• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar

everywomanover29 blog

Food, Mood and Women's Health – Be your healthiest, look and feel great!

  • Blog
  • About
  • Services
  • Store
  • Resources
  • Testimonials
  • The Book
  • Contact

Neuropsychiatric Lyme Disease by Dr. Suruchi Chandra

September 25, 2015 By Trudy Scott 28 Comments

Dr. Suruchi Chandra, MD

One of my favorite presentations at the recent IMMH/Integrative Medicine for Mental Health conference was Dr. Suruchi Chandra’s Neuropsychiatric Lyme Disease talk.

Here is the description of her presentation:

“Neuropsychiatric Lyme Disease and Associated Co-infections: Clinical Presentations, Diagnostic Challenges, and Treatment Options”

Lyme disease is one of the fastest growing infectious diseases in the United States. It can remain dormant for years and then later mimic a number of psychiatric illnesses, including anxiety disorders, mood disturbances, psychosis, and autism-like behaviors. It can be further complicated by the presence of co-infections. Both the diagnosis and treatment of these infections in the chronic stage can be challenging. We will review both standard treatment recommendations and integrative and holistic approaches, including dietary changes, herbal medicines, and nutritional supplements.

Dr. Chandra started by sharing the late stage neuropsychiatric symptoms of Lyme disease:

  • Depression
  • Mood swings
  • Anxiety, panic attacks, OCD
  • Psychosis
  • Violent behaviors and irritability
  • Chronic fatigue syndrome
  • Fibromyalgia
  • ADHD and autism like behaviors
  • Seizures
  • Sleep disorders

Here are some of the many very interesting facts she shared:

  • Lyme disease is one of the fastest growing infectious diseases in the USA (and it doesn’t seem to be only an issue in the USA)
  • Not everyone recalls a tick bite or bulls-eye rash
  • Lyme disease is not only isolated to the Northeast – a year ago a Stanford study found the bacterium Borrelia miyamotoi, as well as burgdorferi, the bacterium that causes Lyme disease, in ticks they sampled throughout the San Francisco Bay area
  • Lyme disease may be due to tick borne complex i.e. it is hypothesized that there are multiple co-infections
  • Purple rashes that look like stretch marks are common with Bartonella
  • There can be maternal-fetal transmission of the disease
  • The involvement of the gut is under-rated with Lyme disease and cognitive decline is a big issue
  • Lyme and co-infections affects serotonin levels, due to IDO being increased
  • Low zinc (and high copper) and low manganese levels are often factors

Dr. Chandra is very unique in that she uses no antibiotics, “provokes” before testing and has some very interesting herbal protocols (many that are used with malaria). She stated that Lyme disease is worth treating even if there are no symptoms, simply because of the higher risk of Alzheimer’s disease.

She uses a wonderfully integrative approach with her patients who have chronic tick borne diseases:

integrative-approach-chronic-tick-borne-illnesses

Here is the last slide of her presentation: Consider Lyme disease and the associated co-infections when there is any severe or atypical psychiatric disease, and use a holistic and individualized approach.

Chandra-conclusion

Excellent presentation! This really is the top integrative mental health conference to attend!

Here are a few of my other favorite presentations include:

  • Julie Matthews’ talk on “Oxalates, Phenols, and FODMAPs: Food Substances and Diets that Impact Mental Health Conditions”
  • James Greenblatt’s talk “New Information on Nutritional Lithium for ADHD, Mood Disorders and Prevention of Cognitive Decline”
  • Andrea Gruszecki’s talk on “The Effects of Stress on the Gut-Brain Microbiome”
  • Dr Kurt Woeller’s talk on “Oxytocin and Cholesterol – Their Interactions and Effects on Mental Health and Autism Spectrum Disorders”

I’ll share some highlights from these in a future blog post.

All the presentations were recorded and I’ll let you know when the recordings are available for purchase. These presentations are not to be missed.

Please share what you know about Lyme disease or if you have been diagnosed with one of the co-infections. Feel free to ask questions too.

 

 

[The above statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. Products listed in this blog post are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.]

 

The amino acids and pyroluria supplements I use with my clients

Additional Anxiety Resources
Click on each image to learn more

gaba quickstart

Filed Under: Events, Lyme disease and co-infections Tagged With: anxiety, depression, Dr. Suruchi Chandra, IMMH, Integrative Medicine for Mental Health, Lyme Disease, Neuropsychiatric Lyme Disease

About Trudy Scott

Food Mood Expert Trudy Scott is a certified nutritionist on a mission to educate and empower anxious individuals worldwide about natural solutions for anxiety, stress and emotional eating.

