One Success with the Buhner Protocol
I can’t say for sure where my Lyme story begins, because my brothers remember watching our father remove a tick from the back of my neck when we were young children. It was after being moved to upstate New York by my husband’s company in the nineties, though, that my health problems began in earnest, despite the fact that I didn’t put it together at the time.
Mine is not an unusual story, unfortunately. I remember having a flu-like illness, descending almost into delirium when the fever was at its height. Within a year I began to have bouts of depression, but I found they were less serious when I didn’t eat wheat products, so I thought I must have developed gluten intolerance.
As years went on, though, the depression became more serious. I became disorganized and antisocial, then haunted by suicidal ideation. I was given counseling and put on meds. With them I could function, barely, but I was miserable, even though there was really nothing wrong. I had intense heart palpitations, but my doctor told me they were nothing to worry about. Because of neurological problems I was unable to hold a real job.
I tried to get well. I meditated, journaled, chanted, exercised, and took a number of supplements, all in an effort to get somewhere near normal again. Nothing worked.
A couple of years ago I developed difficulties in walking. It involved muscle weakness and a feeling as if some muscles were continually clenched. I was tested for MS, but tests were negative. I saw an eye doctor for a sudden increase in floaters. My family doctor found a heart murmur. Instead of having periods I just began to bleed a little every day. Examinations showed no problems. My knees and hands started to hurt more and more–age, people said.
This past spring, though, it got to the point where pain in one of my knees interfered with my life. I could no longer take walks, a central enjoyment of my life, and going down steps had turned into a slow and excruciating process. I went back to the doctor and was tested for lupus and Lyme. Both tests came back negative, so the doctor said it was just arthritis and all they could offer was physical therapy. The PT didn’t help.
About this time, we went on a vacation to visit family in Massachusetts. The visit included some time in the woods, and a few days later I noticed a small engorged tick on my husband’s back. I removed it and threw it away. Everyone said not to worry about it, but after we got home my husband became deathly ill and wound up in the hospital where he was diagnosed with acute babesia. (He was treated and so far seems to be recovered.) At home after visiting hours I scoured the net for info on tick-borne illnesses and the pieces of my puzzle began to fit together.
Since I’d tested negative for Lyme, I knew my doctor wasn’t going to prescribe antibiotics. I was considering seeing a Lyme literate doctor, but I stumbled on info about S. H. Buhner’s book Healing Lyme and was intrigued. I’d admired him for a book I’d read about plants, since plants had been a lifelong interest of mine, although, oddly, I’d never thought much about using them medicinally.
I ordered Healing Lyme and after reading it I decided to try the protocol. I started the herbs pretty much all at once, but at low levels, building dosages week to week exactly as he describes in the book. Along with the core protocol I bought and took herbs he recommended for joints and for neurological problems. I took andrographis, resveratrol from Polygonum cuspidatum, cat’s claw, turmeric/bromelain, devil’s claw, eleuthero, nettle, gotu kola, and teasel tincture. All in all, over the months it has probably cost me about $500.
The die-off was disabling at first. I thought I was dying and nearly went off the herbs, but at some point, I don’t remember just when, it began to pay off. I began to be able to get up from a chair without using my arms. Going down stairs got easier and easier. Walking the two blocks to the post office wasn’t a daunting painful journey. Finally I was able to get out my bike and ride again!
And it wasn’t only that. My mind began to clear. Social situations, which for years had filled me with fear (I used to tell my son, ‘It’s like I have worms or bugs crawling around in my head!’), came more and more easily. Deep paranoia, which used to come and go, wreaking havoc with my relationships, dissipated. I can’t say I’m fully recovered and I don’t expect I’ll ever get back my lost memories, but I definitely live with less fear and self-loathing, more ease and joy.
Will it last? I don’t know. Right now I’m grateful for all the progress I’ve made and I’m not as afraid of problems that might appear. I know that if the medical profession doesn’t have a cure for something, that doesn’t mean it can’t be cured, or at least improved.
