http://betterhealthguy.com/joomla/blog/238-bioresource-2011-conference
Sunday, May 15, 2011
BioResource 2011 Conference
http://betterhealthguy.com/joomla/blog/238-bioresource-2011-conference
Saturday, May 14, 2011
Wisdom-Words from Ms. Dantes
When we are willing to help another,
even if we never receive recognition,
or get something in return,
we are living our Spiritual Life.
We hope that this is a week of discovery and insight for you.
from the Friends of Ms. Dantes (5/14/11)
To reply privately to Ms. Dantes, please click here:
msdantes@ligiadantesfoundation.org
To respond to Wisdom Words, please click here:
wisdomwords@ligiadantesfoundation.org
To learn more please visit: www.ligiadantesfoundation.org
New dermatitis update
 |
| What is this stuff?? Aargh. |
[Next day] After seeing the dermatologist today, it was her opinion that what is going on is simply contact dermatitis (again), not a fungal infection or bacterial infection. We decided that next time I insert the needle I have to use probably just paper tape and nothing else. Then I will use that water protection barrier when I take a shower, and then remove it.
Negative Test? You may still have Lyme disease...
S.L.A.M.
Sturbridge Lyme Awareness of Massachusetts
S.L.A.M. is located in central Massachusetts and is committed to raising awareness of Chronic Lyme Disease and supporting legislation for better treatment and a cure. Chronic Lyme remains controversial in the medical community and until legislation is passed, Lyme sufferers struggle to get appropriate treatment and insurance coverage.
Over 300,000 people a year are now affected, in this country, by Lyme Disease and the co-infections that are associated with Tick Borne Disease (TBD). Lyme Disease out-numbers AIDS 5 to 1. Current testing is poor which means many go undiagnosed or misdiagnosed for far too long. Poor testing leads to Chronic Lyme Disease which can affect every part of the body. Fibromyalgia, MS, ALS and Autism are just a few of the diseases linked to Lyme Disease.
Currently our Lyme-literate doctors are too few and far between. These doctors, however, are our key to being properly tested for Lyme and the co-infections that might be making you ill. They are our only hope for up-to-date treatment of Lyme and TBD's. We can help you find one.
ILADS (International Lyme and Associated Disease Society) is training our doctors to become Lyme literate through their Physician Training Program, and are key to fighting for research and a cure for Chronic Lyme Disease. Contact ILADS for help finding a doctor and for great information. www.ILADS.org
Working with ILADS and helping to fund the program, is Turn the Corner Foundation. Visit their website for great information to educate and to donate. www.turnthecorner.
The Lyme Disease Association has worked tirelessly to raise funds and has helped in opening the Lyme Disease Research Center at Columbia University in New York. Both sites have great Lyme information to educate yourself and information on how you can help in the fight for a cure!
www.columbia-
Time For Lyme www.timeforlyme.
While S.L.A.M. works with the lyme community to raise awareness of Chronic Lyme and works in support of State and Federal Lyme legislation, we ask that you contact your state legislators to support any Lyme legislation that comes their way. Click here to help. http://www.cwork.
S.L.A.M. is host to a monthly support group, "Tick Talk", which is open to lyme sufferers and their family members. Please see our calendar page for dates and times or contact S.L.A.M@msn.
Together we can make a difference!
S.L.A.M@msn.
Governor Deval Patrick has signed a Proclamation declaring the month of May as "Lyme Disease Awareness Month" in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts! With the help of Senator Stephen Brewer who wrote the Governor on our behalf, this May will be the first official "Lyme Disease Awareness Month" ever in MA.
Please take part in "Ribbons Across America"! Hang those lime green 'ribbons' for all to see for the month of May! "Ribbons" serves to raise awareness and to remember those who have lost their battle with tick borne illness.
Sturbridge Lyme Awareness of Massachusetts
S.L.A.M. is located in central Massachusetts and is committed to raising awareness of Chronic Lyme Disease and supporting legislation for better treatment and a cure. Chronic Lyme remains controversial in the medical community and until legislation is passed, Lyme sufferers struggle to get appropriate treatment and insurance coverage.
Over 300,000 people a year are now affected, in this country, by Lyme Disease and the co-infections that are associated with Tick Borne Disease (TBD). Lyme Disease out-numbers AIDS 5 to 1. Current testing is poor which means many go undiagnosed or misdiagnosed for far too long. Poor testing leads to Chronic Lyme Disease which can affect every part of the body. Fibromyalgia, MS, ALS and Autism are just a few of the diseases linked to Lyme Disease.
