How I Cured My "Lyme Disease"
Lyme disease is a vector-borne disease said to be transmitted to humans by ticks. After my diagnosis & recovery, I personally think there's MUCH more to this "disease" than we are being led to believe
Hello Loved Ones,
I am grateful and excited to be writing about my whirlwind experience with “Lyme”, what I’ve discovered about this dis-ease, and the protocols that helped me tremendously in finding complete relief to the sudden abnormal symptoms that began showing up for me after several positive tests (both in Western blot test and biomarker screening). Spoiler alert: I now not only test negative but there isn’t even a trace of antibodies in my blood for this bacteria.
First, I will share my experience with Lyme, of course from my lens, so I’d like to admit two things upfront:
I don’t blindly trust allopathic/Western medicine; in fact, quite the opposite; I have much more trust in my intuition and in the many signs our bodies send us when something is out of balance.
I am biased against the industrialization of medicine, so take everything I share with a grain of salt as I am far less book studied than an MD.
Concurrently, I deeply respect and have gratitude for certain medical and technological advancements for true emergencies and/or trauma. Unfortunately, I’ve come to discover that the other vast majority of medical treatments and/or pharmaceutical drugs are just temporary bandaids to symptoms and certainly NOT a cure for the root causes (which is why we end up needing more drugs and more doctors and never get free from our medical co-dependence even if disguised in advancements).
The routine compartmentalization and segregation of a few physical symptoms to have a medical diagnosis in order to prescribe drugs, rather than a complete/holistic scan of the overall human system (Physical Body, Mind, and Spirit/Energy body), does not constitute real healing in my book. Therefore, I did not take any antibiotics or pharma drugs whatsoever for this infection (or for any recent viruses, for that matter); I fully trust my system knows exactly what to do as long as it's in a coherent, balanced and healthy state before I am exposed to any foreign toxicity. And if I was susceptible to any dis-ease, then I must not just cure the symptoms but the root causes that allowed this to take over my system. Therefore, my approach toward Lyme did not include any prescription medications.
Another important thing I would like to emphasize, regarding Lyme specifically, is that we don't know what is true regarding its origins. If you haven't yet, I highly recommend reading the book "Bitten" By award-winning science writer at Stanford University and the senior producer of the Lyme disease documentary "UNDER OUR SKIN", Kris Newby. Newby's research is meticulous, and the information she reveals is robust, especially in the book's first part, as she lays out how bioweapon programs have been used, experimented on, and orchestrated for decades, many including spreading tick-borne illnesses on innocent people. Prepare to be horrified by tales of the US dumping boxes of infected ticks over the sugarcane fields of Cuba and other appalling actions. Therefore, one person's Lyme's journey might be vastly different than others simply because we may be carrying different illnesses that originated in distinct manners.
At the risk of sounding even more "woo woo," I can't share my experience before first stressing enough how changing our minds and thoughts is #1 for any desired healing. This change is also likely the most challenging part of the recovery process, especially when we are sick and tired of being sick and tired, and now some "random hippie" is telling us to be positive; I get it. BUT just like we can make ourselves considerably sicker with stress and negative thoughts, we can absolutely make ourselves better and incur miraculous physical healing by focusing on unlimited possibilities and gratitude.
Our body can very quickly (if it isn't already) become addicted to suffering due to pain or trauma; this addiction will trick our limbic system into thinking we are in constant and inevitable danger, therefore significantly slowing down our other systems while on a permanent state of "fight or flight." An in-depth understanding of the Nocebo* vs. Placebo effect is crucial for anyone genuinely committed to finding physical relief or healing from dis-ease. *Nocebo is the scientific term for when a person is conditioned to expect a negative response or to anticipate unfavorable effects from an experience and therefore is more likely to manifest it physically. (Here is a concise, well-researched peer-reviewed Medical Journal on the effect of Nocebo on pain management).
