Raw Food and Measurable Health: Does Wendi Have Lyme Disease?

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When I first decided to try a raw food diet again (I had sampled it for about three months a few years before going completely raw), I wanted to do it in a way to prove that it either does or doesn t work. The best way to do that, I figured, was through consistent blood tests. So, that s what I did. I have continued to document my path to health with regular blood tests. Many of you know that the results have been remarkable. My dramatic shift in weight is the most obvious to others, but there were equally impressive changes going on inside my body, as well.

It has been about a year since my last blood work was done, so I knew I should schedule an appointment to get the testing done soon (since I want to keep the tests somewhat yearly). I tend to always put the testing off, however. As much as I m curious about the results, the truth is that I m terrified of needles. Over the past few months, I was continuing to put this yearly testing off, but something has spurred me to get it done sooner than later.

Here s something that I haven t told many people: I think I have Lyme disease. That s reason enough to push past my needle fear, since now I need a test for Lyme disease, as well. (I refuse to do it in more than one visit please just get all the blood you need as I try to not faint. I don t want to have to go through this again for another year!).

I wasn t going to say much here on the blog, for several reasons. For example:

What if it isn t Lyme disease?
What if there s something going wrong in my body and it takes a while to figure it out?
If I mention that my health isn t so great the past few months, would it scare people away from trying the raw food diet?

So, I didn't mention it. I wouldn t want anyone to think that a raw food diet brings ill health, because I know based on my past test results that a raw food diet can and does help a body heal in many ways. You can review all of the stories of healing in our My Raw Story series, as well, to see that it really is possible for the body to heal with a raw food lifestyle.

Even though I ve been having some health concerns the past few months, I hope everyone new to the raw food lifestyle will still understand that the body can do amazing things if we consume the freshest, ripest, raw fruits and veggies. What I m going through will eventually be understood and I m sure that eating a raw food diet is not what is causing my problems. I m pretty sure what I m going through is brought about by Lyme disease, but if it isn t I ll be working diligently to find an answer and share it with all of you.

Here s why I m pretty sure my problem is Lyme disease:

I have a circular rash on the side of my neck (a classic sign of Lyme disease, known as Erythema chronicum migrans, or "EM"), close to my hairline and slightly behind my ear;
I ve been experiencing sudden onset and increased amounts of joint/arthritis-type pain over the past two months; and
Developing pain out of seemingly nowhere just doesn t make any sense in a healthy body.

The pain started suddenly in my shoulders a few months ago. It continued to increase to the point where it brought tears to my eyes many times. It has since continued to worsen, and I now also have pain in my wrists (particularly my right one), neck, upper spine, and sometimes my hips and feet. The rash has gotten bigger, but doesn t have a definite bulls-eye look to it. (Mine is only slightly lighter in the center.) Over the past month, the pain has become so severe at times that I find myself reverting to the pain-type breathing that I did when I was in labor; this usually happens whenever I accidentally move my shoulders or wrists in a way that brings about excruciating pain.

Meditation has been helpful. I realize that I can have pain in my body, while still being at peace by simply accepting that this is what my body is experiencing and I don t need to identify with it. It s hard to explain, but once I was able to do that it brought me a lot of relief. I m not saying I m not still brought to tears at times because of the pain, but most of the time I m able to just go with it and not let it control my life. I just accept it. However, I don t passively accept it. I am actively working on figuring out what is going on so that I can eventually be pain-free again.

It s baffling to me. I guess at some level I really thought that a raw food body can handle just about anything. I had no idea that I could be so healthy, yet not so healthy all at the same time. I still feel that other than the pain these past two months, my body is extremely healthy. I wonder how this would feel if I wasn t eating a raw diet. Would the symptoms be masked by how ill I d be feeling from eating cooked foods? Would I just have assumed that these pains were simply another level on my downward spiral to worsening health?

So, today I go in for some blood work. While there, I ll be having all sorts of tests done (which I ll openly share with all of you when the results are in). I ll also share the amazing spreadsheet that Jim has created to document my path to health. It shows my blood test results from before I was eating a raw food diet, when I was trying some Metformin medication, when I was transitioning to the raw diet, one year raw, two years raw, and now three years raw (when the results are in). I m interested in seeing how this pain shows up on the test. I ll be tested for the normal things, Lyme disease, some common vitamins/minerals, as well as standard arthritis testing.

