Bad News For Babesia and Chronic Lyme Disease
Before outlining the bad news regarding Babesia, I want to report some good news - even though it is only a small victory.
The medical community will have had to change their belief about how the spirochete is passed from the tick to its host based on a recently released medical report from researchers who collaborated from the University of Connecticut Health Center in Farmington, Connecticut:
- Star M. Dunham-Ems in the Department of Medicine;
- Melissa J. Caimano in the Department of Medicine;
- Charles W. Wolgemuth from the Department of Cell Biology and the Center for Cell Analysis and Modeling;
- Anamaria Balic Department of Craniofacial Sciences;
- Justin D. Radolf from the Department of Medicine and the Department of Genetics and Developmental Biology;
and Christian H. Eggers from the Department of Biomedical Sciences at Quinnipiac University in Hamden, Connecticut ;
and Utpal Pal from the Department of Veterinary Medicine at the University of Maryland and the Virginia-Maryland Regional College of Veterinary Medicine in College Park, Maryland.
That makes eight more respected researchers who can argue previously held views with solid evidence. I can only imagine that this research will continue with natural progression to further enlighten falsely held views. (And you won’t see their names on the “Quacklist”) If you are interested in the actual report you can find it here at the Journal of Clinical Investigations.
Now for the bad news.
Whether you are a fan of Dr. James Schaller or not, he has recently released a report from his personal research negating previously published work about the difficulty of diagnosis and treatment of Babesia.
He claims that more and more species of Babesia are found each year and the variations of these strains make diagnosis even more difficult. He also claims that the previous doses of Mepron and Artemesia are not strong enough and that he is witnessing relapses from patients who have been using the LLD’s standard of care from ILADS.
He also reiterates in the strongest language that Lyme Disease cannot be cured (unless treatted within days of the tick bite) if these other infections are present.
A sample of his book is free of charge at this location.
Many of you may have heard about this - or some of it - and been alarmed as I have been. However, the most alarming theory presented in this sampling of his new book (in my opinion) is that the spread of the co-infections is not just affecting us, it is affecting the tick population.
In other words, the ticks are now more commonly full of multiple diseases and viruses, some of which are treated in a similar manner but many of which need to be treated differently with far greater strength, intensity and care to completely eradicate the underlying co-infections before there is any chance to effectively treat the Lyme.
So, if the meds for our chronic Lymed aren’t working Dr. Schaller (and others) have the answer. We are sicker than we thought, and our chances for a complete cure is even more remote than what we thought.
Similar Posts:
- Why Can’t My Doctor Help Me With Chronic Lyme Disease?
- Babesia: Rare Disease - Not So Rare
- Who Gets The Grants For Chronic Lyme Disease?
- A Miracle: Building More Killer Cells For Chronic Lyme Disease
- Letter Regarding Appointment of Committee to Review IDSA Lyme Treatment Guidelines
- My Visit to Kaiser’s Guru on Infectious Disorders
- New Treatment for Lingering Neuropathic Pain
- Lizards For Chronic Lyme Disease
- The Horrors of Mycoplasma
- CDC Increases Budget For Lyme Disease
Thanks for visiting again - Please comment on the posts you read - everyone is interested in what you have to say.
November 29th, 2009 at 11:40 pm
I REGRET SOME CONFUSION IN MY BABESIA 2009 UPDATE BOOK MENTIONED ABOVE. HERE IS A STATEMENT I WANT TO CLARIFY. I AM DEEPLY SORRY IF I WAS UNCLEAR TO THE MODERATOR(S) OR ANY READER.
**He also reiterates in the strongest language that Lyme Disease cannot be cured (unless treated within days of the tick bite) if these other infections are present.
1) I apologize if this was the message sent. It is not my belief. Specifically, that in 2009, Lyme cure is less possible. I believe the opposite.
2) If one does not ignore new data in press or just out, that Babesia and Bartonella are as least as common or more common inside deer ticks, than we can end 10-20 years of Lyme disease.
3) I do not believe Lyme exists alone routinely.
4) I feel many things have been shown in blind studies not published that they can and do kill Babesia in all human species. I am just asking folks to increase the dose after starting very low. Dosing based on 1990’s studies concern me.
