Lyme disease explored with Les Roberts (author of The Poison Plum)
Ian Brockwell
December 17, 2008
Since writing an article a few days ago called "Biological Warfare – are we already seeing the casualties?" my interest (and hopefully the interest of many others) has been stirred on the subject of Lyme disease.
Prior to writing the article I knew almost nothing about this disease, something I had in common with many millions of others (including doctors!). Thanks to Les and other readers who responded, my knowledge of this terrible disease has increased considerably.
In addition to writing a book based on his experiences (The Poison Plum) to help people become more aware of Lyme Disease (and its possible origin), Les has also agreed to share some of the details of his battle with the disease.
Les first came into contact with Lyme disease in 1990, whilst living on lakefront property in rural South Alabama. At the time he was president of an investment brokerage firm based in Pensacola, Florida, which he had founded 13 years earlier. He exercised regularly with weightlifting, running, cycling, swimming, and hiking, was careful what he ate and "At six feet, four and a half inches in height and a rock solid 235 pounds" was in great shape. But then....."What followed became an all encompassing nightmare straight from the very pits of hell."
The following extracts have been taken from information supplied by Les Roberts:
My first indication of something being "not quite right" was a feeling of malaise that I thought was some kind of summer flu. I took a short vacation to the Caribbean thinking the rest would help me. An episode of syncope while there got my attention. Others followed after returning home. A feeling of "you are about to pass out."
One evening at dinner a few weeks later my heart suddenly became about 70% weaker and my family rushed me to a local emergency room. I was gasping for breath and both arms were numb. Heart attack I thought!
The physician on duty assured me that I was not having a M.I. but he did not know what was causing my discomfort. I was placed in intensive care and monitored throughout the night. A stress test was performed the next day and was abnormal. I was released, told not to exercise, and was referred to a cardiologist in Pensacola.
I was hospitalized in Pensacola several days later and the usual battery of cardiac tests was performed. The doctors could find nothing significantly wrong and I was diagnosed as having occult hypertension that may have caused a thickening of my heart muscle. A Beta-blocker and Prozac were prescribed and I was discharged. I had no other symptoms other than the heart weakness.
I tried to return to work and my normal activities but the symptoms continued to worsen. Several weeks later I was again hospitalized in Pensacola.... a second echocardiogram was performed and the new cardiologist explained the results to me....He felt that I most likely had suffered a viral infection of the heart muscle and it appeared I was recovering. He told me not to take the blood pressure medication anymore and I would be discharged since there was nothing else they could do for me.... The discharge diagnosis was myocarditis and cardiomyopathy with a guarded prognosis. Even though extremely weak and suffering with tachycardia and frequent spells of syncope, I returned to work. Thinking the attacking villain was some sort of virus, I followed Linus Pauling´s advice of ingesting vitamin C every few hours to the bowel tolerance level. For me this was about 30,000 milligrams of Vitamin C a day. Very slowly, over a period of many months, I improved. Finally I hit my plateau at about 85% - 90% of my former stamina about four years later.
Then in 1998, the heart problems recurred along with symptoms of central nervous system involvement. I experienced ataxia, paresthesias, symptoms of encephalitis and meningitis, peripheral neuropathies, etc. A constellation of other bizarre symptoms began appearing and the usual round robin of doctors´ visits, referrals, tests, disappointments, and frustrations continued. By January 2000, I had seen twenty-four doctors representing a kaleidoscope of specialties. I had lost 53 pounds and the crushing fatigue told me I was near death. I diagnosed myself with Lyme Disease and DEMANDED to be treated with IV antibiotics. My internist agreed and thirty minutes later I was in a hospital with a nurse inserting a needle for the infusion of IV Rocephin into my arm.
This began 3 ˝ years of antibiotic therapy and tests for co-infections. All tests for co-infections were negative. However, Babesia was presumed because of my symptomatology and I was treated three times with Mepron and oral Zithromax. The A/B (antibiotics) used included a staggering (and expensive) 136 infusions of Rocephin (2 GM), 73 Zithromax infusions (500 MG), sixteen weeks of I.M. bicillin, and a host of oral A/B. The torturous journey through the world of A/B therapy, P.I.C.C. lines and home health nurses had been completed. I was clinically improved but still sick.
It is my opinion as of this writing that A/B alone will not cure late stage Lyme disease. Frequently however with proper A/B treatment, the patient will be able to resume most normal activities and co-exist with the remaining infection (s) and resulting symptoms. Failure to treat Lyme and possible co-infections would most probably eventually result in the death of the patient.
