A few updates...

Hello all! I am sorry for not making an update last week. I am now taking 7 days straight of antibiotics including the really tough one, Rifampin. I have definitely not felt good. Thankfully, it hasn't hit me as hard as it did when I started the medication. I haven't had a lot of the neurological and breathing issues. I have just had a lot of fatigue and bone/joint pain. It's not the kind where I get a little tired though, it's the kind where walking to the other room looks like a huge feat. That's the reason for the delay in writing this blog post. I am getting used to the fatigue, so it's a bit easier to handle this week.

We are encouraged that the medication is still working. It is good news that I haven't become resistant to it yet which is always a risk when you take antibiotics long-term. We really want to hit the Bartonella hard, so on my next phone appointment (June 6), we are going to ask if I can increase to the full dose. I am sure it will be difficult, but the end result will be worth it!

At the same time as we changed my antibiotic protocol, I had to stop taking LDN (Low Dose Naltrexone) because it was causing horrible insomnia. This is the one medication that has helped me to have energy during the day. It is really amazing; however, one of the not-so-fun side effects is insomnia. Up until last week, I had handled it okay. However, since we increased Rifampin which also causes insomnia, I started not sleeping. I think I went 3 days last week with about 2 hours of sleep. I was so tired, but my brain would not turn off. I can't take sleeping medications because of all of my allergies and sensitivities. We have stopped LDN, and my insomnia has improved, but not having LDN has also added to my extreme fatigue. If it's not one thing, it's another!

We did start treating my adrenals to see if we can correct my cortisol imbalance. This should help my insomnia overtime, but it takes 2 to 3 months for it to work. As far as the other medications and supplements that my doctor gave me to try, I am still working on getting on them. I have had trouble getting NAET appointments, so it has delayed my ability to try the new medications.

I have an acupuncture appointment! My first session is on Friday. So far, God has provided for us to be able to afford the first month of appointments. So, I am going to try it, and see if it will help some of my chronic conditions. I would hope that after a month, I will be able to tell if it's working or not. I am a bit nervous as I have never had acupuncture before, but I want to give it a shot!

Finally, Brian and I had an amazing appointment with a local physician. He is a specialized physician, so I can't see him for regular ailments or Lyme treatment, but the appointment was so encouraging. For the first time, we found a local physician who believes in chronic Lyme Disease, knows how it effects the immune system, why it has caused me to have chemical sensitivities and believes in treating long-term. Also, he asked me how many physicians told me that Lyme was all in my head or that I just had anxiety or depression issues (too numerous to count!!). Then, he proceeded to make an official apology on behalf of the mainstream medical community. He said he felt terrible that no one listened to me, and that I struggled so long before I reached a diagnosis. Our jaws were on the floor!!!! First, I have never found a mainstream medical doctor who believes in Chronic Lyme Disease or who agrees with long-term treatment. Second, I have definitely never received an apology. It was such an amazing appointment. It still brings tears to my eyes when I think about it. God is SO good!!! :)

Brian still has not received the results of his last CPA exam. He got an e-mail that said that he might not receive his score until mid-June. That is such a long time to wait!! I am sure he passed, but it would be nice to know sooner. Brian's work is going well. He has been super busy! He is actually going out of town next week for six days. This is the first time I will be by myself in a long time. We have been so blessed that he hasn't had to travel much up until this point! I never like being alone because my health is always so random, but I have been pretty stable lately. I am sure everything will go smoothly, but we would appreciate your prayers for safe travel, and good health.

Finally, I am still tutoring because I have not been able to find any other opportunities. Work-at-home jobs are very difficult to find. Since I have not been able to earn very much working the afternoon shift, I have had to start working the morning shift also. Normally, this wouldn't be a big deal, but the hours are 8am to 10am Eastern which means that it's 5am to 7am my time. So, Monday-Friday, I have to get up at 4:30am. It's necessary for me to work this shift so we can pay for our monthly expenses, but when I am not able to fall asleep quickly at night, it doesn't help the lack of sleep issue. Sometimes, I fall asleep at 1:00am, and then have to get up 3 1/2 hours later. If I don't have appointments during the day, I can go back to bed, but it's not as good as sleeping during the middle of the night. So, if you could be praying for a new job opportunity, I would appreciate it!!

Thanks for praying friends! :)