Tick Boot Camp

Episode 462: LIVE from ILADS: Dr. Jody Greenfield - Overcoming Lyme Disease as a Doctor

In this special live episode of the Tick Boot Camp Podcast, host Richard Johannesen interviews Dr. Jody Greenfield, a Lyme-literate doctor and ILADS board member. Dr. Greenfield shares his personal battle with Lyme disease, the challenges of getting diagnosed as a medical professional, and his journey from patient to expert in tick-borne illnesses.

Key Takeaways:

  • Dr. Greenfield’s background as a native New Yorker who grew up near Fire Island, where he was exposed to tick-borne diseases early in life.
  • Struggles with diagnosis despite his medical training, with an unexpected twist— a cleaning staff member pointed him to a Lyme-literate doctor.
  • Flaws in the healthcare system and why acute care fails many Lyme patients, highlighting the need for better testing and education.
  • Transition from patient to expert, including ILADS training under Dr. Bernard Raxlen and his work at the Lyme Resource Medical practice.
  • Role in advancing Lyme education by training the next generation of doctors to recognize and treat tick-borne illnesses effectively.
  • Importance of proper testing, such as the tick-borne relapsing fever test, for accurate diagnosis.

This episode is a must-listen for Lyme patients, caregivers, and medical professionals seeking firsthand insights into the challenges of diagnosing and treating Lyme disease.

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Episode 461: LIVE from ILADS: Dennis Katz & Michael Macione – Standardized Supplements for Lyme Disease

Introduction:

  • Guests: Dennis Katz (President) & Michael Macione (VP of Sales & Marketing), founders of Doctor Inspired Formulations
  • Recorded at: ILADS Conference, the largest Lyme disease conference in the world
  • Focus: Providing high-quality, standardized supplements for the Lyme disease community

Key Points:

Background and Inspiration for Doctor-Inspired Formulations

  • Founded in response to physicians’ frustrations over inconsistent supplement quality
  • Initially launched with Mimosa pudica and liposomal artemisinin to ensure proper dosing and purity

Challenges in Sourcing and Standardizing Supplements

  • Difficulty in obtaining high-quality, contaminant-free raw materials
  • Rigorous quality control, including certificates of analysis for every batch

Expanding Product Line to Meet Lyme Community Needs

  • Grew from 2 to 8 products based on feedback from Lyme-literate doctors and patients
  • Offerings include liposomal curcumin, oregano oil, artemisinin, and Mimosa pudica

Enhancing Bioavailability and Reducing Inflammation

  • Use of enteric coating, micronization, and carrier oils to maximize absorption
  • Formulations designed to reduce common side effects

Key Products and Their Uses

  • Cinnamon-Clove-Oregano Formula: Supports biofilm disruption and Lyme persisters, included in Dr. Horowitz's protocol
  • Whisbax Topical Spray/Cream: Designed for skin issues like actinomyces and post-tick bite support

Commitment to Quality and Customer Service

  • Manufactured in the U.S. in cGMP-certified facilities with stringent testing protocols
  • Small company with a direct line of communication between founders and customers

Conclusion:

  • Doctor Inspired Formulations is dedicated to providing standardized, pharmaceutical-grade supplements for the Lyme community
  • Founders emphasize the importance of transparency, quality, and patient-centered innovation

Resources & Links:

Episode 460: Overcoming Lyme Disease: Dr. Andi Campitelli's 4-Phase Treatment

In this powerful episode of the Tick Boot Camp Podcast, we delve deep into the world of Lyme disease with Dr. Andi Campitelli, a highly experienced naturopathic doctor from Toronto, Canada. Dr. Campitelli shares her personal journey with Lyme disease, her unique 4-phase treatment approach, and invaluable insights for anyone struggling with chronic Lyme disease.