In June of 2003, after 3 ˝ years of very aggressive A/B therapy, I abruptly stopped all A/B and began treating myself with an EMEM 5 Rife machine. I experienced immediate Herxheimer reactions to the treatments followed by a level of well being and improvement unattained previously by A/B therapy. After four months of Rife therapy, I began a detoxification program utilizing a selection of herbs, vitamins, and minerals. These were combined with the ingestion of two capsules of TOA free Cats Claw per day. Very pronounced Herxheimer reactions began within 24 hours. Also, the appearance of pus filled lesions on my face, arm, and leg, diarrhea, a swollen and tender lymph node and then, very rapid improvement. Myalgias, weakness and fatigue faded very quickly. Approximately 1˝ months later I began taking the herb Artemisinin for treatment of the Babesia infection. Response was rapid with Herxheimer type symptoms, followed by improvement. It is estimated by some that approximately six months of Artemisinin therapy is required to clear the infection.
WHAT TO DO
If you are suffering from suspected symptoms of Lyme disease, fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue syndrome, or have been diagnosed with or suspected of having the following:
Multiple Sclerosis, Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis, Parkinsons Disease, or Alzheimers, etc., use the internet to locate the nearest Lyme disease support group. Typically these are listed as "Lyme Disease Support Group of "state, town, or region." Make contact with the representative(s) of that group and obtain the name, address, and phone numbers of the Lyme Literate Medical Doctor for that area and secure an appointment as soon as possible. Be sure to take any and all medical records you may have available as well as a list of any supplements you are taking.
It was my experience that medical doctors who were not knowledgeable about Lyme were a waste of my time and money. Following the advice of some of them could result in your death if you have Lyme or co-infections.
Lyme Disease is a very serious disease that is frequently debilitating and can even be fatal, especially if the victim is co-infected with Ehrlichia or Babesia. If you have Lyme disease you are suffering from one or more of the following types of infections: Spirochetal, Parasitic, Bacterial, or Fungal. The more of these infections you have, the sicker you are. Other people, even well meaning physicians, family members, and friends usually do not understand why you are chronically ill and your constant complaints of bizarre symptoms make no sense to them. Especially if a definitive diagnosis is lacking, these people are prone to ascribe your problems to some sort of psychosomatic disorder. Anti-depressants will be prescribed and professional counseling will be suggested.
DO NOT LISTEN TO THESE PEOPLE! They will only confuse you further and depress you even more than you already are. They can be as toxic as the germs that are ravaging your body and should be avoided. It is true that depression can be a manifestation of your disease. It is NOT true that your disease is a manifestation of your depression. Do Not Give Up! The answers are out there somewhere. Just because you are not well today does not mean you will not be well tomorrow. Do not be afraid to investigate alternative treatments, supplements, modalities, and protocols. Some of those that were decidedly "out of the box" were very beneficial for me.
Whilst certain symptoms can indicate problems other than Lyme disease, Les has listed those he suffered with: Severe fatigue, Irregular heartbeat, Tachycardia, Shortness of Breath, Fever – Chills – Night sweats, Skin Rashes, Ataxia, Weakness, Muscle Pain and Atrophy, Bladder Irritation/Frequent Urination, Joint Pains, Trembling, Nervous & Jittery, Hypersensitivity to Noise, Eye Pain – Photophobia, Headaches, Dizziness, Weight Loss (24% of body weight!), Severe Depression, Mental Confusion and Forgetfulness, Blurred Vision/Unable to Focus/Stars, Balance Problems, Altered Taste Sensations, Altered Sense of Smell, Facial Numbness, Severe Insomnia, Neck Pain, Lower Back Pain (muscle), Spinal Pain (bone), Ringing in Ears, Nausea, Gastritis, Listing to Left when Walking, Muscle Twitching, Frequent Sore Throats, Sensation of Body about to "Lock Up", Jarring Sensations in Spine when walking, Testicular Pain, Prostate Pain, Jaw and Teeth Pain, Musical Hallucinations and Numbness and Tingling in Hands, Arms, Legs, and Feet.
I certainly hope the information provided will help others (including doctors) to discover this disease more quickly, but also enable those, who are lucky enough not to have this disease, to be more tolerant and understanding to those that have.
The number of Lyme disease cases is increasing, and it is important to not only understand the symptoms and the treatment available, but to carry our research on where this disease originated. Is there some connection to Lyme and Plum Island, and if there is, what else has been created there?
