Hey Trophic, thanks for posting man. I really hope the Vetro works for you. I'm not sure that it will solve the underlying issues, but hopefully it will help with some of the brain related symptoms. It does enhance mitochondrial function and cerebral blood flow, so there's definitely a chance it will work. The PQQ and CoQ10 protocol might be something else to look into once you've tried the Vetro out for a while by itself. Those three together have probably been the best thing I've ever tried. Please do keep me posted. If that protocol doesn't work we can talk about some other possible combinations to try. Everybody's biology is a little different.I'm a 20yo male with a debilitating condition of brain fog, fatigue and hormone problems that have continued for the past 2 years and were most likely originally caused by late-stage Lyme disease. I've tried pretty much every treatment imaginable, and almost everything makes me feel worse or has no effect. Since I don't really have anything to lose at this point, I ordered a Vetrolaser after seeing lostfalco's post. I'm not expecting much, but I'll give it a try to see what happens.
Before these problems began getting bad 2 years ago, I was an extremely active and high-performing college student, but I am now on medical leave. I won't go into too much detail here, but some of my problems include:
constant brain fog and mental fatigue
detachment/depersonalization, complete lack of emotion, anhedonia
no motivation/interest or ability to focus
decreased cognitive function and low verbal fluidity
sleep problems
adrenal fatigue (messed up cortisol patterns, low DHEA-S)
hypothyroidism (not currently on any thyroid medication because it makes me feel worse)
secondary hypogonadism (currently treating with Clomid)
low heart rate and blood pressure
chronic GI issues, mostly constipation/bloating/indigestion/slow motility
cerebral hypoperfusion (shown by SPECT scan)
high mercury levels (hair, blood, and urine) although never had any dental fillings
I was treated with an aggressive long-term antibiotic protocol for Lyme but most of my symptoms remain. Chronic inflammation and mitochondrial dysfunction most likely play a central role in my continuing condition, which is why I am trying LLLT. Do any of you have any specific suggestions for how I should try using the Vetrolaser for my condition? Also, even though LLLT currently seems like it might be safe, what do you think are the theoretical mechanisms by which it could potentially have harmful effects in the short or long-term?
I'm also probably going to try tDCS, but I haven't decided which product to buy yet.
I've also tried pregnenolone, and it was one of the few treatments that actually helped, at least initially. I first tried it in the oral form, and it made all of my symptoms improve significantly. However, as I continued to take it, it would only make me feel more fatigued and feel worse than I had before. I also tried it in sublingual and transdermal forms in varying doses, but these also only caused marginal improvement while making me feel much more fatigued. I've experimented with it a few times since, but I still can't figure out a way to take it without crashing a few hours after.
Since I'm trying some of the treatments that are being discussed in this thread, I'll post updates with my results. I'd also appreciate any input from you guys.
Thank you to lostfalco and everyone else for contributing your thoughts and experiences.
As far as tDCS goes, the least expensive option is this $40 device. http://tdcs-kit.com/ I haven't tried it myself, but check with alexburke over in the tDCS thread. http://www.longecity...page__st__330 I think he bought one and it seems to be significantly helping him with his schizophrenia. At that price, it's definitely worth a try.
Another idea to look into might be Russian peptide bioregulators. These were developed with massive funding from the Russian military during the Cold War by Dr. Vladimir Khavinson. They are small peptide chains (usually 3-5 amino acids long) that go into gene promoter sites and cause gene expression. There are peptides for the immune system, circulatory system, nervous system, adrenal glands, etc. They are extremely safe and there have been virtually no side effects in thousands of patients over the past 35 years. I've tried a number of them and they were excellent. This is the best article. http://www.antiaging...tide-revolution
I bought mine here: http://www.antiaging...-bioregulartors
You can also find more peptides here: http://peptideworldc...szulas-peptidek
And here are the liquid peptides: http://peptideworldc...yekony-peptidek
Here's Prof. Vladimir Khavinson's homepage. http://www.khavinson.ru/
Here's an excellent summary of the concept of peptide bioregulators. http://www.khavinson...ation-of-ageing
Here's a full-text pdf on the effects of peptide bioregulator Pinealon in Wistar rats. http://www.khavinson...on_Ribakova.pdf
I hope you find some relief from the brain fog and fatigue you are suffering. Lyme disease is a really difficult one to crack.
Hey Lostfalco, thanks a lot for your response and detailed advice. I agree that the Vetro is very unlikely to address the root of my problems, but I'm trying it because I know that mitochondrial dysfunction and decreased cerebral blood flow are probably a main part of my chronic inflammatory condition. If I did in fact get rid of the Lyme infection when I treated with antibiotics, it's possible that my continuing symptoms have to do with damage caused by the Lyme and/or heavy metals. I also think it's possible that I experienced further damage when I made the mistake of trusting a doctor who put me on 1mg/day of Arimidex for several weeks, which is enough to decrease estradiol levels to almost nil. Since estrogen is neuroprotective and I'm pretty sure I experienced a decline in my condition during this time, I think that i may have experienced lasting neurodegeneration.
I've been on several mitochondrial supplements for a while, including 200mg ubiquinol and 20mg PQQ daily. I haven't noticed any clear results from these supplements, although if anything they might make me even more fatigued. I tend to react negatively or have paradoxical responses to most supplements or drugs I try. I'll probably try the Vetrolaser on my forehead tomorrow, although I doubt that any effects it has will be profound enough to notice given the extent of my condition.
Thanks for the tDCS product suggestion. Do you think that this kit is just as effective and safe as the more expensive products? I was considering the one at trans-cranial.com, but I haven't been able to find many reviews of different tDCS devices. Since this medical condition has basically taken away my life, it is worth spending extra money for something that is more likely to be effective, especially given that I have already sunk thousands of dollars into ineffective treatments and doctor appointments. However, if there is no difference in effectiveness, spending less money would definitely be nice.
I've looked into peptide bioregulators, but they are actually one of the few things that I haven't tried, since i wasn't able to find much published research or patient feedback. Since I have tried so many products that made me feel worse or had no effects, I am very skeptical of new supplements, especially when I see dubious claims that they can cure all sorts of problems. I'll probably order the CNS and adrenal peptides and try them just to be comprehensive, but I seriously doubt that they'll have any effects on my condition.
At this point, the only treatments that might have noticeable positive effects are Cerebrolysin and pregnenolone (at least for the brief period of time before I crash and feel worse). However, exercise seems to be the only thing that clearly makes me feel significantly better. When I make myself do some sort of workout, I generally have much better cognitive function and energy (although still not even close to normal) for 2-3 hours after. I'm not sure if this has to do with increasing blood flow or spiking cortisol or catecholamine release, but I'd like to figure out if there is any way of prolonging those effects or using them to figure out how to treat the underlying cause of my condition.
Thanks again for your ideas. Sorry if any of my writing is poorly organized or difficult to understand, as my condition has impaired my ability to think and form sentences.