and caring doctor
wasn't difficult enough, finding caring and supportive friends to surround
ourselves with can be even more difficult.

Most people are simply not capable of understanding, unless they have the
misfortune of a chronic illness of their own.

How many of us have heard something along the lines of "But you don't LOOK
sick...?" It makes one wonder how a sick person is "supposed" to look.

If one were to hobble around on crutches, would their illness suddenly
become more believable?

Our society understands the visible, physical manifestations of illness,
such as a broken bone in a cast or hair loss from chemotherapy.

What many fail to grasp is the subtle, invisible manifestations of chronic
illness.

Symptoms such as pain, severe fatigue, and cognitive impairments are not
easily visible to the average observer, which means that sufferers of
chronic illness often look "just fine".

Our society is all about instant results - the mindset that we can just pop
a magic pill and all our troubles will go away.

When sufferers of a chronic illness do not quickly "get better", we are
often treated as if it were somehow our own fault.

We may even be told that we are "hypochondriacs" or that "it's all in our
head".

Remember when you had the flu? You were exhausted, achy all over, and could
hardly get out of bed. But, fortunately, the illness passed and you were
back to your old self and usual activities.

Now, imagine if you had never recovered from that flu. Every day, you wake
up achingly sore and as tired as if you had not slept at all. Imagine trying
to go through your usual activities while feeling this way.

Not only do work, school, and regular tasks of daily living become
near-impossible, but so do the smaller day-to-day things that so many take
for granted, such as simply washing your hair or paying the bills.

It is stressful, it is exhausting, it is depressing... and yet the
chronically-ill person continues on in the face of it all.

For those of you who may have, at some point, been the perpetrator of an
otherwise well-intentioned comment, please understand that our illness is
just as real as that of an amputee or other "visible" illness.

To help aid those of you who wonder how to interact with a chronically ill
person, allow me to present the Ten Commandments.

1. Thou Shalt Not Imply That We Are Not Truly Ill.

You will not convince us otherwise with remarks such as, "You LOOK good," or
"But you don't LOOK sick." Even if you meant them as compliments, we
perceive those kind of statements as insults because they imply that you do
not believe us.

2. Thou Shalt Not Imply That The Illness Can Be Easily Fixed.

People with chronic illnesses are persistent, if nothing else. We hang on,
day after day.

We see countless doctors, take numerous medications, do endless research,
and continue hoping that the answer is just around the next corner.

So please do not insult us by delivering diagnoses, remedies, or comments
such as, "Why don't you just..." or "Have you tried..." or "You should...."

If it truly were that simple, I assure you that we would have done it
already. We are sick, not stupid.

3. Thou Shalt Not Imply That We Brought This On Ourselves.

We did not choose to become ill, just as we do not choose to stay ill.
Simply having a positive attitude is not going to solve our problem.

One would never imply that a quadriplegic chose such a trial for themselves,
or could get better "if they really wanted to". Please afford chronically
ill patients the same respect.

4. Thou Shalt Not Insult or Argue With Our Limitations or Behaviors.

If people with chronic illnesses push ourselves too hard, we can suffer
serious consequences. Most of us have developed coping mechanisms to help us
survive, and it is cruel to expect us to do more than we are able.

One chronically-ill woman I know was actually told, "I wish I could have the
luxury of sleeping all day."

Believe me, we would much rather be out working, playing, spending time with
loved ones, participating in normal activities.

"Sleeping all day" is not a luxury for us - it is a critical necessity, one
that we must take in order to protect whatever remaining health we have.

Perhaps it may help to think of it in terms of being one of the medications
we need to take.

If you wouldn't think of denying a diabetic their insulin, then don't think
of denying the sufferer of a chronic illness their critical need, whether it
is a mid-day nap, avoidance of certain foods or environmental factors, or
something else.

5. Thou Shalt Not Imply That You Can Relate To What We Are Going Through.

Unless you have a chronic illness of your own, you cannot possibly
understand just how much suffering is happening.

Of course you want to be compassionate and want to relate to people. But
when you try to do this by telling a chronically-ill person that you are
always tired too, it tends to make the person feel that you are minimizing
their suffering.

