Townsend Letter discusses why antibiotics aren't good choice for chronic Lyme

[beverlybdmd]

The most recent Townsend Letter (a highly respected journal) has an article of interest written to explain the rationals for WHY antibiotics are contra-indicated in chronic Lyme, despite evidence of ongoing infection with the Borellia bacteria.
http://www.townsendletter.com/April2...iclyme0407.htm

Part of the controversy is being stirred by recent a recent study that has been released that has showed that long term continuous high dose use antibiotic treatments of over a year even, do NOT clear Lyme bacteria from the bodies of people who have been infected for chronic periods of time. (like ME.)

After discussing some of the lesser known harmful effects of antibiotics, and the large amount of usage in the USA, the article concludes with these paragraphs:

As mentioned in 'Lyme Toxins: the Primary Cause of Your Symptoms,' (Townsend Letter, April 2007), certain classes of antibiotics can activate bacteriophages, viruses. An astonishing new finding was released by John Travis in Science News (July 2003;164). Travis reported that research performed by John F. Prescott found that certain antibiotics, such as the fluoroquinolones, the class of antibiotics that includes the name-brands and generic brands of Levaquin™, Cipro™, Tequin™, and Avelox™, actually are known to trigger a type of virus called bacteriophages (viruses that can infect bacteria), to change the genetic sequencing of the bacteria, causing the bacterium they have infected to start producing toxins. These viruses can act as genetic delivery vans, invading bacteria, such as spirochetes, and often lying dormant until activated by a change in the host (your body) environment. Once activated, these viruses insert their toxin-generating genes into the bacterial chromosomes. These viruses can turn basically harmless bacterium into killers through this genetic sequencing of toxins (Travis 2003).

So now we see that not only are these toxins released through the die-off of bacteria, and not only can antibiotics actually increase the production of the toxins, but these viruses can cause the bacteria to rupture spilling their toxins into the body (Waldor 2004). Other antibiotic classes need to be studied in this same manner to verify their safety.

Some people only feel good if they are taking the antibiotics. This is possibly due to the fact that some antibiotics work by impeding the growth of bacteria without actually killing them. Again we see an unacceptable solution, since this leads to years of dependency upon antibiotics. This is justified by some, due to the relief the treatment provides, even though it is but again simply a drug-induced illusion of health.

One may ask, 'Is there a time when antibiotics are okay to use?' My answer is yes. Antibiotics have saved many lives since the advent of penicillin. However, in chronic Lyme disease, it is the opinion of some that the antibiotics should only be used at the time of the initial diagnosis for approximately four months. My opinion as a doctor specializing in restoring the optimal integrity of the human organism, I would never recommend antibiotics for chronic Lyme disease. I have seen too many people overcome Lyme without antibiotics and without severe Herx reactions. As a doctor, I give no one a guilt trip for using antibiotics. Everyone must walk their own road and make their own choices. When treating someone who is taking antibiotics, I simply work to counteract any adverse effects they may be causing, while providing the body with the true correct care it needs to heal.

The prevalent thought seems to be that the human body is dumb and needs our help to 'fix' its problems. The reality is that the world's most astute and celebrated physicians cannot fix even the simplest paper cut, much less a serious illness like Lyme disease. Most physicians specialize in creating drug-induced illusions of health. The human body is not dumb. The body needs the physician to see his role as a being a facilitator in the process of restoring the body's optimal design so that homeostasis can be reestablished and true health can follow.

[beverlybdmd]

The most recent Townsend Letter (a highly respected journal) has an article of interest written to explain the rationals for WHY antibiotics are contra-indicated in chronic Lyme, despite evidence of ongoing infection with the Borellia bacteria.
http://www.townsendletter.com/April2...iclyme0407.htm

Part of the controversy is being stirred by recent a recent study that has been released that has showed that long term continuous high dose use antibiotic treatments of over a year even, do NOT clear Lyme bacteria from the bodies of people who have been infected for chronic periods of time. (like ME.)