My Lyme journey…
I was officially "diagnosed" with Lyme at the very beginning of 2022 after my health started deteriorating SUPER fast. Thankfully, I self-prescribed some lab work in January before attempting to conceive a baby with my husband and decided to also test for Lyme bacteria (I highly recommend https://www.jasonhealth.com in general if you want to skip the doctor's office, call in your lab order for different tests* and feel comfortable interpreting your own results).
*There is a particular and proper way for “serologic testing” and interpretation of the B. burgdorferi aka Lyme bacteria that should be followed to avoid false positives and/or false negatives, followed by subsequent tests to confirm infection/antibodies, and I do think this should be done with the advice of a medical professional or Lyme expert.
I still have no idea how I contracted it (no recollection of getting bit by a tick, although now I know it can be passed by humans too), but I had all of the following symptoms:
Memory loss (to the point of forgetting my family and close friends' names!)
Trouble speaking (struggling to retrieve essential words)
Brain fog
Joint paint (leg, knees especially)
Ringing in the ear, loss of hearing
Unbalance/lightheadedness
Sensitivity to light/sound
Little to no energy, extreme fatigue
Depression/irritability
Poor digestion, bloating, Etc.
My fantastic network of friends referred me to the "best Lyme doctors," yet 2/3 wanted to prescribe me 30-day+ antibiotics. I didn't take these for the reasons listed before, but another factor is that the side effects were not worth the risk. The impact on the gut from such prolonged treatments is horrid, and like many of you, I've worked hard at improving my immune system after years of antibiotics as a child. Those prescriptions would've destroyed the good bacteria/gut flora in my belly, weakening my immune system more than strengthening it, making it harder to heal from Lyme and any other disease.
So here is what I DID do :)
The 3 Phases of My Lyme Protocol:
Phase I: I immediately made some fundamental dietary/lifestyle changes + supplementations. It all starts with the GUT, so being mindful and grateful for the new way in which we get to feed ourselves has to become an upgraded lifestyle choice rather than a Lyme restrictive diet, or you will only add to your suffering.
The recommendations below might sound like a lot initially, but I promise you, it soon becomes the “norm” and if you love yourself enough to follow through with graceful discipline, improvements will show within a couple of weeks.
Water:
Clean and alive water/zero plastic. Most of the water we drink is filled with fluoride and other contaminants, including lead, VOCs, chlorine, chloramine, PFOS, and other toxic particles and/or plastic if bottled. An excellent in-home filtration system is critical for this. Here is a water filtration review site with different price point options; I recommend doing your due diligence before purchasing. Next is replenishing our water by adding trace minerals (Magnesium, Chloride, Potassium, and Low Sodium + other trace minerals) that are no longer present in our water which is vital for our endocrine system to detoxify correctly. I add a dropper of trace minerals to my water daily. Trace Mineral Drops, B.E.S.T PROCESS Morter Trace Minerals or MAYU Concentrate Electrolyte drops are some great brands I recommend.
No sugar/No coffee:
This one is challenging, but it's also a temporary thing! One of the main reasons this can be especially hard is because many of us have become dependent on the processed sugar "high" to get us through the day, especially when we are unwell (this might be caffeine for you). A high caffeine or sugar intake daily is one of the most dangerous things to consume when our immune system is already on overdrive and not tapping into the proper order/sources of energy, which leads me to the quality of food we eat 👉🏽 listed below in #4. And sugar comes in many different forms, not just sweets y'all! ("Healthy" food bars, "organic" cereals, "natural" juice/flavored water, canned food, processed food, sauces/dressings, "sugar-free" desserts, etc.) My only source of sugar is in eating some berries in the AM, my only caffeine intake is an occasional green matcha, and I eat a high protein (including raw dairy)/low carb diet intentionally.