Try saying something more along the lines of, "This must be so hard for
you," or "I can't imagine what you're going through." It really does make a
difference to us.

continued...

6. Thou Shalt Be Mindful Of Other Family Members.

Chronic illness doesn't just affect the person who has it, but the whole
family as well. The trauma of the illness can evoke feelings of fear,
depression, anger, and helplessness in all family members.

The balance of family dynamics will most likely change, especially if it is
a parent who is ill.

The healthy spouse may end up taking on an overwhelming amount of
responsibility, and even children will likely be involved in helping care
for the ailing family member.

Please keep these others in your thoughts as well, and make an effort to
direct some special attention to them, without any mention of illness or
disability.

Individual family members adjust in different ways and at different paces.

All members might benefit from counseling to help handle the stress
involved, and each family member also needs to have time to pursue their own
individual interests.

External support from friends, neighbors, extended family, religious
institutions, and support groups may help ease some of the burden.

7. Thou Shalt Acknowledge Our Efforts and Celebrate Even Our Small Successes
With Us.

For the chronically ill, any day that we can accomplish a task, no matter
how small, is a "good" day!

Our lives are often measured in terms of doctor's visits and lab work, and
our "success" measured by a rise in Natural Killer cell counts in our blood,
or actually completing an entire load of laundry in just one day.

Please do not look at us as if we are joking when we share these celebratory
moments with you. Celebrate with us, be happy with us, and do not kill the
moment by announcing that you just completed the Ironman Triathlon in record
time.

8. Thou Shalt Offer Thy Specific Help.

There are so many ways to help -- the most difficult part is usually getting
a chronically-ill person to accept that help. They do not want to feel like
a "burden".

If you offer a vague, "Call me if I can help," the call will probably never
come.

But if you are sincere, consider extending offers of specific help, such as
a ride to a doctor's appointment, or picking up a few groceries or the dry
cleaning.

These activities can be done in a way that does not add any extra burden to
your own schedule. If you have to go to the grocery store for your own
family, it really isn't much extra work to grab an additional loaf of bread
and jug of milk.

If you have to swing by the post office, getting an extra roll of stamps or
mailing an additional package isn't much extra effort for you - but it can
save a chronically-ill individual a lot of time, energy, and exacerbation of
symptoms.

9. Thou Shalt Remember Important Events.

I'm not just talking about birthdays and Christmas.

A major doctor's appointment, lab test, or new medication are all important
events to the chronically-ill person.

Try to sincerely ask, "How was your appointment? How did the lab test go?
How's your new medication?" The chronically-ill person will appreciate that
you remembered, and that you cared enough to ask about it.

10. Thou Shalt Get To Know The Person Behind The Illness.

The illness may be a part of us, but it's not a part of who we ARE. We want
to be known as more than "that sick person".

You may discover that we have a wickedly funny sense of humor, a creative
imagination, musical talents, or any number of things that better describe
who we are, and what we would rather be remembered for.

(It makes for better gift ideas too -- rather than presenting us with yet
another self-help book on the power of positive thinking, now you can give
us a CD from our favorite singer or movie of our favorite actor instead.)

Most of all, please remember that the chronically-ill person is more than
worthy of love, friendship, and support.

Most chronically-ill people I know are the toughest nuts I have ever met.
Indeed, I have come to believe that a chronic illness is not for wimps -
rather, only the toughest of the tough can continually face the struggles of
life while battling a debilitating disease.

That kind of grit deserves nothing less than pure respect and admiration,
even from our toughest critic -- ourselves.

From: http://www.anapsid.org/cnd/coping/looksick.html

That was really good!!  Problem is, we need an abbreviated version for the people around us.  Because most people won't read all that.  I didn't even read every single word.  But it was a blessing.  


My spleen is acting up again and I feel that gummed up feeling at times.  I don't like that feeling at all.  My breathing gets a little heavy.  Yuck.  It's like a I need a good cleansing.  The Gal at my doctors office is saying I should get Oregon Grape root.  I probably said that already.  I didn't buy any yet.  

Anyone use that for lymph cleansing?

