other protocols

[SJJ]

hello everyone. Due to lots of research, links provided by members here and the wonderful internet, I’ve come across several other ‘protocols’ than the one first given by Dr. Brown. I’m wondering if anyone else is using them (eg. weldon, marshall, stratton etc.) and why you chose that one. Also was it difficult to find or convince a doctor of its merits. thanks

[Maz]

Hi SJJ

If you test positive for one of the chlamydias (c. pneumonia, c. trachomatis, c. psitacci), then if you have a doctor open to assisting you, then it shouldn’t be too difficult to get appropriate treatment as per one of the CPNhelp protocols (Wheldon, Sriram, Stratton). If you have some type of protozoan infection, then the Arthritis Trust Protocols might be more targeted. If Lyme and associated coinfections, then there are lists of LLMDs (many of these docs will also treat other infections). Marshall Protocol (I’m not an expert) has a slightly different rationale, which uses staged antibiotics (introduced one at a time), but viewing the VDR (vitamin D receptor) as a key to treatment (hence, the use of large doses of Benicar as a central component of that treatment, which has some effect on this receptor). The latter protocol is a bit more controversial and seems to work really well for folks with high levels of Vit D (e.g. sarcoidosis) and sporadic reports from others.

If a person can prove infection, this can sometimes help in determining which route to take with treatment. In my case, it was clear I had Lyme, as I had two definitive bulls-eye rashes, live in CT and had multiple past tick bites (even though my standard tests were negative). Sometimes it can require a bit of sleuthing to figure out a pathogen load and clues can be found in one’s history: strep, dental issues, intestinal dysbiosis, tick bites, lung infections, bladder/kidney infections, etc., etc. An interesting case was highlighted in a recent RBF blog entry: https://www.roadback.org/blog/psittacosis/

So, if a person isn’t finding some sign of improvement within the first 6-8 months of treatment with monotherapy (minocycline or doxycycline), it’s a good point at which to looks for any other “nails in the foot” to see what needs to be addressed. Sometimes, it’s not infection, but a hormone imbalance (thyroid and adrenal issues can mimic rheumatic disease), for example, or issues with diet (e.g. leaky gut and sensitivities) and detoxing (MTHFR or organ dysfunction). The number of “nails in the foot” can be numerous and narrowing things down can take time and patience. This can be the reason why this path isn’t for everyone and one needs to be invested in the process with a good doc as support.

It’s a little known fact that Dr. Brown didn’t just use tetracyclines, but a broad spectrum of different classes of antibiotics that were available during his years of tenure as a practicing rheumatologist, depending upon a person’s pathogen load. Today, we don’t have the luxury of dear Dr. Brown, so finding a doc who is open and willing to be a bit of a sleuth to uncover a person’s unique pathogen load and other factors that might inhibit progress on AP can be key. I always think it’s a great shame when folks think AP is not working for them and stop treatment, without realizing that there are “many roads to Rome.” It really depends on to what extent an individual wants to pursue root causes.

[SJJ]

thanks Maz, it is a little different here in Canada (as I’m sure you remember) because getting a doctor to do those non standard blood tests isn’t easy and there isn’t always a nearby lab that will do them either not to mention finding a requisition form. What of viral load…..since you are a wealth of info can I pick your brain for that one ;)? obviously antibiotics are useless in that situation. What then?

[Maz]

SJJ wrote:

thanks Maz, it is a little different here in Canada (as I’m sure you remember) because getting a doctor to do those non standard blood tests isn’t easy and there isn’t always a nearby lab that will do them either not to mention finding a requisition form. What of viral load…..since you are a wealth of info can I pick your brain for that one ;)? obviously antibiotics are useless in that situation. What then?

Yes, I’m sorry it’s so tough for you Canucks. There are one or two docs scattered across Canada who would be candidates for this type of thing, but it would involve travel and cost. The alternative is trying to get in to see a private integrative doc up where you are, even if they are unwilling to treat, they might be open to run testing? You should also have naturopathic docs in your area who could test for and treat viruses with naturopathic approaches. Ultimately, the goal is to get the immune system strong enough “to keep the zoo animals in their cages,” because it would be an impossibility to eradicate every organism in which we come into contact and would probably not be in our best interests, anyway. So, this is where an experienced naturopathic or integrative doc can be like gold (even if one has to travel to see an experienced doc to get sorted with AP). There are folks here who have had to build teams of doctors to get the help they need – every field in the spectrum from mainstream specialists to NDs.

[SJJ]

could you maybe send me a lits of those doctors, scattered or not. Even if I could see them for a diagnosis I think it would be much easier to get local treatment.

[Maz]

SJJ wrote:

could you maybe send me a lits of those doctors, scattered or not. Even if I could see them for a diagnosis I think it would be much easier to get local treatment.

SJJ, PM sent with list of potential docs. Good luck in your search!

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