One other thing I want to mention is a little flaky-sounding, but I think I should share it because it may have played a part. Some months before my husband landed in the hospital I read a book that recommended a visualization practice in which one imagines floating in a boat to a small green island populated by gentle caregivers in white robes.
I visualized them welcoming me to the island and led me to a combination spa/hospital where they performed gentle but powerful processes of healing and renewal. They permeated my body with a substance that regenerated my cells to a youthful state and they reached into me, pulling out barbed wires and dark clumps of some substance so that energies could flow freely throughout my body and self. They washed me with herbal waters and pulled my body into alignment.
I did the visualizations several times a week, but I can’t say for certain they helped make me well. I do know that it was after I’d been doing them for a while that I came upon the information about the Buhner book. Could it have been a manifestation on the outer plane of the healing I’d been receiving on the inner? Who knows? But I continue to do it from time to time and I will use it again for any illnesses I encounter.
I’m incredibly grateful to Spirit, to Stephen Harrod Buhner and to many other people and plants for this huge improvement in my health. I hope that many, many people get to experience this kind of improvement, no matter what healing protocols they use. Each day of good health is a gift! Never give up.
Written by Nancy Wisser (shown with husband)
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Thanks for visiting again - Please comment on the posts you read - everyone is interested in what you have to say.
October 21st, 2008 at 6:09 pm
Stephen Harrod Buhner’s Healing Lyme book offers an alternative (or complement) to antibiotic therapy for those suffering from Lyme Disease and/or co-infections. Stephen Buhner has graciously answered members’ questions about the protocol in his column (http://planetthrive.com/cgi-bin/members/pub9990215891170.cgi?categoryid=9990235248536) on PlanetThrive.com for over two years now. You can browse previous Q&As or join as a free member to submit your own question to Stephen Buhner. Planet Thrive - a place for those recovering from environmentally based illness - also has lots of other Lyme-related resources.
October 27th, 2008 at 9:31 am
Nancy, Thanks so much for sharing your story. I have just started using herbs to treat my Lyme infection and it is inspiring to read the success stories. I wish you well!
Bonita
October 28th, 2008 at 5:33 am
Bonita, good luck with the herbs!
November 16th, 2008 at 5:34 pm
We just finished the detox and we are on an antibiotic Docacylean and the cats claw we think the spirokete is in the kidneys would you suggest trying the bee venom on the next regiment of detox. we are a late stage lyme patient of Dr. Cameron in New york , she has alot of pain in the legs and muscles, is the teasel root a way to go . We jus had a bad episode of about 6 weeks and this is the 2nd day of feeling better. She is 48 yrs old 5ft 5 in 160lbs and athletic, she has a hard time concentraring, swollen ankles,memory loss speach loss, spotting, frequent urination,weight gain , thank you for you help, kurt schwarz best friend
November 17th, 2008 at 7:00 am
I’m completely unqualified to suggest anything. All I can do is refer you to the book that helped me: Healing Lyme by Stephen Harrod Buhner. I studied it and followed his suggestions. There’s also a listserv on Yahoo called Lyme Aid Buhner where you could ask others’ opinions and you might look on the Lymenet Flash forum as well for other people’s ideas. However, the book and Mr. Buhner are the best authority.
November 21st, 2008 at 1:10 pm
Glad to hear an encourageing story. My wife and I have Lyme as well as “Bartonella Like Organism”. My wife is trying the Zhang protocol, has anyone heard of Zhang and/or how it compares/contrasts with the Buhner protocol? My wife just started the Zhang procol and feels much better allready, allthough Bartonella right now is much more devastating than the Lyme. I am still trying traditional antibiotics etc. for Bartonella (just learned its not Bartonella it is an unknown Bartonella Like Organism - BLO). Does anyone know if these herbal protocols address BLO, Zhang says yes doctors say no. Thanks and good luck
November 21st, 2008 at 1:35 pm
Dear Jon-
Thanks for your comment, and I hope you will keep us posted on your wife’s treatment and recovery…I try to post as many recovery stories as I can find!
For you, I would be careful about which herbs you take, how much, dosing and combo abx. I have both (and a couple others) but the Bartonella is so hard to get rid of, and then you never get to really work on the Lyme.
