'TAKIN IT ALL!'

'TAKIN IT ALL!'

Or so it seems....

Our 'BOAT-LOAD' of herbs and vitamins have come! More and more herbal remedies to introduce into our systems, as we are fighting the mean spirochetes that have invaded our bodies!

Brad is continuing the antibiotic regimen for now. When he tried to detox from them all his symptoms started to return. Do note, he has been on and off different regimen's now for 3 years.

His breath hunger was the first to go. The rest took over a year. He hasn't had a migraine (to the level 10 extent) in about 3 1/2 months.
Yet, his head does hurt often...just not to the highest degree. He is still quite weak, and has many aches and pains. He still fights insomnia; although the melatonin has helped some.
His leg pain is the worse it has ever been. He has seen several specialists and is taking a protocol for the babesia as well thinking this is a side affect of it. His heart pain comes and goes.
We still push him in a wheel chair, quite disheartening for him and his family. He has gotten calls for work, and it crushes his heart to say "no." He cannot stand for too long, although -- God gives him the strength to stand when he preaches.
Funds were raised to help start up a bunch of herbal remedies for the side affects of Lyme as well as hopefully dealing with it 'head-on'.
Bulk Herb Store and Vita Cost is where we got most of the products, but we also Ortho Molecular Products, Woodland Essence, North American Herb and Spice, and Ancient Minerals. [Click links]

Our Lyme doctor sent us Ortho Biotic for the probiotic aspects of Brad's treatment (I take all the herbs and vitamins as well). It has 20 Billion CFU + 2 Billion more of the Saccharomyces.

A precious couple found an oregano regimen to help fight Lyme. Purchasing $198.00 worth of the Organol Juice & Oils.  It is POWERFUL!!! After just a week my husbands face joints were hurting, this is a herx reaction when something like an antibiotic or herb is piercing through. Our doctor said it also great for the liver too. North American Herb and Spice

Brad is taking the Teasel Root, Cryptolepis Root, Japanese Knotweed Root (all from Woodland Essence) as well as the Oil of Oreganol & OregRESP (oregano oil, cinnamon bark oil, cumin oil, wild sage oil) from North American Herb and Spice.  As tinctures, drinking them daily. [Pungent odor for sure!]

Magnesium chloride in Magnesium Flakes. I will be making magnesium oil spray:
Magnesium chloride flakes (1 cup)   +  Water, filtered or distilled (1 cup) ...
1) Boil filtered water    (2) Dissolve mag. flakes in the water  (3) Let cool  (4) Transfer to spray bottle. It eliminates aches and pains, adds magnesium to your body as the skin soaks it in.  Ancient Minerals

Since Shoshanna was 13, the Bulk Herb Store was started. She herself has become the researcher, and discovered remedies as well as read about them in great resources. Her young son and she discovered that they indeed have Lyme's. Thus, the Herban Lyme Away Tea.  It contains: "Naturally Caffeine Free & Organically Grown: Cat's Claw Bark, Cornsilk, Pau D'Arco Bark, Dandelion Leaf, Peppermint & Ginger. It's 1 TB.  to  (hot NOT boiled) 8 oz. water. Honey is good to add.

Other teas we purchased from the  Bulk Herb Store are:  [Click links]
Licorice Root: helps with hormone, adrenal glands, intestinal laxative, heart & circulation and inflammation. 1 ts. boiling 8 oz. water
Nettle Leaf: stimulate hair growth, blood purifier, kidneys, liver, "vitamin C and vitamin A, bio-available minerals, including calcium, silicon, and potassium chloride; protein, and dietary fiber."
1 ts. 8 oz boiling water
Passion Flower: sedative, high blood pressure, nervousness, insomnia, headaches, chromium, magnesium, niacin, potassium, Vit. A, Protein.   1 ts. 8 oz of boiling water
Gingo Leaf: peripheral circulation, Blood flowing to upper and lower extremities & skin. Anti-aging, increases energy, antioxidant, for blood clotting problems, concentration, hearing, inflammation.  Iron , calcium, C   1 tp. 8 oz. water

From Vita Cost:
Dandelion Leaf: Blood purifier, vit./minerals/calcium , nutritive salts (blood) helps anemia
Liver cleansers, pancreas & spleen, female organs, weight loss, acne, arthritis
1ts. 8 oz. boiling water
Burdock  Root: chronic skin problems, swellings, toxins, blood purifier, congestion, bladder, perspiration, B-3, Vit. C

From Researched Nutritionals : Artemisinin SOD:  immune support, "green tea extract to promote healthy levels of SOD (superoxide dismutase), curcumin and quercetin for their healthy impact on inflammation and resulting inhibitory affect on NF kappa B, and black walnut hull to arm the body's anti-parasitic arsenal." Take 1 X a day, it's $64.98 a bottle yet from our Lyme doc it was $15.00.

