Lyme Treatment Protocol

Acute Stage

At the time of the first rash, it is advisable to treat immediately with antibiotics and not to wait for laboratory results, because an early therapy increases the healing chances markedly. Several antibiotics are effective in the acute stage if given for two weeks. Nevertheless, patients still developing subsequent symptoms of arthralgias, fatigue, or paresthesias should be treated longer with antibiotics. Tetracycline, doxycycline, or amoxycillin should then be used for one month.

Chronic Stage

If symptoms persist for more than six months, antibiotics don`t work anymore and even prolonged treatments are useless. Why? Borrelia at this time are intracellular or in areas where the concentration of antibiotics is questionable (tendon insertions, ligaments, brain etc.). The borrelia may have built a biofilm, so they cannot be reached by the antibiotics.

Treatment Protocol for Chronic Lyme Disease at St. George Hospital

Clinical Work-Up

  • Initial and final lab controls (CBC, electrolytes, coagulation parameters)
  • ECG, lung function test
  • Dark field blood analysis or similar diagnostics dependent on each patient’s individual situation
  • VCS

Systemic Whole Body Hyperthermia

The ancient world already knew the healing power of an elevated body temperature achieved by fever. This is the effect we use here.

Borrelia burgdorferi is very thermolabil. The low tolerance of spirochetes for high temperatures is well known and explains the absence of B.b. in the tropics, where infected ticks may be exposed to high temperatures detrimental to spirochete survival. Thus, the borrelia can be completely destroyed at 41,6 °C (106,9 °F).

In vitro cultivation of B. burgdorferi demonstrates that the spirochete replicates most quickly at 37°C (98,6 °F). If the temperature is increased to 39°C (102,2 °F) the growth of B.b. is significantly impeded. At 41°C (105,8 °F) all spirochetes in the culture are being killed after 24h, whereas at 41,6°C all spirochetes are being killed after 2h.

In our Whole Body Hyperthermia Unit (Heckelbed), the temperature rise is achieved slowly in the entire system, including the brain. We raise the temperature to 41,6 – 41,8 degrees C (106,9 – 107,2 °F) and then maintain it for two to three hours. This treatment takes place under analgosedation, no general anaesthesia is being used.The patients are monitored as in Intensive Care, one Intensive Care nurse for each unit and one physician for 5 units. With some 15.000 treatments carried out during the past 20 years we never had any major complications.

Contra-indications for Hyperthermia

  • pronounced bone marrow depression
  • pronounced cardiac/pulmonary insufficiency >2
  • thrombosis, anti coagulants
  • inadequate cerebral circulation
  • severe lymphedema
  • kidney insufficiency
  • acute infections, body temperature above 38,5°C

Side Effects of Hyperthermia

During the warming-up phase, due to an extention of the vessels, the blood pressure may drop. This can easily be met with a substitution of liquids.
Under the therapy, all known forms of cardiovascular and sedation related side effects may occur, such as arrythmia, aspiration, respiratory depression, lung edema, etc. These effects can be reduced to a minimum by a conscientiously preparation.
Cerebral seizures rarely occur, but can be treated with intravenous Diazepam.
Burns are rare and thermo-related pressure lesions occur only in about 3% of the patients when positioned correctly.
After the hyperthermia, the body temperature often rises by itself. This fever is a result of an immunologic response. We also see Herxheimer reactions, which can be treated adequately.

Adjuvant Therapy Program

  • Infusions with high dose Vitamin C, chelation, selenium, procaine, antibiotics (not obligatory)
  • Ozone Therapy (intravenous and/or rectally)
  • Laser Therapy (intravenous)
  • Pulsing Magnetic Field Treatment in combination with Singulet Oxygen Therapy
  • Special massage with andulation
  • Blue light

Detoxification Program

  • Detox footbath
  • Colon cleansing
  • Daily oral medications and supplements

Infusions/detoxification program is established by the physicians according to the individual situation of the patient. It is necessary to cope with the Post Lyme Syndrome caused by the toxins created by the borrelia. That means repair of the damaged nerves or endocrinic organs with special treatment, including cell therapy.

Partner Treatment

Lyme can be sexually transmitted. Many people have Lyme without ever having had a tick bite. Therefore, we offer a Lyme Partner Treatment which includes 2 nights as inpatient, 1st day preparation (EKG, lung function, basic laboratory, detox with colon therapy), 2nd day the whole body hyperthermia + intravenous therapy, 3rd day observation.