We are all different, but the best treatment I have been on so far, is 1000mg Artemesinin AM, same dose at PM, 2 days on and one day off. I am taking 250 mg Azithromycin AM and same dose at PM and Flagyl (750mg AM, 750mg PM) for the third week and then the fourth week off everything. I’ve tried so many protocols and some work so well for a huge group but then another huge group doesn’t so you really have to be patient, determined and keep trying. You will get better – it is important you cling to that hope.
Blessings,
Jenna
March 31st, 2009 at 12:48 pm
So glad to hear success stories….
I’ve been struggling for years,,,Crohns diagnosis in 1975, then GI series in 2000 showed no Crohns but I was suffering with fatigue, numb muscles etc….Tried all NE LLMD’s, Zhang, Coil Machine & am now on Buhner & Allimed….5 weeks & hoping……
Jazzman
March 31st, 2009 at 3:45 pm
Cat’s Claw:
Is Buhner more effective with TOA-Free Samento or Prima uno Gato than Raintree Cat’s Claw tablets?
Jay
March 31st, 2009 at 4:06 pm
Jay -
Stephen Buhner is an expert in his field and he says you do not need TOA-Free Samento - in fact he goes into great detail to prove his point in his book “Healing Lyme.” Other specialists feel that certain protocols call for TOA-free to make extra money from patients who will pay anything to get better. Raintree is very high quality and much less expensive. Read “Healing Lyme” and decide.
Sincerely,
Jenna
March 31st, 2009 at 4:12 pm
I am eager to share a success story too - but still trying different protocols…you may be a good candidate for the HCL protocol. I will be publishing it soon in a free ebook but I’m still gathering info and taking HCL - Hang in there Jay! You’ve suffered a long time. You probably have a co-infection or parasites that is keeping the Lyme alive, although I’m no doctor, that is what Dr. Burrascano says when people don’t respond to treatment.
Blessings my friend!
Jenna
April 1st, 2009 at 6:01 am
For the record, I used Now Cat’s Claw 5000 when I did the protocol, but used the same number of pills as if it had been the recommended brand. The Now brand makes several Cat’s Claw products. The “5000″ is the most potent.
April 2nd, 2009 at 10:28 am
I agree!
August 28th, 2009 at 1:52 am
Hi all, thankyou so much for your stories and comments! I’m healing from chronic later stage lyme; had almost died from it with blood clots and heart issues in 2008 - finally diagnosed by natural healer and using colloidal silver in special preparations with good results - been treating 10 months so far - still can’t climb stairs and lost 50 percent muscle strength - spine and joints very weak with cranial plate dysfunction and headaches and much more……brain fog lifting a bit, though…..any comments?
healing hugs, claire
August 29th, 2009 at 4:05 pm
Hi Claire -
Healing hugs back at you. It sounds like you are happy with your medical provider and making progress. I am too, but it happens so slowly, you really need to compare year to year rather than month to month and certainly not day to day!
So many have recovered - keep up the faith! Did you read the blog article about colloidal silver?
Blessings,
Jenna
August 30th, 2009 at 4:36 am
Thanks, Jenna — have not yet seen te blog post on colloidal silver - how can i se it? healing hugs to you, Claire
October 26th, 2009 at 3:08 am
Nancy Wisser,
If you are still around on this site, how are you now? Are you still doing the Buhner Protocol? I am about to start it.
Thanks
Rick
October 26th, 2009 at 8:28 am
I’m doing well. Still walking and riding bike well. All I take now is one tablet per day each of andrographis and resveratrol made from polygonum, for maintenance. I ca’t say I never get pains or rougher days, but then I’m 55. Exercising helps–when I don’t get it regularly I deteriorate. All in all, I feel very healthy.
October 28th, 2009 at 1:58 am
Hi Nancy,
How long do you feel you have been in remission? Are you you watching your diet; sugar, gluten etc.? Thank you for responding so quickly to my first post.