I will not include what feels like tons of vitamins and herbs we take by capsule. You see my husband's hand above holding his med.'s. As well as the kumbucha and fermented foods we eat.

We love sharing what we believe the Lord has led us to...passing the good news along. We hope it helps not just oursevelves but all who are in such pain fighting this terrible disease.

              May the Lord strengthen you, up-hold you and breath His Spirit    to refresh you.

 

{CURRENT} TREATMENTS

CURRENT TREATMENT LIST FOR THE LYME'S-

BABESIA & BARTONELLA

As of August 2014

  I thought it would be a good idea to just plainly list the treatment plan our Lyme Lit. Doctor and our own research has taken us. Please note, Brad's disease is Chronic...he was bit over 30 years ago that just surfaced to full fledged war against his body the past almost 4 years. He had a knee surgery that turned into a blood clot --that had him hospitalized for almost 2 weeks. This pushed out the spirochetes that were laying dormant.

Pastor Brad Snowden preaching each Sunday.
Never complains, but suffers with great pain.

  His symptoms (in the order they came): *breath-hunger *weakness *joint pain* taste buds gone *insomnia  *hearing loss in 1 ear *weakness difficult walking *heart pain (like a heart attack) *Migraines (up to level 10 no med.'s can break them) *Numbness in limbs *Severe pain in legs (feels like a drill going down in his bones) *painful neuropathy in feet (and I am sure I forgot some). 

Treatment was aggressive at first, with even home health coming to administer his I.V. antibiotics. The breath hunger has subsided 85%. Migraines to about 80% as well. But, the pain he suffers has increased. Yeast is a battle in his gut as well with the antibiotics. 

Brad is a godly man, a Pastor, an awesome father and husband; who has a tremendous amount of 'DRIVE'...more than I could have. His fighter spirit, (which He gives God all the glory for) is sourced from spending times in the Presence of the Lord (daily). 

Current Treatment Plan + Our Own Alternatives As Well: [click highlighted word for link]

TINCTURES: Cryptolepis Root- (help with babesia,  malaria, UTI, Insomia...much more.

                         Teasel Root - "teasel facilitates in cleansing the system and helping it to get rid of toxins" 

                         Japanese Knotweed- "Greatest benefit from this plant stems from its source of resveratrol. Resveratrol boasts a long list of benefits including cardiovascular health, anti-inflammatory properties, the prevention of joint disease, the ability to lower blood sugar levels, improved athletic endurance, and even the possibility of preventing and eliminating certain types of cancers."

                        Peppermint

                        Lavender 

                        Lemon Oil

Epsom Salt: magnesium

Aloe Vera Juice - stomach

Artemisinin SOD -  inflammation & anti-parasitic systems

Cat's Claw- We use for inflammation. [Digestive complaints and arthritis and to treat wounds, stomach problems, cancer, and more.]

Glucosamine -  1500 mg (2x a day)- lubricates joints & cartilage 

Sublingual Methyl B12 -  5000 mcg   cell growth and replication /  healthy sleep-wake cycle, as well as normal nerve function

Turmeric Extract - 800 mg  Inflammation, healthy brain cells, liver function

Magnesium - (with Chelated Zinc) One of the most important minerals for your body. "Energy metabolism, protein synthesis and more than 300 biochemical reactions in the body." Helps the nerves, bones, cells, cardio, blood pressure. 

Boswellia Extract - Our chiropractor told us about this for inflammation. 

 Melatonin - regulate sleep and wake cycles

 DHEA  5mg -   "adrenal glands.* Supports male and female hormone balance.* Promotes healthy immune function.* Helps maintain stable mood and a healthy sense of well-being.* Maintains quality free radical scavenging ability."

Vitamin D3  2,000 IU Liquid Emulsion  We need our Vit. D and don't get enough of it. With the antibiotics Brad is on...he has to watch the exposure to the sun which can cause adverse affects (they already have). 

Folic Acid -  "DNA function and replication, brain function, endothelial function,  moods."