Currently our Lyme-literate doctors are too few and far between. These doctors, however, are our key to being properly tested for Lyme and the co-infections that might be making you ill. They are our only hope for up-to-date treatment of Lyme and TBD's. We can help you find one.
ILADS (International Lyme and Associated Disease Society) is training our doctors to become Lyme literate through their Physician Training Program, and are key to fighting for research and a cure for Chronic Lyme Disease. Contact ILADS for help finding a doctor and for great information. www.ILADS.org
Working with ILADS and helping to fund the program, is Turn the Corner Foundation. Visit their website for great information to educate and to donate. www.turnthecorner.
The Lyme Disease Association has worked tirelessly to raise funds and has helped in opening the Lyme Disease Research Center at Columbia University in New York. Both sites have great Lyme information to educate yourself and information on how you can help in the fight for a cure!
www.columbia-
Time For Lyme www.timeforlyme.
While S.L.A.M. works with the lyme community to raise awareness of Chronic Lyme and works in support of State and Federal Lyme legislation, we ask that you contact your state legislators to support any Lyme legislation that comes their way. Click here to help. http://www.cwork.
S.L.A.M. is host to a monthly support group, "Tick Talk", which is open to lyme sufferers and their family members. Please see our calendar page for dates and times or contact S.L.A.M@msn.
Together we can make a difference!
S.L.A.M@msn.
Governor Deval Patrick has signed a Proclamation declaring the month of May as "Lyme Disease Awareness Month" in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts! With the help of Senator Stephen Brewer who wrote the Governor on our behalf, this May will be the first official "Lyme Disease Awareness Month" ever in MA.
Please take part in "Ribbons Across America"! Hang those lime green 'ribbons' for all to see for the month of May! "Ribbons" serves to raise awareness and to remember those who have lost their battle with tick borne illness.
Monday, May 9, 2011
Meditation program mends troubled Visitacion Valley Middle School
Every day before class, Visitacion Valley Middle School students pass an informal memorial known as the “R.I.P. wall,” a reminder of trouble that awaits them when the afternoon bell rings.
In 2004, two students discovered the partially decomposed body of a 19-year-old stabbing victim. Later that year, a gunman brazenly stormed into the school, threatened to kill a teacher and robbed two employees. In the 2009-10 school year, one-fifth of the students had one or both parents incarcerated.
“Everybody in this school was either related to somebody who has been shot, who did the shooting, or who saw a shooting,” said Jim Dierke, the school principal. “We had kids who couldn’t learn.”
In the spring of 2007, Dierke decided he would try a simple solution.
The quiet time program involves the ancient techniques of transcendental meditation, conducted twice daily in 12-minute sessions before and after class.
The first announcement comes over the school’s intercom around 8:45 a.m. — “Prepare for quiet time,” — and the teachers ring a little bell to mark the beginning of the exercise. Most students close their eyes; others cover their faces with their hands and focus on the repetition of a mantra.
“It takes away the anger,” said Charles Ollie, an eighth-grader at the school. “Your brain is like a lake holding in water, and when we meditate, the flood gates open and the water is released.”
Dierke and the school staff credit the program with reducing violence, increasing attendance and test scores and dramatically decreasing suspensions.
Other good things are happening, too, teachers said. The volleyball team made the playoffs this year for the first time in a long time, and some of the eighth-graders are making it into The City’s top high schools, such as Lowell.
Most of the annual $175,000 funding for the program is provided by the New York-based David Lynch Foundation, founded by the TV and movie director. The money is used to pay for dedicated staff to run the quiet time program.
Opponents call it “stealth religion” that violates church-state separation laws because of its association with Eastern religions, but advocates insist that the practice predates Hinduism by thousands of years.
“They come from broken homes, foster care and group home settings,” said Brian Borsos, a special education teacher. “This is a practice that helps them go back and face what they need to face. It’s a skill they take with them for the rest of their lives.”
Program is director Lynch's brainchild
A handful of San Francisco’s troubled public schools have turned to a transcendental meditation program known as quiet time to relieve high stress in students, made possible by grants from the New York-based David Lynch Foundation.
The TV and film director launched the foundation in 2005 with support from two surviving members of the Beatles and their former meditation instructor Maharishi Mahesh Yogi. But foundation leaders say the practice has nothing to do with religion and is not a church-state separation issue.
