STEALTH INFECTIONS

(also known as “Lyme”, MSIDS, Vector-borne diseases)

There is no doubt that we are seeing epidemic numbers of Stealth Infection patients around the world, despite government and medical denial and refusal to accept incontrovertible research. Thousands of people in many countries, some infected overseas in “endemic areas, but others who have never left their home shores, remain undiagnosed or misdiagnosed despite debilitating symptoms that are unmistakably Stealth Infection related. Even those with definite diagnosis from blood tests are being denied recognition and treatment.

There are very few Stealth Infection Literate Medical Doctors (doctors trained in USA by the International Lyme and Associated Diseases Society – ILADS), a handful of Lyme Aware doctors, and perhaps a similar number of Lyme Aware Complementary Practitioners. Until recently, many patients were forced to seek assistance from USA based practitioners such as Dr Richard Horowitz, Dr Stephen Harris, Dr Wayne Anderson, and Dr Nicola McFadzean.

Standard medical treatment has largely been in line with the ILADS Guidelines from 2004; heavy-duty antibiotics over a long period. When patients sought Complementary support, or non-drug treatment, the fact that most experienced practitioners were based in USA has meant patients were inclined, encouraged or “forced” to purchase USA products, creating difficulties in expense and shipping.

The development of several “Lyme Communities” online and Lyme Disease Associations (e.g. www.lymedisease.org.au) has increased awareness of locally manufactured products, and aided access to of some USA manufactured herbal products that have no alternatives.

In-depth information on medical treatments and USA based complementary therapies is available in “Why Can’t I Get Better?” (Dr Richard Horowitz), and volumes by Burascano, McFadzean, Buhner, Rosner and others.

“Lyme disease” is, strictly speaking, an infection caused by a bacterium (spirochete) that infects humans from the bite of ticks which are infected with Borrelia Burgdorferi sensu stricto bacteria. The disease was first identified in 1975 when there was an outbreak of apparent Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis around the town of Lyme (Connecticut, USA) that did not respond to standard treatment.

Since then, the common conversational definition of “Lyme disease” has been expanded to include Borrelia infections from all sources and a number of co-infections. Lyme disease can be defined as “early” – diagnosed and treated within a few weeks of infection – and chronic, when symptoms become wide spread and entrenched after a few months to many years of mistreatment or non-treatment.

Lyme disease is often called “The Great Imitator” as it can imitate the symptoms picture of many other diseases such as Multiple Sclerosis, Parkinson’s disease, Motor Neurone Disease, Multi System Atrophy, Progressive Supranuclear Palsy, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, Fibromyalgia, Guillain-Barre Syndrome, Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis, Lupus, Alzheimer’s disease, and many others. Lyme/Stealth Infection is a strong possibility where the diagnosed chronic disorder shows some aberrant symptoms that may be puzzling, or resists standard treatments. A very thorough life history is often a good guide for the likelihood of infection.

Sources/vectors causing Stealth Infections are now known to include a variety of tick species, fleas, mosquitoes, mites, lice and, possibly, other sanguiferous (blood-feeding) creatures. There is also a strong probability that some Stealth Infections can be transmitted sexually and in utero.

As well as causing “Lyme” disease (Borrelia burgdorferi sensu stricto), the vectors often also transmit other diseases (co-infections) such as other species of Borrelia, Babesia, Bartonella, Ehrlichiosis, Tularemia, Rickettsia and Mycoplasma (to name a few – there may be others).

The vast majority of Stealth Infection patients in most countries dominated by Western Allopathic Medicine have been misdiagnosed and mistreated for so long that their disease has become chronic and disseminated through their system. The first point of diagnosis is usually a clinic where an aware practitioner starts to put the pieces of their patient’s health puzzle together, and suspects one or more Stealth Infections.

Patients have usually been unwell for a long time and may have been diagnosed with any of a huge variety of chronic disorders, or not diagnosed and told to seek counselling. They may have been treated for MS, CFS, adrenal exhaustion, thyroid dysfunction, hormone imbalances or Parkinson’s disease; or not treated at all.

