Here are some statements about the efficacy of hyperthermia (making the body hot, like having a huge fever, e.g. 105 degrees) in order to kill Lyme bacteria in the body. I find this line of reasoning very hopeful and have been using a Far Infra-re (FIR) sauna for a few months now, along with hot baths to see what happens to me.
These comments are from patients, doctors, and researchers. I have removed the names because this is another one of those areas of experimental treatments for Lyme and its coinfections and I do not want to contribute to the collection of often-illigitimate reasons that well-intentioned LLMDs get hauled up in front of medical review boards for treating chronic Lyme disease. Read from the bottom up, if you want to see the comments in chronological order.
I am posting this to the two SF area Lyme groups (Meetups) as well as to my Lyme blog which is at bobcowart.blogspot.com.
-Bob
I did hyperthermia with far infrared sauna and PEMF in a clinic in Freeport, ME.
The head sticks out of the sauna. See image attached. This avoids over stressing the brain with heat.
My target was 104F Core temperature measured with a probe sub lingual or axillary. We are looking at disposable rectal and swallowed probes.
My therapy was monitored by a cardiologist---me, and continuously by an assistant who recorded temperature and my condition throughout the sessions.
We started at lower body core temperature for short periods of time and gradually worked up higher. Usual temperatures are not to exceed 102F. My target was 104F.
For several sessions I used HeartMath HRV to tolerate high temperatures longer.
The treatment sessions started with a steam shower, then sitting in a hot tub for 20minutes, then progressing to the sauna so there was a gradual warming of the body.
During and after the sauna I received body work.
I had topical ozone during the sauna.
I used liposomal antimicrobial and nutritional supplements which I took along with antibiotics before the sauna so that they would be reaching peak plasma levels during the highest temperatures.
Hydration is important and I received water with electrolytes before, during and after.
Body weight should be measured before and after, and weight loss due to sweat should be replaced with hydrating fluid.
I think this treatment, 4 days per week for 6 weeks, then 2 days per week for several months was helpful in my early recovery of neuromuscular symptoms.
If tagged onto the IV and Oral PK [Patricia Kane] Protocol and systemic Ozone therapy in my opinion this is a good adjunctive to treat Lyme and co-infections.
Cc: MMI List
Subject: Re: [MMI] Massachusetts: Treating Lyme in Germany with whole-body hyperthermia
Actually, many years ago Stony Brook did a hot tub study. They found that they needed 110 degree water to get the core to 104.
Very few could tolerate that so the study was terminated.
Better to raise the heat internally.
One of the goals of my Lyme exercise protocol is to raise the core temperature. It may take time to get to the point of high core temps, but between benefits to immunity, increased perfusion and higher temps, there are major benefits if you stick with it.
Happy sweating!
Dr. B
Subject: Re: [MMI] Massachusetts: Treating Lyme in Germany with whole-body hyperthermia
I may have mentioned this before, but this low body temperature issue may explain why so many with thyroid issues do not recover from Lyme disease or chronic fatigue syndrome.
I am also researching the idea of getting in a hot tub at 104 degrees for some period of time. Trouble is, the risk of being in high temperature water for a long time can lower blood pressure and affect the heart. Risky business.
Family says experimental treatment cured daughter's Lyme disease
Testing revealed Sara had nine of the 10 markers indicating a Lyme diagnosis; a conclusion that motivated her parents, Bob and Tina Mulhern. For months, doctors tried several antibiotics, both oral and intravenous but they weren't helping.
I was just researching. I'd be up until 3 in the morning," Tina Mulhern said.
That research led them to the St. Georg Klinik in Germany. Doctors there believe whole-body hyperthermia treatments can rid the body of Lyme. A patient's body temperature is raised above 105 degrees. The clinic said that kills off the bacteria making them sick.
Here's the link for the Klinik Homepage:
http://www.st-george-hospital.com/
Other information from the site:
DEADLY HEAT FOR BORRELIA BACTERIA – WHOLE-BODY HYPERTHERMIA IN CHRONIC LYME DISEASE
Mode of action of extreme whole-body hyperthermia
The effect of hyperthermia in the treatment of tumors is now well understood. Unlike in healthy cells, cancer cell metabolism is anaerobic. This difference results in these cells dying under high fever as they are unable to withstand the heat.
The effect is similar in the treatment of Lyme disease. The Borrelia burgdorferi bacterium is thermolabile and has difficulty withstanding high fever. It dies at a temperature of 41.6 °C/ 106.88 °F.
At the same time, the elevated temperature activates macrophages (cells that engulf and digest microbes) within the body, which can eliminate the bacteria.
The few contraindications for hyperthermia treatment include:
-pronounced myelosuppression
-pronounced cardiac/pulmonary insufficiency > 2nd degree
-thrombosis, treatment with phenprocoumon
-cerebral hypoperfusion
-lymphedema
Side effects: A range of cardiovascular problems, hypotension, tachycardia, arrhythmias, etc. can occur during treatment, although these can be reduced to a minimum through careful preparation. We have carried out whole-body hyperthermia more than 18,000 times in the last twenty years, and side effects such as these have only occurred in less than one percent of cases.
Because the blood vessels expand during the heating phase, a slight drop in blood pressure is often observed. This can be countered through increased fluid replacement or the use of volume replacement solutions.
Seizures are extremely rare and are treated with intravenous diazepam. With proper positioning, only about three percent of patients experience lesions caused by thermal pressure. Burning on urination is normal within the first 36 hours, but requires treatment in protracted cases. Careful selection of patients in compliance with the above recommendations can reduce the risks associated with systemic whole-body hyperthermia to a minimum. In general, this form of therapy is considered to be highly effective and well tolerated.
LYME TREATMENT PROTOCOL
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