After discussing some of the lesser known harmful effects of antibiotics, and the large amount of usage in the USA, the article concludes with these paragraphs:

As mentioned in 'Lyme Toxins: the Primary Cause of Your Symptoms,' (Townsend Letter, April 2007), certain classes of antibiotics can activate bacteriophages, viruses. An astonishing new finding was released by John Travis in Science News (July 2003;164). Travis reported that research performed by John F. Prescott found that certain antibiotics, such as the fluoroquinolones, the class of antibiotics that includes the name-brands and generic brands of Levaquin™, Cipro™, Tequin™, and Avelox™, actually are known to trigger a type of virus called bacteriophages (viruses that can infect bacteria), to change the genetic sequencing of the bacteria, causing the bacterium they have infected to start producing toxins. These viruses can act as genetic delivery vans, invading bacteria, such as spirochetes, and often lying dormant until activated by a change in the host (your body) environment. Once activated, these viruses insert their toxin-generating genes into the bacterial chromosomes. These viruses can turn basically harmless bacterium into killers through this genetic sequencing of toxins (Travis 2003).

So now we see that not only are these toxins released through the die-off of bacteria, and not only can antibiotics actually increase the production of the toxins, but these viruses can cause the bacteria to rupture spilling their toxins into the body (Waldor 2004). Other antibiotic classes need to be studied in this same manner to verify their safety.

Some people only feel good if they are taking the antibiotics. This is possibly due to the fact that some antibiotics work by impeding the growth of bacteria without actually killing them. Again we see an unacceptable solution, since this leads to years of dependency upon antibiotics. This is justified by some, due to the relief the treatment provides, even though it is but again simply a drug-induced illusion of health.

One may ask, 'Is there a time when antibiotics are okay to use?' My answer is yes. Antibiotics have saved many lives since the advent of penicillin. However, in chronic Lyme disease, it is the opinion of some that the antibiotics should only be used at the time of the initial diagnosis for approximately four months. My opinion as a doctor specializing in restoring the optimal integrity of the human organism, I would never recommend antibiotics for chronic Lyme disease. I have seen too many people overcome Lyme without antibiotics and without severe Herx reactions. As a doctor, I give no one a guilt trip for using antibiotics. Everyone must walk their own road and make their own choices. When treating someone who is taking antibiotics, I simply work to counteract any adverse effects they may be causing, while providing the body with the true correct care it needs to heal.

The prevalent thought seems to be that the human body is dumb and needs our help to 'fix' its problems. The reality is that the world's most astute and celebrated physicians cannot fix even the simplest paper cut, much less a serious illness like Lyme disease. Most physicians specialize in creating drug-induced illusions of health. The human body is not dumb. The body needs the physician to see his role as a being a facilitator in the process of restoring the body's optimal design so that homeostasis can be reestablished and true health can follow.

[beverlybdmd]

thank you Bubba for making those EXCELLENT points!!
It is important to point those things out, because this is simply ANOTHER OPPOSING POINT of VIEW, and certainly NOT THE MOST WIDELY ACCEPTED!!!
Oddly enough, THIS time it is coming from the alternative medical practitioners, who have OFTEN sided WITH the ILADS physicians who are the docs that recommend long-term antibiotic therapy; as opposed to the conservative, traditional, university-based, medical-school, research-type, & organizational medical practitioners. So, perhaps it represents a new shift in certain political-medical alliances, I fear that will have repercussions for our "allowable" insurance reimbursements in the future.

Remember--I have chronic Lyme, (as well as a host of the usual bad boys--most them "officially cured," ha-ha, & of course, My Morgies...) and I was getting INJECTABLE antibiotics for 1/2 of this past year...

[beverlybdmd]

thank you Bubba for making those EXCELLENT points!!
It is important to point those things out, because this is simply ANOTHER OPPOSING POINT of VIEW, and certainly NOT THE MOST WIDELY ACCEPTED!!!
Oddly enough, THIS time it is coming from the alternative medical practitioners, who have OFTEN sided WITH the ILADS physicians who are the docs that recommend long-term antibiotic therapy; as opposed to the conservative, traditional, university-based, medical-school, research-type, & organizational medical practitioners. So, perhaps it represents a new shift in certain political-medical alliances, I fear that will have repercussions for our "allowable" insurance reimbursements in the future.

Remember--I have chronic Lyme, (as well as a host of the usual bad boys--most them "officially cured," ha-ha, & of course, My Morgies...) and I was getting INJECTABLE antibiotics for 1/2 of this past year...