There are no standard blood tests or scans anywhere in the world that will identify Stealth Infections with 100% accuracy. In fact the best Stealth Infection testing laboratories – Igenex in USA, Armin Labs and  Infectolab in Germany and Australian Biologics in Australia – can only guarantee between 50% and 70% accuracy.

The most accurate diagnostic techniques at this stage are:

1. Clinical diagnosis by an experience practitioner;
2. Challenge testing (see below);
3. A variety of expensive tests in USA, Germany or Australia.

The symptom pictures below are “bare bones” only as these infections can mimic many other disorders, and each patient will have an individual set of symptoms dependant on health history, predominant infection, co-infections and other co-morbidities. The list may help you assess the need for further investigation or referral to a practitioner (doctor or naturopath) who is experienced in diagnosing and treating Stealth Infections.

Julia was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease in 2006 and treated conservatively with levodopa drugs.

She attended my clinic some three years later and we embarked on a program of self-help, environmental clearing and supplement support as described in earlier classes. We also introduced the Aqua Hydration Formulas at very low doses.

During the next two years, Julia’s symptoms escalated, she needed additional medication plus support for anxiety. Her mobility was inhibited and she became quite despondent.

At this time, I was beginning my studies in Stealth Infections and began to suspect that Julia had, in fact, been misdiagnosed back in 2006. There was no doubt that she had some factors in her background that could lead to neurodegenerative symptoms and had profoundly affected her life and health. However, it seemed obvious that there was more and Stealth Infections were likely.

Julia’s neurologist was, naturally, more than sceptical about the possibility of an infection causing Parkinson’s disease-like symptoms. However, Julia was tested by a leading “Lyme” laboratory and was found positive for Borrelia burgdorferi. We immediately began more thorough detoxing plus antimicrobial treatment (herbals) with excellent results.

Treating Julia’s Stealth Infection did not mean a quick “cure”, but removed one significant impediment to her pathway to health, and allowed her to move forward more positively.

Below, I have listed the major infections I see in my clinic with some of the significant symptoms they cause. From this you can see how easy it can be to mistake symptoms of an infectious process for a neurodegenerative process (or, in fact, how the infection causes neurodegenerative symptoms).

BORRELIA [spirochetal bacteria that can exist as spirochete (active bacterium), L-form (“cell wall deficient”) and cyst]

• Symptoms come on gradually & may not seem related to an obvious cause;
• Can affect many systems – joints, muscles, cognition, cardiac function;
• Short term memory loss, poor judgement, loss of ability to solve complex problems;
• Great fatigue that may get worse in the afternoon, great lethargy;
• Depression, sadness;
• Cramps, weakness or partial paralysis of limbs;
• Change in bowel function-constipation,
• Shortness of breath, cough
• Heart palpitations, pulse skips, heart block
• Joint pain or swelling
• Muscle pain or cramps
• Twitching of the face or other muscles
• Difficulty with speech or writing
• Mood swings, irritability, depression
• Disturbed sleep-too much, too little, early awakening.

Borrelia Keys:

• Arthritic type symptoms with malaise, great fatigue and low mood; or
• Neuro symptoms often mimicking MS, Parkinson’s or MND/ALS. Stiffness, paucity of movement, word loss, poor memory with or without dull, persistent pain.

BARTONELLA [gram negative bacteria that are intracellular parasites generally showing preference for erythrocytes and endothelial cells in humans].

• Fatigue, Restlessness,
• Infectious Mononucleosis-like Syndrome;
• Headaches, Cognitive Dysfunction, and CNS Lesions may be evident;
• Bartonella Neuroretinitis, Loss of Vision, Myelitis, Radiculitis, Transverse Myelitis, Arthritis, Chronic Demyelinating Polyneuropathy;
• Joseph Burrascano suspects bartonellosis when neurologic symptoms are out of proportion to the other systemic symptoms of chronic Lyme.

Bartonella Keys:

• Sharp, burning pains anywhere – may move around body.
• Painful soles, especially burning pain.
• Shooting or electric pain through feet and lower legs.
• Pain and restriction in one or both shoulder, usually with neck involvement.
• Anger, rage and/or suicidal ideation with depression.
• Almost uncontrollable urges to harm others, even those they love.

