Archive for June, 2011

New study on the effectiveness of various antibiotics

Very telling article on several antibiotics and their effectiveness against Lyme disease. A couple things I found interesting: first, tinidizole is highly effective against BOTH spirochete and cyst form, and also, tinidizole doesn’t seem to work much better at high doses, so perhaps lower dosing would be able to reduce side effects while providing the desired results. http://www.canlyme.com/Sapi_et_al_2011.pdf

CCSVI information + “VIP” hormone supplementation

Hi everyone,

I thought I would share the following email I got from a friend on CCSVI, a blood flow disorder to the brain that many people are finding relief after treating (people who suffer from a broad range of problems, including Lyme and MS). Another colleague noted, though, that results from the treatment of CCSVI appear to be short lived, so personally I don’t think the treatment is ready for prime time, yet. Anyway, very interesting discussion.  If you want to learn more, here it is on Wikipedia:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chronic_cerebrospinal_venous_insufficiency

Also, the below email conversation has some other useful info about hormone treatments and Shoemaker neurotoxin treatments.

____________

Email #1:

Hey Bryan,   I had the treatment in the beginning of Nov. last year and it was a real leap forward.  My legs became much stronger, I started doing some light hiking almost every day, my balance improved(didn’t realize how wobbly i was), and I felt better mentally, including less mental fatigue.  Also I was able to handle twice the antimicrobials as before.  Unfortunately over the last few months all of those old symptoms returned again.  I wish I knew why it happened.  I heard a stat among MS patients that 43% suffer a restenosis within two years of the procedure.  I was hoping that since I have mostly eliminated my infections(per muscle testing results) that maybe I wouldn’t have a relapse.  Guess I was wrong.  I’m considering having it done again sometime this year and hopefully it sticks, because I dont know if it’s good to have the veins stretched out too many times.  There is also the option of stents but i’m not sure I want to go my whole life with stents in my neck either. Particularly because stents are designed for arteries, not veins, and so they dont tend to work as well. 

I did recently experience some improvement from following some of Dr. Shoemakers stuff.   Basically he’s discovered that many people with a biotoxin illness develop hypothalamic dysfunction.  The hypothalamus produces two important hormones, VIP and MSH which control inflammation in the body.  If the hypo has been damaged from something like lyme it cant produce enough of these hormones resulting in runaway inflammation in the body from sometimes just teeny amounts of toxin or infection.  I jumped through all the appropriate hoops, got prescribed some VIP nasal spray from Dr. Klinghardt, and within fifteen minutes of my first spray i could feel new blood rushing into my head, my hands became warm, felt better, etc..  then I herxed for a few days, and since have been tolerating treatment better than before.  Im still dealing with these frustrating cognitive issues, but adding VIP spray has moved me one step closer to wellness.

Now i’m following a biotoxin removal protocol by Patricia Kane Phd www.patriciakane.net which is focused on loading with high doses of Omega 6’s and 3’s at a 4:1 ratio and taking large doses of phosphatidylCholine for repairing and rebuilding cell membranes, as well as getting the cells to dump their accumulated toxins.  I dont know if its going to make me feel better yet but these two weeks i’ve been on the protocol i’ve been releasing a ton of toxins.  So that can only be good.  

Never in my wildest imagination did I think there could be this many different pieces to our puzzle. 

Email #2:

VIP stands for Vasoactive Intestinal Peptide.  As far as I know only one pharmacy has it, Hopkinton Drug http://www.rxandhealth.com/    Here’s Shoemaker’s new website that he’s still building out http://www.survivingmold.com/  He speaks about almost everything in reference to mold, but you can replace the word Mold with Lyme because they’re both biotoxins that trigger the same inflammatory cascade.  If you look at this link http://www.survivingmold.com/treatment/step-by-step  you will see all the steps Shoemaker says need to be addressed before VIP is used.  I dont think its very relevant to your case because you’re doing so well and most of your inflammatory biomarkers are probably in range.  I guess if any of these biomarkers are far out of the ‘normal’ range the VIP wont work, and in some cases can even make you worse.  The usual dose of the VIP is four sprays into the nose a day, alternating nostrils.  Some people scale back on the dose over the course of a few months, some people go off it completely after a few months, and some people stay at the full dose.  Basically use as needed.  The only information about the VIP spray I have is that it’s strength is 500MCG/ML  You know how different we all are but for some people in the mold community VIP spray has been a life saver. I suspect some of the veteran lyme patients have mostly eliminated their infections and are dealing with a dysfunctional hypothalamus that makes them feel like they have a raging lyme infection when really its a raging inflammatory response to a few lingering bugs and toxins. 

