Archive for the ‘Treatment’ Category

Non-Funded Study Shows LDN is a Broad-Spectrum Analgesic

https://www.futuremedicine.com/doi/10.2217/pmt-2021-0122

Low-dose naltrexone, an opioid-receptor antagonist, is a broad-spectrum analgesic: a retrospective cohort study

Samuel J Martin, Heath B McAnally, Paul Okediji and Moshe Rogosnitzky

Published Online:15 Mar 2022https://doi.org/10.2217/pmt-2021-0122

Abstract

Aim: To evaluate the use of low-dose naltrexone (LDN) as a broad-spectrum analgesic. Methods: Retrospective cohort study from a single pain management practice using data from 2014 to 2020. Thirty-six patients using LDN for ≥2 months were matched to 42 controls. Pain scores were assessed at initial visit and at most recent/final documented visit using a 10-point scale. Results: Cases reported significantly greater pain reduction (-37.8%) than controls (-4.3%; p < 0.001). Whole sample multivariate modeling predicts 33% pain reduction with LDN, with number needed to treat (for 50% pain reduction) of 3.2. Patients with neuropathic pain appeared to benefit even more than those with ‘nociceptive’/inflammatory pain. Conclusion: LDN is effective in a variety of chronic pain states, likely mediated by TLR-4 antagonism.

Plain language summary

Naltrexone has historically been used to treat various substance use disorders, but recent discoveries have sparked interest in using low-dose naltrexone (LDN) to manage chronic pain. This study compared pain levels reported by patients before and after at least 2 months of LDN treatment to those reported by patients with the same painful diseases, who did not take LDN. Overall, patients who took LDN reported significantly more pain relief than patients who did not take LDN. How LDN alleviates pain seems complex, but apparently involves an anti-inflammatory effect on cells in the brain and spinal cord. LDN is extraordinarily safe, with no known risks (unlike most standard pain medications), and should be studied more in the treatment of chronic pain.

_________________

**Comment**

And this has been our personal findings as well.

I wish more offices did this internal research.  The data is all there begging to be collected, organized, and published.  This is a perfect example of how we can get answers without  corrupt, conflict riddled research institutions, government, and government collecting (bought out) researchers.

For more on this:  https://madisonarealymesupportgroup.com/2022/06/29/the-urgent-need-to-break-the-public-health-monopoly/

For more on LDN:

Category:

Lyme, Pain Management, research, Treatment

Case Report: Severe Back Pain in Child Caused by Lyme Disease

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0735675722002297?via%3Dihub

Radiculoneuritis due to Lyme disease in a North American child

Alexandra H.BakerMDab
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ajem.2022.03.063Get rights and content

Highlights

  • Peripheral nerve pain can be a presentation of early disseminated Lyme disease
  • Isolated neuroradiculits from Lyme is rare but important to recognize and treat
  • Patients with painful radiculitis should be tested for Borrelia infection

Abstract

Lyme disease is the most frequently reported vector-borne illness in the United States. It is caused by infection with Borrelia burgdorferi via the bite of an infected blacklegged tick (Ixodes spp.) Lyme disease has three stages: early localized, early disseminated, and late. Early disseminated Lyme disease may include neurologic manifestations such as cranial nerve palsy, meningitis, and radicular pain (also called radiculoneuritis). Isolated radiculoneuritis is a rare presentation of early disseminated Lyme disease and is likely underrecognized. We report a case of isolated Lyme radiculoneuritis in a child in Massachusetts characterized by fever and allodynia of the upper back that was treated in the emergency department. Laboratory investigation demonstrated elevated inflammatory markers and positive Lyme testing. Magnetic resonance imaging with gadolinium contrast revealed nerve root enhancement in C5-C6 and C6-C7. The symptoms resolved with oral doxycycline. Neuropathic pain should raise suspicion for neurologic manifestations of Lyme disease in North America even in the absence of meningitis and cranial nerve palsy. We report how timely recognition of this rare syndrome in North America is important and may prevent progression to late disease.

_________________

**Comment**

Again, this is not a “rare” syndrome, but is just “rarely” reported.  Big diff.  The authors even state that this syndrome is “likely underrecognized.”

Category:

Inflammation, Lyme, Pain Management, research, Treatment

Repair & Restore With Peptides in Lyme Disease Or Mold Toxin Illness

https://www.treatlyme.net/guide/repair-restore-peptides-lyme-mold-toxins  Video Here (Approx. 4 Min)

By Dr. Marty Ross

Restore & Repair with Peptides

Peptide therapies are one of the newest types of supports some with Lyme disease and mold toxin illness are using. In this article I discuss the current oral peptides that are available as supplements. I focus on the oral agents because the FDA is starting to regulate compounded injectable peptides as drugs – removing many from the market.

Oral Peptides

Peptides are short strands of amino acids. By comparison, long strands of amino acids of 50 or more are called proteins. Peptides occur naturally in our bodies. Some of these peptides have various healing properties. Below I list four of the major peptides that are currently found in oral products offered by Integrative Peptides. In addition I include information about collagen peptides which are found in Collagen Plus by Thorne.

