Comments on: Cognitive dysfunction in women with chronic disease: a summary of my upcoming presentation at the 2008 Days of Molecular Medicine conference http://bacteriality.com/2008/03/09/cognitive-dysfunction/ Thu, 03 Dec 2009 20:09:45 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 By: Paul Albert http://bacteriality.com/2008/03/09/cognitive-dysfunction/comment-page-1/#comment-17651 Paul Albert Thu, 25 Jun 2009 18:48:46 +0000 http://bacteriality.com/2008/03/09/cognitive-dysfunction-in-women-with-chronic-disease-a-summary-of-my-upcoming-presentation-at-the-2008-days-of-molecular-modeling-conference/#comment-17651 Hi Michael, Sorry for the delay in response! Given that several MP patients who have bipolar are doing well, schizophrenia is definitely a good candidate for the MP. The best way to see if the MP would work is to do a <a href="http://mpkb.org/doku.php/home:starting:therapeutic_probe" rel="nofollow">therapeutic probe</a>. Best, Paul Hi Michael,

Sorry for the delay in response!

Given that several MP patients who have bipolar are doing well, schizophrenia is definitely a good candidate for the MP.

The best way to see if the MP would work is to do a therapeutic probe.

Best,
Paul

]]> By: Gene Johnson http://bacteriality.com/2008/03/09/cognitive-dysfunction/comment-page-1/#comment-17372 Gene Johnson Thu, 21 May 2009 12:16:17 +0000 http://bacteriality.com/2008/03/09/cognitive-dysfunction-in-women-with-chronic-disease-a-summary-of-my-upcoming-presentation-at-the-2008-days-of-molecular-modeling-conference/#comment-17372 Hi Amy, Have you considered that the increased bacterial load found in women may be the result of being the recipient of body fluids (possibly infected with bacteria) during relations? How is China? Hope all is going well in your presentation. Gene Hi Amy,

Have you considered that the increased bacterial load found in women may be the result of being the recipient of body fluids (possibly infected with bacteria) during relations?

How is China? Hope all is going well in your presentation.

Gene

]]> By: Amy Proal http://bacteriality.com/2008/03/09/cognitive-dysfunction/comment-page-1/#comment-17370 Amy Proal Thu, 21 May 2009 07:24:17 +0000 http://bacteriality.com/2008/03/09/cognitive-dysfunction-in-women-with-chronic-disease-a-summary-of-my-upcoming-presentation-at-the-2008-days-of-molecular-modeling-conference/#comment-17370 Hi Tracey, Unfortunately I don't think hyterectomy would cure your CFS. For one thing men get CFS and they don't even have a uterus. We now understand that CFS is caused by the accumulation of chronic bacteria. But in patients with CFS such bacteria accumulate in tissues all over the body - even the brain. It's possible that your uterus is infected with bacteria and that such bacteria are contributing to your symptoms. Maybe if you got your uterus removed, you would feel some relief because your bacterial load would be a bit lower - but I doubt the relief would last for long. Bacteria in other areas would continue to spread and cause inflammation and symptoms. Also, the surgery to get your uterus removed could actually introduce more pathogens into your body since standard procedures during surgery to keep the atmosphere sterile still don't screen against L-from bacteria and possibly other microbes. I know it must be very difficult to want to do the MP but not know if you can manage it on your own. You may still want to give it a try. Maybe your immunopathology won't be as bad as anticipated and you could ramp your antibiotics very slowly in order to keep your immunopathology at the lowest level possible. There is no need to go quickly through the MP. Just being on Benicar and some antibiotic will at least stop your bacteria from spreading and your CFS from getting much worse. So maybe you could do the MP very little by little. Perhaps it's worth a try and if things get too hard you could stop but you might find you can manage and gradually push ahead. Best, Amy Hi Tracey,

Unfortunately I don’t think hyterectomy would cure your CFS. For one thing men get CFS and they don’t even have a uterus. We now understand that CFS is caused by the accumulation of chronic bacteria. But in patients with CFS such bacteria accumulate in tissues all over the body – even the brain.

It’s possible that your uterus is infected with bacteria and that such bacteria are contributing to your symptoms. Maybe if you got your uterus removed, you would feel some relief because your bacterial load would be a bit lower – but I doubt the relief would last for long. Bacteria in other areas would continue to spread and cause inflammation and symptoms. Also, the surgery to get your uterus removed could actually introduce more pathogens into your body since standard procedures during surgery to keep the atmosphere sterile still don’t screen against L-from bacteria and possibly other microbes.