Episode Highlights:

  • Dr. Campitelli's Personal Lyme Story: Discover how a passion for preventative medicine, sparked by personal loss, led Dr. Campitelli to specialize in complex chronic illnesses like Lyme.
  • The 4-Phase Lyme Treatment Framework: Learn about Dr. Campitelli's comprehensive approach, focusing on:
    • Foundation: Addressing getting the body ready for treatment with things like gut health, detoxification, hormones, genetics, and inflammation.
    • Natural Antimicrobials: Utilizing herbal/botanical tinctures, binders, etc. to address mold, SIBO, parasites, and infections (Lyme, Babesia, Bartonella, etc.).
    • Judicious Use of Antibiotics and Pharmaceuticals: When and how a variety of antibiotics/pharmaceuticals can play a role in Lyme recovery, including Ivermectin, Hydroxychloroquine, Disulfiram, Dapsone, etc.
    • Long-Term Maintenance: Strategies for sustained wellness and preventing relapse.
  • Mental Health & Neuroplasticity: Explore the crucial role of mental health support and neuroplasticity in the Lyme recovery process.
  • Detoxification Strategies: Understand the importance of supporting the body's natural detoxification pathways.
  • Expert Insights from a Lyme-Literate Doctor: Benefit from Dr. Campitelli's experience treating over 1,000 Lyme patients and her own personal journey overcoming the disease.

Connect with Tick Boot Camp: Listen to more inspiring stories and expert advice on our Tick Boot Camp Podcast. Subscribe on your favorite platform (Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube Music) and join our community to liberate yourself and others from Lyme disease.

Episode 459: LIVE from ILADS: Ray Solano - Personalized Lyme Disease Treatments

In this special live episode of the Tick Boot Camp Podcast, host Richard Johannesen interviews Ray Solano, a compounding pharmacist specializing in personalized medications for tick-borne illnesses. Recorded at the International Lyme and Associated Diseases Society (ILADS) Conference, this conversation dives into how customized pharmacy solutions can revolutionize Lyme disease treatment.

Key Topics Covered:

  • Ray Solano’s Background: His journey as a compounding pharmacist with over 26 years of experience in integrative medicine.
  • The Power of Personalized Medicine: How customized dosages and delivery methods can enhance absorption and minimize side effects.
  • Challenges in Lyme Treatment: Overcoming obstacles in sourcing effective, affordable treatments for chronic illness.
  • Innovative Therapeutic Approaches: Exploring natural, herbal, and repurposed medications for Lyme disease and co-infections.
  • How to Work with a Compounding Pharmacist: Steps Lyme patients can take to obtain tailored medications.

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Episode 458: LIVE from ILADS: Dr. Jennifer Letitia - Unpacking Long COVID and Long Lyme Disease

Key Takeaways:

  • From Plastic Surgery to Functional Medicine: Dr. Jennifer Letitia shares her journey from a career in plastic and reconstructive surgery to functional medicine after facing her own health struggles.
  • Long COVID & Long Lyme - Similar Mechanisms: She explains how long COVID and long Lyme disease share common immune dysfunctions, including spike protein effects, white blood cell activation, and inflammatory cytokines.
  • Root Cause Medicine: Dr. Letitia emphasizes addressing underlying causes rather than just managing symptoms for lasting recovery.
  • Gender Differences in Chronic Illness: She discusses why chronic illnesses disproportionately affect women and the challenges in research due to a patient population primarily composed of women.
  • Bridging Medical Gaps: The conversation highlights the need for collaboration between medical disciplines to improve the understanding and treatment of chronic illnesses.

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Episode 457: LIVE from ILADS: Dr. Tom Hight - Uncovering the Link Between Lyme Disease and Cardiovascular Risks

In this special live episode of the Tick Boot Camp Podcast, we sit down with Dr. Tom Hight, a board-certified lipidologist and internal medicine specialist, at the International Lyme and Associated Diseases Society (ILADS) Conference. Dr. Hight has spent years pioneering cardiovascular risk reduction strategies, but an alarming trend caught his attention—patients with seemingly improving heart health were still experiencing worsening artery disease. His search for answers led him to Lyme disease and tick-borne illnesses as potential hidden drivers of cardiovascular risk.

Key Takeaways

  • Lyme Disease as a Cardiovascular Risk Factor Dr. Hight explains how chronic infections like Lyme disease contribute to inflammation in the endothelial cells, leading to increased risks of heart attacks, strokes, sudden cardiac death, and dementia.

  • Endothelial Stress and Inflammation Chronic inflammation from Lyme disease can damage the arteries and accelerate heart disease, even in patients actively managing their cardiovascular health.