I would like to thank Les Roberts for sharing his personal experiences of Lyme disease with us and wish him (and all the sufferers of this disease) every success for the future.
Prior to writing the article I knew almost nothing about this disease, something I had in common with many millions of others (including doctors!). Thanks to Les and other readers who responded, my knowledge of this terrible disease has increased considerably.In addition to writing a book based on his experiences (The Poison Plum) to help people become more aware of Lyme Disease (and its possible origin), Les has also agreed to share some of the details of his battle with the disease.
Les first came into contact with Lyme disease in 1990, whilst living on lakefront property in rural South Alabama. At the time he was president of an investment brokerage firm based in Pensacola, Florida, which he had founded 13 years earlier. He exercised regularly with weightlifting, running, cycling, swimming, and hiking, was careful what he ate and "At six feet, four and a half inches in height and a rock solid 235 pounds" was in great shape. But then....."What followed became an all encompassing nightmare straight from the very pits of hell."
The following extracts have been taken from information supplied by Les Roberts:
My first indication of something being "not quite right" was a feeling of malaise that I thought was some kind of summer flu. I took a short vacation to the Caribbean thinking the rest would help me. An episode of syncope while there got my attention. Others followed after returning home. A feeling of "you are about to pass out."
One evening at dinner a few weeks later my heart suddenly became about 70% weaker and my family rushed me to a local emergency room. I was gasping for breath and both arms were numb. Heart attack I thought!
The physician on duty assured me that I was not having a M.I. but he did not know what was causing my discomfort. I was placed in intensive care and monitored throughout the night. A stress test was performed the next day and was abnormal. I was released, told not to exercise, and was referred to a cardiologist in Pensacola.
I was hospitalized in Pensacola several days later and the usual battery of cardiac tests was performed. The doctors could find nothing significantly wrong and I was diagnosed as having occult hypertension that may have caused a thickening of my heart muscle. A Beta-blocker and Prozac were prescribed and I was discharged. I had no other symptoms other than the heart weakness.
I tried to return to work and my normal activities but the symptoms continued to worsen. Several weeks later I was again hospitalized in Pensacola.... a second echocardiogram was performed and the new cardiologist explained the results to me....He felt that I most likely had suffered a viral infection of the heart muscle and it appeared I was recovering. He told me not to take the blood pressure medication anymore and I would be discharged since there was nothing else they could do for me.... The discharge diagnosis was myocarditis and cardiomyopathy with a guarded prognosis. Even though extremely weak and suffering with tachycardia and frequent spells of syncope, I returned to work. Thinking the attacking villain was some sort of virus, I followed Linus Pauling´s advice of ingesting vitamin C every few hours to the bowel tolerance level. For me this was about 30,000 milligrams of Vitamin C a day. Very slowly, over a period of many months, I improved. Finally I hit my plateau at about 85% - 90% of my former stamina about four years later.
Then in 1998, the heart problems recurred along with symptoms of central nervous system involvement. I experienced ataxia, paresthesias, symptoms of encephalitis and meningitis, peripheral neuropathies, etc. A constellation of other bizarre symptoms began appearing and the usual round robin of doctors´ visits, referrals, tests, disappointments, and frustrations continued. By January 2000, I had seen twenty-four doctors representing a kaleidoscope of specialties. I had lost 53 pounds and the crushing fatigue told me I was near death. I diagnosed myself with Lyme Disease and DEMANDED to be treated with IV antibiotics. My internist agreed and thirty minutes later I was in a hospital with a nurse inserting a needle for the infusion of IV Rocephin into my arm.
This began 3 ˝ years of antibiotic therapy and tests for co-infections. All tests for co-infections were negative. However, Babesia was presumed because of my symptomatology and I was treated three times with Mepron and oral Zithromax. The A/B (antibiotics) used included a staggering (and expensive) 136 infusions of Rocephin (2 GM), 73 Zithromax infusions (500 MG), sixteen weeks of I.M. bicillin, and a host of oral A/B. The torturous journey through the world of A/B therapy, P.I.C.C. lines and home health nurses had been completed. I was clinically improved but still sick.
It is my opinion as of this writing that A/B alone will not cure late stage Lyme disease. Frequently however with proper A/B treatment, the patient will be able to resume most normal activities and co-exist with the remaining infection (s) and resulting symptoms. Failure to treat Lyme and possible co-infections would most probably eventually result in the death of the patient.
