On to Plan B ...

On day four of my new treatment plan I had a reaction to the antibiotics and had to stop them. The concerns we had in regards to my struggle with systemic candida also proved to be a problem in that short time. My body has become very sensitive and was just not able to handle that punch! What is likely the cause of this is the state of my suppressed immune system combined with severe adrenal fatigue and fighting chronic infections for so long (Lyme and Bartonella). This was a concern of Dr. C's and ours from the start but he wanted to do a trial run with the antibiotics first to see if I would be able to tolerate them as he gets faster results incorporating them into the plan. The fact that I reacted after only four days is somewhat shocking to us but I'm trying not to get too discouraged and just focus on plan B now.

Dr. C is switching out the antibiotics with an herbal tincture called BLT Antimicrobial Support (Bartonella-Lyme-Tincture). This can be used in combination with antibiotics as well as on its own in place of antibiotics at a higher dose. It is often used for those who are too sensitive for antibiotics. I will be starting at a low dose to avoid too strong of a herxheimer reaction and daily increasing working up to a double dose which will be quite strong. This is being shipped to me so I will start this as soon as I receive it. After some time, once my immune system is in better shape we may try incorporating the antibiotics again to see if my body can handle them.

In combination with this we will be supporting my adrenals and my immune system as much as we can. For my immune system I will begin IV therapy again the last week of this month. This has added antimicrobial effect as well which is nice. We'll see how often I need these, I'm starting at once a week and hoping I can go down to only two a month soon. I responded very well to the IVs at twice a week in December so hopefully in combination with the new meds to kill off the infections and supporting my adrenals more we will finally be on the right track!

One thing I forgot to mention in my last post on my appointment is that he started me on a new homeopathic adrenal support medicine as well. This was to see if we can get results that way before trying the cortisol replacement. I take it just like you would the actual cortisol replacement drug: upon waking and after lunch but before 2pm. I take this in combination with the adrenal support supplements I have been on for the last year so with those together I am currently taking a pretty high dose. I noticed this past week that I have had slightly less brain fog and a slight increase in energy for a few hours during the day. I am not sure if that is due to this new adrenal medicine or the combination of them but it's such a nice improvement to enjoy, even if it's only for a few hours! It's such an unfamiliar feeling that I couldn't even pinpoint what exactly was different the first couple days! I find I am having trouble talking myself out of doing things I haven't been able to do in a while... I need to rest and let my body use that energy for healing!

On a walk on a snowy day. My doctor asked me to try walk OUTSIDE in the fresh air and work up to 5-10 minutes every day. I have been advised to do this by others too, but it's been hard for me to accept the fact that I have to walk so slow down sidewalks I used to run on. I am trying to focus on being thankful that I can still walk on them... because there are many days I can't even do that! It has been scary with all the ice lately but since I walk so slow anyways it's been ok... Brandon on the other hand... (picture bambi on ice for the first time!)

 Making a list of my supplements, vitamins, and medications as some have to be taken away from each other and multiple times a day. 3/4 of these I've been on and off of for the last year already. As I am usually very tired making a list that I can keep on the counter helps take the thinking out of it.

 A sign my mother in-law has hung in her hallway that I love. I am thankful for these promises!