No Alcohol:
Alcohol does nothing good for us when we are healing; it only deteriorates our physical health and especially our spirit. Mainstream media constantly promotes the use of alcohol to "cope," and I find that particularly dangerous as it also never seems to offer a healthy alternative for those in need… Medical studies, including those published by Harvard, Mayo Clinic, The Lancet, PLOS, etc will say that moderate alcohol consumption can provide health benefits (even while pregnant!) despite those same institutions also publishing the severe and life-threatening effects that even moderate consumption of alcohol can cause. If the information is conflicting, listen to your body, alcohol does not improve the way we feel (maybe only temporarily); therefore, it's obvious it will not contribute towards the growth and repair of an unbalanced system.
Real Food:
Fresh food, whole foods, and hormone/antibiotic-free proteins are essential. Absolutely no frozen meals, pizzas, fast food, imitation or processed foods. And yes, this might mean lots more cooking/prepping vs. ordering/eating out. Still, we have unlimited resources online on innovative, budget-friendly, and efficient ways to do this in exchange for a lifetime of physical health and emotional wellness. As I mentioned above: My only source of sugar is in eating some berries in the AM, my only caffeine intake is an occasional green matcha, and I eat a high protein (including local raw dairy)/low carb diet.
Vitamin Supplementation:
Supplementing our nutrition with liposomal* vitamins (*liquid form, as most pills are hardly absorbed by our bodies, plus the supplement industry is also quite a scam, so beware of cheap supplements out there) is vital. Even when eating a whole foods diet, our organic foods are depleted of some basic nutrients these days due to soil and water deficiencies. I focus on Vitamin B5/B6/B12, C, D, Glutathione, Omegas, Chlorophyll, and Magnesium. Some of the brands I recommend are 1. Quicksilver Scientific, 2. LivOn, 3. Dr. Mercola
Herbs:
I also immediately started a protocol of antimicrobial and anti-parasitic herbs that I was drinking daily and will continue taking some* for maintenance unless pregnant or breastfeeding: Semento* (Peruvian Cat’s Claw), Banderol*, Hierba Mansa, Burbur Pinella, Cumanda, Mapalo)
Nervous System Reset/Getting Out of “Fight or Flight”:
NOT eating or drinking certain things was wayyy easier than not BEING a certain way y’all! Deeply rooted ways of thinking or reacting were the most challenging to shift. So I made radical lifestyle changes in order to thrive again:
-Minimal cell phone and computer usage (explained to people I had no space to support anyone but myself during this phase)
-Zero social media or TV distractions, absolutely no news
-Only maintained contact with a select number of individuals, said no to all social events unless they were calming and nourishing, while exercising significant boundaries with anyone/anything that disturbed my emotions (this most definitely includes family and a vulnerable conversation with employers)
-Twice daily meditation practice (Joe Dispenza and Vipassana were my saving grace)
-Deep shameless rest (“I deserve to rest fully and peacefully”)
-More time in nature, long stretches of silence and introspection to fully understand how my body felt when at ease vs. when riddled with dis-ease
-Intentional research & reading books that contained stories of healing and new possibilities, including "miraculous" cures, in order to BELIEVE what was possible for me fully
-Consistent personal therapy 2x/month as well as couples coaching 1x/month to also support my husband and I during these challenging times (I was so NOT nice to him when I was doing unwell, my emotions were running the show before I got ahold of them)
Phase II: After about 60 days of my initial dietary/lifestyle changes, I felt much better, but cognitively I still knew I was certainly not back to normal. Energetically I had good days but also very down days, and the irritability I felt was sometimes almost impossible to manage (bless my husband!). The most significant telling sign for me that something was still off was this: My "life force", my joy and/or excitement for life, was not always there. I would catch myself feeling numb at beautiful things or experiences and felt quite depressed and unable to see the light at the end of the tunnel often.
So I decided to be "irresponsible" to society but responsible to myself and signed up for an incredible 3-week clinical detox program in Cabo, Mexico. I understand this might not be possible for everyone, mainly due to time/work/financial constraints, but this "retreat" in which I chose to fully let go of all responsibilities (pets included!) and bask in rest was quite potent for me, especially for my nervous system to realize "Hey, we are safe, we can focus on repair."
