ModerateGBS: 76 (Moderate-High Risk)autoimmune

Lyme Disease Comprehensive Protocol

Developer: ILADS, Richard Horowitz, integrative Lyme specialists

6-24+ months depending on chronicity

Protocol Overview

Evidence-based integrative protocol for Lyme disease combining antibiotics, herbal antimicrobials, immune support, and detoxification. Addresses coinfections and persistent infection.

Conditions Treated

Lyme disease

Borrelia burgdorferi

tick-borne infections

Protocol Steps

Testing: Two-tier testing (ELISA + Western blot) misses 50%+ of cases. Consider: IgeneX lab (more sensitive), Western blot with CDC-positive bands plus Lyme-specific bands (23, 31, 34, 39, 83-93), clinical diagnosis if bulls-eye rash or tick bite + symptoms. Test coinfections: Babesia (blood smear, PCR), Bartonella (clinical + serology), Anaplasma, Ehrlichia

Early Lyme (caught within weeks): Doxycycline 200mg 2x/day for 4-6 weeks (not just 2-3 weeks) - longer courses prevent chronic Lyme

Chronic/late Lyme - antibiotic protocols (multiple approaches): ILADS: Combination therapy - Doxycycline 200mg 2x/day + Rifampin 300mg 2x/day + Flagyl pulse (500mg 3x/day for 1 week/month) for 3-6 months

Alternative: Ceftin 500mg 2x/day + Azithromycin 500mg daily

Persistent: IV Rocephin (ceftriaxone) 2g daily for 4-8 weeks

Herbal protocol (Buhner or Cowden): Cryptolepis 500mg 3x/day, Japanese knotweed (resveratrol source) 1-3g 3x/day, Cat's claw 1-3g 3x/day, Andrographis 400mg 3x/day. Many use herbs as primary treatment or rotate with antibiotics

Biofilm disruption: Borrelia hides in biofilms - NAC 1800mg, lumbrokinase or serrapeptase (between meals), EDTA

Disulfiram: See LY-001 protocol - emerging as most effective treatment (250-500mg daily for 6-18 months)

Coinfection treatment: Babesia (Mepron + azithromycin, or Coartem), Bartonella (rifampin + fluoroquinolone) - essential to address

Detox support: Herxheimer reactions can be severe - binders (activated charcoal, bentonite clay, chlorella), coffee enemas, Epsom salt baths, glutathione support, liver support

Immune support: Vitamin D 5000 IU, zinc 30-50mg, vitamin C 2-3g, probiotics, mushroom extracts (reishi, cordyceps)

Mitochondrial support: CoQ10 200-400mg, D-ribose 5g 2-3x/day, B-complex, magnesium (fatigue is major symptom)

LDN (Low-Dose Naltrexone): 3-4.5mg nightly (immune modulation, pain relief)

Reduce inflammation: Omega-3 3-4g, curcumin 1-2g, resveratrol (from Japanese knotweed), anti-inflammatory diet

Address bartonella: If present (stretch marks, foot pain, neuropsych symptoms) - rifampin, Japanese knotweed, houttuynia

Address babesia: If present (air hunger, night sweats, drenching sweats) - antimalarial herbs (artemisinin, cryptolepis) or Rx

Limbic system retraining: DNRS or Gupta program for neuroinflammation and nervous system dysregulation

Pulsing: Consider pulsed antibiotics (4 days on, 3 off) to hit different life stages of Borrelia

Duration: Chronic Lyme often requires 6-24 months treatment, sometimes longer

Key Resources

ILADS guidelines, "Why Can't I Get Better?" by Richard Horowitz, Buhner herbal protocols, disulfiram research, Lyme literate physicians (LLMD directory)

Contraindications & Risks

Long-term antibiotics controversial (IDSA opposes, ILADS supports), disulfiram has serious side effects, Herx reactions can be severe

Important Notes

Lyme disease epidemic - 476,000+ new cases/year in US (CDC estimate). Caused by Borrelia burgdorferi (spirochete). Early Lyme: Bulls-eye rash (only 30% get it), flu-like symptoms. Early treatment: 4-6 weeks doxycycline (not 2-3 weeks - insufficient). Chronic/late Lyme: Multi-system disease (fatigue, brain fog, joint pain, neurological symptoms, cardiac issues). Testing unreliable - ELISA misses 50%, Western blot interpretation matters (Lyme-specific bands 23, 31, 34, 39 not in CDC criteria). Chronic Lyme controversy: IDSA says doesn't exist (post-treatment Lyme syndrome), ILADS recognizes persistent infection. Borrelia is clever: Biofilms, intracellular hiding, cystic forms, slow growth (evades antibiotics). Combination antibiotics + biofilm disruptors more effective. Disulfiram emerging as breakthrough (see LY-001) - kills persisters. Herbal protocols (Buhner, Cowden) many patients swear by - cryptolepis, Japanese knotweed, andrographis have in vitro activity. Coinfections common (50%+): Babesia (malaria-like), Bartonella (neuropsych, vascular), Anaplasma - must treat. Herx reactions (die-off) can be severe - detox support essential. LDN helps many for pain and immune modulation. Chronic Lyme is complex, debilitating. Find Lyme-literate physician (LLMD) - mainstream often doesn't recognize. Long-term treatment often needed.

Also Effective For

Lyme Disease

Key Supplements & Herbs in This Protocol

Supplements

Activated Charcoal Chlorella Resveratrol

Herbs

Cordyceps

Cordyceps sinensis/militaris (Dong Chong Xia Cao)

Reishi

Ganoderma lucidum (Ling Zhi)

Cat's Claw

Uncaria tomentosa (Uña de Gato)

Critical Safety Warning

This protocol is documented for educational purposes only. The Gabriel Bullshit Score (GBS) of 76 reflects significant institutional response and controversy. Some alternative health protocols have resulted in serious harm or death.

Always consult with qualified healthcare professionals before beginning any treatment. Do not delay or forego proven medical care.

Quick Overview

Evidence LevelModerate

GBS Score76 / 100

Categoryautoimmune

DeveloperILADS, Richard Horowitz, integrative Lyme specialists

Duration6-24+ months depending on chronicity

About GBS Score

The Gabriel Bullshit Score reflects the magnitude of institutional response, controversy, and documented concerns. Higher scores indicate greater institutional pushback, not necessarily inefficacy. This is a research tool, not medical advice.