Bryce
October 28th, 2009 at 7:57 am
I’ve been in remission for a little over a year. I do watch my diet–gluten free, low carbs, mostly food I make from scratch, no packaged stuff with additives. And I do take a bunch of vitamins and supplements.
December 9th, 2009 at 12:21 pm
Nancy- question- I was on zhang protocol for 8 months and then began to ramp up on Buhner 2 1/2 years ago when I must have had some type of herx and thought I was going to die (had to keep working) so I went off all herbs until I could be checked out for MS(tested negative). It took me 5 months to recover back to my baseline.
I started slow a 1 1/2 years ago starting with sarsparilla (had to stop due to kidney pain i think), devils claw (18 months) and then added cats’ claw (12 months). I was scared to add back andrographis (gut feelin git was the straw that broke the camel’s back) and knotweed caused me to immediately start twitching (herx?) even 1 capsule-so stopped that. I’m still struggling with the Lyme (flare up this fall)- my doc wants me start abx, but terrified of long term effect on one’s immune system.
Did you try stephania? Thinking about that since I have neuro lyme /optic neurits, twitching, jerks, brain stuff….so curious on that since buhner recommends that for neuro lyme and eye issues. When you reached the dieing point.. how long did it last before you felt your self recovering? The whole herx business is terrifying to know if you are causing more damage or doing good….and I need to be able to function for my kids. I also tried colloidal silver ( 1 tsp gave me a major herx and left the taste of silver in my mouth.. not sure that was a good thing for me!).
Congratulations on your recovery and your ability to manage your health in a natural way. I have always found I do best on a low carb diet as well. And I’m trying to be gluten free/ I have walked 3 miles /day for last 12 years. Do you you find you can cheat on the diet occassionally as you get better? Do you consume any alcohol on occassion? I am a foodee -so the whole food thing is torture for me! I wonder if anyone has tried the SCD (specific carbo diet)for lyme that is being used for autoimmune/crohns and other and autism .In theory you heal your GI tract/immune system and starve out all the bad bugs.. they die!
I wonder if anyone has tried that for Lyme given the low carb diet connection for Lyme Disease.
Anyway, let me know if you have any tips/suggestions on Buhners Herbs and your herx/recovery experience. Thank you and God Bless!
December 9th, 2009 at 2:16 pm
Hi Dawn -
I have passed on your question to Nancy, but I wanted to share with you about the Cowden Protocol (http://www.lymediseaseresource.com/Dr_Lee_Cowden.html) - the diet he suggests is the Eat Right for your Blood Type. And Dr. Burrascano has a section in his treatment guidelines (http://www.lymediseaseresource.com/BurrGuide2008.pdf) that go into great detail about diet.
I know alcohol is a No-No because it feeds Lyme just like sugar does. Both of the resources above should give you answers - even for the questions you haven’t thought of yet.
You can also get support on the Buhner Protocol on his forum - email if you need the web address.
God bless you especially through this holiday season!
Jenna
December 9th, 2009 at 7:47 pm
Hi, Dawn,
I can’t say much that’s relevant to your case. Andrographis, cat’s claw, knotweed and sarsaparilla were the heart of the protocol that brought me to recovery. There are probably other ways to get better, but I don’t know about them.
I do cheat from time to time as far as carbs are concerned, and even a little alcohol (although that’s never much because of my antidepressant and I’m just not that into it) but never on the wheat. On rare occasions when I get some wheat by accident I still react very badly. That may or not be from the Lyme. It’s possible I am gluten intolerant from birth.
I never tried stephania. Didn’t know where to get it. Have you tried teasel tincture? Some people have luck with that. Thank you for your congratulations. I know I was and am very lucky. I get crreaky at times, but I never have the kind of pain I used to have, and my social paranoia is greatly reduced.
Don’t dismiss the use of affirmations and visualisation. It can lay the groundwork for the right solutions to get to you in the real world.
A wonderful holiday season to all!