(See link for article and video)

______________________

For more:

Category:

Lyme, Mold, Supplements, Treatment

Efficacy of Short-Term High Dose Pulsed Dapsone Combination Therapy in the Treatment of Chronic Lyme Disease/Post-Treatment Lyme Disease Syndrome (PTLDS) & Associated Coinfections: A Report of 3 Cases & Literature Review

https://www.preprints.org/manuscript/202204.0296/v1?bbeml

Efficacy of Short-Term High Dose Pulsed Dapsone Combination Therapy in the Treatment of Chronic Lyme Disease/Post-Treatment Lyme Disease Syndrome (PTLDS) and Associated Co-infections: A Report of Three Cases and Literature Review

Richard I. Horowitz*

and Phyllis R. Freeman

Abstract

Lyme disease and associated co-infections are increasing worldwide and approximately 20% of individuals develop chronic Lyme disease (CLD)/Post-Treatment Lyme Disease Syndrome (PTLDS) despite early antibiotics.
A 7–8-week protocol of double dose dapsone combination therapy (DDDCT) for CLD/PTLDS results in symptom remission in approximately 50% of patients for one year or longer, with published culture studies indicating higher doses of dapsone demonstrate efficacy against resistant biofilm forms of Borrelia burgdorferi. The purpose of this study was therefore to evaluate higher doses of dapsone in the treatment of resistant CLD/PTLDS and associated co-infections. Twenty-five patients with a history of Lyme and associated co-infections, most of whom had ongoing symptoms despite several courses of DDDCT, took one or more courses of high dose pulsed dapsone combination therapy (200 mg dapsone X 3-4 days and/or 200 mg BID x 4 days), depending on persistent symptoms.
The majority of patients noticed sustained improvement in 8 major Lyme symptoms, including:
  • fatigue
  • pain
  • headaches
  • neuropathy
  • insomnia
  • cognition
  • sweating

where dapsone dosage, not just treatment length, positively affected outcomes. High dose pulsed dapsone combination therapy may represent a novel therapeutic approach for the treatment of resistant CLD/PTLDS, and should be confirmed in randomized, controlled clinical trials.

___________________

For more:

Please remember that the often touted 20% of individuals who go on to suffer symptoms despite early treatment only include those who are diagnosed and treated early and omit a much larger subset of patients like myself, my husband, and nearly every patient I work with who are diagnosed and treated later.  For more on this, please see:  https://madisonarealymesupportgroup.com/2019/02/25/medical-stalemate-what-causes-continuing-symptoms-after-lyme-treatment/

Important excerpt:

10-20% of Lyme disease patients who are promptly diagnosed and treated with an antibiotic within the first few weeks of infection, still end up with chronic disease. This is PTLDS.

30-40% of Lyme disease patients who have been infected for weeks to months before getting diagnosed, and THEN treated with an antibiotic, still end up with a chronic disease. This subgroup has no specific label but it has been referred to as “chronic Lyme disease,” or CLD.

60% of Lyme patients end up with chronic symptoms

And this, of course, doesn’t even take coinfections into consideration.

Category:

Lyme, research, Treatment

How to Tell If a Tick Head is Still in Your Skin

https://www.self.com/story/tick-head-in-skin

Here’s How to Tell If a Tick Head Is Still in Your Skin, According to Doctors

And how to safely remove all of it ASAP.

By Kathryn Watson

Medically reviewed by Samantha G. Stoler, MD

digital collage showing closeup of legs and a line drawing of a tick
If a tick head is still in your skin, you’ll want to remove it carefully.Photo by Karyme França from Pexels / Tick drawing by Hein Nouwens via Getty Images / Design by Amanda K Bailey

You’re out hiking, breathing in the fresh air, taking in the sounds of nature—ticks are the furthest thing from your mind. That is until you see a brown tick butt sticking out from your skin. Maybe you immediately rip it off, only to wonder, How can I tell if a tick head is still in my skin?

If this is you, don’t panic. We‘ve got answers ahead. But first, let’s talk about ticks. We’re seeing an uptick in these tiny, insect-like parasites that feed off people and warm-blooded animals due to the growing populations of two of their favorite hosts: deer and mice. That may be good for ticks—they definitely have their place in a healthy, natural ecosystem—but that healthy place is not on your body. After all, ticks can transmit pathogens when they latch onto you. Over the past ten years, according to the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, there has been a surge in Lyme disease and other tick-borne illnesses, many of which can cause severe complications if they aren’t diagnosed and treated.  (See link for article)

___________________

SUMMARY:

  • An attached tick typically stays put for anywhere from 3 days to two weeks. The longer it is attached, the greater your risk for infection, so getting it off safely and promptly is important.
  • While the article recommends the CDC’s method of using tweezers for tick removal, I recommend a special tick removal device.  Go here for a review of products. Some can even be put on your key-chain which is handy in a pinch.
  • It’s important to NOT squeeze the tick or crush it as the fluids could transmit infection.
  • Some states offer free tick testing.  You can save the tick and have it tested for pathogens.  Wisconsin does not have such a service, which is really unfortunate, but tick testing is not without error.
  • Dermatologists recommend using a magnifying glass to make sure you haven’t left any body parts.  If the skin is firm, red, irritated, and has a lump, the tick may be embedded deeper.  You may need a dermagologist to surgically remove it with a punch biopsy tool.
  • The dermatologist states that “most tick bite end up being harmless.”  Where he derives this is beyond me.  Take each and every tick bite as seriously as a heart attack.  This crud can derail your life.
  • He also states you don’t need to call your doctor right away.  I COMPLETELY DISAGREE.  Call!  Immediately!  Get on prophylactic antibiotics/antimicrobials asap.  The risk of a life-debilitating illness just isn’t worth it.  Do NOT take the “wait and see approach.”
  • I highly recommend the article: Help! I Got Bit By a Tick!  What Do I do?
  • For prevention:  https://madisonarealymesupportgroup.com/2019/04/12/tick-prevention-2019/
  • Excellent Resource on steps to take if you are bitten by a tick:  https://madisonarealymesupportgroup.com/2020/04/21/help-i-got-bit-by-a-tick-what-do-i-do/

Category:

Activism, Lyme, Testing, Ticks, Treatment