Please share all you know about Lyme disease and natural cures. I m leaning toward taking the antibiotics, coupled with some herbs, but I m not certain what I ll do. I m hesitant about taking medications, but this pain is quite severe and I read that if caught early enough the antibiotics can kill the Lyme bacteria and offer pain relief as a result. Being pain-free is very desirable right now. However, I m a bit worried about taking antibiotics, since they can really wreak havoc on the body and they aren t natural. Share your thoughts and experiences, please. I ll end up following my instincts on this one, but it s always good to hear from others so that I can be better informed before making a decision.

Thanks! And lots of love to you,

?

Wendi

XOXOXO

p.s. Some of you have mentioned that I've been quieter lately online. Well now you probably understand why. Not only is it painful to sit at the computer and type, but I've been a bit tired. ;-) I still love you all so very much; I just need to take some extra care of my body while I'm going through whatever this is.

Original Comments

Below, we have included the original comments from this blog post. Additional comments may be made via Facebook, below.

On August 19, 2009, raw bloke wrote:

If you've been raw and vegan for awhile, (and even if not), you'll want to make sure your Vitamin D and B12 levels are adequate.

Vitamin D is low in a lot of people and can be a source of joint and muscle pain.
Low B12 can wreak havoc in all sorts of ways besides the known neurological issues. The neurological issues set in in a noticeable way at the standard "deficiency level", but simply having a low B12 level can cause problems before neurological issues arise, such as endothelial inflammation throughout the digestive tract.

On August 19, 2009, Mary wrote:

Wendi, if it is Lyme, please consider the antibiotics. You can detox afterward, and I don't think there is any other way to get rid of the Lyme. As you are already seeing, Lyme is quite serious. My best to you.

Mary

On August 19, 2009, JoAnn wrote:

You know I will be on my knees praying for you... No Matter If it is Lyme.. ( Which I believe it will not be ) God is Able more than able to heal you.. So My prayers begin... I love you.. ... xoxoxoxoxo Jesus Is Bigger than any diease on this earth. I can say that with full conviction....

On August 19, 2009, langelbleu wrote:

http://igenex.com/Website/
I just wrote a long comment about this and trying to log into disqus ate it!
the above link is for the one lab in the country that can do conclusive lyme testing. It is considered the industry standard with lyme literate doctors and other healthcare practitioners.
If you test positive for lyme please please please do not hesitate to take the antibiotics, I have seen far too many people's mental and physical health be destroyed by chronic lyme up here in Lyme epidemic territory.

Japanese Knotweed is good for acute early onset lyme pain
Crushed Raw Garlic as well as Cat's Claw are good for working on killing the buggers.

Good luck, I hope you have conclusive answers quickly and can begin appropriate treatment for whatever ails you soon.

On August 19, 2009, Wren wrote:

Please don't refuse the antibiotics -- as the poster above said, you can detox afterward. As someone who lives with the pain of rheumatoid arthritis, I absolutely empathise with you regarding the pain you're experiencing. If taking antibiotics will work to rid yourself of Lyme disease and reduce your pain, the temporary "havoc" will be well worth it.

My heart goes out to you. I hope you DON'T have Lyme, or any other serious, hard-to-treat autoimmune system disease. Sending calm, quiet, healthy vibes and best wishes to you through the ether...

On August 19, 2009, Mike Lieberman wrote:

Wishing you the best Wendi

On August 19, 2009, nashima wrote:

hi wendi, so sorry to hear you are not feeling well...
if you do decide to take antibiotics, make sure to supplement your body with good probiotics, before, during, and after as to maintain a healthy micro flora and not to create any imbalance. (A good way to get probiotics is also to eat lots of (unpasteurized) sauerkraut, YUM!)
hope you feel better soon. sending you lots of love and light and thoughts of good health : )

On August 19, 2009, raw_lif3 wrote:

Wendi! I'm so sad to hear about what you are going through. Chronic pain is no small thing. You are very strong to be dealing with it through meditation.
Do whatever you have to do to be at your healthiest... even if that happens to be the pharmaceutical route. You don't have to explain it to people if you don't want to, just do what you need to do to be healthy and pain-free.

One thing that you have going for you is that with raw food and living naturally, your body is probably very strong. Whatever method you decide to use to get rid of the Lymes (or whatever this is), your body will probably heal better than most people.