I know it must be very difficult to want to do the MP but not know if you can manage it on your own. You may still want to give it a try. Maybe your immunopathology won’t be as bad as anticipated and you could ramp your antibiotics very slowly in order to keep your immunopathology at the lowest level possible. There is no need to go quickly through the MP. Just being on Benicar and some antibiotic will at least stop your bacteria from spreading and your CFS from getting much worse. So maybe you could do the MP very little by little. Perhaps it’s worth a try and if things get too hard you could stop but you might find you can manage and gradually push ahead.

Best,
Amy

]]> By: Tracey Longo http://bacteriality.com/2008/03/09/cognitive-dysfunction/comment-page-1/#comment-17322 Tracey Longo Sat, 16 May 2009 02:56:22 +0000 http://bacteriality.com/2008/03/09/cognitive-dysfunction-in-women-with-chronic-disease-a-summary-of-my-upcoming-presentation-at-the-2008-days-of-molecular-modeling-conference/#comment-17322 Hi Amy; Based on your fascinating article above, do you believe, or find evidence, that a hysterectomy is a potential cure for CFS? While I truly believe in the efficacy of the Marshall Protocol, it is hard for me to undergo as a single woman who must support herself. Much thanks for all your fascinating work! Tracey Hi Amy;
Based on your fascinating article above, do you believe, or find evidence, that a hysterectomy is a potential cure for CFS? While I truly believe in the efficacy of the Marshall Protocol, it is hard for me to undergo as a single woman who must support herself.
Much thanks for all your fascinating work!
Tracey

]]> By: Michael Conte http://bacteriality.com/2008/03/09/cognitive-dysfunction/comment-page-1/#comment-17259 Michael Conte Tue, 12 May 2009 01:07:28 +0000 http://bacteriality.com/2008/03/09/cognitive-dysfunction-in-women-with-chronic-disease-a-summary-of-my-upcoming-presentation-at-the-2008-days-of-molecular-modeling-conference/#comment-17259 Hi Amy, Do you have any examples of patients who have found relief from the symptoms of schizophrenia using the Marshall Protocol? Regards Michael Hi Amy,

Do you have any examples of patients who have found relief from the symptoms of schizophrenia using the Marshall Protocol?

Regards
Michael

]]> By: Amy Proal http://bacteriality.com/2008/03/09/cognitive-dysfunction/comment-page-1/#comment-16053 Amy Proal Sun, 22 Feb 2009 15:08:34 +0000 http://bacteriality.com/2008/03/09/cognitive-dysfunction-in-women-with-chronic-disease-a-summary-of-my-upcoming-presentation-at-the-2008-days-of-molecular-modeling-conference/#comment-16053 Hi Val, I'm so sorry to hear about how sick you are. At least when it comes to chronic diseases, the old platitude holds true: when it rains, it pours. It's interesting how you say that your blood type results changed. All kinds of weird things happen when entropy ensues, don't they? I should say that I personally do not put too much stock in the explanatory power of any one diagnosis. According to Autoimmunity Research Foundation, nearly all your co-morbidities and conditions can be traced back to pathogens that thrive and proliferate by dysregulating vitamin D metabolism. Take a look at the Knowledge Base article on <a href="http://mpkb.org/doku.php/home:pathogenesis:th1spectrum" rel="nofollow">Th1 Spectrum Disorder</a>. It sounds like you'd also want to check out the article on <a href="http://mpkb.org/doku.php/home:pathogenesis:familial_aggregation" rel="nofollow">familial aggregation</a>. You say that your MD has been giving you mega-doses of vitamin D. You have to stop allowing that. The science I discuss on this site explains how low levels of 25-D are the result rather than the cause, and that, paradoxically as it may sound to you, giving additional vitamin D only further dysregulates vitamin D metabolism. If I were you I would seriously consider trying the Marshall Protocol and do a <a href="http://mpkb.org/doku.php/home:starting:therapeutic_probe" rel="nofollow">therapeutic probe</a>. For someone as sick as you, it will take at least several years, but, in my opinion, it is your only hope. Best, Amy Hi Val,

I’m so sorry to hear about how sick you are. At least when it comes to chronic diseases, the old platitude holds true: when it rains, it pours. It’s interesting how you say that your blood type results changed. All kinds of weird things happen when entropy ensues, don’t they? I should say that I personally do not put too much stock in the explanatory power of any one diagnosis.

