"Push" Rocephin Instead of the Usual Drip Method?

In this video, long-time Lyme patient Barbara Arnold (who is now almost completely recovered) explains how she has managed to live with doing over three years of IV Rocephin (Ceftriaxone) without using an IV pole, tubing and saline bags. She developed the technique on her own, partly to reduce her out-of-pocket costs. I thought it was worth doing a little interview with her in which she explains and demonstrates how she does it. (We will post Part 2, where Barbara shows how to actually do the infusion after the syringes are filled.)



Direct link:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X3PTKLi0cvc

CAUTION: Please note that pushing a typical 2G dose of Rocephin should be done in no shorter than 45 minutes, according to one LLMD, who told me it could cause serious harm to the kidneys. So if you do this technique of pushing Rocephin, you might be well advised to mind the clock.

Bob Inserts His Huber Needle and Begins Infusion

This is a 40-minute video of a potentially educational (depending on your perspective) and at times difficult to watch process of me shakily inserting a Huber needle into the Porta-Cath implanted in my chest. After I do that, I apply a new bandage and prep for an infusion. Various scintillating commentary along the way, delivered dead-pan. (I really gotta work on my style.)

Have a great time watching this one! As woody Allen said about a bad date he had once, I haven't had this much fun since the Nuremberg trials. All this, because Blue Shield doesn't want to pay for my continued antibiotic therapy with Rocephin (arguably the most effective IV antibiotic against Bb).

(Sorry, the link to the video is broken. I just discovered this. It's the result of Apple killing of its "Mobile Me" service, where I had stored the video file. I'll have to come up with an alternative.)

Largest Lyme Survey Ever

The voice of Lyme patients: CALDA survey results published in peer-reviewed journal

Prior to the 2009 IDSA Lyme hearing, CALDA conducted what turned out to be the largest-ever survey of Lyme patients. Now, results of that survey have been published in Health Policy, a highly regarded peer-reviewed journal.

The study found that patients with Lyme disease have significant barriers to healthcare access: difficulty obtaining diagnosis and treatment, a need to travel great distances for health care, insurance denials, and difficulty receiving care at local hospitals.

Read more about it on the Lyme Policy Wonk blog.
http://www.lymedisease.org/news/lymepolicywonk/198.html

Lyme Info from New Hampshire Dept of Health

Thanks to the NH Dept of Health and Human Services, we have this information.
http://www.dhhs.nh.gov/dphs/cdcs/lyme/index.htm

The Lyme Disease Fact Sheet provides information about Lyme Disease and ticks including disease symptoms, vaccination and treatment and tick bites, tick removal and disinfection. Other information including how to prevent infection and exposure.

• Watch a Deer Tick Video

Lyme Disease & Tick Bites

Ticks can transmit Babesiosis, Ehrlichiosis, Lyme Disease and Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever. Symptoms vary by disease, including fever, chills, and fatigue.

Lyme on NPR

The Latest on Lyme Disease
By Laura Knoy on Monday, June 27, 2011
http://www.nhpr.org/latest-lyme-disease

New Hampshire has the country’s third highest incidence of this tick-borne illness.  We talk to experts about the disease, its tiny carriers, and why it has made such inroads in the Granite State. We’ll also hear how researchers are studying the Lyme-spreading tick in new ways to figure out where and why they thrive.

Guests

• Dr. Jose Montero, chief epidemiologist at the New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services
• Alan Eaton, entomology specialist at UNH Cooperative Extension 
• Michael Palace, research assistant professor at UNH and principal science investigator on a NASA-funded project examining Lyme disease in New Hampshire
• Gary Daniels, Republican state representative from Milford, who sponsored legislation addressing medical treatment issues surrounding Lyme disease
• Listeners who call in

Buck Institute studies lithium as treatment for Parkinson’s

June 24th, 2011 08:42am

By Dan Verel, Business Journal Staff Reporter

 Print Friendly    

NOVATO, CA — Preclinical research on the possibility of treating Parkinson’s disease with lithium is under way at the Buck Institute for Age Research, which is working toward beginning a second phase of clinical studies on humans treated with the drug in conjunction with standard therapy.
Lithium “profoundly” prevents the cell loss and aggregation of toxic proteins associated with Parkinson’s in a mouse model of the condition, according to the Buck. The new research appears in today’s online edition of the Journal of Neuroscience Research.