Selenium - "used for preventing serious complications and death from critical illnesses / diseases of the heart and blood vessels, including stroke and “hardening of the arteries” (atherosclerosis). It is also used for preventing various cancers including cancer of the prostate, stomach, lung, and skin. - under-active thyroid, osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis (RA), an eye disease called macular degeneration, hay fever, infertility,cataracts, gray hair, abnormal pap smears, chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS), mood disorders, arsenic poisoning, and preventing miscarriage."  {Source from link.}

B1 - "...helps fuel your body by converting blood sugar into energy. It keeps your mucous membranes healthy and is essential for nervous system, cardiovascular and muscular function." 

B6 - Part of 100 different chemical reactions in your body per minute. "Relieving edema and reducing water retention, improving magnesium deficiency, peripheral neuropathy, carpal tunnel syndrome, tendonitis, rheumatism, cardiovascular occlusions and myocardial infarcts, learning and developmental disorders, and autism." {click highlighted link}

Garlic  1000 mg -  blood pressure     cholesterol levels   natural antibiotic   powerful antioxidant 

Vit. B 12 Shots  2 mls (2x a week)

7- KETO DHEA metabolite - [I take.] adrenal glands /  maintenance of hormones / 

Phosphatidylcholine (High Concentration PC)  300 grams  -  Improve Memory/  Intestinal Health/  Neuropsychiatric  Disorders  / Skin Health  / Fat Metabolism / Liver Health /Weight Loss

Antibiotics  

 Minocycline 600 mg. ( 2x)

Levaquin   500 (2x)

Probiotics 

Sacharomyces Boulardii & MOS   5 Billion per capsules

Ultra Flora (Metagenics) 

Kumbucha Tea  probiotic/ inflammation / energy / cancer fighting enzymes and lots more

  We are fermenting our own sauerkraut that has 100x more probiotics in a small portion than the probiotics listed here. 

  Lowering sugar content is vital, drinking tons of water. We purchase our water which is osmosis. 

  Eating yogurts, although all probiotics for Brad has to be taken in the evening for it will battle the antibiotics. 

  There are other things we have done and will do. We must admit there are TONS more we can do; but this cost $$$ is far more than what's in our budget. We would love to be able to do all that is written in books and web sites. Like most Lyme patients the finances are challenged due to lack of income (for not being able to work). Insurance most of the time does not cover these as well. 

 The best TREATMENT OF ALL...is: KEEPING OUR MINDS & HEARTS 'STAYED' ON THE LORD AND HIS WORD. This is a healing in every account. Without Him we could do nothing. 

  Hope this information helps our Lymie's that all around the world. So many suffer, and are searching for help. I pray this does help you and even encourage you to learn more of this awful disease. 

  WHAT WE PRAY EVERY DAY OF OUR LIVES:

Publications Posted in Local Papers and Abroad

I (Daneille), wrote an article for Lyme Awareness Month published in the Newton Eagle.

Dealing With Lyme and Other Diseases Web Site (click)

In the above link; a large article was just written in an AP paper (170 papers total) on the front page. Written by Jackson Adams; the Effingham Daily News. 

Click link to read or go to paper here: Effingham Daily News Article Snowden Family

On the front page with article. Pastor Brad Snowden with our daughter Tabitha.

The interview: 

LYME AWARENESS MONTH MAY 2014

LYME AWARENESS MONTH MAY 2014  

IN GOD ALONE

 Lyme patients across the globe get their turn to hopefully be heard; as a cry for help fills the skies and hopefully the ears of legislatures, scientist, insurance and pharmacy companies and medical personal. This is a bona fide disease striking all ages! With symptoms that vary from patient to patient, it is a struggle for physicians to diagnose the unusual complaints of their patients. When that happens, majority of the time; patients are told to take a NERVE PILL and go home. Some physicians recognize their limits and admit there is nothing they can do to help. Still the crippling pain floods the body, striking mostly the nervous symptoms of it's victims. Across the counter medications do not touch the excruciating migraines, joint pain and strange pains through out the body. 