Trudy is the author of The Antianxiety Food Solution: How the Foods You Eat Can Help You Calm Your Anxious Mind, Improve Your Mood and End Cravings and host of The Anxiety Summit now in its 6th season and called a “bouquet of hope.”

Trudy is passionate about sharing the powerful food mood connection because she experienced the results first-hand, finding complete resolution of her anxiety and panic attacks.

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Laurie says

    September 25, 2015 at 3:56 pm

    This is fascinating about Lyme Disease. Do you know of anyone who is treating asymptomatic Epstein Barr? What are you thoughts about treating asymptomatic Epstein Barr antibodies?

    Thank you very much!

    Reply
    • Trudy Scott says

      September 25, 2015 at 4:18 pm

      Laurie
      Glad you find this fascinating too. I have been aware about the Lyme mood connection and have a Lyme questionnaire I use with my clients but this presentation really consolidated so much for me. Unfortunately Dr Chandra did not mention treating asymptomatic Epstein Barr but this article discusses an Epstein Barr/MS connection http://www.webmd.com/multiple-sclerosis/news/20060410/epstein-barr-virus-may-trigger-ms

      Reply
    • Laurie says

      September 25, 2015 at 6:53 pm

      Thanks so very much Trudy for the link to that article, as I have read similar information about the possible connection. My concern is that it’s probably far from ideal to have high levels of antibodies (despite not having symptoms), but I have not yet discovered an effective or relatively benign way of reducing the antibodies. Are you familiar with any effective treatments? I certainly don’t want to disrupt anything and actually start causing symptoms and make the problem worse. Thanks again!

      Reply
      • Trudy Scott says

        September 25, 2015 at 7:54 pm

        Laurie
        This is not an area of my expertise so it would be best to find someone who works with folks with EBV.

        Common sense tells me to focus on immune boosting, good nourishment (possibly an autoimmune-type diet?) and addressing any nutritional deficiencies, good sleep and living stress-free.

      • Laurie says

        September 25, 2015 at 8:26 pm

        Couldn’t agree more. I try to do all of that anyway as part of my healthy-living lifestyle. Since I haven’t found an EBV expert, I think I’ll just continue to do my best to boost my immune system and hope for the best. The EBV issue confuses me, since as I understand it, almost 90% of us test positive for the antibodies anyway and if that’s the case, I doubt 90% of us make the huge commitment needed to get it out of our bodies. it appears that most of us just live with it anyway as adults.

        Thanks again!

    • Trudy Scott says

      January 24, 2016 at 5:21 pm

      Laurie
      I just came across this excellent blog post on EBV http://thyroidpharmacist.com/articles/epstein-barr-virus-and-hashimotos

      Reply
  2. Cindy Cavanaro says

    September 25, 2015 at 4:28 pm

    I have tested negative for every Lyme infection except Babesia came back positive.
    Should I Persue this?
    Whatever I have, I have had for years. I look normal but just never feel good.

    Reply
    • Trudy Scott says

      September 25, 2015 at 4:45 pm

      Cindy
      Based on what I heard from Dr Chandra I would follow-up and address this especially since you just never feel good. What symptoms do you have: anxiety? depression? fatigue? pain? cognitive issues?

      She also discussed how many people never get a positive result on any of the testing so in one way you are fortunate to have this information.

      Reply
  3. Kellie says

    September 25, 2015 at 5:22 pm

    Hi Trudy!I was diagnosed with neuro-Lyme in January. Not CDC positive, but through Igenex. It is a crazy disease. There are some great websites to help people. Lyme disease survival and wellness; Lyme disease group; Lyme disease awareness are a few. Babesia is a malaria like infection that attacks the red blood cells and needs to be treated. It is usually seen when patient has other tick-borne diseases. I have to travel 2 hours to see a Lyme-literate doctor. Might try to go see Dr.Chandra. Thank you so much for sharing this!

    Reply
    • Trudy Scott says

      September 25, 2015 at 6:01 pm

      Kellie
      Thanks for sharing these resources! I will be sure to check them out. ILADS (International Lyme And Associated Diseases Society) is another good one.