[Read full article]

Babesia on the Rise

NY Times

June 23, 2011

Once Rare, Infection by Tick Bites Spreads

By LAURIE TARKAN

A potentially devastating infection caused by tick bites has gained a foothold in the Lower Hudson Valley and in coastal areas of the Northeast, government researchers have found.

Molecular characterization of Babesia

The condition, called babesiosis, is a malaria-like illness that results from infection with Babesia microti, a parasite that lives in red blood cells and is carried by deer ticks. Though far less common than Lyme disease, babesiosis can be fatal, particularly in people with compromised immune systems.

Because there is no widely used screening test for babesiosis, its spread poses a particular threat to the blood supply, scientists said. "We are very worried about it and are doing everything in our power to address this," said Sanjai Kumar, chief of the laboratory of emerging pathogens at the Food and Drug Administration.

According to a recent report by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, there were six cases of babesiosis in the Lower Hudson Valley in 2001 and 119 cases in 2008, a 20-fold increase. In areas where Lyme disease is endemic, like coastal Rhode Island, Massachusetts, Connecticut and Long Island, babesiosis also is becoming very common, said Dr. Peter Krause, senior research scientist at the Yale School of Public Health.

Monthly Mercury Detox Group in Berkeley

http://mercuryandmore.weebly.com/support-group.html

Bay Area (CA; USA)
Chronic Mercury Poisoning
Self-Help Support Group

Do you have ongoing health issues? Chronic mercury poisoning is an under-diagnosed condition, described in the medical and toxicology literature but not yet recognized by most physicians or institutions.

• Meetings: Thursdays 1-3 pm, once a month, check link above.
   
• Where: Live Oak Park, Berkeley.  We'll meet in the picnic area above Walnut Street, near the Arts Center, but if some other group has nabbed this area, look for our "No Hg" sign elsewhere in the park.  Dress for some tree sap and dust.  This is a fragrance-free event.
   

Lyme Disease Symptoms: Key Facts About This Mysterious Illness

From Huffington Post 

Posted: 06/18/11 12:32 AM ET

Summer is peak season for transmission of Lyme disease.

The only known transporter of Lyme bacteria -- the deer tick -- goes through the most infectious stage of its life cycle in the summer.

But you don't need to be in contact with a deer to get a deer tick bite. Deer ticks can hitch a ride on small animals and land right in your backyard.

Here is a case study that highlights why Lyme disease is a mystery illness:

Anne had been diagnosed with three different autoimmune diseases, each by a top specialist:

1. Crohn's disease, an inflammatory disorder of the intestinal tract that causes abdominal pain and diarrhea.
2. Iritis, an inflammatory disorder of the eyes that causes eye pain and blurred vision.
3. Spondyloarthritis, an inflammatory disease that attacks the spine and other joints.
4. 
   
5. Two of the specialists wanted to treat her with immune suppressive drugs, a decision that would have been counterproductive, given the fact that her real diagnosis was Lyme disease -- an infection spread by a tick bite...

[Read full article]

New Blog by Gordon Medical Associates

Gordon Medical Group

On March 21, 2011, Gordon Medical Associates and the California Lyme Disease Association co-sponsored a talk on Lyme disease with Dr. Joseph J. Burrascano, Jr., followed by a Question and Answer panel with Lyme practitioners from the northern California area. Dr. Burrascano, as always, was full of information, and in spite of his rapid speed delivery, we found there was not enough time left for the panel to answer all of the questions patients had to ask. Dr. Gordon agreed that Gordon Medical would provide answers to the questions on a blog, which is what we have here. You can also find the Questions and Answers on a blog on CALDA’s website. 

