Pathogens Causing PD?

Found at:
http://neurotalk.psychcentral.com/thread33514.html
It is by no means certain that pathogens have nothing to do with PD
Just a couple of possibilities-
1) A pathogen called Nocardia has been shown to cause parkinsonism.
2) You may have heard of the German researcher Braak's work demonstrating that *something* enters the nerve fibers in the nose and stomach and then leaves a trail of Lewy bodies like bread crumbs as it marches into the brain en route to the substantia nigra. One other thing that follows a similar pattern is the polio virus.

micro biomes studies of bugs in our guts and body

Copyright: Science Photo Library

I picked this up from the Lymedisease.org web site. It's a BBC article about gut bacteria and how strong a roll it plays in keeping us well (and making us sick if it is messed up). -Bob

Sun Apr 15, 2012 6:25 pm (PDT)

It is about the microscopic bugs that live all over your body – on your skin, in your mouth, in your nose, and in particular your digestive tract. These bugs are so numerous that they outnumber your own cells by a factor of 10. You are vastly more microbe than human.

Before you get so disgusted you stop reading, consider this: many of these bugs are as essential to your life as your own cells. These microbes have been around since before humans existed, and our bodies have evolved to adapt to their presence just as they have adapted to ours.

They are also – to quote one expert – the “last frontier” of medical research, a crucial aspect of our health that scientists rarely considered until recently. It is also one of the most daunting challenges facing biologists today.

“We know next to nothing about this whole universe that we host,” according to Bruce Birren, co-director of the Genome Sequencing and Analysis Program at the Broad Institute, a research collaborative between Harvard and MIT scientists. “It’s as if we’re coming to a planet for the first time and asking: what do we find?”.....

The rest of the story is here:

http://www.bbc.com/future/story/20120412-the-beasts-inside-you

Thoughts about Depression

Depression and intense anxiety have been my primary symptoms when I have had acute Lyme flareups. The depressions have been sudden, quite scary, and sometimes long-lasting. It is as though my brain and emotions fall into a deep, dark well. The closest description I have found was wriiten by William Styron in his little book called Darkness Visible. Here it is:

http://www.amazon.com/Darkness-Visible-A-Memoir-Madness/dp/0679736395

After reading this and sharing with family members, I felt less alone. I knew that at least a famous writer really understood. I was a struggling author and so his story was one I could relate to. Then I started serious psychotherapy, and even earned a masters degree in psychotherapy, at age 55, to better understand myself and to help others.

When I saw my psychotherapy clients who were experiencing clinical depression I really understood that depression is a truly dark hell-realm. When I was in this depressed place, it was nearly impossible to remember that it was the result of how my brain was working, that it can be temporary, and that there is fun, lightness, and happiness waiting for me at the end of the tunnel. As anyone who has been clinically depressed (not just sad or grieving due to a loss -- these are natural and approrpriate responses to life and loss) knows, it can feel like you are in a nightmare that you just can't wake up from. A dark veil has fallen in front of your eyes, and the whole world looks and feels bleak.

I can now sense when my depressions are physical (organic) vs situational (or both). Two or three days ago, I felt it coming up again. I find mindfulness practice to be very helpful nowadays when depression starts creeping in. I don't panic, I just notice it ("Oh, hi depression, it's you again..."). I remind myself that it is probably temporary, and I try to do something nice for myself. A hot bath, see a friend, take a sauna. I also hit the Omega-3's, and get some exercise and sun. Usually it lifts. I also observe my thinking patterns. Have I been thinking about some mistake or 'failure' I have committed? Am I beating myself up about something? If so, I try to correct the thinking.

Of course, the way a chronic illness affects our lives IS pretty depressing. Losing my health, my job, my money, sex drive, ability to be in a relationship effectively, and my sense of well-being is depressing! It certaiinly isn't a cake walk. So it's actually pretty reasonable for many of us with chronic Lyme, Parkinson's, or other chronic diseases to be prone to depression.

My psychopharmacology professor used to say the best treatment for depression was dancing naked in the sunshine with your lover. That gets you touch, exercise, and Vitamin D. All three will increase seratonin. In lieu of a lover, getting a massage will meet our need for touch (well, sort of).

Last week, as my old friend depression was lurking about, hiding behind imaginary trees and standing in dark corners, I decided to really give him a run for his money. I packed up my car with my musical instruments and accepted an invitation to play a gig with a rock band. It's a group I play in a few times a year. I joined them in Yosemite National Park where they were playing at an annual bash called The Spring Fling, in El Portal. This is a small town just outside of Yosemite.

I had been on the fence about going. Would it tired me out? What about my medical regimen? What if I got sicker? Where would I sleep? Could I even play a keyboard on stage in front of an audience, when with just the smallest bit of anxiety I start to shake like a leaf??

