Understanding Common Treatments for Lyme Disease

Most medical professionals will approach treating Lyme Disease with a strictly antibiotic methodology. However, new studies seem to indicate that this approach might be insufficient, especially when it comes to long-term Lyme Disease sufferers. At Internal Healing and Wellness MD in Greater Houston, we have seen a surprising amount of success with a multifaceted anti-microbial approach. In this article, we’ll discuss some of the most commonly used and succeful treatment plans in detail.

Success with Botanicals and Essential Oils

Botanical medicines are the cornerstones of any Functional Medicine approach, and there are plenty of protocols that have proved effective for treating Lyme Disease. In fact, one of the things Dr. Khan and our team do here at our Spring, Texas location is figure out which botanicals and oils will prove most effective in individual cases.

The Buhner Protocol – this is centered around Cat’s Claw, Andrographis, and Japanese Knotweed, with the potential for additions like Smilax and Astragalus depending on the patient’s unique situation.

Byron White, Beyond Balance, Nutramedix – These companies all provide natural formulas for treating Lyme Disease, all of which are designed to aid in detoxification, reduce neurological dysfunction, and help regulate inflammation. They often include herbs like Skullcap, Black Walnut, Oregano Oil, and Clove and Cinnamon Bark Oil.

Choosing the Right Antibiotics

At Internal Healing and Wellness MD, we strive to combine the best parts of Functional Medicine treatment with the latest advancements in modern medicine. In some cases, this means supplementing our anti-microbial treatments with antibiotics like doxycycline, amoxicillin, or cefuroxime. Other medicines that have shown effectiveness when combined with our treatments are clarithromycin, rifampin, and tinidazole.

All in all, we strive to recognize that antibiotics are just a small piece of the larger treatment puzzle. This is especially true when dealing with chronic or advanced Lyme disease cases or people with antibiotic resistances or immunodeficiencies. In taking a comprehensive approach to treatment, we may also include things like probiotics, dietary changes, lifestyle changes, and additional Functional Medicine solutions designed to reduce inflammation, etc.

Exploring the Possibility of Disulfiram

Disulfiram is more commonly known by its brand name: Antabuse. It is often used to treat alcoholism by triggering vomiting and nausea whenever alcohol is introduced to the patient’s system. However, new studies suggest it may also be a safe and effective treatment for Lyme Disease. Specifically, the drug has been shown to have powerful anti-Borrelia properties, even helping to eradicate those Borrelia forms that are resistant to antibiotics.

The problem is that (like most pharmaceuticals), disulfiram has quite a few side effects. These include everything from headaches, pain, and fatigue, to neuropathy. In our expert opinion, none of these side effects are serious enough to discount the medication entirely (especially considering its success). However, we prefer to leave the possibility of disulfiram intervention up to the patient in situations where it isn’t considered the only option.

Understanding Dapsone for Lyme Disease

Dapsone is an antibiotic medicine that has traditionally been used to treat leprosy. However, it has recently garnered a lot of attention for its ability to treat various forms of Lyme Disease. While we often think of it only in terms of amputations and lesions, leprosy as a disease was actually the result of a bacteria known as Mycobacterium leprae. Known for its resistance to common antibiotic methods, this persister bacteria behaves quite similarly to the B. burgdorferi persisters observed in Lyme disease.

That said, a full year of treatment with dapsone is usually required to produce results and prevent the Lyme Disease from regaining a foothold in the body. There is also a laundry list of side effects to consider, including anemia, which reduces the number of blood vessels available to carry oxygen through the body.

You Have Options! Contact Internal Healing and Wellness MD

At Internal Healing and Wellness MD, we know that there is no “one-size-fits-all” approach to dealing with Lyme Disease. That’s part of the reason why we take so much care to build a treatment plan around the individual patient, their needs, and their medical history. That said, we have seen immense success using a combination of anti-microbial therapies with the goal of getting the best results with the fewest side effects. If you’re suffering from Lyme Disease in Spring, Conroe, The Woodlands, or anywhere else in Greater Houston, we can help.