Nancy
December 10th, 2009 at 9:05 am
Thank you so much Nancy! Can you also comment on how bad the feel like death herx was and how long it lasted? Did you have new symptoms during the herx that you had not had before? I’m assuming you ramped up to the 3-4 capsules 4X day of each and held that for at least 2 months as buhner prescribes? It’s wonderful that there are proof points of recovery out there for us all to aspire to! I agree on the affirmations. It so hard to do when your feeling like so bad! I do try to mediate 2X day and I did find Ashok Gupta’s Amygdala Retraining program (stressed amygdala in the brain theory sets us up for all of the virus/bacterial infections theory) extremely helpful a year 1/2 ago-so trying to incorporate that again into my daily life.
You have a wonderful holiday too!
December 10th, 2009 at 9:41 am
Just a comment on diet to clarify my above post. I did discover eat right for blood type diet a year or so after I first got sick in 1998- I discovered on my own that the type O diet(low carb/low grains) cut my pain level in 1/2. I later discovered that an immune system supplement moducare sterinol which brought me back to the land of the living (but not healed as I still had very low stress tolerance, anxiety, heart palps and some muscle pain especially in the fall). I later decided I didn’t neeed it anymore . About two years later is when the optic neuritis and severe neuro symptoms started. There is a doctor on the west coast (Dr. Cowan Four Fold Healing) that is using the SCD diet combined with LDN (low dose naltrexone) for immune system disorders. The SCD diet (no grains, specific food you can eat) is now also being used to treat neuro/immune disorders such as autism (research GAPS-Gut and Psychology Syndrome Theory). The theory is if you heal the gut (where 80% of immune system lies) you starve out all the bad critters and return to health. I’ve not tried it yet for chronic Lyme (and I’m guessing most of are also harboring other viral and bacterial infections that show up so often in CFS and FMS patients). Those having gut issues should definitely try this diet and I’d love to know if anyone has tried it to treat Lyme Disease. Just sharing this thought with everyone on their journey to healing.
http://www.amazon.com/Breaking-Vicious-Cycle-Intestinal-Through/product-reviews/0969276818
Of course abx- can really harm your gut which is why I’m so confused and torn over that approach based on everything I’ve read about the health and gut connection. Herbs of course do not destroy your gut health which make them a great alternative ( if they work for you).
December 10th, 2009 at 10:00 am
Dawn, Well, the herx was new symptoms–blinding sick headache, impenetrable brain fog and extreme fatigue–I just wanted to lie down all the time, and fortunately for me, I am in a situation where I could lie down for short periods. The worst of it was alleviated if I kept a glass of water or iced tea with the juice of a fresh lemon in it by me at all time, sipping it at the rate of about a glass every 2 or 3 hours. What also helped was an antihistamine or decongestant when the head thing got very bad. I’m not sure if I would have kept taking them without those helps.
I did start all the herbs at once at low doses and ramp up as Buhner says to the highest dosage for 2 months and then ramped down again. I still take andro and knotweed every day, just one pill each. Once in a while I’ll take cat’s claw and teasel in low amounts, hoping to nip any return in the bud. I don’t think anything is killed, just at low levels.
Just saw your second post–do you take glutamine? I recommend it for people with gut problems. Even when I keep gluten free, I still need that. It’s possible, however, with my childhood symptoms, that I am on the autism spectrum.
Meditation may or may not help, I don’t know. I did that for years before. What I did in visualization was to imagine going somewhere where there was a staff that genuinely cared for me and saw me as special, and who did treatments like filling me with a cool nutritive fluid that rejuvenated my whole body, making old cells new and old muscles strong, or they embraced me one by one (these were sort of sexless lovely beings or corporeal spirits. Everyone has to do what works for them.), suffusing me with a spirit of love and a glow of true healing. I think the key is to imagine oneself in a situation of great beauty, safety and pleasure or joy and peace, where you are loved by many beings more than anyone else in the world. For me this involved kind of sailing off from this world to a natural garden and ancient building on an island where these beings had known me since before birth, loved me and helped send me here for a reason.
Sounds weird, I know, but imagining oneself as loved in that way may help you to feel you deserve healing. Our problems with self esteem keep us from getting the good that wants to come to us, I think. Feeling loved and good and cared for helps us receive. In order for that to happen for me, I had to imagine going outside my life here.
Good luck!