Sending lots of love and positive energy your way!!
-Bethany

(PS Accupuncture might be something to look into... it helped me get over a virus last winter)

On August 19, 2009, carolcmcc wrote:

Wishing you good health. If it is Lyme disease, you might want to confer with Kevin Gianni, I recall that he had it last year and went for the antibiotics.

On August 19, 2009, R_Eli wrote:

Dear wndi, wishing you all the best. Get better soon

On August 19, 2009, earthmother wrote:

Shining Light and Sending Love. Hoping for the best.

I know a number of folks who chose not to use antibiotics, and went the homeopathic route to cure their Lymes.

On August 20, 2009, Jo wrote:

Hi Wendy
I don't usually comment. But My advice would be to seek out an experienced naturopath/herbalist who looks at the whole person. The raw food diet is amazing but as any working practitioner will tell you, diet isn't the only factor when looking at both disease and great health.
In my clinic here in the UK I use diet, healing and herbs to support the emotional/spiritual imbalances that are always present with any and every health imbalance I have treated.
Even the strongest of us need some outside help and perspective from time to time.
From your very open and enjoyable blog, it seems you have been through an emotional time - maybe the disease will 'allow' you to heal on a deeper level.
herbs or antibiotics? Both could be the answer, but seek professional holistic help and do whats correct for your body and situation.
God blessx.

On August 20, 2009, Robyn wrote:

Wendi~ I would highly recommend getting antibiotics as quickly as you can from your doctor. It really does sound like lyme disease to me. There are several herbal protocols for lyme disease, one of which is being developed by an herbalist who suffers from lyme disease in my area. I know a couple of herbalists who have contracted the disease or have family members who have and they all recommend antibiotics first then an herbal protocol. Misty Meadows Herb Farm in Lee, NH is the place near me (her name is Wendy also) and I believe Stephen Buhner has written a very comprehensive book on the subject as well. My heart goes out to you as I know living in pain is not pleasant. Find a Reiki practitioner in your area and set up an appointment with them to help you manage the pain in the meantime. It will really help.

On August 20, 2009, sherylmiller wrote:

All the best Wendi with the diagnosis and get better real soon.

I beleive in the raw food diet and all the healing that it brings!
Sounds like lots of people above have good ideas!

Thanks so much for posting when you are ill and letting everybody be a part of your world!
sheryl miller
canberra
australia

On August 20, 2009, Joanna_Steven wrote:

Dear Wendi! I hope that you get better soon. I really hate to know you in pain :( I would take the antibiotics too, and take lots of probiotics afterwards. I read that during treatment, they'll only get killed by the antibiotics. *hugs*

On August 20, 2009, tinaintheraw wrote:

Hi Wendi,

Sending you hugs sweetie. As many have said here, take the antibiotics and detox/re-flora your intestines afterwards. My husband had the scare too and it was difficult for him to get up the stairs in our home. He started on the antibiotics and was on the road to recovery pronto. He has no lingering effects of it. Of course, keep up the healthy eating while on the anitbiotics, for sure! I feel that these type of (hopefully) infrequent serious occurences are when medicine is appropriate and good. It is when we are constantly over-medicated for issues that becomes an issue for the human body.

Sending positive light and snuggly hugs to you luv,
Tina

On August 20, 2009, Errigal_lass wrote:

Thinking of you, Wendi. Love, Tracey

On August 20, 2009, lonedoggy wrote:

I was low in both B12 and D3 DO GET these checked with your blood tests.
Also see my blog at http://lupushope.blogspot.com . Good luck with your tests!
Toni

On August 20, 2009, Robin wrote:

Definitely - take the antibiotics and detox when the Lyme disease is dead!

I am usually VERY anti-medication. I don't even own Tylenol. But if it were me, that's what I would do.

Take care!

Love,
Robin

On August 21, 2009, gcartorlmt wrote:

Wendi, keeping you in loving positive thoughts. Have you checked out essential oils, I have been working with the Young Living oils and products with amazing results. You may want to see if there is anyone in your area that does the Raindrop Therapy. The oils used are highly antibactieral, antiviral and way safer than some of the other treatments. There are also blends for relieving pain.
If I can be of any help just let me know.
G

On August 22, 2009, JSOhlander wrote:

Wendi - I will hold you in my thoughts in the perfect health that I know you have inside of you!