Here's the Gordon Medical blog site with Q & A. Good stuff!

http://puttinglymebehindyou.wordpress.com/

New Lyme Book by Richard Ostfeld

Lyme disease is the most common tick-borne illness in the U.S. with 30,000 cases reported annually. [The CDC estimates the real number of new cases is 200,000-300,000, but only 10% are reported. -Bob] Lyme disease is the most frequently reported disease that can be passed from animals to humans.Worldwide, Lyme disease affects the lives of millions of people. But there is very little public discussion about the environmental conditions that encourage the spread of Lyme disease.

New Lyme Disease Book

A new book, Lyme Disease: The Ecology of a Complex System, presents an assessment of Lyme disease as well as the factors that contribute to its expanding range. The author is Dr. Richard S. Ostfeld, Senior Scientist and Animal Ecologist at the Cary Institute of Ecosystem Studies in Millbrook, New York.

Speaking about the research on Lyme Disease done at Cary Institute, Dr. Ostfeld notes: "Some spots within the Northeast are much riskier than others and we've developed specific hypotheses to explain why."

Ostfeld has studied the ecology of tick-borne diseases for more than twenty years and argues that an overly simplistic view of Lyme disease ecology and risk has caused us to focus on the wrong culprit—deer.

Arm and Foot Tremors as of 6-21-11

Here are the latest vids of my developing tremors. If anybody has good ideas about how to mitigate these or even if you have these symptoms and want to comment about them, I'd love to know about your experiences!

Arm tremors
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DIyLxit8oSw


Foot tremors
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YYUmziJxUFc

Filarial Worms Found in Ticks - Should Humans Get Wormed?

Filarial Worms

We shouldn’t be surprised, if our horses (and our dogs) get Lyme disease. They run in the fields and trot or run through forest trails…and we get Lyme the same way. Yet we wonder why horses and dogs recover so much faster.  One big difference is that most responsible animal owners have their animals wormed regularly.

Recently, Dr. Eva Sapi, Ph.D wrote a fascinating article about the role of parasites in chronic Lyme – similar to the role of biofilm the parasites hide and protect the spirochetes from antibiotics, herbal treatments and our own immune systems.

Dr. Eva Sapi Ph.D. is an Associate Professor of Biology and Environmental Science at the University of New Haven, where she combines teaching with research, leading graduate students in developing a higher level of understanding of Lyme disease. . She has organized three national Lyme disease conferences in the last several years and has taken over much of the research that Dr. Alan MacDonald conducted over the last 30 years regarding the importance of biofilms in eradicating Lyme disease.

Lyme update 6-20-11

Here's my update for today.

http://youtu.be/aLykIRrsIrw



Bob

What Do You Do If You Have Lyme Disease?

Not all Lyme Disease rashes look the same… here’s mine

 (Reposted from Renegade Health Article)
 

A few years ago, I found a tick on the back of my leg.

Living in Connecticut, I knew this was a regular occurrence. I’ve pulled ticks off of myself for as long as I can remember.

What was different about this one was that it hurt a bit at the point of the bite. Most of the others never did. Anyway, I pulled it out quickly and didn’t think much about it for about 24 hours. The reason I thought about it again, was that Annmarie noticed a round, red rash around where the bite was.

This is an erythema migrans (or EM or simply a bull’s eye rash) and is a sure sign of a Lyme infection. What I did to get rid of the infection and what I recommend others to research is fairly well documented on the blog, but the other day, I received this question and I think Lyme disease is worth writing about again.

Here’s the question from John:

“I know that Kevin cured/healed himself of Lyme Disease years ago. Could he please give me the steps that he had to take to rid himself of this dreaded disease. Please do not tell me to see a trained physician, after 9 years and 36 physicians I am still fighting the horrible Lyme plague and I don’t think seeing another physician is going to do it for me. I am looking for natural treatments rather than long term antibiotics. Please help me with what ever you can to fight this Lyme bacteria. Thank you, John K.”

Alright, John, I’m going to give you my best (and keep in mind these tips apply to many different types of illness)…

Latest Pesticide Info from EWG

EWG Dirty Dozen

 

Environment Working Group (EWG) just released its 2011 Shopper's Guide to Pesticides in Produce -- an update to the handy guide that helps you avoid the Dirty Dozen, conventional fruits and vegetables that are highest in pesticide residues -- and choose items from the Clean 15 list instead. Eat healthier and save money at the same time!