My husbands case, is quite extreme. Personally, I wish so much that it wasn't. But, we are the type of people to keep standing and going forward if at all possible. This has stolen my husbands health, ability to provide for his family, as well as playing with us. His pain is increasing daily. Test after test reveals nothing. We live by faith as God's children for our Lord to supply the needs of our children and family as a whole. Over and over again, people caringly ask if he has filed for disability. The answer is yes and yes many times over. I know God can give us favor if this is the door He is willing to open. If not, there must be another avenue of supply. This adds more stress to my dear husband. I am a home school mother, ordained minister and co-pastor the church we lead in our community. It is small, and unable right now to provide us an income. But, I am home also to care for my husband as needed and do now the labor around the house my adult son was doing before he moved out of state. One of the many lessons I have learned; don't judge folks who are in unusual and difficult places in their lives. ALWAYS show compassion, by lending out a helping hand. I am short, and not too strong; with that in mind - my outlook could be; I do not have much to offer. But, it's a lie trying to stop a massive force (WHEN WE JOIN HAND IN HAND) to defeat injustice, depression, poverty, frustration and well you got the idea. If we all come together; and tell everyone we meet about LYME AWARENESS, warning people of the dangers; a major dent  will be created. 

 Putting up LIME color posters, decorate your social media with LIME COLORS and Lyme graphic art. Buy a t-shirt from different companies that sell them, as well as bracelets and pendants. The average Chronic Lyme patient is one who suffers with his body feeling like one who has congestive heart, rheumatoid arthritis, and pain as one who just had surgery. The pain is real, my husband has this plus the migraines, numbness in his arms and hands, and electrical shocking pain (constantly) in his legs. He, along with fellow Lyme patients need encouragement. Telling them they need to take this supplement or go here or there, is appreciated; but be careful this tends to be the extent of 'help'. We personally covet prayers; the best and most powerful gesture to be done. After that help, help Lyme patients with chores they can't do. Such as; a yard needing mowed, car fixed and so on. Purchasing  gift certificates to places, helping defer the high expenses in health care. Vitacost is a great company that offers wonderful coupons; my husband uses them for special high quality vitamins. If there is a lady, send her some pretty's, or a way to get her hair done, and or a new outfit. We woman like those things. One day we would love to attend a Lyme Conference and maybe be a greater voice for LYME AWARENESS. If you are gifted helping with something like that, this would be appreciated for Lyme patients. Last year we got a miracle and God supplied for us to go on a nice vacation as a family. Being able to 'get-a-way' for a break from the madness of this not-so-fun circus, is a must! Or- how about a hug, card, in addition, a text just saying we care and are spreading the word is enough and a huge blessings. 

So, let's go GREEN for Lyme's Awareness and pray for a breakthrough of healing's, legislation's, medical treatments and finances. 

** PLEASE SIGN THE PETITION TO THE SOCIAL SECURITY ADMINISTRATION: 

    To attain a listing in the Blue Book or at the least a ruling.     PETITION  (CLICK)

The Symptoms of Lyme Disease : CLICK

TESTING FOR LYME DISEASE: CLICK

International Lyme And Associated Diseases Society (ILLIADS) Quick Lyme Disease Facts: CLICK

A t-shirt my husband wants to get (maybe wear it to the hospital). : "It's all in my head," --my joints, muscles and organs." CLICK

Bartonella Disease [Co-Disease of Lyme]

Bartonella Disease [Co-Disease of Lyme] -- Tick-Borne Bartonella  

source

   Brad had another visit with his Lyme Doctor; who is suspecting strongly that as his Babesia is taming down some, another co-disease is raising it's head; Bartonella. This is quite a mysterious disease of which is difficult to detect and has only recently in the past 20+ years been discovered in the light as a co-infection. 

   As Lyme is with each patient, so are the co-diseases that have attached themselves to a Lyme victim. Depending on the individuality of a person, each disease raises it's head with unique symptoms, making it quite a challenge for physicians to clinically diagnose. 

   Brad's legs have started hurting him terribly 24/7 and in the past month one hand has gone completely numb and the other partially. He visited with a neurologist who tested him and yes, found the test reveal his nerves are working properly. 

Bartonella: "A genus of bacteria of the family Bartonellaceae, order Rickettsiales, made up of gram-negative cells in chains found in fixed tissue cells and in or on erythrocytes. The organism occurs in humans, sometimes asymptomatically, and in arthropod vectors. The genus includes organisms formerly classified in the genus Rochalimaea."

   At least eight species (of Bartonella) are known to infect humans. Cat scratch fever and trench fever are the common known diseases. Yet, with as a co-disease of Lyme a  new Bartonella species has been discovered in recent years. TRANSMITTED BY:  "Mosquitoes, fleas, lice, and biting flies (horse flies and deer flies). Bites and scratches from infected animals - including pets - can also transmit illnesses." [source] This disease; "causes intravascular disease, which hinders nutrient and oxygen delivery to tissues, resulting in fatigue and pain, as well as cognitive and emotional problems."