In June of 2003, after 3 ˝ years of very aggressive A/B therapy, I abruptly stopped all A/B and began treating myself with an EMEM 5 Rife machine. I experienced immediate Herxheimer reactions to the treatments followed by a level of well being and improvement unattained previously by A/B therapy. After four months of Rife therapy, I began a detoxification program utilizing a selection of herbs, vitamins, and minerals. These were combined with the ingestion of two capsules of TOA free Cats Claw per day. Very pronounced Herxheimer reactions began within 24 hours. Also, the appearance of pus filled lesions on my face, arm, and leg, diarrhea, a swollen and tender lymph node and then, very rapid improvement. Myalgias, weakness and fatigue faded very quickly. Approximately 1˝ months later I began taking the herb Artemisinin for treatment of the Babesia infection. Response was rapid with Herxheimer type symptoms, followed by improvement. It is estimated by some that approximately six months of Artemisinin therapy is required to clear the infection.
WHAT TO DO
If you are suffering from suspected symptoms of Lyme disease, fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue syndrome, or have been diagnosed with or suspected of having the following:
Multiple Sclerosis, Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis, Parkinsons Disease, or Alzheimers, etc., use the internet to locate the nearest Lyme disease support group. Typically these are listed as "Lyme Disease Support Group of "state, town, or region." Make contact with the representative(s) of that group and obtain the name, address, and phone numbers of the Lyme Literate Medical Doctor for that area and secure an appointment as soon as possible. Be sure to take any and all medical records you may have available as well as a list of any supplements you are taking.
It was my experience that medical doctors who were not knowledgeable about Lyme were a waste of my time and money. Following the advice of some of them could result in your death if you have Lyme or co-infections.
Lyme Disease is a very serious disease that is frequently debilitating and can even be fatal, especially if the victim is co-infected with Ehrlichia or Babesia. If you have Lyme disease you are suffering from one or more of the following types of infections: Spirochetal, Parasitic, Bacterial, or Fungal. The more of these infections you have, the sicker you are. Other people, even well meaning physicians, family members, and friends usually do not understand why you are chronically ill and your constant complaints of bizarre symptoms make no sense to them. Especially if a definitive diagnosis is lacking, these people are prone to ascribe your problems to some sort of psychosomatic disorder. Anti-depressants will be prescribed and professional counseling will be suggested.
DO NOT LISTEN TO THESE PEOPLE! They will only confuse you further and depress you even more than you already are. They can be as toxic as the germs that are ravaging your body and should be avoided. It is true that depression can be a manifestation of your disease. It is NOT true that your disease is a manifestation of your depression. Do Not Give Up! The answers are out there somewhere. Just because you are not well today does not mean you will not be well tomorrow. Do not be afraid to investigate alternative treatments, supplements, modalities, and protocols. Some of those that were decidedly "out of the box" were very beneficial for me.
Whilst certain symptoms can indicate problems other than Lyme disease, Les has listed those he suffered with: Severe fatigue, Irregular heartbeat, Tachycardia, Shortness of Breath, Fever – Chills – Night sweats, Skin Rashes, Ataxia, Weakness, Muscle Pain and Atrophy, Bladder Irritation/Frequent Urination, Joint Pains, Trembling, Nervous & Jittery, Hypersensitivity to Noise, Eye Pain – Photophobia, Headaches, Dizziness, Weight Loss (24% of body weight!), Severe Depression, Mental Confusion and Forgetfulness, Blurred Vision/Unable to Focus/Stars, Balance Problems, Altered Taste Sensations, Altered Sense of Smell, Facial Numbness, Severe Insomnia, Neck Pain, Lower Back Pain (muscle), Spinal Pain (bone), Ringing in Ears, Nausea, Gastritis, Listing to Left when Walking, Muscle Twitching, Frequent Sore Throats, Sensation of Body about to "Lock Up", Jarring Sensations in Spine when walking, Testicular Pain, Prostate Pain, Jaw and Teeth Pain, Musical Hallucinations and Numbness and Tingling in Hands, Arms, Legs, and Feet.
I certainly hope the information provided will help others (including doctors) to discover this disease more quickly, but also enable those, who are lucky enough not to have this disease, to be more tolerant and understanding to those that have.
The number of Lyme disease cases is increasing, and it is important to not only understand the symptoms and the treatment available, but to carry our research on where this disease originated. Is there some connection to Lyme and Plum Island, and if there is, what else has been created there?
I would like to thank Les Roberts for sharing his personal experiences of Lyme disease with us and wish him (and all the sufferers of this disease) every success for the future.
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