How to Overcome a Lyme Treatment Plateau: 4 Steps to Jumpstart Your Recovery
How to Overcome a Lyme Treatment Plateau: 4 Steps to Jumpstart Your Recovery
by Jenny Lelwica Buttaccio
Posted 1/5/2021
Regardless of whether you’ve been treating chronic Lyme disease for a few months or several years, you’ve probably gone through tough times where you feel like nothing has moved the needle on your symptoms. It can raise all sorts of questions, the big one being, is any of this really helping me, or is it time to give up and move on? Lack of tangible progress is frustrating, but it doesn’t mean all hope for improvement is lost.
Treatment plateaus happen to everyone, and they may look a little bit different from person to person. One person may struggle with pain; for another, it may be lingering neurological symptoms. Whatever the symptoms are that leave you feeling stuck, the question at the forefront of your mind becomes, “Is there any way to move past this?”
By understanding some of the factors that contribute to plateaus, there’s a good chance you can get to the bottom of it, decide on a course of action, and start making progress again. Let’s take a look at four key ways to overcome a frustrating treatment plateau.
#1 Reassess the Five System Disruptors.
Revisiting your current protocol can clue you into areas that might be hindering progress. But if you’ve been treating for months or years, how do you even know where to begin?
First, take a look at the five system disruptors, says Bill Rawls, MD, Medical Director of RawlsMD and Vital Plan. “When you’ve lost momentum, that’s the time to systemically go through the five biggest variables that wreak havoc on the immune system and could affect recovery.”
The chief offenders most likely to impact progress include:
1. Chronic Stress
Constant stress is a biggie when it comes to roadblocks that hinder progress. Unmitigated stress takes its toll on the immune system’s ability to ward off infections. Although you can’t outrun stress, if you’ve recently been experiencing an uptick of it, that’s an area where you can begin to take steps to address it. Activities like vagus nerve stimulation, acupuncture, and deep breathing exercises can help bring on the calm, recalibrate an overworked nervous system, and get some balance back in your life.
2. Poor Diet and Food Sensitivities
If you notice gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms like bloating, gas, or inflammation, your diet is the first place to look. The typical modern American diet is full of processed foods, refined carbohydrates, and artificial ingredients that our gastrointestinal systems aren’t built to process, which can cause all sorts of digestive distress. Not to mention, this way of eating is often deficient in the vitamins, minerals, and nutrients your body needs to promote healing.
Food sensitivities linked to the things we eat day in and day out are another factor that may be playing a role in stopping your progress, notes Dr. Rawls. Foods that tend to be the most problematic for people include:
- Gluten: Found in wheat, rye, barley, and many pre-packaged foods, gluten is a plant protein with the ability to irritate the lining of the gut and cause inflammation.
- Soy: Soy is a common allergen, and it shows up in a wide range of foods. Edamame, soybean oil, soy lecithin, and soy protein are a few of the soy variations to watch out for.
- Lectin: Lectins are another type of plant protein found in grains, beans, legumes, tree nuts, and nightshade vegetables like peppers, tomatoes, and eggplant. Lectins may act as an irritant to the gut when they bind to molecules in the cell membranes, leading to irritation, inflammation, and leaky gut syndrome.
- Mycotoxins: Mycotoxins are mold toxins that, in addition to being found in the environment, are also often found in foods like peanuts, processed meats, mushrooms, and most dairy products. Mycotoxins can induce a host of allergy symptoms and systemic symptoms like fatigue, brain fog, digestive issues, and pain.
Many people experience delayed reactions to the foods they’re sensitive to, so it’s not always easy to pinpoint the cause. If you think your health plateau may be due to food sensitivities, your best bet is to leave those foods out of your diet for a while and see if it yields improvements.
3. Your Environment
There are all sorts of toxins in the environment that can impair the function of the immune system and all systems of the body, one of the most common ones being mold. For people who have developed sensitivity to mold, mold mycotoxins can cause a barrage of multi-systemic symptoms.
Your body absorbs mycotoxins through the airways as well as the intestinal lining, says Dr. Rawls. “Once mycotoxins are inside of the body, they trigger inflammation and oxidative stress, which further leads to a disruption in immune system functions.”
Like food sensitivities, the effects of mold exposure might not appear for several days. Think back to when your treatment plateau began. Is it possible you’ve come in contact with mold or are dealing with hidden sources of it? If so, take action to try to lower the toxic load as best as you can.