If anyone is interested.....

Lyme Interview "LIVE" with Dr. Klinghardt - Holistic Lyme Doctor

Inviting all Patients and Practitioners:
Call in and listen!

Tuesday, Oct. 4th

5:00 pm PT
6:00 pm MT
7:00 pm Central
8:00 pm EST

Live questions and answers
with guest, Lyme Hope Advocate
Cheryl Young
Moderator: Dr. R
Spread the word, dont miss this one!

The Dr Klinghardt Academy is offering this event as support to all lyme patients and advocates with this special 1 1/2 hour time to listen and learn the latest treatments and practical guidelines for patients.

Practitioners, please offer this special "free event" to your patients who would like to be educated and cannot attend one of our conferences.

Dial-in Number: (712) 432-0900
Access Code: 964406

Thank you!!!!

Do any of you have the changes in weather affect you?  It rained all last night and is supposed to be rainy for the next 4 days.  I woke up this morning feeling like I got hit by a mack truck.  I know the weather has a lot to do with it.  It seems like my body is at it's worst when the weather changes drastically.

It's probably a Nomad.

BTW, a Kenworth or International would probably hurt just as much.

Quoted from JJR

Do any of you have the changes in weather affect you?

The only weather related issue that bothers me is heat.  It causes heavy detox, which causes the Mack Truck syndrome...  This summer seemed to be worse, probably because I was healing heavily in the cranial and spinal stem sections...  It seems like every nerve has been on red alert all summer.

Hope you feel better soon.  

Quoted from TJ

It's probably a Nomad.

Thing.  It's probably a Nomad thing.

Yes, the book does state that.  It's supposed to rain here for like 5 days.  I did feel better later in the day yesterday, but it also got sunny.  I think my thyroid slows down or whatever, in this dark, rainy weather.  My feet are FREEZING!

Just got back from a visit to our Lyme doctor.  They believe that my DH heart arrhythmia and other heart issues are lyme related.  he has to do B12 shots every week too.  

I am having a HIDA scan tomorrow to see how the gallbladder is doing.  No pain, so I expect the test result to be good.

Dr. Jemsek is amazing.  I am very lucky to have a doctor with so much lyme experience be in driving distance for me.

Quoted from Kim

They believe that my DH heart arrhythmia and other heart issues are lyme related.  he has to do B12 shots every week too.  

I have a lot of heart issues too. Does he have trouble laying flat? I have to sleep propped up or my heart starts beating hard and/or fast. It also feels like it vibrates.

I'm so happy you've got a great doctor. So many don't. I'm happy with mine, I feel very lucky.

I'm glad you get to see Dr. Jemsek, Kim.  I like what he has to say.

JJ, I chuckled when I read your post about weather changing.  I didn't put two and two together, but Rob did.  There was one day a few weeks ago that it was 80 degrees instead of 98, and I had on long jeans, a jacket and socks.  I was cold!  And then every time it rains, my entire body hurts.  I have to wrap up in extra clothes because I feel so cold even if it's not cold.  Rob pointed it out to me, that when it rains I hurt.  80 degrees is comfortable to me, but not when it's suddenly 80 after it's been close to 100.  It takes me a while to adjust to the changes in temperature.  I assume it's a thyroid thing, but maybe it's a Lyme thing.  Come to think of it, I've begun to blame my underactive thyroid (and underactive everything else) on the Lyme.  I see it all as symptoms now.

The opposite is true too.  In the spring, when the weather is suddenly 65 after it's been 30, I'm extremely hot.  It takes me a few weeks to adjust to the difference before I can feel comfortable.

The thermostat in the living room will stay the same, but suddenly I feel very different.  I don't know if it's pressure changes or humidity changes, but either way it bothers me a lot.

That's what happened to me this year Ribbit!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  As soon as we had the warm weather, I got hot and then it was like my body went into killing mode, and I felt awful.  But it wasn't doing a good job killing.  Etc.  I get the fevers in the afternoon in the summer more.  Two years now it's been like that.  And then yeah, when it rains I feel worse.  Or moreso just the change.  It's been raining for 5 days now.  And thank the LORD, I don't feel awful through the whole thing.  But that first morning, I thought somebody slapped me upside the head when I got up.  You know?