  • Challenges in Diagnosis and Treatment Lyme disease is often overlooked in traditional cardiology, leaving many patients without proper treatment. Dr. Hight discusses the need for cross-disciplinary collaboration to better identify and manage these cases.

  • Biomarkers and Early Detection New biomarkers are needed to detect Lyme-related inflammation in white blood cells, providing earlier intervention opportunities before significant cardiovascular damage occurs.

  • Genetics vs. Lifestyle Factors While genetics play a role, Dr. Hight emphasizes that small, daily health choices can override genetic predispositions and dramatically reduce cardiovascular risk.

Conclusion Dr. Hight’s groundbreaking work at the intersection of Lyme disease and cardiovascular health highlights the urgent need for better diagnostic tools, interdisciplinary collaboration, and early intervention strategies. This conversation is a must-listen for both healthcare professionals and the Lyme community.

Resources & Links

Episode 456: LIVE from ILADS: Dr. Ed Breitschwerdt - Unlocking the Mysteries of Bartonella and Babesia

Key Takeaways:

  • Dr. Ed Breitschwerdt's Expertise: One of the world’s foremost authorities on Bartonella, Dr. Breitschwerdt has been researching vector-borne diseases for over 40 years.
  • Galaxy Diagnostics: Co-founded by Dr. Breitschwerdt to improve diagnostic testing for Bartonella and other zoonotic infections.
  • Bartonella & Babesia in Chronic Infections: Research shows these intracellular pathogens contribute to long-term health challenges in Lyme disease patients.
  • Polymicrobial Infections: Bartonella and Babesia often co-infect with Borrelia, complicating diagnosis and treatment.
  • Flea Transmission of Bartonella: Understanding that fleas—not just ticks—can transmit Bartonella is critical for prevention.
  • Mental Health Impacts: Bartonella has been linked to severe neuropsychiatric symptoms, highlighting the importance of early detection and treatment.
  • Bridging Veterinary & Human Medicine: Dr. Breitschwerdt collaborates with the medical community to translate veterinary research into human healthcare advancements.

This must-listen interview delves into the evolving science of Bartonella and Babesia, shedding light on diagnostic advancements, overlooked transmission routes, and the crucial need for a holistic approach in managing chronic infections.

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Episode 455: LIVE from ILADS: RN Theresa Haselmayer - Holistic Lyme Treatment Insights

Theresa Haselmayer, a registered nurse (RN) and holistic practitioner, shares her experiences attending the International Lyme and Associated Diseases Society (ILADS) Conference.

As a seasoned ILADS conference attendee for over five years, Haselmayer emphasizes the importance of continuous learning in the field of Lyme disease and associated illnesses.

Theresa's Background and Transition to Holistic Healing:

  • Haselmayer's 30-year career in various healthcare settings, including hospitals and home care, led her to discover the power of holistic healing.
  • After struggling with Lyme disease, mold illness, and environmental toxicity for 15 years, she enrolled in a five-year program with Hillary Thing in New York to study holistic practices.
  • Haselmayer now runs an integrative practice in Cincinnati, Ohio, which includes a nurse practitioner, Jamie Rui.

Limitations of the Conventional Medical System:

  • Haselmayer shares her personal experience with the conventional medical system's inability to diagnose and treat her chronic illnesses.
  • She highlights the short consultation times (11 minutes on average) and the focus on treating test results rather than addressing root causes.
  • The lack of education on chronic diseases, tick-borne illnesses, and environmental factors in medical training is a significant concern.

The Business Model of Modern Medicine:

  • Haselmayer explains that the business model of the healthcare system, which prioritizes financial efficiency, contributes to the limitations in treating chronic conditions.
  • The need to cover administrative costs and physician salaries leads to the emphasis on acute care and medication-based treatments.

Theresa's Integrative Practice and Holistic Approach:

  • Haselmayer's practice offers longer consultation times (90, 60, and 30 minutes) to thoroughly address patients' health concerns.
  • She incorporates holistic modalities, including herbal medicine and liposomal essential oil blends, which have shown promising results in treating Lyme disease and other infections.
  • Haselmayer shares her experience learning about the research on essential oils outperforming antibiotics for persistent forms of Borrelia.