In addition to mold, consider whether there are significant concentrations of other unnatural toxins in your environment and aim to minimize your exposure to those as well. Urban dwellers often have to deal with polluted air, but people living in rural areas can be exposed to high levels of toxic pesticides and herbicides from agriculture.
4. Too Little Movement
When you’re feeling ill, exercise is probably the last thing on your mind. However, movement is critical to improve circulation, enhance detoxification, and boost endorphins — all much-needed functions to help you feel better. But don’t feel disheartened if you’re not up to aggressive exercise. Restorative activities like qigong, Pilates, or walking can get the blood flowing while minimizing the risks of a setback or flare-up.
When regular physical activity isn’t practical because of inflamed tissues, infrared sauna can be an adequate substitute. Infrared sauna (or any sauna, for that matter) stimulates blood flow, dilates blood vessels, and flushes debris from tissues. This enhances detoxification and reduces inflammation.
5. New Microbes
With chronic Lyme disease, there’s always the possibility that coinfections like bartonella, babesia, or mycoplasma may be factoring into the equation and causing symptoms. There’s also the potential for exposure to a new microbe like a virus, or perhaps you’ve had another tick bite. The presence of other stealth pathogens can further hinder the immune system’s ability to ward off infections and might be the hurdle that caused you to stall out on your recovery.
#2 See a Doctor If New Symptoms Pop Up.
It’s not uncommon for people with Lyme disease to tough out the day-to-day symptoms. Patients become accustomed to the inability to predict how they’ll feel from one day to the next. But there are times, especially if you’ve undertaken self-treatment, where seeing a doctor is an appropriate step.
“Anytime you have unusual symptoms that are out of the ordinary — you haven’t had them before — you should see a doctor,” says Dr. Rawls. “If you’re having symptoms that are getting worse, you should see a doctor. It could be something other than Lyme, and sometimes, you need to be evaluated.”
Symptoms that should not be ignored include:
- Chest pain
- Heart palpitations
- Shortness of breath
- Severe or recurring pain somewhere in your body (for example, headaches, abdominal pain, pain with urination)
- Sudden weight changes
- Fainting
- Persistent fevers or one that reaches 103℉ or higher
- Confusion
These symptoms serve as a guideline; other concerns might arise that aren’t on the list. The bottom line? If something doesn’t feel right, it’s better to have it checked out and get some peace of mind rather than to brush it off.
#3 Change Up Your Herbal Protocol.
Have you been using herbal therapy for a while and feel like your progress has halted? If so, it might be time to switch things up a little.
“When you’ve used something for a long time, even herbs, I do feel some people build up a tolerance to them,” says Dr. Rawls. “It might not happen to everyone, but it does happen to some people, and we’re not exactly sure why.”
To combat a potential tolerance to herbs, try the following steps to get back on the path to feeling better.
1. Increase Your Current Herbs.
Most herbs have a wide dosing range associated with taking them, meaning some people may need higher doses than others to be effective. If you’re stuck in a rut, but you’ve noticed some gains with your current herbal protocol, try bumping up the dosages — one herb or blend at a time — to see if you experience improvements. Since herbs have a low potential for toxicity, raising the dose is generally considered safe, with the most common side effect being mild GI discomfort.
Additionally, many herbs are warming herbs, which can generate heat in the body and may leave you feeling stimulated. When raising your dosages, Dr. Rawls advises making sure you’re supplementing with immune-modulating herbs like reishi mushroom, sarsaparilla, and ashwagandha as well. These herbs balance the immune system and keep it from kicking into overdrive.
2. Add Different Herbs to The Rotation.
Another question to consider: Could there be other microbes at play contributing to my symptoms? Though the foundational herbs in many protocols have some coverage against coinfections like bartonella, babesia, and mycoplasma, sometimes you need a more targeted approach to suppressing those microbes. To strengthen your defenses against stealth pathogens, Dr. Rawls recommends slowly adding in one new herb at a time. His herbs of choice include:
Bidens
Bidens, specifically Bidens pilosa, is the species that has the most powerful action against malaria and malaria-like microorganisms like babesia. In addition to its antimalarial properties, Bidens pilosa is antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, and neuroprotective.
Suggested dosage: Bidens pilosa is most potent when prepared as an alcohol tincture. The dose may vary depending on the company you buy it from, but tinctures are an excellent way to begin at a low dose of the herb and increase drops as tolerated.
Side effects: There are no known side effects associated with Bidens pilosa, however, some plants can become contaminated with heavy metals. Make sure you purchase the product from a reputable company that takes steps to minimize exposure to heavy metals. Additionally, you should not take this plant if you have diabetes, as it can cause fluctuations in blood glucose or insulin levels.
