2 more things my LLMD said to do

[pinelady]

Each morning take a tablespoon of apple cider vinegar with mother to restore ph.
And  3-4 times a week take an Epsom Salts bath.
Does everyone here do this?

[JackieCalifornia]

Good questions.  It's been several years since I finished treatment, and I have begun to forget the finer details like this.  I would venture a guess that several (2-3?) hours between the abx and the magnesium would do, but it's a question a doc or pharmacist would know ... and as time goes by, I am ever more impressed by good pharmacists.  Some seem more focused on simply prescriptions, while others are deep thinkers with much knowledge on the topic.

[grdner]

I am taking magnesium also, and I know that it can interfere with the antibiotics when both are taken orally so it needs to be taken as far away from the antibiotics as possible.  It seems like absorption through the skin would be a different mechanism that would not interfere with the digestive workings... do you happen to know if there are timing considerations for the baths/foot baths?  Thanks very much for any thoughts!

[JackieCalifornia]

Epsom salts are a form of magnesium, which is often low in those with Lyme disease (the Lyme bacteria use up magnesium in their reproductive process).  

Rather than take magnesium capsules or pills (which can be huge and sometimes not easy to digest for some), soaking your feet (or yourself) in a tub with Epsom salts and warm water is a comfortable and easy way for the magnesium to allow the magnesium to be absorbed through the skin.  

Also, dosage is not an issue with Epsom salts absorbed through the skin (because when the body has absorbed enough, it stops soaking it up).  By comparison, using oral magnesium pills/capsules can be difficult to know how much is enough or too much.  Too much magnesium (so I read) can result in diarrhea, but it never happened to me.

I took magnesium capsules when I had Lyme, and I continue to take them now -- quite soothing.  (One reason babies like a warm bottle of milk is the magnesium intake.  A full stomach and being held are part of 'baby bliss' too.)  fwiw.

[grdner]

My LLMD recommended epsom salt foot baths but I haven't gotten to them yet.  He also recommended adding lemon juice to all the water I am drinking for the same reason as your vinegar - it is said to make the body slightly more alkaline and the spirochetes don't like it.  They also don't like oxygen or heat, hence gentle exercise (not aerobic workouts, which can cause anaerobic conditions in the tissue when the muscles deplete the available oxygen), and saunas, which raise the body temperature and also help remove toxins.  I find whirlpool also helps; I'm lucky my local YMCA has whirlpool and sauna.

I think I will try the apple cider vinegar approach - thanks for the tip!

[mojogal]

I use to take apple cider vinegar but stopped. I eat sauerkraut for the same reason. I have dry brushed my skin but don't do it always.

[tiredofbeingfatigued]

This is the logic behind it from what I have read.

The apple cider vinegar results in a more alkaline ph which some say allows the body to function much more properly. It is also said to be antifungal so it helps with candida but will likely induce a herx instead of reduce.

Apparently, dry brushing the skin and soaking in a warm Epsom salt bath is good for detoxifying and reducing herx reactions.

[JackieCalifornia]

Interesting!  I hadn't heard that approach before now, but it may work well.  Keep us posted, okay?  Always willing to learn.