Lyme Disease

Lyme Disease
Lyme disease, or Lyme borreliosis, s an emerging infectious disease caused by at least three species of bacteria belonging to the genus Borrelia.[2][3] Borrelia burgdorferi sensu stricto[4] is the main cause of Lyme disease in the United States, whereas Borrelia afzelii and Borrelia garinii cause most European cases. The disease is named after the town of Lyme, Connecticut, USA, where a number of cases were identified in 1975. Although Allen Steere realized in 1978 that Lyme disease was a tick-borne disease, the cause of the disease remained a mystery until 1981, when B. burgdorferi was identified by Willy Burgdorfer.

WHAT IS LYME DISEASE?
A broad view of what Lyme Disease actually is. Traditionally, Lyme is defined an infectious illness caused by the spirochete, Borrelia burgdorferi (Bb). Borrelia burgdorferi is a species of Gram negative bacteria of the spirochete class of the genus Borrelia. While this is certainly technically correct, clinically the illness often is much more than that, especially in the disseminated and chronic forms.

Furthermore, in the chronic form of Lyme, other factors can take on an ever more significant role- immune dysfunction, opportunistic infections, co- infections, biological toxins, metabolic and hormonal imbalances, deconditioning, etc. We will refer to infection with B. burgdorferi as Lyme Borreliosis (LB), and use the designation Lyme and Lyme Disease to refer to the more broad definition described above.

Instead, think of Lyme as the illness that results from the bite of an infected tick. This includes infection not only with B. burgdorferi, but the many co-infections that may also result.

Lyme has been implicated in Fibromyalgia, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, Multiple Sclerosis, Autism, ADD, ADHD, Migraines and many others.

The Infections:
CLASSIC LYME (Bb infection)
A species of Gram negative bacteria of the spirochete Its clinical features includes "Lyme Disease", often manifesting the characteristic Bullseye rash, Erythema Chronicum Migrans (a rash which spreads peripherally and sparing the central part), as well as myocarditis, cardiomyopathy, arrythmias, arthritis, arthralgia, menningitis, neuropathies and fascial nerve palsy

• Gradual onset of initial (viral-like) symptoms- this often makes it difficult to pinpoint when the infection began.
• Multisystem- almost always, in disseminated stages, involves more than one part or system (i.e. joint pain plus cognitive dysfunction).
• Migratory- first a knee will hurt, then over time this may lessen and the elbow or shoulder acts up, and later the joints calm down but headaches worsen.
• Stiff joints and loud joint crepitus, especially the neck (Lyme shrug).
• Headaches are often nuchal and associated with stiff, painful and crepitant neck.
• Afternoon fevers, often unnoticed- most Lyme patients have subnormal temperatures in the AM but rise to 99+ by early to mid-afternoon. No obvious sweats.
• Tiredness and limited stamina- often is a strong need to rest or even nap in the afternoon, especially when the flushed face and elevated temperature appears.
• 4-week cycles- Bb activity, and thus symptoms, wax and wane in a cycle that repeats roughly every four weeks. This cycle, if clear, can guide your treatments.
• Slow response to treatment, with an initial symptom flare in most (Herxheimer-like reaction) then improvement over weeks, punctuated by the monthly symptom flares. Likewise, if treatment is ended too soon, an initial period of well-being will gradually, over a few weeks, be replaced by a return of symptoms.
• EM rash in 25% to 50%

BARTONELLA & BARTONELLA-LIKE ORGANISMS
Bartonella (formerly known as Rochalimaea) is a genus of Gram-negative bacteria. Facultative intracellular parasites, Bartonella species can infect healthy people but are considered especially important as opportunistic pathogens. Bartonella are transmitted by insect vectors such as fleas, sand flies and mosquitoes. At least eight Bartonella species or subspecies are known to infect humans. In June 2007, a new species under the genus, called Bartonella melophagi, was discovered. This is the sixth species known to infect humans, and the ninth species and subspecies, overall, known to infect humans.