In the end, I had a ball with my musical buddies. I stayed for five days and really enjoyed myself. Music, sunshine, amazing natural beauty, tons of young, vibrant people who work in the Park. Of course, at 59, I feel like a relic in their company, and also I want to tell them all to protect themselves from Lyme-carrying ticks, but I decided not to be the harbinger of bad news, and just to drop it and enjoy myself. Getting out in that beautiful nature, and having a nice drive for five hours each way was just what the doctor ordered!

It was not easy to do (especially because my Parkinsonism makes me shake really badly under pressure, and at times I was barely able to play my keyboard), but I took my PD meds regularly and got through it. A couple of times during the gig I had to stand up from my chair and keyboard and just dance around to shake off the nervousness and tremors. Luckily that looks pretty normal in a rock-band dance hall! (It doesn't go over as well at a classical piano recital.)

I guess what I'm saying is just an echo of what our hero Dr. Joe Burrascano says: People who get better are the ones who don't identify themselves with their disease. They continue to live their lives. They don't structure their lives around their illness. They still enjoy their people and their hobbies. They smell the roses and they cuddle with their pets. (My paraphrase.)

-Bob

Salt and Vitamin C Lyme "cure"

I came across this today, via the Lymedisease.org email listserv. Years ago I tried the Salt/C approach (before I found a LLMD) and it did not help me. However, the salt tasted so disgusting that I did not do it for long. My experiment may not have lasted long enough to produce positive effects. This web site makes bold and hopeful claims about the regimen. I would say it is worth reading. Note that it is a come-on, attempting to sell you an e-book about the protocol. The list of therapies the author claims to have tried is impressive (if real), and the list of typical Lyme symptoms I found useful as I am becoming more methodical about tracking my own Sx to present to my LLMDs at appointments. -Bob

"Since 2004, quietly, without fanfare, a simple, inexpensive, 100% natural protocol has helped literally thousands of Lyme sufferers to become free of their Lyme symptoms.

http://www.fettnet.com/lymestrategies/welcome.htm

This site is devoted to the presentation and ongoing practical research on this protocol and other adjuncts as it applies to Lyme infection. This site has a sister site, a discussion board, which is located here:

http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/lymestrategies/

It is free and you are welcomed to join.

My name is M. Fett. I am a "former Lymie". When I say "former Lymie", I mean someone who previously suffered severe Lyme infection who no longer has Lyme, Babesia, Mycoplasma, and various other co-infections but instead remains free and unrelapsing since 2004. In fact, I recently retested negative again where these were once positive.

The story of how this came to be for myself and many others is very simple yet profound..."
Read more here:
http://www.fettnet.com/lymestrategies/welcome.htm

Do Bartonella Infections Cause Agitation, Panic Disorder, and Treatment-Resistant Depression?

Here is a page with several articles and study citations about psychiatric problems that are associated with Lyme disease.
Posted 09/13/2007. James L. Schaller, MD, MAR; Glenn A. Burkland, DMD; P.J.
Langhoff
Three patients presented with acute psychiatric disorders associated with
Bartonella-like signs and symptoms. Each had clear exposure to ticks or fleas
and presented with physical symptoms consistent with Bartonella, eg, an enlarged
lymph node near an Ixodes tick bite and bacillary angiomatosis found only in
Bartonella infections. Laboratory findings and the overall general course of the
illnesses seemed consistent with Bartonella infection. Since Bartonella can
clearly cause neurologic disorders, we feel the presence of psychiatric
disorders is a reasonable expectation.
RESULTS-The previously discussed patients with presumed Bartonella seemed to
generally require higher dosing of antidepressants, benzodiazepines, or the use
of antipsychotics in order to function normally. Doses could be reduced as the
presumed signs of Bartonella infection remitted following antibiotic treatment.
All patients improved significantly and nearly achieved their normal, healthy
baseline mental health status.86 References & info about these doctors.
Visit the web page to read the full articles.
http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/bartonella/message/238

Bartonella info in Lyme Times

From Lymedisease.org, a 501c3 non-profit, empowering patients through Advocacy, Education and Research:

Regarding treating bartonella, the following publications of Lymedisease.org (in their magazine Lyme Times) explain in detail the treatment of Bartonella and Bartonella-like organisms (BLO's), including medications, side effects, dosages, etc:

• Lyme Times Patient issue #53
• Lyme Times Integrative Issue 47,
• Lyme Times Doctor's Forum Issue #51.

For more about the Lyme Times magazine, go to http://www.lymetimes.org/
or
http://www.lymedisease.org/lyme_times/about/about_lyme_times.html

Downloadable and printable pamphlets about various infections

Los Angeles County West Vector & Vector-Borne Disease Control District

http://lawestvector.org/Printable-Downloadable%20Pamphlets-RIFA.htm

Interesting reading about biting and stinging insects.