According to Autoimmunity Research Foundation, nearly all your co-morbidities and conditions can be traced back to pathogens that thrive and proliferate by dysregulating vitamin D metabolism. Take a look at the Knowledge Base article on Th1 Spectrum Disorder. It sounds like you’d also want to check out the article on familial aggregation.

You say that your MD has been giving you mega-doses of vitamin D. You have to stop allowing that. The science I discuss on this site explains how low levels of 25-D are the result rather than the cause, and that, paradoxically as it may sound to you, giving additional vitamin D only further dysregulates vitamin D metabolism.

If I were you I would seriously consider trying the Marshall Protocol and do a therapeutic probe. For someone as sick as you, it will take at least several years, but, in my opinion, it is your only hope.

Best,
Amy

]]> By: Val S http://bacteriality.com/2008/03/09/cognitive-dysfunction/comment-page-1/#comment-16041 Val S Wed, 18 Feb 2009 18:34:43 +0000 http://bacteriality.com/2008/03/09/cognitive-dysfunction-in-women-with-chronic-disease-a-summary-of-my-upcoming-presentation-at-the-2008-days-of-molecular-modeling-conference/#comment-16041 One other issue of importance, I have had chronic bowel problems since childhood, mostly constipation, followed by diarrhea, and very painful episodes of stomach cramping with diaphoretic sweating and nausea. I have had spikes in calcium levels as high as 12, though usually around 9.8. I cannot take anti-cholinergic drugs because they give me brain fog. I have sleep apnea, initially thought to be the result of a rapid weight gain, though a sleep study showed central nervous system? reasons for delayed breathing lasting as long as 10 seconds. I was given a cpap machine and am back to a normal weight, though the fatigue continues. My vision is also deteriorating as well as hearing. Thanks for looking this often and any observations or thoughts you may have. VS One other issue of importance, I have had chronic bowel problems since childhood, mostly constipation, followed by diarrhea, and very painful episodes of stomach cramping with diaphoretic sweating and nausea. I have had spikes in calcium levels as high as 12, though usually around 9.8. I cannot take anti-cholinergic drugs because they give me brain fog. I have sleep apnea, initially thought to be the result of a rapid weight gain, though a sleep study showed central nervous system? reasons for delayed breathing lasting as long as 10 seconds. I was given a cpap machine and am back to a normal weight, though the fatigue continues. My vision is also deteriorating as well as hearing. Thanks for looking this often and any observations or thoughts you may have. VS