During this retreat, I received daily chelation I.V.s (for detoxification of heavy metals), heavy doses of Vitamin I.V.s (great for detox of mold, amongst other benefits), N.A.C., N.A.D. (for the brain), and IV ozone therapy to oxygenate my blood. I also received stem cell therapy during this time (I went to a clinic in Cabo called Stemaid for this, they are excellent. But the cost per week will run a few thousands of dollars). You can most definitely find local clinics in the US that'll offer all of these types of I.V.s without having to travel and for a MUCH lower price minus the stem cells. If in Austin, you can go here. I think three weeks of consecutive IV treatments, paired with phase I routine, helped reboot my different systems tremendously. Stem cells, in particular, are powerful, but this is still an innovative treatment and takes some time to work. So if you are unsure about stem cells or the price point seems high, I would skip that and focus on the rest, starting by finding local IV therapy.
Phase III: Upon my return from Mexico, going on four months of treatments, I coincidentally heard from THREE (not one or two but three) different people about the incredible effects on Lyme cases that an ancestral "Ayurvedic Goat Milk Cleanse" had. These cleanses, I came to find out, have been around for hundreds of years. I was already feeling dramatically better, but intuitively, I felt there was more to "release". Side note: initially, I tested for Lyme because I dreamt there were worms in my belly and took it as a sign from God to look into it, and thank God I did as soon as I did.
The Magical Goat Milk Cleanse:
I will add several resources about the Goat Milk Cleanse below. Still, first, I'd like to add the following to reiterate the above: It is now scientifically proven that 93% or more of illnesses derive from lifestyle and not genetics. This means we can absolutely heal ourselves by changing our diet/our lifestyle, and the moment I allow stress/imbalance to take over, I start feeling unwell. So now, I believe more than ever that the root cause of disease in my body is a lack of coherence between my mind, spirit, and body. When I am in complete coherence, living my truth in gratitude, and my mind-body is aligned, my health thrives… and this goat milk cleanse was THE most obvious "before and after" experience throughout my process.
Milk is the first and best nutrition we receive as humans, and goat milk, in particular, is also really beneficial for us (there are other types of milk just as good such as camel or bison, for example). In several traditions, including Ayurveda (ancestral natural medicine from India), goat milk has been used to remove parasites from children and adults for centuries. Some would even bathe in goat milk for extended periods for the parasite or the worms to exit the body because bacteria and worms are insanely attracted to milk.
The goat milk cleanse I was advised to do is quite simple: it consists of at least eight days, preferably ten, of ONLY consuming goat milk (you can do longer if you feel up for it). This milk is so rich in nutrients that you don't feel extremely hungry or weak. You are allowed to consume as much milk as you'd like, and it is recommended you pair it with herbs and tinctures to aid in the removal of toxins and harmful bacteria from your body as you complete this cleanse. I will list the recommended herbs/tinctures below. Also, you can consume as much water as you'd like. I was able to work out and continue my regular activities with no problem (except that you will likely have loose stools the entire time, so beware and be near a toilet).
There is a particular company called LabElymental that made it very easy; they packaged some of the recommended herbs and delivered them right to you with instructions, here is their link, and you'll also be able to find lots of helpful info and FAQ on their site. Unfortunately, LabElymental isn't producing more products at the moment (you can get added to their waitlist though). But you are still very much able to complete this cleanse on your own, you will simply have to source your protocol and order herbs and tinctures listed below. I do encourage you to check out their site for added info on the process, but I will add more sources and Youtube videos below for your review.
https://www.themilkcleanse.com/pages/how-it-works
There are many different parasites cleanses that you can take along with the milk. I personally have taken SCRAM (anti-parasitic herbs in pill form) as well as 3x daily droppers of Semento & Banderol tinctures along with the milk and had great results. I will say that I am accustomed to consuming herbs and have done lots of reading of which herbs work well with my body. So as with anything, you should start with small doses and slowly increase them as your body begins tolerating this bomb of new natural meds in your belly. Creating your own herbal cleanse and pairing it with the milk will also allow you to start acting as your own healer. Countless herbs are good for detox and the killing of parasites; lots of info online about this but some of the commonly used herbs are:
Cayenne, Cranberry, Slippery Elm Bark, Wormwood Herb, Cat's Claw, Cloves, Black Walnut.