Preparing the Body for Treatment:

  • Haselmayer emphasizes the importance of addressing underlying environmental and toxin exposures to support the immune system and facilitate effective treatment.
  • Her practice focuses on identifying and addressing issues like heavy metal toxicity, mold exposure, and plastic contamination.
  • Various detoxification methods, such as saunas, foot baths, binders, clean diets, and liver support, are utilized to prepare the body for treatment.

Resources & Links:

Episode 454: LIVE from ILADS: Dr. Garth D. Ehrlich - Breaking Biofilm Barriers in Lyme Disease

In this special LIVE episode from the International Lyme and Associated Diseases Society (ILADS) Conference, the Tick Boot Camp Podcast welcomes Dr. Garth D. Ehrlich, a leading researcher in microbiology and immunology. As the President of the International Lyme and Associated Diseases Educational Foundation (ILADEF) and an expert in biofilms, Dr. Ehrlich shares groundbreaking insights into chronic infections and their implications for Lyme disease.

Key Takeaways:

  • Dr. Ehrlich's transition from studying human retroviruses to investigating chronic bacterial infections and biofilms.
  • Understanding biofilms: how bacteria form protective layers, resist antibiotics, and contribute to persistent infections.
  • The role of metabolic resistance and the "stringent response" in biofilm survival.
  • Cutting-edge research on small molecule drugs aimed at breaking biofilms to enhance antibiotic effectiveness.
  • The importance of biofilm research in developing more effective Lyme disease treatments.

About Dr. Garth D. Ehrlich: Dr. Ehrlich is a professor at Drexel University College of Medicine, where he leads multiple research centers focused on chronic bacterial infections, genomics, and biofilms. He has pioneered the Distributed Genome Hypothesis (DGH) and developed novel genomic and molecular diagnostic tools. His extensive research has broad implications for Lyme disease, Alzheimer's, and other chronic conditions linked to bacterial infections.

Why You Should Listen: If you or a loved one is battling chronic Lyme disease, this episode offers crucial insights into why persistent symptoms occur and what future treatments might look like. Dr. Ehrlich’s work is at the forefront of transforming how chronic bacterial infections are understood and treated.

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Tune in to this thought-provoking episode and gain a deeper understanding of how biofilms impact chronic Lyme disease—and what research is uncovering for future treatments!

Episode 453: Longevity Health - an Interview with Doctor Anna Powers

In this episode of the Tick Boot Camp Podcast, we sit down with Anna Powers, ND, a leading expert in BioEnergetic Assessment (BEA), Neurofeedback (NFB), and Energy Healing (IEM) for Lyme disease and chronic illness recovery. Anna shares her deep insights into holistic and functional medicine, explaining how bioenergetic techniques help identify and address the root causes of Lyme disease symptoms, including brain fog, chronic fatigue, neurological issues, and immune dysfunction.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

  • How BioEnergetic Assessment (BEA) helps detect imbalances caused by Lyme disease
  • The role of Neurofeedback (NFB) in improving cognitive function and reducing neurological symptoms
  • How energy medicine and detoxification support the body’s natural healing process
  • The connection between mold toxicity, Lyme disease, and chronic illness
  • Anna's holistic approach to working with highly sensitive patients
  • How to create a personalized Lyme recovery plan using integrative medicine

About Anna Powers, ND

Anna Powers is a Doctor of Naturopathy (ND) with extensive experience in holistic healing for Lyme disease, mold toxicity, and chronic infections. With a background in BioEnergetic Medicine, Neurofeedback, and Functional Nutrition, Anna works with patients nationwide to restore health naturally. She previously worked at the Amen Clinic in Atlanta, GA, specializing in QEEGs and brain health optimization.

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If you’re battling Lyme disease or know someone who is, this episode is a must-listen! Don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and leave a review to help us spread awareness and empower the Lyme community!

The goal of the Tick Boot Camp Podcast is to help people liberate themselves and others from suffering caused by Lyme disease through validation, community building, belief that healing is possible, and modeling success. Listen to our Tick Boot Camp podcast using all major podcast streaming services such as Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube Music. Our podcast is also integrated with smart home devices, such as Amazon Alexa and Apple TV. Ask your device to "play the Tick Boot Camp Podcast!"