      I’m glad you mentioned CDC /IDSA (Infectious Diseases Society of America) testing vs IGeneX.

      And yes it’s a crazy disease that is not well understood. Finding a good integrative Lyme-literate doctor is key. I’m very impressed with my first impressions of Dr Chandra and look forward to future collaborations with her. Please let us know if you do go and see her.

      Reply
  4. Lisa says

    September 25, 2015 at 5:33 pm

    Thank you so much for drawing attention to this emerging disease. I have a good friend that has a daughter that has been struggling with Lyme Disease for over a year. Many of her issues have been neuropsychiatric in nature and many of the conventional doctors are dumbfounded by condition. The CDC says there are no cases of Lyme in GA, many doctors have been unwilling to identify it as such. I will be sharing this post with my friend. It will be such an encouragement to her. Thanks for sharing it with us, Trudy!

    Reply
    • Trudy Scott says

      September 25, 2015 at 6:04 pm

      You’re most welcome Lisa and thanks for sharing this with your good friend! More people need to know that this is a much bigger issue than what the CDC is saying – both those affected with Lyme (and co-infections) and doctors.

      Reply
      • Trudy Scott says

        September 25, 2015 at 6:14 pm

        Lisa – I just found this – Georgia Lyme Disease Association http://georgialymedisease.org/ and this article “The Confounding Debate Over Lyme Disease in the South” http://discovermagazine.com/2013/dec/14-southern-gothic

  5. Terri says

    September 26, 2015 at 8:14 am

    I was diagnosed/started treatment for Lyme & multiple co-infections in 2011. After 1 year, I asked the question of why my none of my symptoms hadn’t started to subside at all & then the doctor/office wouldn’t return any of my phone calls/emails & I was stood up at my appointment as it mysteriously disappeared from their books. Of course I found another doctor (several), but their blood tests show negative to all (including Lyme) so I cannot find treatment. What would you recommend? I live in northern VA.

    Reply
    • Trudy Scott says

      September 26, 2015 at 12:51 pm

      Terri
      I’m sorry to hear you were treated this way. If you still have symptoms I would continue to search for a Lyme-literate doctor and show them your original results. You don’t say what testing you’ve had done. Just be aware that not all testing is the same and not all testing is conclusive.

      ILADS has a good document on testing and treatment http://www.ilads.org/lyme/B_guidelines_12_17_08.pdf They do advocate antibiotics for treatment.

      Dr Chandra does not use antibiotics. She uses herbals and cites Stephen Buhner’s work (http://buhnerhealinglyme.com/), the Byron White formulas, Dr William Lee Cowden and herbalist Susan McCamish.

      I am in learning mode myself so can’t really give too much feedback. I can share that you are going to see and read conflicting information.

      Reply
      • Terri says

        September 26, 2015 at 1:06 pm

        Thank you so much for your feedback. I’ve learned that not all testing is the same/conclusive. The testing I had done is/was not recognized by the CDC; therefore, insurance wouldn’t cover it. The other tests that showed negative results were/are recognized by the CDC/covered by insurance, but, of course, since they show negative, nobody will treat me. Thank you for the idea of taking my original results to a lyme-literate doctor. Do you have a good reference point for where I can find a Lyme-literate in my area?

    • Brenda says

      April 11, 2016 at 10:17 am

      Terri .. as you reside in northern Va, contact Dr. Joseph Jemsek at http://www.jemsekspecialtyclinic.com Dr. J. has been my LLMD for 6 years & has helped me so much.

      Reply
  6. Janet says

    September 26, 2015 at 8:44 am

    Hi, I am so confused about GABA. I took the GABA challenge a few weeks ago and it made me very stimulated to the extent that my usual dose of Melatonin with L-Theanine and other ingredients did not allow me to sleep. Then the Functional Dr. gave me a spray to spray under my tongue to try. It was a lesser amount of GABA. I cannot tolerate this and have mega problems with insomnia. What can I do? My association with him is about to expire. I need to sleep. You have to be my savior. Thanks

    Reply
    • Trudy Scott says

      September 26, 2015 at 12:58 pm

      Janet
      I’m sorry to hear this. I don’t advocate the GABA Challenge for this very reason. Please share how much you took, what form of GABA and over what period and I’ll try and provide some feedback. Please also share details of the GABA spray and how much. Are you still having sleep problems even though this all happened a few weeks ago? and nothing else changed?