Houttuynia
Native to India and Nepal, houttuynia is a potent antiviral with activity also against mycoplasma.
Suggested dosage: The dose may vary depending on a company’s preparation.
Side effects: The herb can have a fishy smell but is otherwise well tolerated.
Crytopleptis
Traditionally used to treat malaria in Africa, cryptolepis demonstrates systemic antibacterial properties and antiprotozoal properties. The herb is anti-inflammatory and provides antimicrobial activity against babesia.
Suggested dosage: Cryptolepis is available as a powder, tea, capsule, or tincture, so the dose varies depending on the preparation.
Side effects: It tends to be well-tolerated in most people.
Neem
Neem is native to India and offers potent antibacterial, antiviral, antifungal, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant properties. It may contain antimalarial properties against babesia. Also, it has a protective effect on the liver and kidneys.
Suggested dosage: Dosing varies by preparation, so follow the recommendations provided by whatever product use.
Side effects: Most people tolerate the leaf and bark extracts well.
Black Cumin Seed Oil
Native to the Middle East, Europe, and parts of Asia, black cumin seed oil contains antimicrobial, immune-balancing, and anti-inflammatory properties. The herb may be particularly potent against bartonella.
Suggested dosage: The dosing will vary depending on the preparation, so follow the recommendations on the product you choose.
Side effects: The herb is generally well-tolerated, but some mild GI upset has been reported in some people.
Oregano Essential Oil
As a potent antimicrobial, oregano essential oil has been shown to defend against persistent borrelia infections in patients with chronic Lyme disease symptoms. Oregano oil contains anti-inflammatory and antioxidant qualities as well.
Suggested dosage: Oregano is available as a capsule, liquid, and in liposomal form, and the dose varies depending on the preparation.
Side effects: Oregano oil can cause some GI discomfort, so it’s best to take the herb with food.
3. Know When to Scale Back.
Sometimes, hitting treatment hard for a while can lead to an intensification of symptoms, in which case it might be time to hit the pause button for a bit. Treatment with herbal therapy or other protocols is about finding the “sweet spot,” says Dr. Rawls. It’s a point at which the herbs are potent enough to be effective but not so strong that they cause a harsh Herxheimer reaction and make you miserable.
Detox strategies like infrared sauna, yoga, and rebounding can support your body’s efforts to eliminate debris and toxic substances, so your cells can get the water, nutrients, and oxygen they need for optimal functioning. Plus, there’s no shame in backing off of treatment for a few days or even a couple of weeks until you begin to feel better. Once the intense symptoms subside, slowly ease back into your treatment protocol at lower doses.
#4 Consider Additional Testing.
If you’ve followed the above steps and find you’re still at a standstill, you might benefit from further testing for chronic infections or other lab tests your doctor may deem beneficial. “The more we test, the more we know, so there’s value in it,” says Dr. Rawls. “Testing may help use tailor herbs or other treatments a bit better.”
But testing for chronic infections has its drawbacks due to a lack of sensitivity and reliability. “If you do additional testing and find something, great! We can treat it,” explains Dr. Rawls. “But if you do testing, and it’s negative, you can’t assume other chronic infections aren’t there. So remember, testing is fair at best.”
Ultimately, the choice to test is a decision best made in partnership with you and your healthcare provider. If more information alters the course of treatment and helps you get over this bump in the road, it might be a good idea to pursue it.
The Bottom Line
When it comes to Lyme disease, a plateau can certainly be discouraging. But as you work through the different variables that might be interrupting your healing, you’ll likely discover an area or two in need of attention. As you address those concerns, you’ll begin to experience progress again. Soon, your recovery plateau will become a thing of the past.
Dr. Rawls is a physician who overcame Lyme disease through natural herbal therapy. You can learn more about Lyme disease in Dr. Rawls’ new best selling book, Unlocking Lyme. You can also learn about Dr. Rawls’ personal journey in overcoming Lyme disease and fibromyalgia in his popular blog post, My Chronic Lyme Journey.
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- wrong antibiotics are being used
- wrong dosage is being used
- patient is blaming the antibiotics when it’s often herxheimer reactions causing the horrible symptoms and they just need to push through or take steps to manage these
- pathogens are causing the symptoms (Bartonella is known to cause GI symptoms)
Since this is unlike anything you’ve ever treated for in the past, it’s hard to understand that you typically feel a whole lot worse before you start feeling better. It’s also imperative you go on a low or no sugar diet, take plenty of good quality refrigerators pre and probiotics.
