Putting it all Together
I dislike “canned treatment plans” because of the complex interaction between DNA, epigenetics and microbiota (gut bacteria) found in chronic fatigue syndrome. As I understand it, epigenetics includes infection altered DNA behavior, (which includes DNA includes inherited coagulation defects (over a dozen types).)
I prefer careful note taking, appropriate labs (if available and affordable) and observations to a
canned approach. However, this kind of careful methodological approach can be difficult, particularly for the very fatigued and cognitively challenged. So below is my suggested plan for you to discuss with your Medical Professional (if you cannot get one thing, just skip that item and move on to the next).
Addendum: I have added a
Where to Start on my own blog.
First Pass
- 200 mg/day of minocycline (as a neuroprotector — for those can persuade MDs to write an ongoing prescription) – on going
- Week 1: Haritaki: Work up to 6 “00” capsules per day then stop
- Week 2: Prescript-Assist: Work up to 2 capsules per day then stop
- Week 3: Tulsi: Work up to 6 “00” capsules per day then stop
- Week 4: Align or a 100% Bifidobacterium probiotic (preferably with mainly Bifidobacterium Infantis)
- Week 5: Neem: Work up to 6 “00” capsules per day then stop
- Week 6: Mutaflor or other E.Coli Probioitcs (work up to 2x recommended dosage)
- Week 7: Lactobacillus Reuteri (work up to 2x recommended dosage)
- Week 8: Take a break — ideally review your notes to find what had the greatest effect and use that for 2 weeks, working your way down the list for effectiveness
- Week 9: Turmeric (breaks down a form of coagulation that seems to occur with CFS) – up to 10 capsules per day. If you have piracetam, also take that.
Second Pass
Repeat the above, with the following additions. I excluded these in the first pass because they can, by themselves, produce massive herx. By “antibiotics”, I mean natural (Neem, etc), prescription (minocycline, etc) and biological (produced by probiotics).
- Week 1: NAC and EDTA – these are biofilm breakers, and you should repeat every 3 weeks of this cycle in addition to whatever else you are doing. Biofilms are “domed cities of bacteria” – the antibiotics kill the outer level and the dead bacteria bodies protect the inhabitants.
- Week 2: Bromelain, Nattokinease, Serrapetase, Lumbrokinease – these are antibiotic potentators. They in general dissolve fibrin deposits allowing antibiotics to penetrate deeper (up to 10x greater concentration in tissue). Bacteria will often trigger fibrin so they have their own little world shielded off by the fibrin. Repeat every four weeks in addition to whatever else you are doing.
- Week 3: Boswellia, Myrth – these are anti-inflamnatories. Inflammation keeps antibiotics away from the bacteria (just like fibrin and biofilms) — you want to reduce the inflammation. Repeat every two weeks in addition to whatever else you are doing.
Over time items:
If the above does not work well, i.e. zero herx and zero improvement — the following should be tried:
- Week A: Olive Leaf Extract
- Week B: Worm Wood
- Week C: Monolaurin
All of the above should be discussed with your health professional before starting. You and your medical professional should be aware of “die off” and herx effects. This can happen from any of the above — if something kills off a bacteria that causes a symptom then all of the chemicals from their “rotting corpses” will cause symptoms to worsen. In some cases, the chemicals will suddenly stop (without a herx) and you will find yourself climbing the walls with energy. If this happen, keep disciplined on taking and rotating the list above — and do not overdue activities causing a relapse.
Post Script: Low vitamin D levels and low magnesium levels may need to addressed first. Studies have found that pain (and other symptoms) in ME/CFS and FM patients decrease as their magnesium levels increase. Magnesium may be the more important one because low magnesium levels will reduce the effectiveness of vitamin D supplements. Vitamin D is a known regulator of gut bacteria.