Always buy organic from a reputable source and slowly introduce them to your body to see the reaction. You also do not need to "mix & match" them all. I would research a few and try out a few. Remember that herbal healing is very potent with small doses; we are used to "the more, the merrier," but this is all based on extreme consumerism, and oftentimes based on our sensitivity or susceptibility, a simple drop of a flower essence can be as strong as the entire bottle. So thread lightly, lovingly, and with deep trust and honor to these plant allies for helping us heal.
Most important part of the cleanse: The milk should ideally be RAW, which means unpasteurized. I believe this isn't recommended in many states so I must advise you to check your local regulations *sigh*. Personally, I love the taste of raw milk; pasteurized milk is less rich and bland in flavor because it's no longer full of the live organisms that can transform our gut. Processed milk (and any protein for that matter) is also depleted of all good probiotics and nutrition and filled with hormones, antibiotics, and other toxins, making it more harmful than beneficial. So prepare for the intense flavor and find local farms at your local farmers market that supply raw goat milk (if you are in Austin, I will happily recommend some).
Starting on day 5, it really felt like the floodgates of LIFE and energy reopened for me. And it makes sense, as it takes about five days for these petty bacteria (same with H Pylori btw) to start releasing from our stomach lining and flushed out. That is why you don’t give up or cut it short unless of course, you are not feeling well. By day 10, I felt like myself again! And it was such a noticeable improvement that I decided to go back to food for 3 weeks before repeating it again to ensure I had cleansed anything and everything that did not belong.
And as I mentioned above, I am happy to share that after my 2nd cleanse, I tested negative for Lyme in all of its forms, including antibodies. Soon after (way sooner than I thought!), we conceived our baby easily and have had a wonderful pregnancy, thank God!
Overall, I don't know if "one" thing did the trick or if it was the combination of all of the above. I feel like MANY changes needed to be made and maintained for my health to thrive again, so I am beyond grateful for Lyme or whatever it is that so many of us are feeling now because it was a choice point: wake up and make some immediate shifts or watch your health deteriorate for the years to come. And I was clear that I could heal and not just return to "normal" but to a better state, and so I did!"Are we more likely to suffer from arthritis, stiff joints, poor memory, flagging energy, and decreased sex drive as we age, simply because that’s the version of the truth that ads, commercials, television shows, and media reports bombard us with? What other self-fulfilling prophecies are we creating in our minds without being aware of what we’re doing? And what “inevitable truths” can we successfully reverse simply through thinking new thoughts and choosing new beliefs?" ― Joe Dispenza, You Are the Placebo: Making Your Mind Matter
Lastly, if all of this is really new to you, I really recommend you read: “You Are The Placebo by Joe Dispenza” and also watch the documentary “HEAL” if you haven’t, both really breakdown personal, professional and scientific evidence on all of the above with some beautiful examples of how all healing is possible if YOU believe it is:
So may you remember the healer within and find daily ways to self-master, self-regulate and self-heal.
With infinite love,
Gabriela
Goat Milk resources:
https://www.joyfulbelly.com/Ayurveda/ingredient/Milk/24
https://www.youtube.com/watchv=Oryf8FnewDU
https://www.lisabelter.com/news/2021/5/17/milk-cleanse-for-parasites
https://www.instagram.com/tv/CbYCGwMB1c1
(Starting at min 6:50 they discuss Milk Cleanse)
You mention that you were diagnosed at the beginning of 2023, but the process you describe seems like it took longer than the 60 days since the beginning of the year. Did you mean 2022 or 2021?