BABESIA [a protozoa similar to malaria – lives within cells]

• Fatigue;
• Arthralgias, Myalgia, neck and back stiffness;
• Emotional lability, Depression;
• Dizziness, feeling of imbalance;
• Malaise;
• Disruptive sleep;
• Tachycardia, severe low BP, heart problems, pressure around heart.

Babesia Keys:

• Air hunger
• Dry, unproductive cough
• Drenching night sweats (whole body; may need to change clothes/sheets more than once during night)

CHLAMYDIA PNEUMONIAE [obligate intracellular gram-negative bacterium]

• Spectrum of illness may vary from mild and self-limited to severe pneumonia;
• Onset often gradual with delayed presentation;
• Headache;
• Malaise;
• Myalgias;
• Pain in the tendons, frequent localization: upper arms, heels (Achilles tendon), soles;
• “Burning” in the stomach area (sometimes dull pain), bloating;
• Nausea;
• Altered mental status.

Self Assessment For Stealth Infections

Dr Richard Horowitz, in his book “Why Can’t I Get Better”, provides a self-assessment questionnaire that will assist in assessing the likelihood of a stealth infection inhibiting your pathway to health. This book is a very valuable resource in understanding Stealth Infections, how to assess and diagnose, and comprehensive advice on treatment.

If you have any suspicion that one or more stealth infections may play a role in your ill health, purchase this book, or borrow it from your local library, and read it in conjunction with these classes. Some of the content is quite medical and you may find it difficult to follow, but approach the book with the attitude of discovery and don’t stress about those parts your find difficult.

The questionnaire below has been taken, with permission and thanks, from “Why Can’t I Get Better – Solving the Mystery of Lyme & Chromic Disease” by Richard I. Horowitz, MD (published by St Martin’s Press, New York).

MSIDS QUESTIONNAIRE

Answer the following questions as honestly as possible. Think about how you have been feeling over the past month and how often you have been bothered by any of the following problems. Score the occurrence of each symptom on the following scale: 0 = none, 1 = mild, 2 = moderate, 3 = severe.

SECTION 1: Symptom Frequency

0 None  1 Mild    2 Moderate  3 Severe

1. ____ Unexplained fevers, sweats, chills or flushing.
2. ____ Unexplained weight change; loss or gain.
3. ____ **Fatigue, tiredness.
4. ____ Unexplained hair loss.
5. ____ Swollen glands.
6. ­____ Sore throat.
7. ____ Testicular or pelvic pain.
8. ____ Unexplained menstrual irregularity.
9. ____ Unexplained breast milk production; breast pain.
10. ____ Irritable bladder or bladder dysfunction.
11. ____ Sexual dysfunction or loss of libido.
12. ____ Upset stomach.
13. ____ Change in bowel function (constipation or diarrhea).
14. ____ Chest pain or rib soreness.
15. ____ Shortness of breath or cough.
16. ____ Heart palpitations, pulse skips, heart block.
17. ____ History of a heart murmur or valve prolapse.
18. ____ **Joint pain or swelling.
19. ____ Stiff neck or back.
20. ____ Muscle pain or cramps.
21. ____ Twitching face or other muscles.
22. ____
23. ____ Neck cracks or neck stiffness.
24. ____ **Tingling, numbness, burning, or stabbing sensations.
25. ____ Facial paralysis (Bell’s palsy).
26. ____ Eyes/vision; double, blurry.
27. ____ Ears/hearing; buzzing, ringing, ear pain.
28. ____ Increased motion sickness, vertigo.  ____
29. ____ Light-headedness, poor balance, difficulty walking.
30. ____
31. ____ Confusion, difficulty thinking.
32. ____ Difficulty with concentration or reading.
33. ____ **Forgetfulness, poor short-term memory.
34. ____ Disorientation; getting lost; going to wrong places.
35. ____ Difficulty with speech or writing.
36. ____ Mood swings, irritability, depression.
37. ____ **Disturbed sleep; too much, too little, early awaking.
38. ____ Exaggerated symptoms or worse hangover from alcohol.

SECTION 2: Incidence Questions

Please place a tick below for the incidences applicable to you.

