My liver enzymes were up and then down and then up again : / but down for now!
The definition of elevated liver enzymes means that the cells in the liver may be damaged or inflamed. Inflamed or injured cells leak out higher than normal chemicals, including liver enzymes into the bloodstream, which result in elevated liver enzymes on blood tests.
This means stop all antibiotics! Grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr.
There are a few reasons why people can have elevated liver enzymes but the reason I am having them is because my medication. I have been pumped up on multiple antibiotics for a year and a half. I have also just had a severe toxic reaction to one of my medications just over a month or so ago. I believe this is why my enzymes went up.
I am in tune with my body so I know when they go up, and when they go down, and I can feel this on a day to day basis. When they are up I can feel a great amount of pain in my neck and back, my eyes look puffy, I don't look healthy, I feel exhausted, sick and tired all over. When they go down, the pain goes away and I'm back to my "new normal" self. My doctor called a few weeks ago and in a nutshell she told me my enzymes are still up, that this is not good, and that I am not done with treatment and I need to get them back down! I said something like, I'm on it, I will get them down!
After having gone on an Orcas Island get away I know exactly what my doctor is talking about. Some symptoms came back. I'm not happy about this and I realize I'm not in remission but this was a huge eye opener for me. The symptoms that returned were minimal joint swelling and achy joints throughout my body that I haven't felt since before treatment. I remember pre-diagnosis thinking that the achy feeling was a normal feeling that everybody gets when they are active. I'd say those were the two big ones and of course my eyes have continued to bother me. I definitely don't feel like I have full blown Lyme. In fact I'm pretty sure my Lyme is under control. It's this damn Bartonella, it won't go away!
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| Orcas Island get away! |
In two weeks I got my liver enzymes down. This is what I did...
Water: Lots and lots of water. Flush those toxins out. I use electrolytes because I hate plain water and it helps to get the pills down. I see a lot of Lymies using Nuun electrolytes. But my current favorite is Ultima in the lemonade flavor. Ultima uses maltodextrin and Nunn uses dextrose. I'm not sure which is the better option for you. If you know, let me know.
LiverCare: All natural things to help filter the liver out and get things moving!
Cactus Water: Low in sugar, has betalain antioxidants in it which have anti-inflammatory properties that help fight cell damage and they protect the liver from toxins.
Activated Charcoal: This does so many things, it's a wonder that all the celebrities are using it. It adsorbs chemicals and toxins. Here is a great link to explain all of it's uses
Chlorella: Another toxin binder
Milk Thistle: Helps to filter the liver
KappArest: This is a great anti-inflammatory supplement I have been taking through treatment. It also has Alpha-Lipoic Acid in it which my doctor wanted me to start taking as part of my lower the liver enzyme strategy. It is a great antioxidant but it is really good at preventing free radical damage to the neurological system. Which is great for the Lyme brain!
PectaSol-C: My doctor put this in the toxin binder category but this will be one of the pills that sticks around after Lyme treatment. It is clinically proven to benefit cellular health, cardiovascular health, immune health, detoxification, and more.
Methyl Guard & 5-mthf (active B vitamins): I have the MTHFR gene mutation. This can cause multiple health problems! In short, those who have it may have trouble eliminating toxins from the body. Read about conditions and symptoms here. http://mthfr.net/mthfr-mutations-and-the-conditions-they-cause/2011/09/07/ A lot of people have this and these two vitamins can change your life.
Epsom salt baths of course and listening to my body.
Obviously no workouts if I'm tired and in pain
There is a lot of talk about detoxification and yes, it is a real thing.
Lymies take our medicine to kill the bacteria living inside of us and when that bacteria dies we have to get it out through detoxing. If not we can have terrible herxing reactions that can kill us. http://brewlifewithlyme.blogspot.com/2015/03/lets-talk-about-herxing.html
Those of us on antibiotics also need to detox from our medicine. In order to detox we must have a functioning liver; Hence the pain and discomfort when the liver is not working.
This post has taken me so long to finish but that is because I have been very, very busy. Hiking, acting, camping, working on my new web page, kicking booties, and so much more. I am getting myself into tons of new adventures this summer! I see my doctor tomorrow and I want these buggers gone!
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| Made it to the top of Heliotrope Ridge to camp! |
New acting reel! All of these things were filmed while living with late stage Lyme disease. Some bring back very painful memories.
Thanks for reading!
