Serratia, RMSF, ehrlichia and fevers with babesia
Dear Stephen,
Trying to get some new ideas and insight regarding my husband’s illness. He has been disabled from lyme and other tickborne diseases for over 10 years now. We finally were able to afford extended IV antibiotics recently. His Parkinsonian tremors and mycolonus and dystonia and seizure-like episodes had virtually gone away after 7 months of IV rocephin and 4 months of IV zithromax with tindamax in the combo. Then he tried low dose naltrexone to modulate his immune system. Coincidentally during that hospital stay he got some lab results which showed a very high titer for babesia duncani. He had treated for an unknown babesia species seen on multiple bloodsmears in the past. We decided to try aggressive babesia treatment for the first time to try to eliminate his lingering symptoms.
Trying to get some new ideas and insight regarding my husband’s illness. He has been disabled from lyme and other tickborne diseases for over 10 years now. We finally were able to afford extended IV antibiotics recently. His Parkinsonian tremors and mycolonus and dystonia and seizure-like episodes had virtually gone away after 7 months of IV rocephin and 4 months of IV zithromax with tindamax in the combo. Then he tried low dose naltrexone to modulate his immune system. Coincidentally during that hospital stay he got some lab results which showed a very high titer for babesia duncani. He had treated for an unknown babesia species seen on multiple bloodsmears in the past. We decided to try aggressive babesia treatment for the first time to try to eliminate his lingering symptoms.
Since then it has been a real roller coaster ride. Five hospitalizations for high fevers – 101.6 up to 105.6. Three times he had positive blood cultures for Serratia marcescens. The PICC line was replaced 2 times and has now been pulled. It was cultured and was negative 2 times. Hubby had a rash at one point and subsequently had a positive test for Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever. And most recently he had a positive test for Human Granulocytic Ehrlichia. None of these infections had ever shown positive in previous tests over the years. The real downhill progression with daily fevers of 99.5 up to 101.5 began with IV flagyl on 3/15 – no previous history of fevers. The quinine and IV clindamycin combo was probably the most helpful in alleviating headaches/brain swelling but within 3 or 4 days of stopping after doing 6 rounds over a few months the dizziness and neuro symptoms and sweating all increased.
Now he’s on aggressive oral medications for babesia – malarone, artemisinin and lariam plus diflucan and also levaquin for the serratia. We have always tried to combine herbs with antibiotics and supplements in our treatment approach. Right now it seems like the antibiotics are failing. We need some new herbal suggestions to treat serratia, RMSF, and ehrlichia/anaplasma. Tried coptis for the serratia, but the dose may have been too low. By the way – cryptolepis at ½ ounce 3 times daily a couple of years ago was the first thing that actually stopped his Parkinsonian tremors. But at that time the herb became unavailable for several months and later we could not repeat the results. Blood smears in December were clean indicating the bartonella may actually be gone. It was after that that we began the babesia treatment.
Doctors have differing opinions, but hubby and I think that many of the infections are sequestered in his red blood cells and as we kill off the babesia the other things are coming out of hiding. The babesia must still be present because he has episodes of hemolysis with decreased RBC, decreased hemoglobin and decreased hematocrit. Also has increased bilirubin, increased LDH and decreased platelet counts during these episodes. Any suggestions greatly appreciated.
Fevers, fatigue and headaches seem to be the most bothersome symptoms at this time. Plus the nausea which has been a constant issue for the entire 10 years. Boneset tincture will help the fever to break for moderate fevers, but it does not do much to relieve low grade fevers that come and go multiple times daily. Thyroid tests actually indicate hypothyroid with very elevated TSH. Have tried vinpocetine, gingko, butterbur, feverfew, prickly ash bark tincture, high dose niacin and high dose lumbrokinase for brain pressure/swelling headaches. The lumbrokinase is probably the most
helpful. Thanks.
helpful. Thanks.
Stephen’s response:
Try Sida acuta (woodlandessence.com), it is specific for protecting red blood cells and will also kill a broad range of organisms that infect the blood, both Gram positive and negative. I would suggest the use of 1 tsp 3x daily for two weeks, then go to ½ tsp for a while. I would highly suggest the use of bidens pilosa or pinnata tincture as well, it is specific for serratia. You can get it from julie@gaianstudies.org. Regrettably I don’t know of any other sources on that. I would highly suggest the use of a tincture blend of lomatium, licorice, isatis leaf/root as well for helping immune/energy. ½ tsp 3x daily. Julie carries that as well. Or you can look online and find the tinctures and blend them yourself, here is a good source for many of them: sagewomanherbs.com. Knotweed is one of the better things for the headaches. His symptom picture is so complex that if these suggestions do not help I would recommend working with Julie McIntyre so you can get enough individual attention to create a detailed protocol for him.
Try Sida acuta (woodlandessence.com), it is specific for protecting red blood cells and will also kill a broad range of organisms that infect the blood, both Gram positive and negative. I would suggest the use of 1 tsp 3x daily for two weeks, then go to ½ tsp for a while. I would highly suggest the use of bidens pilosa or pinnata tincture as well, it is specific for serratia. You can get it from julie@gaianstudies.org. Regrettably I don’t know of any other sources on that. I would highly suggest the use of a tincture blend of lomatium, licorice, isatis leaf/root as well for helping immune/energy. ½ tsp 3x daily. Julie carries that as well. Or you can look online and find the tinctures and blend them yourself, here is a good source for many of them: sagewomanherbs.com. Knotweed is one of the better things for the headaches. His symptom picture is so complex that if these suggestions do not help I would recommend working with Julie McIntyre so you can get enough individual attention to create a detailed protocol for him.
Stephen
posted on January 19, 2012 in babesia, bacterial infections, Co-Infections, ehrlichia
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