5) I am concerned Bartonella is immuno suppressive, and is very common. I feel the combo of Lyme and Bartonella is serious. Learning how to detect takes three hours to read. Bartonella has far more ways to infect above Lyme.
MY SINCERE APOLOGIES IF I CAUSED FOLKS TO FEEL HOPELESS. I AM MORE HOPEFUL NOW THAN THREE YEARS AGO. AND WHILE IV ANTIBIOTICS ARE OF GREAT USE AT TIMES, they are not a cure for reasons mentioned above, and in the free 2009 Babesia textbook.
Peace and Best Regards,
Dr. J
November 30th, 2009 at 9:49 pm
I have taken elisa test twice, neg. both times. Saw rheumatologist, tested 122 on anticcp test. promptly told that I had RA, although I had no red swollen joints. Symptoms match more for bartonella than RA. It started with the soles of my feet hurting so bad that I could hardly walk in the first few hours of the day, then migratory joint pain, couldn’t lift hands above shoulders etc. I have recently sent blood to igenex lab re:igg west. blot and igm west. blot and am awaiting results. Prior to this I was healthy in all respects, male 38, 6′2″ 200lbs and very active. I take minocycline and plaquenil daily am currently 95% better although the meds dont seem to be the reason as they did very little good for one year+ without occasional prednisone. Am I right to question my doc? Any insight would be helpful.
Thank you,
December 2nd, 2009 at 12:08 pm
Hi Hank -
I am not a licensed medical practitioner and legally I am prevented from giving you medical advice, but as a new friend I will tell you that steroids are one of the worst things you can do if you have Lyme - sugar and alcohol are close second and third.
If you have been symptomatic for years (joints etc) than your results may come back negative - mine did at first but after two years of being bedridden and 2 more being severely disabled I will tell you that many, many have negative tests AND false positives, but the Elisa test is worthless - only catches new infections. The disease is supposed to be made clinically - meaning a doctor examines your symptoms and makes a determination. Presently there is no accurate test for Lyme disease or for many of the co-infections.
I went from dressage championships to bed within one month so I understand your frustration. I think your deductions are correct about the pain in your feet (esp in the AM) - it is a prime indicator of Bartonella (do you have a cat?). One other thing I tell my friends is that one good indicator of Lyme is how you react to antibiotics. Usually there is an initial period of feeling good as the medicine kills the spirochetes they can get to, followed by a worsening of symptoms (see Herxheimer at http://www.LymeDiseaseResource.com under the Lyme Disease navigational tab) - this can be very extreme or mild depending on your health and many other aspects of your individual immune system.
I am sure your doctor has your best interest at heart but as you probably know, there is a huge debate about diagnosing and treating Lyme disease. But don’t give up. You are not alone. Your best bet is to find a doctor experienced at treating chronic Lyme - and soon before the Lyme fog descends - then you are really cooked!
If you ever need a friend who understands feel free to email me, although due to my Lyme I try not to write on bad days because it looks like mumbling the next day…but I always respond.
Blessings,
Jenna
December 2nd, 2009 at 3:47 pm
[...] Lyme fog allows it) will read this new information, and also read Dr. Schaller’s comments (here, here, and here) or instance, Dr. James Schaller in Florida has written hundreds of articles and [...]
January 18th, 2010 at 2:56 am
SECOND FREE BABESIA TEXTBOOK
THE ONLY EXTENSIVE BABESIA IMAGE BOOK
LIKE THE PREVIOUS FREE BABESIA 2009 UPDATE THIS POST AND LINK CANNOT BE EDITED. THE WORDS OUTSIDE THE LINKS HAVE REASONS.
Some physicians, patients and laboratories are using microscopy to find Babesia. The problem with this approach includes that there is no benchmark book on the vast forms of Babesia found inside and outside blood cells. No Babesia Hematology book exists for physicians, microscope enthusiasts or aggressive patients interested in basic staining and blood examination.
The main source of these images is the CDC and various departments of health in the United States. Some are from Fry Laboratories.
BE AWARE OF ISSUES WITH THESE IMAGE SOURCES!