• Gradual onset of initial illness.
• CNS symptoms are out of proportion to the musculoskeletal ones- if a patient has no or minimal joint complaints but is severely encephalopathic (see below), then think of Bartonella/BLO.
• Obvious signs of CNS irritability can include muscle twitches, tremors, insomnia, seizures, agitation, anxiety, severe mood swings, outbursts and antisocial behavior.
• GI involvement may present as gastritis or abdominal pain (mesenteric adenitis).
• Sore soles, especially in the morning.
• Tender sub-cutaneous nodules along the extremities, especially outer thigh, shins, and occasionally along the triceps.
• Occasional lymphadenopathy.
• Morning fevers, usually around 99. Occasionally light sweats are noted.
• Elevated vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) occurs in a minority, but the degree of elevation correlates with activity of the infection and may be used to monitor treatment.
• Rapid response to treatment changes- often symptoms improve within days after antibiotics are begun, but relapses occur also within days if medication is withdrawn early.
• May have papular or linear red rashes (like stretch marks that do not always follow skin planes),
• especially in those with GI involvement.

BABESIA SPECIES
Babesia is a protozoan parasite of the blood that causes a hemolytic disease known as Babesiosis. There are over 100 species of Babesia identified; however only a handful have been documented as pathogenic in humans.[3]

• In the United States, Babesia microti is the most common strain associated with humans with other species infecting cattle, livestock and occasionally domestic animals. People who contract Babesiosis suffer from malaria-like symptoms. As a result malaria is a common misdiagnosis for the disease.
• Rapid onset of initial illness, often with sudden onset of high fever, severe headaches, sweats and fatigue, thus it is easy to know when infection began.
• Obvious sweats, usually at night, but can be day sweats as well.
• Air hunger, need to sigh and take a deep breath; dry cough without apparent reason.
• Headaches can be severe - dull, global (involves the whole head, described like the head is in a vise).
• Fatigue is prominent, does not clear with rest, and is made worse with exercise.
• Mental dullness and slowing of reactions and responses.
• Dizziness- more like a tippy feeling, and not vertigo or purely orthostasis.
• Symptoms cycle rapidly, with flares every four to six days.
• Hypercoaguable states are often associated with Babesia infections.
• Rarely, splenomegaly
• Very severe Lyme Disease can be a clue to Babesia infection, as it will make Lyme symptoms worse and Lyme treatments less effective.

EHRLICHIA/ANAPLASMA
Ehrlichia is a genus of rickettsiales bacteria. They are transmitted by ticks. Several species can cause infection (Ehrlichiosis) in humans. The genus is named after German microbiologist Paul Ehrlich. These diseases are considered zoonotic as the main reservoir for the pathogen is in animal, usually mammal species.

• Rapid onset of initial illness with fever, headache, prostration.
• Headaches are sharp, knife-like, and often behind the eyes.
• Muscle pain, not joint pain, and can be mild or severe.
• Low WBC count, elevated liver enzymes, and (rarely) inclusions seen in the WBCs.
• Rarely see diffuse vasculitic rash, including palms and soles (less than 10%).
• Rapid response to treatment.

DNA VIRUSES (HHV-6, EBV, CMV)

• Persistent fatigue, made worse with exercise.
• Sore throat, lymphadenopathy, and other viral-like complaints.
• May see elevated liver enzymes and low WBC counts.
• Autonomic dysfunction.
• XMRV - Virus
• Xenotropic murine leukemia virus-related virus (XMRV retrovirus) is a gammaretrovirus that was first described in 2006.XMRV has been isolated from human biological samples. Several reports have associated the virus with prostate cancer, and chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) but other reports do not find an association.It has not yet been established whether XMRV is a cause of disease.
• Prostate Cancer
• Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

Source: Wikipedia


Diagnosis
We offer state of the art testing from the best labs. As the understanding of Lyme and its co-factors grows, testing gets better.

We offer extensive testing:

1. Lyme and Co-Infection Testing
2. Heavy Metals
3. HPU/KPU Testing
4. CD57
5. Detoxification pathways
6. Co-factors (Vitamins and Minerals)
7. Amino Acids
8. Fatty Acids
9. Neuro-chemistry
10. Food allergies
11. Gluten Sensitivity

Treatment
Dr. Forrest takes a very comprehensive approach to Lyme disease diagnosis and treatment. Treatments include

• Pathogen Killers
• Homeopathic Drainage Remedies
• Biofilm Busters
• Heavy Metal Detox
• Herbal Remedies
• Frequency Specific Microcurrent

Protocols
1. Researched Nutritionals.
2. Byron White Formulas
3. Cowden Condensed Protocol
4. Klinghart Protocol

If you wish to be treated by Dr. Forrest please contact our office to make an appointment. 408.354.4262.