Re: Geography & Lyme?

March 8, 2000

Dear Carolyn & All,

Super ditto on your message (copied in part below).

We feel VERY fortunate through this whole thing that daughter is able to

function, all be it part-time (school) - what a Blessing! I pray daily that

each & every one of you will be able to do so very soon!

I have felt too that the geographic area & the strains (or species) endemic

to each area do play a factor in how well treatment goes... So many other

factors, though, too - age, resistance, antioxidant level of function

(daughter was tested for this, if anyone is interested in which lab does

testing - hey - new thread... VBG!).

Of course, in my heart, I have to blame bum steere & his little turd

droppings' stance on lyme for the fact that there has not been research on

this particular aspect of these insiduous diseases... Interesting, isnt it,

that they isolate new strains (or strains new to this country) & yet NO

testing on whats best for treating them... (GRRR!)

Am still compiling info re food allergies, etc. (some records are at doc -

waiting to get whole thing together before I publish the book on this one -

LOL!).

Very interesting that even Art D. was only able to find 3 site links on MO-1

(Missouri / Midwest strain of babesia). The one that I was able to open was

from 1996 - HELLO NIH - that was 4 years ago!!!! Article stated that a

person died with this strain. Have to search for the European strain of

babesia, I guess - even though there are differences (per the article), from

what I could understand, there are many more similarities than differences...

Have a SUPER day all!

Blessings & velcros,

Chris

In a message dated 00-03-08 04:14:52 EST, you write:

<< I guess maybe it's the fact

>that I know there is always a light at the end of the tunnel. How I

>wish everyone had that light! You all humble me and make me thankful

>even in the horror of this disease. I can't help but feel

>overwhelming sadness at the unfairness of it all. How I could be so

> " blessed " . It makes me feel weak because I can sometimes get wrapped

>up in my own self pity when there are so many out there who would

>give anything to be where I'm at with this " plague " . I've lost a lot,

>that's true, but there are so many that have lost so much more than I

>have. Thank you all so much for reminding me that I truly have plenty

>to be thankful for. Everyday when I go out to work I will go out

>there for you too! I will take pride in keeping you all in my heart

>and do the best I can do for you as well as myself. I will strive to

>show what lymies are made of, shear strength and guts. I am proud and

>honored to be amongst you!!! >>

March 8, 2000

Carolyn

I agree with you totally that it probably has to do with different strains

and co-infections. I live in the land but tested negative for Ehrlicia,

but was only tested for one strain. But due to the time it took for the

correct dx, I ended up with a lot of other viruses and severe anemia, etc.

You have a lot of strength and courage. I'm so happy you can work and your

words were very moving and thoughtful. But I'm curious, what abx regimen are

you on and for how long and what other supplements do you take? Its funny,

but before I was correctly diagnosed, I felt bad, but since treatment I've

been a mess and a lot worse. I had about a three month remission last

summer, and worked for a few months, but then relapsed and have been worse

ever since. I think if I had a crystal ball I would have preferred to feel

the way I did before I started treatment. I know that attitude is sort of

like being an ostrich and sticking my head in the sand, but at least then I

was working and felt like I was productive. Of course, every night I came

home exhausted and couldn't do anything but sleep on the weekends, and then

that was difficult due to pain. But it wasn't constant all over body pain

like I have now. Thanks for your very moving words, and keep going and do

not feel guilty, feel lucky that you have remissions and enjoy each day you

feel good, that gives us all hope that we can see that light at the end of

the tunnel too. Thanks

Hugs, Vicki, Md

>From: " CAROLYN ROWE " <skidrowe@...>

>

>Hi Vicki,

>

>I'm not sure I know what to say. I know there aren't many who can

>still work and I somehow feel a little guilty about the fact that I

>can seem to manage a remission every time I relapse. It's never easy

>maintaining my job when I am relapsing. I guess maybe it's the fact