What's new? The popular apple is now at the top of the Dirty Dozen as the fruit or veggie highest in pesticides. And for the first time, cilantro is also on the list. Testing by federal scientists found 33 unapproved pesticides on 44 percent of the cilantro samples tested -- the highest percentage of unapproved pesticides recorded on any item since EWG started tracking the data in 1995. Mushrooms also make their first appearance on the Shopper's Guide as part of the Clean 15.

What else is new? Click here to see EWG's 2011 Shopper's Guide to Pesticides in Produce!

Lyme Disease Radio Show on KQED "Forum"

Lyme Disease Source: kqed.org The tick-borne illness Lyme disease is on the rise -- but many patients and their advocates say the disease is often underestimated, misdiagnosed and improperly treated. We discuss the effects of Lyme disease and the controversy surrounding its diagnosis and treatment.

Find a Lyme Doctor

Star Trek Voyager's
holographic doctor

Lyme is a clinical diagnosis. You need to go to a doctor who knows their stuff. Here is a doctor referral page. It's on lymediseaseassociation.org.

http://lymediseaseassociation.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=277&Itemid=74

New UC Davis study says Lyme hides out in lymph nodes

Researchers at the University of California, Davis, have found that Lyme bacteria "have developed a novel strategy for subverting the immune response of the animals they infect." Their study appears on-line in the journal Public Library of Science Biology. 

Lyme disease bacteria take cover in lymph nodes, study finds 

June 8, 2011
 

The bacteria that cause Lyme disease, one of the most important emerging diseases in the United States, appear to hide out in the lymph nodes, triggering a significant immune response, but one that is not strong enough to rout the infection, report researchers at the University of California, Davis.

Results from this groundbreaking study involving mice may explain why some people experience repeated infections of Lyme disease. The study appears online in the journal Public Library of Science Biology.

“Our findings suggest for the first time that Borrelia burgdorferi, the bacteria that cause Lyme disease in people, dogs and wildlife, have developed a novel strategy for subverting the immune response of the animals they infect,” said Professor Nicole Baumgarth, an authority on immune responses at the UC Davis Center for Comparative Medicine.

“At first it seems counter-intuitive that an infectious organism would choose to migrate to the lymph nodes where it would automatically trigger an immune response in the host animal,” Baumgarth said.

“But B. burgdorferi have apparently struck an intricate balance that allows the bacteria to both provoke and elude the animal’s immune response.” 
 

Read entire story:

http://www.lymedisease.org/news/lyme_disease_views/lymphnodes.html

Move Like a Hunter-Gatherer, Live Longer

Posted by: Dr. Mercola | June 09 2011 | 18,460 views

If you want to reduce your risk of chronic disease and live longer, you might want to try behaving like a hunter-gatherer. Hunter-gatherers tended to engage in short bursts of physical activity followed by periods of rest, and health experts are agreeing that this may be a healthier way to live.

Hunter-gatherers probably expended between 800 and 1,200 calories per day in physical activity. The average American today, however, expends only a small fraction of this energy -- with the result being that stamina, muscle strength, and flexibility aren't maintained.

According to Yahoo Health:

"What's more, our inactive ways cause us to miss out on yet more healthful habits enjoyed by hunter-gatherers -- socializing and outdoor living ... Human beings lived for eons as hunter-gatherers, so it's not surprising that our bodies are built to thrive under physically demanding conditions outside."