Bartonella Bacteria Associated with Rheumatoid Illness

Released: 4/23/2012 11:20 AM EDT
Source: North Carolina State University

Source:

http://www.newswise.com/articles/bartonella-bacteria-associated-with-rheumatoid-illness

Reprinted from Newswise —

A bacterium historically associated with cat scratch fever and transmitted predominately by fleas may also play a role in human rheumatoid illnesses such as arthritis, according to new research from North Carolina State University.

Bartonella is a bacterium that is maintained in nature by fleas, ticks and other biting insects. It can be transmitted to humans both by these parasites as well as by bites or scratches from infected cats and dogs. The most commonly known Bartonella-related illness is cat scratch disease, caused by B. henselae, a species of Bartonella that can be carried in a cat’s blood for months to years.

In collaboration with Dr. Robert Mozayeni, a rheumatologist based in Maryland, and Dr. Ricardo Maggi, a research assistant professor at NC State, Dr. Ed Breitschwerdt, professor of internal medicine at NC State’s College of Veterinary Medicine and adjunct professor of medicine at Duke University, tested blood samples from 296 patients for evidence of Bartonella infection. The patients had previously been diagnosed with conditions ranging from Lyme disease to arthritis to chronic fatigue. Since rheumatic symptoms have sometimes been reported following cat scratch disease, the researchers wanted to see if these patients tested positive for B. henselae.

Of the 296 patients, 62 percent had Bartonella antibodies, which supported prior exposure to these bacteria. Bacterial DNA was found in 41 percent of patient samples, allowing investigators to narrow the species of Bartonella present, with B. henselae, B. kohlerae and B. vinsonii subsp. berkhoffii the most prevalent. The study appears in Emerging Infectious Diseases.

“Based upon this one study. we can’t definitively say that a subset of rheumatoid illnesses have an infectious origin,” Breitschwerdt says. “However, our results thus far do implicate Bartonella as a factor in at least some cases. If the link between Bartonella and rheumatoid illnesses is valid, it may also open up more directed treatment options for patients with rheumatoid illnesses.”

Note to editors: Abstract of the paper follows.
“Bartonella spp. Bacteremia and Rheumatic Symptoms in Patients from Lyme Disease–endemic Region”

Authors: Ricardo G. Maggi, Elizabeth L. Pultorak, Barbara C. Heggarty, Julie M. Bradley, Maria Correa, Ed Breitschwerdt, North Carolina State University; B. Robert Mozayeni, Translational Medicine Group, PC, Maryland
Published: Online ahead of print in Emerging Infectious Diseases

Abstract
Bartonella spp. infection has been reported in association with an expanding spectrum of symptoms and lesions. Among 296 patients examined by a rheumatologist, prevalence of antibodies against Bartonella henselae, B. koehlerae, or B. vinsonii subsp. berkhoffii (185 [62%]) and Bartonella spp. bacteremia (122 [41.1%]) was high. Conditions diagnosed before referral included Lyme disease (46.6%), arthralgia/arthritis (20.6%), chronic fatigue (19.6%), and fibromyalgia (6.1%). B. henselae bacteremia was significantly associated with prior referral to a neurologist, most often for blurred vision, subcortical neurologic deficits, or numbness in the extremities, whereas B. koehlerae bacteremia was associated with examination by an infectious disease physician. This cross-sectional study cannot establish a causal link between Bartonella spp. infection and the high frequency of neurologic symptoms, myalgia, joint pain, or progressive arthropathy in this population; however, the contribution of Bartonella spp. infection, if any, to these symptoms should be systematically investigated.

ACAM Podcast link!

Here's an incredible link to the American College for the Advancement of Medicine (ACAM) recorded lectures.
As many as 76 talks, all free. All are about integrative medicine and alternative treatments. Much of these apply to Lyme treatment. They are podcasts and can be played in iTunes. You can also subscribe and the downloads will happen automatically.

http://itunes.apple.com/podcast/the-acam-podcast/id351890855

Removing Heavy Metals Like Mercury from the Body Is “Dangerous”?

The Alliance for Natural Health USA

April 24, 2012

Not only are doctors being advised to reject chelation therapy—they're being asked to report on their colleagues who practice it.
The American College of Medical Toxicology held a conference at the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) this past February about the "use and misuse" of chelation therapy—a misleading title suggesting some semblance of scientific objectivity, which was nowhere in evidence. The conference was more like a Salem witch hunt in which chelators played the role of the accused witches and warlocks.
Why is chelation so threatening to mainstream medicine? There is no disputing that heavy metals are extremely toxic. The human body is engineered to remove small amounts daily, but not the large amounts we often pick up from modern sources. One of those sources has of course been vaccines, which have used mercury as a preservative (it is still used in the US flu shot). Another source has been dental "silver" amalgam, which also contains mercury. This may be part of the reason for the hostility to chelation.

Read the whole story:

http://www.anh-usa.org/removing-heavy-metals-like-mercury-from-the-body-is-dangerous/