Save some minor grumbling and initial skepticism, the San Francisco version of school meditation has not experienced nearly the opposition faced in 2006, when the foundation withdrew funding after parents at Terra Linda High School in San Rafael denouced it as a cult.
Bob Roth, the foundation’s vice president, said the programs in San Francisco have gotten better reception.
In 2004, two students discovered the partially decomposed body of a 19-year-old stabbing victim. Later that year, a gunman brazenly stormed into the school, threatened to kill a teacher and robbed two employees. In the 2009-10 school year, one-fifth of the students had one or both parents incarcerated.
“Everybody in this school was either related to somebody who has been shot, who did the shooting, or who saw a shooting,” said Jim Dierke, the school principal. “We had kids who couldn’t learn.”
In the spring of 2007, Dierke decided he would try a simple solution.
The quiet time program involves the ancient techniques of transcendental meditation, conducted twice daily in 12-minute sessions before and after class.
The first announcement comes over the school’s intercom around 8:45 a.m. — “Prepare for quiet time,” — and the teachers ring a little bell to mark the beginning of the exercise. Most students close their eyes; others cover their faces with their hands and focus on the repetition of a mantra.
“It takes away the anger,” said Charles Ollie, an eighth-grader at the school. “Your brain is like a lake holding in water, and when we meditate, the flood gates open and the water is released.”
Dierke and the school staff credit the program with reducing violence, increasing attendance and test scores and dramatically decreasing suspensions.
Other good things are happening, too, teachers said. The volleyball team made the playoffs this year for the first time in a long time, and some of the eighth-graders are making it into The City’s top high schools, such as Lowell.
Most of the annual $175,000 funding for the program is provided by the New York-based David Lynch Foundation, founded by the TV and movie director. The money is used to pay for dedicated staff to run the quiet time program.
Opponents call it “stealth religion” that violates church-state separation laws because of its association with Eastern religions, but advocates insist that the practice predates Hinduism by thousands of years.
“They come from broken homes, foster care and group home settings,” said Brian Borsos, a special education teacher. “This is a practice that helps them go back and face what they need to face. It’s a skill they take with them for the rest of their lives.”
Program is director Lynch's brainchild
A handful of San Francisco’s troubled public schools have turned to a transcendental meditation program known as quiet time to relieve high stress in students, made possible by grants from the New York-based David Lynch Foundation.
The TV and film director launched the foundation in 2005 with support from two surviving members of the Beatles and their former meditation instructor Maharishi Mahesh Yogi. But foundation leaders say the practice has nothing to do with religion and is not a church-state separation issue.
Save some minor grumbling and initial skepticism, the San Francisco version of school meditation has not experienced nearly the opposition faced in 2006, when the foundation withdrew funding after parents at Terra Linda High School in San Rafael denouced it as a cult.
Bob Roth, the foundation’s vice president, said the programs in San Francisco have gotten better reception.
Saturday, May 7, 2011
New study of antibiotics & Lyme just released
Evaluation of in-vitro antibiotic susceptibility of different
morphological forms of Borrelia burgdorferi
morphological forms of Borrelia burgdorferi
Original Research
Authors: Sapi E, Kaur N, Anyanwu S, Luecke DF, Datar A, Patel S, Rossi M,
Stricker RB
Published Date May 2011 , Volume 2011:4 Pages 97 - 113 DOI
10.2147/IDR.
Results: Doxycycline reduced spirochetal structures ~90% but increased the
number of round body forms about twofold. Amoxicillin reduced spirochetal
forms by ~85%–90% and round body forms by ~68%, while treatment with
metronidazole led to reduction of spirochetal structures by ~90% and round body
forms by ~80%.
Tigecycline and tinidazole treatment reduced both spirochetal and round
body forms by ~80%–90%. When quantitative effects on biofilm-like colonies
were evaluated, the five antibiotics reduced formation of these colonies by
only 30%–55%. In terms of qualitative effects, only tinidazole reduced
viable organisms by ~90%.
Following treatment with the other antibiotics, viable organisms were
detected in 70%–85% of the biofilm-like colonies.
Conclusion: Antibiotics have varying effects on the different
morphological forms of B. burgdorferi. Persistence of viable organisms in round body
forms and biofilm-like colonies may explain treatment failure and persistent
symptoms following antibiotic therapy of Lyme disease.