]]> By: Val S http://bacteriality.com/2008/03/09/cognitive-dysfunction/comment-page-1/#comment-16040 Val S Wed, 18 Feb 2009 18:22:47 +0000 http://bacteriality.com/2008/03/09/cognitive-dysfunction-in-women-with-chronic-disease-a-summary-of-my-upcoming-presentation-at-the-2008-days-of-molecular-modeling-conference/#comment-16040 I have Hashimoto's, antiphospholipid syndrome, a history of infertility and difficult menses onset in adolescence with an average 7 day menstrual cycle, frequently elevated CPR and my initial vitamin level was around 16. I had a thermal ablation for fibroids, serious muscle and bone damage from 10-15 hrs of playing per week, until suddenly I found I could not tolerate heat; also diagnosed with an optic nerve stroke with some loss of field vision, one episode of hemispheric blindness of R eye, several tia's, forgetting words, poor short term memory to the point of having lost a couple of jobs despite a long history of being a well respected professional. I have always been a very organized and active person and currently spend most of the day inactive from fatigue, and can't seem to concentrate or organize my surroundings, a very different kind of life for me beginning in and progressing from my early to mid-forties. I'm 50 now and miss my old life terribly. I also had a PFO closure a year ago as clotting from the hypercoagulation was the reason suspected for the optic nerve damage and tia's. One other very strange occurance...I have worked in hospitals for most of my 30 year career and well know my blood type, A +. At some point I noticed tests began to come back as type O. Of course my doctors paid little attention to my surprise and protests of this impossibility. I read at somepoint that the antigens on red blood cells will suppress themselves to avoid damage to the cell under certain conditions I now cannot recall. I don't recall the article and did not keep it. My blood type is now coming back A+, surprising the vascular MD I've seen. (I lived in New Orleans and most of my medical records have been destroyed during Katrina, so there was nothing to compare different results to.) Twice my MD has given me 50,000 mgs of vitamin D one week followed by the next, and then testing my vitamin D level several weeks later. I also began taking 2000 mgs of Vitamin D a day. The highest my vitamin count has gotten is briefly 36, falling later back into the mid 20's. I did feel better, though now am fearful as I am more often dysorganized and more sedentary from fatigue. Is this condition familial? There have been 5 cases of Hashimoto's, 2 of MS, and one relative with a stroke in his 40's. One 1st cousin died of a heart attack playing basketball and there are numerous women who generations back never had children, had children with neural tube defects dying at birth. My brother was born with spongy middle ear bones requiring bilateral stapedectomies in his adolescence. Me and 2 of my siblings were born with significantly bowed legs...as to psychological issues, everyone in my family takes anti-anxiety medication. I'm not sure what to do with all of this information, though I have always felt it was related, and have been dx'd by autoimmune disease with nearly chronic CPR elevations. I plan to research this method you have described as I do have some tiny hope that I can regain my previous level of activity, both physical and mental, or some part of it. My lifestyle is so different now, and though I am working to adjust to these changes, it is difficult. A change for the better would be reason for a lot of happiness. Thank you for your site and in-depth study and explanation. Sincerely, VS I have Hashimoto’s, antiphospholipid syndrome, a history of infertility and difficult menses onset in adolescence with an average 7 day menstrual cycle, frequently elevated CPR and my initial vitamin level was around 16. I had a thermal ablation for fibroids, serious muscle and bone damage from 10-15 hrs of playing per week, until suddenly I found I could not tolerate heat; also diagnosed with an optic nerve stroke with some loss of field vision, one episode of hemispheric blindness of R eye, several tia’s, forgetting words, poor short term memory to the point of having lost a couple of jobs despite a long history of being a well respected professional. I have always been a very organized and active person and currently spend most of the day inactive from fatigue, and can’t seem to concentrate or organize my surroundings, a very different kind of life for me beginning in and progressing from my early to mid-forties. I’m 50 now and miss my old life terribly. I also had a PFO closure a year ago as clotting from the hypercoagulation was the reason suspected for the optic nerve damage and tia’s. One other very strange occurance…I have worked in hospitals for most of my 30 year career and well know my blood type, A +. At some point I noticed tests began to come back as type O. Of course my doctors paid little attention to my surprise and protests of this impossibility. I read at somepoint that the antigens on red blood cells will suppress themselves to avoid damage to the cell under certain conditions I now cannot recall. I don’t recall the article and did not keep it. My blood type is now coming back A+, surprising the vascular MD I’ve seen. (I lived in New Orleans and most of my medical records have been destroyed during Katrina, so there was nothing to compare different results to.) Twice my MD has given me 50,000 mgs of vitamin D one week followed by the next, and then testing my vitamin D level several weeks later. I also began taking 2000 mgs of Vitamin D a day. The highest my vitamin count has gotten is briefly 36, falling later back into the mid 20’s. I did feel better, though now am fearful as I am more often dysorganized and more sedentary from fatigue. Is this condition familial? There have been 5 cases of Hashimoto’s, 2 of MS, and one relative with a stroke in his 40’s. One 1st cousin died of a heart attack playing basketball and there are numerous women who generations back never had children, had children with neural tube defects dying at birth. My brother was born with spongy middle ear bones requiring bilateral stapedectomies in his adolescence. Me and 2 of my siblings were born with significantly bowed legs…as to psychological issues, everyone in my family takes anti-anxiety medication. I’m not sure what to do with all of this information, though I have always felt it was related, and have been dx’d by autoimmune disease with nearly chronic CPR elevations. I plan to research this method you have described as I do have some tiny hope that I can regain my previous level of activity, both physical and mental, or some part of it. My lifestyle is so different now, and though I am working to adjust to these changes, it is difficult. A change for the better would be reason for a lot of happiness. Thank you for your site and in-depth study and explanation. Sincerely, VS

