Patients diagnosed with Lyme disease and chronic symptoms often seek alternative treatments that have not been substantiated in scientific trials. These treatments include oxygen and reactive oxygen therapies, nutritional therapy, chelation therapy, herbal therapy and others.<\/p>\n
Despite anecdotal reports of symptom relief, frequency-generating devices like Rife machines have never been proven to aid Lyme disease. These tools are best used as bridge tools that provide symptom modulation while comprehensive, root-cause care is underway.<\/p>\n
When treated properly with antibiotics, the debilitating Lyme disease bacterium (Borrelia burgdorferi) can be effectively eradicated. But for some patients, symptoms persist or even recur, making the condition known as chronic Lyme disease (CLD). A growing number of people report that their Lyme disease symptoms can be relieved with hyperbaric oxygen therapy, or HBOT. The treatment involves lying down in a pressurized chamber and breathing 100% oxygen at elevated atmospheric pressure for sessions that last up to two hours.<\/p>\n
The pressurized chamber\u2019s effects are painless and noninvasive. The body\u2019s natural reaction to breathing in pure oxygen at higher atmospheric pressure helps promote tissue repair and growth by enhancing the body\u2019s natural healing processes. In addition, the HBOT environment is hostile to the spirochete bacteria that cause Lyme disease, killing them and interfering with their life cycle.<\/p>\n
A wide range of medical conditions can be treated with HBOT, including diabetic ulcers and wounds that won\u2019t heal. It is also effective in treating traumatic brain injury and other neurological disorders. HBOT is also a powerful adjunctive treatment for cancer patients receiving radiation treatment by reducing inflammation and improving blood flow to the affected area.<\/p>\n
In a case study of a patient with CLD, the doctor reported that \u201cthe use of HBOT eradicated Borrelia spirochetes and improved all chronic subjective symptoms.\u201d Those symptoms include fatigue, headache, numbness, joint pain, cognitive deficits and depression. In addition, the patient\u2019s immune system was restored to a healthy state.<\/p>\n
At Bay Area Hyperbarics, we have used HBOT to treat dozens of Lyme disease patients over the years, with 70% of them achieving full recovery. HBOT destroys the spirochetes, kills other bacteria, supercharges antibiotics and reduces the inflammatory damage that occurs when the spirochetes enter the nervous system.<\/p>\n
Before the HBOT treatment begins, we will explain how it works and discuss your health history with you. Then, you will be asked to lie down and relax. When the treatment begins, the chamber\u2019s pressure will rise to 2.5 times the normal air pressure. You may feel your ears ringing as the pressure changes, and swallowing or chewing gum can help to clear them.<\/p>\n
Serrapeptase, also known as serra enzyme or serrapeptidase is the most potent proteolytic (protein-dissolving) enzyme available as a nutritional supplement. It is used to help the body eliminate dead cells and excess fibrin, allowing the healing process to begin. The enzyme has been shown to relieve pain, improve conditions in chronic respiratory diseases and prevent blood clots. It can be found in foods such as papaya, pineapple and kiwi. Different companies sell the enzyme with slightly different names, however a common one is SerraPlus+.<\/p>\n
Studies have shown that serrapeptase can reduce inflammation and block chemical messengers involved in the production of pain. It can be taken to ease the symptoms of many health conditions, including fibrocystic breasts, sinusitis, arthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. It is also helpful in preventing and breaking down cysts in the liver, pancreas and lungs.<\/p>\n
Serrapeptase can be purchased in the form of a tablet, liquid or capsule. The dosage varies according to the condition being treated. The most effective dosage is between 10 and 30 mg of the enzyme daily. It should be taken on an empty stomach. It can be bought from natural health stores or online. It is safe for most people to use, but may cause some mild side effects such as gastrointestinal upset or rashes. It is important to consult with a health care professional before taking serrapeptase, especially if you are on medication. Serrapeptase has fibrinolytic properties and can thin the blood, so it should be avoided by those taking anticoagulant or antiplatelet medications.<\/p>\n
Some people search for unorthodox treatments to cure Lyme disease. These treatments often involve prolonged antibiotic regimens or other methods that depart from mainstream medical practices. Hyperbaric oxygen therapy is also a treatment for Lyme disease, but there have been no clinical trials to demonstrate that it is effective. The treatment is expensive, time-consuming and can result in complications such as middle ear barotrauma. Other therapies such as chelation therapy and intravenous silver infusion are also unproven.<\/p>\n