Shoemaker also mentions MARCoNS(multiple antibiotic resistant coagulase negative staph) which is showing up in the sinuses of nearly all chronic biotoxin sufferers.  That might be something worth looking into as well.  Because of the sinuses proximity to the hypothalamus and pituitary a sinus staph constantly poisons those glands with biotoxins.  Shoemaker uses a pharmaceutical called BEG nasal spray to eliminate it but many people develop an allergic reaction to it and so there’s a natural remedy that’s been a great alternative called Nasal Wash from www.supergoodstuff.com 

Have you addressed parasites? When you say the infections seem to keep coming back it makes me wonder if they could be living inside some parasites. I know MMS is helpful against parasites, and there are many other parasite treatments available but Dr. Klinghardt believes that to properly eliminate parasites we need to go on some strong anti-parasitics like Alinia, Albendazol, Ivermectin, etc..    Klinghardt also recently said that he’s finding if he first treats for parasites the rest of the lyme treatment goes much more quickly.  I guess Ivermectin can be obtained over the counter as a treatment for horses lol  Might be helpful to know.  

Interesting dialogue on the Marshall Protocol

Dear Dr. Shippen – Let me be of assistance.  I was on every combination of Lyme appropriate Antibiotics for over TEN YEARS I had a catheter in my chest getting another series of Antibiotics for over FOUR YEARS.  The saga of Lyme disease we all know is clearly an area of contentiousness.  However, what I know with certitude is the treatment for most of these heretofore seemingly imponderable chronic conditions in light of emerging breakthroughs in genomics and molecular biology are outdated clinical approaches.

 

The only thing “dangerous” to me was staying on the dead end Lyme treatment options I was on.  Thank God I was open and willing to try and LEARN a far superior approach.  Thank God for the internet that has completely change the paradigm.  Will more physicians get out of their orthodoxy and catch up to us patients?  

 

PBS/NJN News shot a story about Lyme and the current testing and treatment right in my home.  I was on the Front Page of Sunday “The Star Ledger” (the largest paper in the state), in addition to other major media appearances.  I know the issue and every treatment option VERY WELL I assure you.  Nothing I tried moved my clinical condition and serology even close to the what the MP so dramatically did!

 

My results are NOT anecdotal.  There are websites (MarshallProtocol.com; CureMyTh1.com, and others) with powerful positive (in many cases miraculous) testimony from patients from all over the world.  I ask respectfully that you and others please begin to listen  REALLY LISTEN and learn from highly informed patients.

 

From: Eugene ShippenSent: Monday, June 20, 2011 9:38 PM
To: Harold Smith
Subject: Re: mmi The latest on the Marshall Protocol. Latest what?

 

To all in this discussion, I would add the following observations, not withstanding that some members have had some positive experiences with the MP, either under treatment or through significant experience in prescribing it, such as Greg Baney, who I respect in his efforts and search for answers. What those of us that question the elements of the MP object to is the combined elements of the MP without adequate scientific support.

 

Some facts about the Marshall Protocol (MP):

1.     The MP has never been passed by a human experimental committee usually required before human trials are undertaken for new treatments (I have requested this information from several devotees and from Marshall himself and received no confirmation to date), nor has it undergone any controlled studies where various aspects of the protocol could be evaluated. Some patients may have benefitted, but for what reasons in the treatment – antibiotics? ARB effects? Vitamin D restriction? In any case, the treatment may take YEARS to see benefits and may require long periods of adverse (Herxheimer/immune dysregulation) reactions. Many patients cannot get through this initial phase or may never get through it. There is NO data on success/failure rates of those started on this unproven protocol. I have no doubt that some patients have been benefitted from treatment with the MP. My question would be how would they have done with antibiotics alone and would they have done better with additional vitamin D?

2.     The MP has several aspects that have potential benefits and potential side effects: 

a.     Antibiotics used in low doses cyclically or chronically (possibly beneficial as has been demonstrated by Brown and others – possibly negative effects of dysbiosis and antibiotic resistance. The use of various antibiotics such as tetracyclines and plaquenil have been used effectively for year to induce remission in various autoimmune diseases for many years. Is this the major benefit from individuals treated with the MP? I have used this treatment for years with beneficial results that occur much more quickly than those reported by Marshall’s devotees. I have concluded that this aspect is the basis for the major benefits seen in most patients. Many post-lyme patients have seen clear benefits from cyclic, diverse antibiotics in various different “protocols.”

b.     ARB with some documented anti-inflammatory effects (PPARgamma) – off label, untested at levels recommended – possibly may reduce inflammatory symptoms through several mechanisms, but potential adverse side effects at the recommended doses (as have been reported by some patients). Other ARBs, promoted by Richie Shoemaker, M. D. have better anti-inflammatory effects.

c.      ARBs have not been demonstrated to have specific “activating” or “blocking” effects on VDR. An early publication, Marshall calls it a VDR blocker; another, Marshall calls it a VDR activator. There is NO specific evidence that it has specific VDR activities despite theoretical “modeling” published by Marshall showing potential ARB linkage to VDR structure with NO data on effects.