Read full article here _http://www.dovepres
On the resulting page, click on the "Download Article" button to see full 17-page article.number of round body forms about twofold. Amoxicillin reduced spirochetal
forms by ~85%–90% and round body forms by ~68%, while treatment with
metronidazole led to reduction of spirochetal structures by ~90% and round body
forms by ~80%.
Tigecycline and tinidazole treatment reduced both spirochetal and round
body forms by ~80%–90%. When quantitative effects on biofilm-like colonies
were evaluated, the five antibiotics reduced formation of these colonies by
only 30%–55%. In terms of qualitative effects, only tinidazole reduced
viable organisms by ~90%.
Following treatment with the other antibiotics, viable organisms were
detected in 70%–85% of the biofilm-like colonies.
Conclusion: Antibiotics have varying effects on the different
morphological forms of B. burgdorferi. Persistence of viable organisms in round body
forms and biofilm-like colonies may explain treatment failure and persistent
symptoms following antibiotic therapy of Lyme disease.
Read full article here _http://www.dovepres
Relief is spelled 'Glutathione'
Today I finally found some relief. My LLMD was right about the need for detoxification. I went over to see Carol at Inn Fusion (about a 30-minute drive) and had a triple infusion (for $255):
- Glutathione 1400 mg 'push'
- Lipostabil (Phosphatidylcholine)
- 'Myers cocktail' (see http://www.orthomolecularnutrition.net/information.html)
After that I felt great. My tremors were almost completely stopped, I went out to dinner with friends and was comfortable and could actually sit around without body parts flailing or sloshing soup on my neighbor. Then watched a movie. Not perfect, but much improved. I'll keep track of how long the effects last.
So, what does this mean? Maybe my primary problem just has to do with detoxification, not necessarily Lyme or PD? In the meantime, I'm tempted to buy some IV glutathione and the other things as well, and learn how to administer them to myself without paying $200+ and a drive to Marin to do it.
I'm going to double my dosing of oral Phosphatidylcholine, as well as being vigilant about taking oral glutathione (Redisorb's Phospholipid Glutathione).
[Added one day later...] Well, the improvement was good but short lived. Same old stuff this morning. Tremors, shakes, rigidity, etc. But at least I have a new clue to perhaps solving a part of the overall jig-saw puzzle. Perhaps I will have to IV some of those compounds every day. Stay tuned.
[Added three days later...] Just had a conversation with Carole Weiner at Inn Fusion. She said that her Parkinson's patients benefit from Glutathione and often get as much as 3000 mg. Her guess was that it was the Glutathione that provided the relief for me. To test the concept, this afternoon I will get 1500 mg again, IV, and see what happens....[5 hrs later...] Well, we tried the glutathione (in a 100 ml saline dilution drip) and I sat around the clinic for two hours to see what the results would be. Sadly, not much. So then we injected two vials of phospholipids via a push. Then there was some mild improvement. The drive home was much easier than the drive over to the clinic, for example. My right arm wasn't rigid, and the left foot was much more relaxed. There was still some tremor, some significant weakness, some bradykinesia. Then again, the glutathione and phospholipids were administered today in reverse order, compared to Friday. Normally, one would get glutathione last. There is likely some synergistic effect between these supplements. More remains to be experimented with, such as trying a total repeat of the Meyer's -> Phospholipids -> Glutathione trio. I may do that later in the week. Sigh.
[Added three days later...] Just had a conversation with Carole Weiner at Inn Fusion. She said that her Parkinson's patients benefit from Glutathione and often get as much as 3000 mg. Her guess was that it was the Glutathione that provided the relief for me. To test the concept, this afternoon I will get 1500 mg again, IV, and see what happens....[5 hrs later...] Well, we tried the glutathione (in a 100 ml saline dilution drip) and I sat around the clinic for two hours to see what the results would be. Sadly, not much. So then we injected two vials of phospholipids via a push. Then there was some mild improvement. The drive home was much easier than the drive over to the clinic, for example. My right arm wasn't rigid, and the left foot was much more relaxed. There was still some tremor, some significant weakness, some bradykinesia. Then again, the glutathione and phospholipids were administered today in reverse order, compared to Friday. Normally, one would get glutathione last. There is likely some synergistic effect between these supplements. More remains to be experimented with, such as trying a total repeat of the Meyer's -> Phospholipids -> Glutathione trio. I may do that later in the week. Sigh.