A Rife machine is a frequency-generating device that some people use to treat Lyme disease and other chronic infections. It sends out electrical or electromagnetic frequencies that supporters believe can tune into bacteria, viruses, and other microbes and interfere with their metabolism or other vital functions. Some people report positive effects from these devices, but it is important to recognize that many of these stories are anecdotal and may reflect nervous system calming or placebo effects rather than true infection clearance. These devices are not FDA-cleared and should never be viewed as a cure or primary treatment.<\/p>\n
Many people with Lyme and post-TLDDS experience symptoms that wax and wane, driven by immune overactivation, inflammation, mitochondrial dysfunction, past trauma, environmental triggers like mold, and more. They are desperate for anything that moves the needle without wrecking their systems further, which is understandable. That desire often leads to bridge tools like a Rife machine, which can manage pain and calm the nervous system temporarily, while comprehensive root-cause work continues.<\/p>\n
Some of these tools include dietary changes, herbal treatments, and a wide range of supplements. Silver is sometimes used to kill Lyme burgdorferi, but it should only be administered under a doctor\u2019s supervision because it can have a very strong and adverse reaction in some patients.<\/p>\n
In addition, there are a large number of alternative therapies for Lyme disease that have not been tested in scientifically accepted research. This makes it very difficult to assess their effectiveness.<\/p>\n
There is a lot of information about these therapies on the Internet, and some of it can be convincing, especially to vulnerable patients who are suffering from a debilitating illness. However, it is essential for patients to find trustworthy, grounded information on the Internet before spending thousands of dollars on unproven therapies that could make their condition worse. The Internet has revolutionized access to accurate information, and it is a gift to patients who need it. However, the Internet has also democratized access to misinformation about alternative therapies for Lyme disease. It is essential for clinicians to help their patients sort through the available information so they do not spend money on false promises or worsen their symptoms by accident.<\/p>\n
Bismuth (Bi) is a naturally occurring metal that is similar to tin and lead but is less toxic. It is a heavy, brittle silvery-white metal that can form indistinct crystalline structures and has a low melting point. It is also diamagnetic, meaning it can repel magnets and levitate them. It is found in the Earth’s crust and is usually produced as a byproduct of mining other metal ores, such as lead or tin. Bismuth is sometimes used as a substitute for lead in some medical procedures. It is also known for its ability to protect the lining of the stomach from irritation, and is one of the primary ingredients in the over-the-counter medicine Pepto Bismol.<\/p>\n
There is a wide variety of nonantimicrobial alternative treatments offered to patients who believe they have Lyme disease or who have a coincidentally positive test for B. burgdorferi. Many of these treatments have not been shown to be effective, and some are potentially dangerous, particularly when accompanied by psychiatric comorbidities or other health problems.<\/p>\n
A Rife device is a piece of electronic equipment that generates frequencies that are believed to disrupt the electromagnetic field of microbes, such as bacteria or viruses, in order to kill them. The devices vary in appearance and may include hand cylinders, foot plates, plasma tubes that light up, or other hardware. They are typically sold online or in health food stores for thousands of dollars. Testimonials in online patient groups often cite the use of these devices for treatment of chronic symptoms associated with Lyme disease, including joint pain, musculoskeletal pain, cognitive difficulties, and depression.<\/p>\n
These devices are not proven to be useful as a treatment for Lyme disease, but many people report symptom relief. Often, however, these symptoms are due to other causes such as immune overactivation, inflammation, mitochondrial dysfunction, and past trauma, rather than to ongoing infection. In these cases, frequency devices are like paint; they may offer temporary relief but can’t rebuild a crumbling house. Comprehensive, root-cause care is the only way to truly improve symptoms.<\/p>\n