Sources:
    •     Yahoo Health May 24, 2011
    •     Progress in Cardiovascular Diseases 53 (2011) 471–479 [PDF]

Curious Reduction in Tremor Post Indigestion

The strangest thing happened to me last week, and I wonder if anybody has some input about what might have caused it. I went to a friend's house for dinner, and when I came home I had a really intense pain in my stomach. It felt like indigestion on a major level. In any case, after I had intense diarrhea that night and passed about everything that was in my gut, my tremoring pretty much stopped for the first time in a long time. It returned in the morning, as usual, when it's at its worst.
Mind you, I've been on all kinds of antibiotics for years, something like six years, and I've been doing intravenous Rocephin now for quite a while as well. Also Mepron, azithromycin, and a few other things, and tons of supplements. Also, intravenous glutathione, Meyer's cocktails, phospholipids, and the usual stuff that we all try. I have not done chelation of heavy metals yet, but that is on the horizon.
But, anyway there was this curious connection between my gut emptying out and some symptom relief. I'm wondering about it, and scratching my head. I have had colon hydrotherapy a number of times, and this effect did not happen. So it must've been higher in my gut that there maybe lives some toxic build up or something. If anybody has any ideas please let me know.

Keyboard Shortcuts for Mac

If you're an old PC hacker like me, you are used to using keyboard shortcuts to do lots of stuff. Rather than having to mouse around and point and click at stuff, keyboard shortcuts let you get things done quickly, such as switch between apps, windows within an app, cut, copy, paste, shutdown, restart, take a screenshot, print a document, eject a disk, and much more.

For the Mac, you can find complete set of these commands at the following address.

http://www.danrodney.com/mac/

Sleep Shortage Saps Immune Systems, Worsens Parkinson's

Sleeping well is one of the cornerstones of optimal health, and if you ignore your poor sleeping habits, you will, in time, pay a price.

Unfortunately, sleep deprivation is such a chronic condition these days that you might not even realize you suffer from it. According to the National Sleep Foundation's (NSF) 2010 "Sleep in America Poll," few Americans get sufficient amounts of sleep. Only four in 10 respondents said they got a good night's sleep every night, or almost every night, of the week.

Furthermore, according to a report in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA), lack of sleep can further exacerbate other serious and chronic diseases, such as:

Parkinson disease (PD)
Alzheimer disease (AD)
Multiple sclerosis (MS)
Gastrointestinal tract disorders
Kidney disease Behavioral problems in children

Read article:

http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2011/06/01/16-things-you-didnt-know-about-sleep.aspx

.

Cell Phones: Cancer Risk?

The NPR NEWS HOUR cell phone story tonight missed at least one if not two serious and obvious questions. The first is that "ear pieces" are nowadays mostly wireless. Why NPR interviewer Jeffrey Brown didn't ask expert Dr. Black why wearing wireless earpieces (Bluetooth headsets) is safer than using cell phones themselves, is an obvious oversight. My educated guess is that, due to the lower output power of BT devices, headsets are of lesser concern. But they typically stay on the head all day, emitting at least intermittent signals. So, this is of potential concern.

The second missed point addresses relative danger of exposure to other sources of microwave radiation (e.g. leakage from microwave ovens) and to the radiation from hundreds of radio and TV stations and their electromagnetic waves that are (ironically) bringing many of us the news of this exact story. These and other radio frequencies such as short-wave, fire and police communication, and numerous other frequencies of electromagnetic radiation are careening through our bodies all the time and have been since the advent of radio. Many of those signals (especially TV and radio) have to travel much further distances than a cell phone signal (which only has to reach the closest neighborhood cell receiver) and so are substantially stronger. They are also running through our bodies and brains 24/7. Has anyone done a study to determine whether living with constant bombardment of these TV and radio signals (and now WiFi) increases cancer? (Another obvious question missed in the interview.) True, a cell phone transmitter is placed adjacent to the head, while a TV transmitter is typically miles away. But what is at issue is the power (amplitude) of the signal and the frequency of the signal. A cell phone is typically a single signal (possibly s second signal for Internet data on smart phones that can receive and send both at the same time). But the aggregate milliwattage of all the radio signals in the atmosphere of a typical metro area must be considerable.

The way this story is being covered on all the news outlets exposes the scientific naivety of many journalists, and leaves the public prone to confusion and even to wasting their money on so-called cell-phone 'safety devices' such as the 'Bio-Chip' and other untested, and often phoney gadgets pawned by con artists and hucksters like snake oil, claiming to reduce the chances of brain cancer.