Thursday, May 5, 2011
66 Studies of Cyst Form of Borrelia
Morphological Transformation in Borrelia burgdorferi and Other Spirochetes: Observations of Round Forms & Blebs, 1905-2010
(53 pages) 262 Studies (63 on Lyme disease; 199 on other spirochetes) Last Updated: 26 November 2010
Lyme Disease Spirochete on Daily Kos
Interesting spirochete article today:
Spirochetes are a type of bacteria. Some spirochetes cause illnesses and some don't. Some are found in humans and some aren't. They are very slender and long and often look like corkscrews or spirals when viewed microscopically. They are difficult to see under a standard light microscope, so dark field microscopy must be used to view them. Spirochetes are also very difficult to grow in culture and some cannot be cultivated at all. Some spirochetes inhabit water environments, while others are parasites of arthropods (such as ticks and lice) as well as warm-blooded animals like us. Spirochetes that cause diseases include Borrelia burgdorferi (Bb), the agent of Lyme disease, Treponema pallidum, the cause of syphilis, and Leptospira interrogans, the agent of leptospirosis.
Spirochetes are a type of bacteria. Some spirochetes cause illnesses and some don't. Some are found in humans and some aren't. They are very slender and long and often look like corkscrews or spirals when viewed microscopically. They are difficult to see under a standard light microscope, so dark field microscopy must be used to view them. Spirochetes are also very difficult to grow in culture and some cannot be cultivated at all. Some spirochetes inhabit water environments, while others are parasites of arthropods (such as ticks and lice) as well as warm-blooded animals like us. Spirochetes that cause diseases include Borrelia burgdorferi (Bb), the agent of Lyme disease, Treponema pallidum, the cause of syphilis, and Leptospira interrogans, the agent of leptospirosis.
 |
| Borrelia burgdorferi viewed with flourescent antibody stain |
Had an intense herxing day
Today, and in fact the entire last five days have been marked by an exceptional amount of symptom increase. I can only hope it is the result of herxing and not increased damage to the substantia nigra (the portion of the central brain responsible for producing dopamine). There is some concern that the brain inflammation produced by Lyme infection (and even from die off from antibiotics) can hurt the brain and cause worsening Parkinson's symptoms such as those that I have: Tremors, loss of balance, difficulty speaking, swallowing, initiating movement, and sleep issues.
All these sx have been worse lately, while I have been doing the therapeutic dose of 4 g of IV Rocephin per day. This is a very strong dose. In addition I am taking Zithromax and Mepron daily. So it is not surprising that I could be herxing. Still, it was very difficult today. My feet are beginning to really hurt as a result of the relentless quivering, especially of the toes on the left foot.
All these sx have been worse lately, while I have been doing the therapeutic dose of 4 g of IV Rocephin per day. This is a very strong dose. In addition I am taking Zithromax and Mepron daily. So it is not surprising that I could be herxing. Still, it was very difficult today. My feet are beginning to really hurt as a result of the relentless quivering, especially of the toes on the left foot.
Dr. Eric Gordon answered a question about Parkinson's and Lyme on the Gordon Medical site. I repeat it here, with credit to the CALDA site and Gordon Medical site:
 |
| Dr. Eric Gordon |
Question: I have Lyme and have received extensive treatment. I have now been diagnosed with Parkinson's which does respond to dopamine. Can Lyme imitate Parkinson's?Answer: Lyme can cause Parkinson's in a person with the right genetic and environmental risks and exposures. Parkinson's is probably a result of inflammation in the brain resulting in destruction of dopamine producing cells.
Treating the Lyme will help reduce inflammation. If the Lyme is gone dormant or quiescent, and the Parkinson symptoms persist, treatment with IV phospholipids and glutathione will help the Parkinson's. Multiple other supportive measures are useful, including structural and nutritional treatments to reestablish a normal balance of immune function. Heavy metal toxicity is often an inciting cause of Parkinson's and a cause of failure of antibiotic therapy in chronic Lyme.There is no one treatment for persistent Lyme. Long term antibiotics may be needed, especially for severe neurologic symptoms. You need to have your Lyme status reevaluated to make a better decision on what to do next.Dopamine is not a long term solution for Parkinson's. It is an effective band-aid.
Dr. Eric Gordon practices in Santa Rosa, California, at Gordon Medical Associates, www.gordonmedical.com.
CALDA is making this blog available to address unanswered questions posed by patients at the recent "Putting Lyme Behind You" conference. Doctors who were panelists at the conference will take turns answering questions, so you will learn different points of view. Check their site weekly for updates.
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