While the CDC and various state departments of health (DOH) provided a large number of core images for this book, their useful slides show massively infected Red Blood Cells. While they are useful to show profoundly infected people, such images in hematology are rare. Indeed, some microscopy lovers report many markedly infected patients are “negative” on manual smears 100% of the time by most labs. In reality, sometimes one needs to look 2-3 hours to see a single Babesia form. The CDC suggests looking for 2-3 minutes for these types of protozoa infections. Massive infections can possibly kill, cause clear RBC destruction, create massive sickness and immense fevers, and this can lead to the discovery of new species or sub-species. However, using catastrophic cases or any one laboratory test to diagnose Babesia found in at least 30% of deer ticks is a concern. Further, it is rare for patients to receive aggressive direct types of testing from multiple laboratories. In addition, some health workers are starting to believe indirect testing is actually more sensitive.
Some images in the book use Babesia images from Fry Labs before April/2007. PLEASE NOTE: We have not had a positive Babesia from Fry since March/2007. Dr. Fry and I have different views at times, but are good friends, and we feel the reason for negative Babesia slides is clear. For various reasons Fry Labs VERY strongly avoids possible Babesia artifacts. No one in the world can be 100% sure that some presentation of “Babesia” is not an artifact. My position is to accept any very highly suspicious image. Yet his position is to avoid any false positives. Honorable people have different priorities and goals. Fry laboratory is also spending massive time and income to become involved in DNA lab innovation as their priority. Other reasons for this direction are proprietary. In conclusion, the use of the Fry smear for Babesia alone seems unwise.
I wrote this book some years ago. Any TBD book is likely slightly outdated in months, although some things are true for thirty years. This is common for anyone reading and passionate about credible new ideas. I have no time to offer an updated edition. Outdated comments and errors may exist. We have radically changed much of what we do even in the last six months.
YOU MAY POST THIS FREE ON ANY SITE WITH THE WORDS LISTED IN THIS EMAIL WITH NO DELETIONS.
PLEASE DO NOT INCREASE LIABILITY AND ERRORS BY EDITING THE POST.
ANY SITE THAT IS AGAINST THE NOTION OF TAILORED TREATMENT FOR CURE CANNOT HAVE THESE MATERIALS FREE.
THE SITE OR FORWARDING PERSON HAS TO BELIEVE EACH PERSON CAN HAVE A SET OF TICK INFECTIONS–SINCE “LYME-ONLY” MEDICINE IS A 70’S CONCEPT.
ANY SITE THAT HAS ANY DEFAMATION MATERIAL AGAINST ANY “LL MD” CANNOT POST THESE BOOKS. “LL MD’S” REJECT MANY LYME SITES AS TRASHY, HATE SITES. PERFECT MODERATORS AND POSTERS DO NOT EXIST, AND NOR DO PERFECT HEALERS.
YOU CAN NEVER SELL THIS MATERIAL FOR ANY REASON, AS THE COPYRIGHT STILL EXISTS ON THE SALE OF THE BOOK.
REMOVING THE SURROUNDING WORDS VIOLATES THIS FREE USE.
HERE ARE BOTH BOOK LINKS:
BABESIA BLOOD IMAGE FORMS TEXTBOOK:
http://ebooks.hopeacademic.com/BabesiaLabGuide.pdf
BABESIA 2009 UPDATE WITH REQUIRED CLARITY TEXT:
http://www.personalconsult.com/articles/updated-babesia-textbook.html
All writing in both of these books, image interpretations and medical comments are referred to your local licensed hematologist, microbiologist, pathologist, infection specialist and family physician. Please never self-treat based on this book. This book and others are learning tools, or for medical hypotheses. No claim is made these are definitive “error free textbooks.” I make no claim of superior knowledge in these medical topics. However, they are one of many medical problems I find important to try to continue to understand. However, having spent much of the last decade trying to read and learn how to decrease reported persistence of tick and flea infection diseases, I hope others will continue to add new textbooks and papers, as I broaden the illnesses I treat to the peaceful and civilized ill. J
James Schaller, MD
Naples, Florida
USA
February 27th, 2010 at 2:46 am
WHY LYME TREATMENTS FAIL–AND THEY DO NOT HAVE TO FAIL FOR YOU! NOPE!
http://lymeinfo.wordpress.com/2009/04/10/why-lyme-treaments-fail-by-dr-james-schaller-posted-with-permission/