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Banderol and Samento

I was officially diagnosed by an LLMD last week with Chronic Lyme, Bart and Babesia. I had a  Neg Igenex test but bands IND specific to Lyme Disease, the the doc based it on that and a Clinical diagnosis. I am struggling to decide which treatment route to go. The long list of abx prescriptions that the LLMD gave me was overwhelming to say the least. I am considering starting with a LLNP and trying the herbs, specifically Banderol and Samento route first. Has anyone had experience with these, not necessarily the Cowden, but herbal and supplement treatment from a naturopath? Anyone been successful without antibiotics and just the herbal route?
Input greatly appreciated as always. Thanks!
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Avatar universal
Does the program also require probiotics so normal gut flora is not damaged?
Thanks!
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Ozone and electrotherapy would be good alternatives

***@****
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Avatar universal
My situation is that I have to decide between the abx treatment prescribed by a LLMD outside of Canada, or a Naturopath right in my city. They can't write prescriptions yet, but apparently it's to happen soon so this would give me 2 options in my own city. So my plan is to start the herbal and see what happens.
Thanks for your help!
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Avatar universal
I know there's been a lot of bad press about overuse of antibiotics, and that is a valid concern ... but *appropriate* use of antibiotics (for susceptible organisms, at an effective dose) is still valuable.  

Herbs and supplements are chemicals just like all pharmaceuticals, and the important aspect is which 'chemicals' are the best weapons against what ails you.  

Lyme and its various co-infections often don't respond to the same antibiotics, and it takes a wise doc to make the diagnoses and pick the right meds.
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Avatar universal
I learned a new word today, "Pleomorph". ;)

"The (Bb) microbe is classified as a spirochete bacterium, but is a pleomorph; it cycles between different forms, some of them inactive – one of these a cyst form, as well as the colony-like biofilm - in response to the presence of antibiotics."
So you are correct Jackie in that Doxy does not penetrate these biofilms. I guess that is why" bio-film busters" are also prescribed.

I'm glad you had luck with the antibiotics working for you!
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Avatar universal
Thanks mojogal for your input. I see a LL Naturopath in 2 weeks. She is in my city, and Naturopaths may very soon be allowed to write prescriptions here in our province. The LLMD that I saw is a 3 hour drive away. So my plan is to likely try the herbal route, then if within that time legislation allows NPs to start writing prescriptions, I will look at the antibiotic route. I'll see how herbal route goes first, though I'm thinking it could be pretty pricey! :( The cost will be offset by the cost of visits (and travel) to mandatory appts with my LLMD out of Canada, somewhat.
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Avatar universal
It would not surprise me that herbs are more effective against Lyme than doxycycline, because doxy does not (from what I read) penetrate the biofilms that Lyme bacteria hide in.  Doxy is apparently effective before the biofilms form, but it happens fairly quickly, so unless it's a very very recent bite, doxy is not the LLMD's choice of meds, to my understanding.

So if the comparison is between doxy and herbs, herbs might be better only because doxy is so limited in it abilities.  I found antibiotics to work well and they were not a problem -- and I'm very sensitive to many meds, chemicals, etc.
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1763947 tn?1334055319
Hi, I am on my 5th month of Cowden and feeling better than ever. I highly recommend those herbs however his program includes many detox herbs which I think are very necessary.
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Avatar universal
For more info:

http://www.biologischmedischcentrumbmc.nl/Lyme-CowdenCAMResearch%20Article.pdf
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Avatar universal
I've been doing some reading on Banderol and Samento and am hearing positive things about them. They don't have the side-effects that long-term antibiotics can create. I just wonder if anyone on this forum has any personal experiences to share about them. I've been reading that combined, they can be as effective, if not more so than Doxy in treating all forms of the Bb Spirochete as well as co-infections. Eva Sapi has done some interesting studies indicating that the combined herbs had more effect on all forms of Lyme than Doxy. I've also been reading that relapse is more common when Lyme is treated with antibiotics vs. Banderol and Samento. So I'm hoping to hear some first hand experience......
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Avatar universal
I can understand how long that list of meds must look.

Is it that you do not want to be on all the meds at once, or don't want to use antibiotics?
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