Lyme on a Budget with Teresa Holler MS PA-C

We interviewed Teresa Holler MS PA-C about Lyme on a budget, or how to address Lyme disease without breaking the bank. You can watch the replay below. Please note that you will be asked to provide your email address at the 30-minute mark to continue viewing the replay.

Addressing Lyme Disease

Lyme disease can be devastating to health and to the bank account. It is hard to test for accurately, and the standard Western blot test is often not enough to confirm a diagnosis, meaning that additional tests that are typically not covered by insurance may need to be run. Like PANS/PANDAS (of which Lyme disease is a subset), Lyme disease is a clinical diagnosis. In addition, there are almost always co-infections such as bartonella, babesia and mycoplasma for which tests will likely need to be run.

Treatment for Lyme disease and its co-infections are usually not covered by insurance companies, and this can drive the cost of treatment into the thousands or even tens of thousands of dollars, especially if treatments such as IVIG or plasmapharesis are prescribed. In addition, many of the more-knowledgeable Lyme-disease practitioners don’t typically take insurance, which leaves patients to pay for treatment out of pocket.

In This Expert Interview

This interview underscores the complexity of treating Lyme disease effectively and affordably. Teresa Holler discussed combinations of traditional and functional-medical approaches using herbal remedies, supplements and medications. She helped us to answer the following questions:

• What are the six items that can be used to head off a Lyme and/or PANS/PANDAS flare?
• What are Teresa’s top four products for treating Lyme disease and its co-infections?
• Why does taking doxycycline after a tick bite potentially lead to chronic Lyme disease and what can be done instead?
• What are the most economical ways to test for Lyme disease and its co-infections?
• What are economical ways to address symptoms of Lyme disease and co-infections?
• Where are the best places to find Lyme-literate doctors?

Key Discussions

Understanding Bacterial Growth Phases

• Log Phase: Active bacterial growth phase during which antibiotics and herbals are typically effective.
• Stationary Phase: When bacterial growth plateaus, leading to the formation of persister cells that are resistant to conventional treatments. Special strategies are necessary to target these cells, and certain herbal remedies have been proven to help.

Role of Stevia A in Lyme Treatment

A specific brand, Nutramedix Stevia A, has shown promising results in vitro for targeting the stationary phase of borrelia bacteria. Stevia A combined with other antimicrobial treatments can reduce biofilm and enhance recovery, making it a cost-effective option.

Other Herbal Remedies

Herbs like samento, bandarol, cumanda, and houttuynia (Nutramedix products) have demonstrated benefits in reducing both spirochetes and biofilm, as well as symptoms.

Diagnosis and Testing

Lyme disease and co-infections are primarily clinical diagnoses; laboratory tests may not always detect all cases. Diagnostic approaches can include trial treatments with natural products and over-the-counter medications such as Aleve or Motrin. Patient reactions should be monitored to adjust doses accordingly.

Dosage Adjustments

Teresa stressed the importance of starting with lower doses and increasing gradually as the patient’s body recovers. She emphasized allowing time for the body to heal before making significant dosage changes.

Nutritional and Supplemental Insights

Alternatives to NAC (N-acetyl cysteine) include taurine or inositol for those who may be intolerant or who have a CBS mutation. Teresa discussed the importance of turmeric, fish oil, magnesium, and other anti-inflammatory agents in managing chronic inflammation as well as flares.

Specific Treatment Protocols

Teresa provided etailed protocols for specific conditions such as bartonella and babesia, including using herbal, supplement and medication combinations for effective long-term management. She also discussed mitochondrial dysfunction.

Timestamped Overview

00:00 Documenting Hope: Nonprofit educates on childhood health.
08:24 Treated child successfully.
14:16 SPMs helpful in diagnosing and treating conditions.
18:55 Discussion of highly effective products.
21:53 Magnesium overdose rare, monitor kidney function carefully.
31:16 Tick bite can lead to chronic Lyme.
34:53 Alternatives to IVIG.
39:54 Samento is an immune modulator, antimicrobial against Lyme.
47:33 Stevia A reduces microbe biofilm by 99%.
51:53 Using baikal skullcap, burbur pinella, GlucoMedix, Nutra-BRT for tick-related diseases.
54:44 Standard protocol, budget approach for various treatments.
01:03:29 Genetic testing and SPMs enhance fish oil.
01:06:35 Using herbs treated woman with reactivated Epstein Barr.
01:09:23 Babesia treatment for four months, with alternatives.
01:17:47 Herbs support microbiome, improve probiotics and acids.
01:33:22 Presentation on herb properties and products summary.

Resources Mentioned in This Expert Interview

Teresa provided a presentation that gives her standard protocol for Lyme and coinfections. This presentation also goes over medical research about some of her favorite products. See Sources & References below for links to the research.

About Teresa Holler MS PA-C

But what sets Teresa apart is her heart. Teresa truly cares about helping practitioners help patients and her concern has provided health and hope to many patients who have lost both despite seeking many different treatment approaches in the past.

Teresa is available for speaking engagements or for medical consultations, and you can learn more about her at her website teresaholler.com

Disclaimer

This expert interview is not a substitute for medical advice, treatment, diagnosis, or consultation with a medical professional. It is intended for general informational purposes only and should not be relied on to make determinations related to treatment of a medical condition. Documenting Hope has not verified and does not guaranty the accuracy of the information provided in this expert interview.

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