]]> By: Amy Proal http://bacteriality.com/2008/03/09/cognitive-dysfunction/comment-page-1/#comment-16019 Amy Proal Tue, 10 Feb 2009 00:13:15 +0000 http://bacteriality.com/2008/03/09/cognitive-dysfunction-in-women-with-chronic-disease-a-summary-of-my-upcoming-presentation-at-the-2008-days-of-molecular-modeling-conference/#comment-16019 Hi Sue, I'm sorry that your GI herx made the MP too difficult for you to tolerate. Before fulling giving up on the treatment you may want to try to set up a phone appointment with Dr. Blaney or another well-known MP doctor who has experience dealing with difficult GI herx. Benicar can be adjusted up or down quite a bit to control the herx. Sometimes the antibiotics can be used in a different order or in higher (and more immunosuppressive) doses to keep the immune system from killing to many bacteria at once. If you didn't exhaust these and other options a phone call with Dr. Blaney could really help. Just a suggestion though. As far as the thyroid meds go, I don't know how to advise you since I'm not a doctor. I have spoken and written about thryroid issues from the perspective of our molecular research but I don't know how that research directly relates to the best clinical drug for you. I want to think that since T3 is the native ligand for the alpha thyroid receptor that supplemental T3 might make the most sense. Yet I have absolutely no real basis for making that comment - it's just a thought based on non-medical training. When I was taking thyroid supplements before the MP I remember that I had to experiment with different combinations of them before finding a combination with the least side effects. So maybe you should try T3 alone, then try it with T4 in combination, and any other options your doctor suggests in order to see if you can find a mix that works better for you. I always find that with drugs experimentation is essential even though I know it's not fun when a combination or drug actually makes you feel worse. All in all though, this is not my area of expertise. Myself and the moderators at www.curemyth1.org are able to answer questions about the MP but don't have the training to tell you about treatment options when you are not on the treatment. I can't really predict how your thyroid issues will progress if you are not on the MP. I hope that you might be able to try the MP again as it did wonders for my thyroid issues. I used to be very deficient in T3 and T4. In my case, that caused me to become insanely cold all the time and have no ability to control my body temperature. Now my thyroid readings are back into the normal range and I am a lot warmer! Sorry I can't help more. Hang in there, and whatever you choose to do best of luck. Amy Hi Sue,

I’m sorry that your GI herx made the MP too difficult for you to tolerate. Before fulling giving up on the treatment you may want to try to set up a phone appointment with Dr. Blaney or another well-known MP doctor who has experience dealing with difficult GI herx. Benicar can be adjusted up or down quite a bit to control the herx. Sometimes the antibiotics can be used in a different order or in higher (and more immunosuppressive) doses to keep the immune system from killing to many bacteria at once. If you didn’t exhaust these and other options a phone call with Dr. Blaney could really help. Just a suggestion though.

As far as the thyroid meds go, I don’t know how to advise you since I’m not a doctor. I have spoken and written about thryroid issues from the perspective of our molecular research but I don’t know how that research directly relates to the best clinical drug for you. I want to think that since T3 is the native ligand for the alpha thyroid receptor that supplemental T3 might make the most sense. Yet I have absolutely no real basis for making that comment – it’s just a thought based on non-medical training.

When I was taking thyroid supplements before the MP I remember that I had to experiment with different combinations of them before finding a combination with the least side effects. So maybe you should try T3 alone, then try it with T4 in combination, and any other options your doctor suggests in order to see if you can find a mix that works better for you. I always find that with drugs experimentation is essential even though I know it’s not fun when a combination or drug actually makes you feel worse.

All in all though, this is not my area of expertise. Myself and the moderators at http://www.curemyth1.org are able to answer questions about the MP but don’t have the training to tell you about treatment options when you are not on the treatment. I can’t really predict how your thyroid issues will progress if you are not on the MP.

I hope that you might be able to try the MP again as it did wonders for my thyroid issues. I used to be very deficient in T3 and T4. In my case, that caused me to become insanely cold all the time and have no ability to control my body temperature. Now my thyroid readings are back into the normal range and I am a lot warmer!

Sorry I can’t help more. Hang in there, and whatever you choose to do best of luck.

Amy

]]> By: sue http://bacteriality.com/2008/03/09/cognitive-dysfunction/comment-page-1/#comment-16000 sue Thu, 05 Feb 2009 02:53:20 +0000 http://bacteriality.com/2008/03/09/cognitive-dysfunction-in-women-with-chronic-disease-a-summary-of-my-upcoming-presentation-at-the-2008-days-of-molecular-modeling-conference/#comment-16000 Hi Amy, Since the T3 is displaced I'm wondering which thryoid med is best. My tests indicate that armour thryoid the combination of t1,2,3,& 4 would be right for me. However when taking it my hair falls out(didn't before) my limbs remain ice cold, i get sleepy, etc. not the results I should get. Would you comment on this? p.s I've been on the mP but my GI issues got so severe I had to stop. thank you, sue Hi Amy,
Since the T3 is displaced I’m wondering which thryoid med is best. My tests indicate that armour thryoid the combination of t1,2,3,& 4 would be right for me.
However when taking it my hair falls out(didn’t before)
my limbs remain ice cold, i get sleepy, etc. not the results I should get. Would you comment on this?
p.s I’ve been on the mP but my GI issues got so severe I had to stop.
thank you,

sue

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