1. ____ You have had a tick bite with no rash or flulike symptoms.
2. ____ You have had a tick bite, an erythema migrans (bullseye rash), or an undefined       rash followed by flulike symptoms.
3. ____ You live in what is considered a tick borne infection-endemic area.
4. ____ You have a family member who has been diagnosed with tick borne infection and/or other tick-borne infections.
5. ____ You experience migratory muscle pain.
6. ____ You experience migratory joint pain.
7. ____ You experience tingling/burning/numbness that migrates and/or comes and goes.
8. ____ You have received a prior diagnosis of chronic fatigue syndrome or fibromyalgia.
9. ____ You have received a prior diagnosis of a specific autoimmune disorder (lupus, MS, rheumatoid arthritis), or of a non-specific autoimmune disorder.
10. ____ You have had a positive Lyme test (IFA, ELISA, Western blot, PCR, and/or Borrelia culture).

SECTION 3: Overall Health

1. Thinking about your overall physical health, for how many of the past thirty (30) days was your physical health not good? _________ days
2. Thinking about your overall mental health, for how many days during the past thirty (30) days was your mental health not good? ___________ days

MSIDS QUESTIONNAIRE SCORES

This questionnaire should be completed honestly by every person diagnosed with any chronic disorder. Think long and hard about how you feel before answering each question.

If possible, have someone close to you also complete the questionnaire about you without any reference to your answers. Sometimes those around us see us differently and their observations can be very helpful.

If there is a great divergence in scores (e.g. you score 38 and your “independent assessor” scores 60), discuss the differences and reach an agreement on the most accurate assessment.

Once you have agreed on a final score, consider the following strategies:

If less than 21, spend time re-assessing your exposure to toxic substances and review your actions in both avoiding further exposure and removing those accumulated toxins that are adversely affecting your health. Also review any possible past trauma/stress influences on your health and make sure you are fully engaged in anti-stress strategies like self-love, laughter, meditation, singing and dancing.

21-45: seek advice from a health practitioner who has awareness and experience in diagnosing and treating stealth infections. This may be a medical doctor, naturopath, herbalist or homeopath with relevant experience. Avoid kinesiologists/biofeedback practitioners, live-blood analysis practitioners and similar who claim quick diagnosis and “cures”. You may need to seek help from a remote practitioner with whom you communicate via Skype. While not ideal, this is better than being misled by an inexperienced or misguided practitioner.

You need, at this score, is further assessment and discussion on what stealth infection is the most likely to be affecting you. Once this is established, you can move ahead with treatment – preferably while maintaining contact with your experience practitioner but also following the strategies detailed in the next class.

If your score is 46 or higher, you are very likely (almost certainly) affected by one or more stealth infections, and it is critical that you move ahead with diagnosis and treatment. See above my suggestions for finding a practitioner to help you.

In the next classes, we will discuss testing and specific treatment options for stealth infections. In the meantime, however, EVERYONE, should be reviewing your detox strategies (class 15) and being rigorous in elimination all toxic substances from your home and immediate environment.

Detox protocols are critical if you are treating any infection (see next class) but also very necessary if you are to recover from any neurodegenerative disorder, including Parkinson’s disease.

By the end of this week, you will (or should) have established a daily routine of dry skin brushing, lemon water, Epsom salts baths/foot baths, soaked chia seeds and use of non-toxic personal care products.

If not, DO IT NOW.

References

• “Stop Parkin’ and Start Livin’”; John C Coleman ND; Michelle Anderson Publishing, Melbourne Australia; 2005.

• VICTOROFF Dr. Jeff; “Saving Your Brain”; Bantam Books (Random House Australia), Milsons Point, NSW, Australia, 2002.

• McEWEN Professor Bruce; interview by Dr. Norman Swan on ABC Radio National “The Health Report” 10^th January 2005; downloaded from ABC website 11^th January 2005.

• MARJAMA-LYONS Jill, M.D.; “What Your Doctor May Not Tell You About Parkinson’s Disease”;  Warner Books, New York, USA; 2003

• KABAT-ZINN Jon, Ph.D.; “Full Catastrophe Living”; Delta Book; Dell Publishing, New York, USA; 1990

• “Meditation”; no author given; www.wholehealthmd.com ; downloaded from website 16^th January 2005