Mike,

So in your opinion, why do you have inflammation? Hugs, Roz

Dear Roz -

I've been working all day on this one, and have pulled lots of interesting stuff. Hope to post by Sunday.

take care,
Mike

There is a biological theory emerging in biological research that most if not all human disease is infectious.

That infectious organisms start a cascade of autoimmune responses which in some people begin inflammatory reactions.

Rheumatoid arthritis is one, and so is Type I diabetes. The latter is thought to be provoked following a viral illness. And there is a study out of Denmark that showed that bovine insulin fragments in cow's milk will induce Type I diabetes in children who have the genetic propensity to develop diabetes.

There is a genetic difference in some peoples' reactions to infectious disease. So that the trigger may only affect these genetically different patients.

An example is Campylobacter infections (gastroenteritis) may provoke GBS in some people.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/9665983
So while infections may trigger, they do not really CAUSE the response...the response is the patient's own immune system going wonkey.

Mike, mrs. D. & Roz,

Thank you for your responses. As I have previously said, this forum has many incredibly bright individuals … with the three of you being excellent examples. I pray that we can continue on with healthy and considerate dialogue as there is much we can learn from the research and experiences of others.

Mike, hyperbarics does address inflammation, thus providing pain relief associated with RSD. I have recently been in contact with an individual involved in Hyperbaric Research and Development for 33 years. In his experience, RSD patients who find relief with hyperbarics do not require ongoing treatments. Because Sarah’s symptoms continue to resurface, he believes that infection is perpetuating her illness.

Mrs. D, it is evident that in many illnesses, infection has done irreversible damage; and when that is the case, building up the immune system and finding beneficial therapies is so very important. I am reading a very helpful book, Chronic Fatigue, Fibromyalgia, & Lyme Disease by Burton Goldberg and Larry Trivieri, Jr.. There truly are many answers to be discovered in Alternative Medicine.

Roz, your passion in raising awareness of Lymes is to be applauded. Thanks for caring enough to share your experience in hopes of helping others!!

It is important that we don’t get caught up in the panic of every new theory that surfaces, but sometimes a little hysteria is warranted and just may provide the help and answers we are all seeking.

Blessings,
Jeanne

I'll never forget a science show I saw on TV about 3 yrs ago.

It was about a little boy, about 3-4yrs old, who sustained a
closed head injury from a car accident. His behavior was severely affected, and he was very impaired as a result.
Traditional medical experts had nothing to offer this boy other than rehab.

His parents found a hyperbaric treatment center in Florida (I don't recall the doctor's name, sorry.) and he was given many treatments ..at least a dozen or more. His father had to go into the chamber with him, to keep him quiet and relaxed.

This boy recovered functions, speech, and could be considered normal after these treatments.

It was a very moving program. I have always been fascinated by hyperbaric treatments. They do them for burn victims, why not more often for others?

Hyperbarics are amazing, and it breaks my heart that most are not aware of these treatments; and if they are, the logistics and cost of receiving them are often prohibitive. It is just very sad and wrong!

Jeanne