Now I show and Kim, I have heart issues.  An arrhythmia and then I was diagnosed with POTS.  POTS is a neurological problem that when changing positions, and what not, my vessels don't constrict properly.  Causing low BP.  And my BP is low all the time.  But that might be from adrenals.  And I get what's called an accelerated junctional rhythm.  I think it's a type of SVT.  Not A fib.  I haven't gotten it in a while, but I don't push myself.  Because it happens when my heart rate is high.  But yeah, I'm thinking it's from the lyme.  And lyme can go somewhere else.  Stupid junk.  Oh well.  All we can do is soldier on.  

Any of you get night sweats?  That's another neurological test I failed at mayo (I've probably said this, so sorry) but I don't sweat well.  But then at night, there are times I'll wake up and be soaking wet.  I think it's when I'm fighting something.  Because the other night I went to bed and my throat was starting to tickle.  Like I was getting a soar throat.  And I woke up that night all sweaty.  And I never really did get a soar throat.  Thank God again.  I think the homeopath I'm on is really helping.  Well, I know it's helping to some degree.  But my spleen still goes up and down with pain.  Some days are worse than others.

JJ   Sweats and chills are a symptom of coinfections.  I and my DH get them all the time.  

I am supposed to get a brain spect scan. Still trying to figure out codes to get the insurance to cover it. I had the HIDA scan this morning.  It is hard to lay still for 90 minutes.  Glad that is over.  

Wow.  Let us know how it goes if you feel led to.  

Well, I would imagine it's my bodies defense.  But yeah, it might be fighting some kind of coinfection.

Quoted from TJ

It's probably a Nomad.

BTW, a Kenworth or International would probably hurt just as much.

And btw TJ, this made me laugh.  How about a Mitsubishi Fuso?  I drove one for a while at my cabinet installation job.  Not quite as heavy though.  hehehehe

Last summer (when I was at my sickest) I was running low grade fevers nearly every afternoon.  I woke up every single night sweating.  I thought it was this silly early menopause thing until I read that it was a symptom of Lyme (or co-infections or whatever--I don't differentiate).  What I get now is waking up at night feeling like my whole body is trembling.  It's not, but it feels like it is.  I thought it might be a reaction to my liver processing my evening wine, but I went about two weeks without any wine just to experiment, and I still woke up feeling like that.

Ugh.   That doesn't sound like fun.

I have entered into a detox session.  It's been a while, so I'm not surprised.  I don't like them at all though.  I feel like I just want to lay around.  

Here's the thing that is really frustrating.  These things always happen when I'm at the top of my game.  I had just started to feel like, wow, things are going pretty good.  And I swear, every time that thought enters my head, I get knocked down.  It's probably all part of the healing process though.  

My Doctor's assistant is telling me I really need to clean my lymph system out.  That's what she believes is my problem at this point.  I'm supposed to put some lemongrass oil on my lymphs today.  Inflammation isn't horrible right now, but it's there.  That's how I detox.  I get inflammed and then my heart rate goes up and I feel like all I should do is lay around.  Oh well.  I know I'm not the only one struggling.  What seemed to kick it off is I went down into my basement yesterday and got something.  And then came back up and I just didn't feel well.  I haven't gone up and down stairs too much lately.  And I avoid going down in my basement.  I just seems like the air quality isn't as good down there.  We've had it checked for mold and we got a clean bill of health for it, but it still always smells a little off.  I don't think this weather is helping any either.  It's been rainy and stormy for a week now.  Almost.  And that probably isn't good for mold in the air.  My son's asthma is kicking up too.  The leaves are falling.  I think it all coincides.  More toxins in the air, body feeling good, ready to do some cleansing.  Change in weather.  Etc etc.  But I was enjoying more energy and getting things done around here.  It's frustrating.

Does this happen to you guys?  When you feel like things are going really well, then it's like the hammer drops as soon as you think that?

It used to be that way for me, but I've leveled off.  Managing energy, rather than time, has helped with the extremes of up and down.