   Take a look here at what a doctor/researcher is finding regarding Bartonella; "Other Bartonella strains spread more serious diseases. Kosoy is studying how often heart inflammation is caused by a Bartonella that thrives among rat fleas in Thailand. He has already established that about 25 percent of unexplained fever illnesses among a group of patients there was caused by Bartonella. He thinks the bacteria may be the hidden cause behind a host of chronic symptoms - muscle aches, neurological problems, fatigue, arthritis - that defy diagnosis." 

Read more here: http://www.newsobserver.com/2010/05/21/492795/the-pain-of-bartonella.html#storylink=cpy [Dr. Michael Kosoy] 

Read more here: http://www.newsobserver.com/2010/05/21/492795/the-pain-of-bartonella.html#storylink=cpy

   

" Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) is used to detect antibodies, but it is not always accurate. Another test, Western blot, is used to detect specific proteins, but this test is also not always accurate. Even when these two tests are run, a full one-third of cases go undetected. There are also occasional false positives. Why are these tests so inaccurate? For a number of reasons:

• Bacteria may be living inside body cells, making them difficult to detect in blood samples.
• The host's immune system might not recognize the pathogen so it does not produce antibodies.
• One infecting organism might contain a protein that is very similar to a protein that the organism being tested for contains, yielding a false positive. For example, any of several types of virus can cause a false positive Bb test (source). The cause of a false positive test for one vector-borne pathogen might even be another vector-borne pathogen. For example, Bartonella could exchange DNA with Babesia or Bb inside an insect vector, and when a person becomes infected with Bartonella, it could cause a false positive Babesia or Bb test (source: a Lyme/bartonellosis specialist).
• Test results might be misinterpreted." [benbrew.com]

   There is so much information and continued research that is still continuing. The problem is Brad and thousands of others are suffering immensely. The fight  to be able to continue life in a positive light is being in total surrendered in the Hand of God. He said His Hand is not short that He cannot save. Many times, when that it seemed the nights held victorious over the days -- steering his eyes (Brad) on Jesus and the promises of God is what has moved him into a life filled with great heights of Joy plus Peace. "Leaning on Jesus...safe and secure from ALL alarm."
-----
Up-Date On Brad:
She said that the babesia is improving, but by no means stop taking the tinctures or it will try to rise up again. For example, his breath hunger has come back some as it has been gone for about a year. 
Brad's legs have been in excruciating pain the past six months. No across the counter med.'s have helped. Also, in the past two months one hand has gone numb and the other partially. 
He is seeing a Neurologist who is suspecting Lyme (without Brad telling her he has been diagnosed). Our Lyme Doctor suspects the Neurologist may prescribe: Gapapentin for his pain, of which has no adverse side affects and will not harm the antibiotics work. 
--Babesia is dwindling away. 
--Bartonella has risen up as it was masking itself until the past 6 months. 
-- It has been recommended to change medicines. 
                        I.E. : Ryfampin: (for the Bartonella) this is an antibiotic: [300 mg. 4 a day]  
                                Minocycline: this is to enhance the two antibiotics strength for the Lyme & Bartonella   [100 mg. 2 a day]
                                Clindamycin: for the Lyme and it too is a antibiotic.
                                                This will amount to 3200 mg a day. [ 300mg  (a piece) 6 a day]
                             -------------------
                               Herbs/ Tinctures
                                Crystolepis: (mentioned before in this blog) for Babesia (30 drops a day, but the # started small and got to this point)
                                Teasel Root: for Lyme, fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue syndrom
                                Japanese Knot-weed  
All 3 of these 30 drops a day, but the # started small and got to this point.
                                B12: Was suggested just regarding his leg pain. Yet ONLY through:  Vitacost Methyl B-12 Sublingual -- 5000 mcg - 60 Lozenges

[Currently taking Gapapentin 300 mg. (3 a day)  Started taking; March 20, 2014]
   On a good note, he has NOT had a severe migraine in 2 months! First time in over 3 years as well as the heart pain. GLORY TO GOD! Two of the major battles he has faced greatly.
Yet, the doctor said do not stop the tinctures for they seem to be fighting the babesia causing these. 
  Also, she in encouraging him to not give up and to stay on the antibiotics as we are fighting an on going battle of bacterial that has it's own DNA.