d.     Restriction of all sources of vitamin D including sunlight exposure to the point of inducing overt well established severe deficiency of circulating levels of 25(OH)D3 – there are NO benefits ever demonstrated from this practice and clear adverse effects from sustained deficiency by all vitamin D experts published to date. There is no one other than Marshall’s group that have espoused this unproven theory. There are reports of exacerbation of symptoms in cases of Sarcoidosis with increases in vitamin D when increased 1,25D3 AND hypercalcemia are present. Interestingly, I know of NO patients that have been reported in published data of MP patients that demonstrate hypercalcemia, the hallmark of vitamin D toxicity. Many chronic infections have been shown to inhibit VDR activities that might reduce antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) that help the body fight off various infections. But vitamin D supplementation has been shown to increase AMP production, so why reduce it? Sunlight therapy has been reported for centuries to have specific healing benefits in patients with various chronic diseases, including TB, psoriasis, arthritis and autoimmune diseases and this treatment is available in the Dead Sea in Israel at the present time. This part of the MP doesn’t make common sense and my be detrimental as all studies of vitamin D deficiency have demonstrated. I have reviewed the bibliographies of many of the articles by Marshall and some of his devotees. The only source of published studies that would “support” the MP are articles written by devotees or Marshall himself in a circular bibliography fashion.

e.     The discussion of various “steroid” endocrine receptor interactions with vitamin D as a “steroid” is endocrine nonsense. Most hormones have the ability to activate or interact with similar receptors, but the actual hormones have the most effective activities with their specific receptors. To suggest that vitamin D may in some way interfere with other “steroid” receptors is an unproven theory in search of data to support the theory. Most hormones require adequate other supportive hormones for best effects. Correcting demonstrated deficiencies of various hormones, in my experience, has beneficial effects in treatment of all patients (with the possible exception of hormone dependent cancers) and I know Dr. Blaney, who prescribes the MP supports endocrine evaluation and treatment.

 Until the MP is subjected to controlled studies, it remains an unproven, (potentially dangerous?) approach to treatment of chronic diseases. Antibiotics may benefit some individuals with various chronic diseases, but the other aspects of the MP require validation before it should be promoted/supported on mmi.

Eugene Shippen, M. D. Private Practice, Shillington, PA

 

On Jun 20, 2011, at 2:58 PM, Harold Smith wrote:

Veny Musum and Dr. Bransfield.There are not any assumptionns but simply analytical summary of what the referenced web site details: anecdotal means one case, self reported means there is not an independent evaluator, chronic over years is evidence in the web site, and many treatments are utilized is evidenced in the web site and remitting relapsing is stated in parenthesis as my own experience of what the predominant number of chronic illness patients face.  Having read extensively about hormones and vitamin D, studied and practiced very practical medicine for over 45 years, having read extensively about the Marshall Protocol, attended Dr. Marshall presentations in which the presentation built extensively and quite illuminating on the work of others in chronic stealth infections while terminating when the audience awaited details of the evidence supporting the MP theories, and the even more in depth critical reviews of its flaws, published about Vitamin D, treated extensively Vitamin D deficient chronic illness patients, etc. , I appreciate your offer to educate me. Please do so with studies outside the cited authors of the Marshall Protocol.  From my point of view, go to CALDA web site and read the recent published LymeTimes article by Eugene Shippen MD and Harold Smith MD on Vitamin D in the 2010 publications. If you cannot access the article, I will regular mail you a copy. Although we are the authors, the references are to a multitude of other scientifically based physicians- not ourselves. I cannot find any studies on inducing vitamin D deficiency disease levels or hormone supplementation interfering with nuclear receptors in the immune system that support the confidence expressed in the “latest on the Marshall Protocol” beyond these authors. Scientific questions were presented to the MP and never answered. . There are components of the “latest” that are dangerous to patients- especiallly when an illness renders them desperate and more willing to gamble.. But I look forward to your contribution. When using MMI please include the details submitted in signature to enter MMI membership. I have included Dr. Shippen who may want to comment because I find the “latest” to have statements about hormone supplementation and hormone vitamin D that are generalizations and advice contradictedin the site’s referenced explanations about hormone supplementing This is very old ground for us and he may or may not find reasons to continue what has been a non dialogue before. Harold Smith MD private medical  practice Bloomsburg PA

Dr. Smith – You are making a whole series of assumptions about both myself, the MP and the hard science it is grounded in. Are you interested in gaining a more complete understanding?

Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry


 

Thank you for the  autobio info regarding Veny Musum MMI member. The link below is an anecdotal self-reporting story of recovery from a complex life altering chronic illness utilizing a complex treatment program over many years. Consequently it is likely there are both factors that made little difference, had significant impact, or were somewhat detrimental. Given that it requires months, even years to slowly steadily recover in a relapsing and remitting pattern ( my interpretation of the likely pattern), and many can be delayed, caution must be used in interpreting treatment as the one that did it all. Likewise, the concepts must make reasonable sense and be grounded in established open scientific discussion. Otherwise some conclusions may be dangerous to others. Harold Smith MD private practice Bloomsburg PA 

— On Mon, 6/20/11, Paula Carnes 
 

http://www.publichealthalert.org/Articles/miscellaneous/Veny.htm

 

I am not a supporter of the Marshall Protocol, nor am I a believer that D levels of 5 are normal or healthy.

 

Paula Carnes

Biotech Investment Research

Las Vegas, NV

 

 

On Jun 20, 2011, at 5:25 AM, Harold Smith wrote:

Hello Dr. Bransfield. Perhaps I have missed a recent thread on the Marshall Protocol?  Anyone interested can find this link simply by googling their interest. For clarification purposes for myself and perhaps other MMI members, is the MMI notification of the link an endorsement that there is significant science as in MMI goals or simply a point of informaton. If one reads this site very serious questions arise: “many MP patients have kept their 25-D below 5 ng/ml for many years without any adverse effect”.  “Because hormonal supplementation can interfere with the activity of many nuclear receptors, hormonal supplementation is contraindicated”. There are some waivers to these strong recs-  It could be treated if HRT is “marked deficiency on a blood tests”. What are the deficient levels on blood tests that should or should not be treated and at what level do they match clinical symptomatology and physical exam findings?  What about a patient in the lower 40% with symptoms?  Here is the explanation: “Therefore, hormone supplementation treatment may compromise innate immune functions in a dose dependent fashion. Research is needed to validate this theory”.That last MP statment is the most or perhaps only significan statement.  There is no reasonable scientific methodology establishing not only Vit D levels of 5 ng/ml as without adverse effect or that hormone therapy is contraindicated- but also if one checks out the references there is an extremely low level of scientific methodology to nearly all the medical advice given with such confidence as this site.  What is the membership info provided by Veny Musum?  Thank you- Harold Smith MD private medical  practice Bloomsburg PA

— On Sat, 6/18/11, Robert Hi,

Below is a page explaining the Marshall protocol:

Thanks to Veny Musum for providing the link.

http://mpkb.org/home/mp

  

  

Robert C Bransfield, MD, DLFAPA

225 Highway 35

Red Bank, NJ 07701

Phone: 732-741-3263

Fax: 732-741-5308

Email: 

Website: www.MentalHealthandIllness.com

Updated link for ebook mentioned in last post

Some have said the link to the free academic ebook didn’t work. Here’s a new link.

http://www.nap.edu/catalog.php?record_id=13134

In order to get the free PDF, you have to sign up for an account, but it is free and easy, I tested it. Very good e-book, must read.

Free Academic Book Supporting Chronic Lyme

Finally acadamia is honing in on the realities of Lyme. Here you can read an academic book by “The National Academic Press” for free in PDF or read online format. Entitled,  Critical Needs and Gaps in Understanding Prevention, Amelioration, and Resolution of Lyme and Other Tick-Borne Diseases: The Short-Term and Long-Term Outcomes: Workshop Report. See below link to read book.

A comment about the book from a forum member:

“Excellent book. Covers the political controversy, acknowledges Chronic Lyme and need for long term treatment, need for more awareness and study, and also has some patient stories of people some of us know although labeled “Patient A” (not sure how they got those, but pretty cool).”

Buy 1 Lyme book, get another FREE

Special promotion. When you buy any one of these Lyme books, you can get another of your choice for free:

The Top 10 Lyme Disease Treatments
Lyme Disease & Rife Machines
Insights Into Lyme Disease Treatment

Just go to www.lymebook.com and order the book of your choice (order only one) and then in the comments box at checkout that asks you “how did you hear about us,” simply write: “Please send me a free book” and name the free book you want. You pay only for one book and for shipping of one book, but you get 2 books.

Offer ends 6/10. We need to make room for new inventory!

Alternate offer: If you have been meaning to watch the Dietrich Klinghardt 5-DVD set, you can buy it and get any TWO of the above mentioned books for free. Just check out with the 5-DVD set (do not add the other items to your cart) and in the “how did you hear about us” box at check out, tell us you want 2 free books and choose from the books listed above.

Dr. Mercola interviews LLMD Dr. Crist on YouTube

LLMD who has treated 7,000 patients shares all….

Part 1: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GYZJvbHZM9Y&feature=relmfu

Prat 2: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZKETI_Zafkg&NR=1

Great info on antibiotics, hormones, general wisdom from an experienced LLMD