      Reply
  7. Debbie says

    September 26, 2015 at 4:41 pm

    Hi Trudy,
    Thank you so much for sharing this information.
    You mentioned that Dr. Chandra ” provokes” before testing, could you explain what that is?
    Thank you!
    Debbie

    Reply
    • Trudy Scott says

      September 29, 2015 at 11:50 am

      Debbie
      Dr Chandra shared that she has her patients use certain herbal products to provoke the organism and then she has them do the Lyme tests when they get a flare-up of symptoms.

      She is also looking at other labs too (showing nutritional status, mitochondrial function etc)

      Reply
      • Debbie says

        October 2, 2015 at 5:25 pm

        Where can I find out more information. I have had severe CFS & MCS for 30 years. I am getting ready to do Lyme testing and would like to find out more.

      • Trudy Scott says

        October 2, 2015 at 5:44 pm

        Debbie
        I would suggest contacting Dr Chandra for a consult. Other resources in the comments may also be useful. For example, ILADS has a good document on testing and treatment http://www.ilads.org/lyme/B_guidelines_12_17_08.pdf They do advocate antibiotics for treatment.

  8. Sandi says

    January 23, 2016 at 7:46 pm

    Trudy, how can I locate Dr. Chandra. I tried to google her but could never get a real website for her office. Do you have any contact info?

    Thanks for all you do!

    Sandi

    Reply
    • Trudy Scott says

      January 25, 2016 at 11:38 am

      Sandi
      http://www.chandramd.com it’s still under construction but I believe the phone number is correct

      Reply
      • Sandi says

        January 25, 2016 at 12:20 pm

        Thanks Trudy

  9. Jack says

    December 14, 2016 at 5:53 pm

    Hi Trudy,

    Based on your research do you believe a microscope
    Is accurate for Lyme diagnosis? I also heard that most of
    All have small trace amounts of the bacteria. Is this true?

    This if one of the worse things to deal with because
    The diagnosis is so difficult – and the treatments are
    No joke for those who are sensitive to herbs, antibiotics,
    etc.

    Reply
    • Trudy Scott says

      December 17, 2016 at 9:03 pm

      Jack
      This is not my area of expertise and I’d defer to the experts

      Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Primary Sidebar

Free Report

9 Great Questions Women Ask about Food, Mood and their Health

You'll also receive a complimentary subscription to my ezine "Food, Mood and Gal Stuff"


 

Connect with me

Popular Posts

  • Amino Acids Mood Questionnaire from The Antianxiety Food Solution
  • The Antianxiety Food Solution Amino Acid and Pyroluria Supplements
  • Pyroluria Questionnaire from The Antianxiety Food Solution
  • Collagen and gelatin lower serotonin: does this increase your anxiety and depression?
  • Tryptophan for the worry-in-your-head and ruminating type of anxiety
  • GABA for the physical-tension and stiff-and-tense-muscles type of anxiety
  • The Antianxiety Food Solution by Trudy Scott
  • Seriphos Original Formula is back: the best product for anxiety and insomnia caused by high cortisol
  • Am I an anxious introvert because of low zinc and vitamin B6? My response to Huffington Post blog
  • Vagus nerve rehab with GABA, breathing, humming, gargling and key nutrients

Recent Posts

  • What causes low serotonin? Use tryptophan/5-HTP to help with the anxiety, overwhelm and worry right away and address all the root causes
  • Drastic reduction in intrusive thoughts, anxiety and fears (and better sleep) with GABA, tryptophan, 5-HTP and the pyroluria protocol
  • Thera360 Plus: my portable full-spectrum infrared sauna from Therasage (better sleep and digestion, more energy, and even more joy!)
  • Keep GABA powder handy for choking episodes, stridor and panic (and find the ideal dose and be consistent for prevention/easing anxiety)
  • PharmaGABA vs GABA when you have histamine issues/MCAS: does pharmaGABA ease physical anxiety or make things worse?

Categories

  • 5-HTP
  • AB575
  • Addiction
  • ADHD
  • Adrenals
  • Allergies
  • Alzheimer's disease
  • Amino Acids
  • Antianxiety
  • Antianxiety Food Solution
  • Antidepressants
  • Anxiety
  • Anxiety and panic
  • Autism
  • Autoimmunity
  • benzodiazapines
  • Bipolar disorder
  • Books
  • Caffeine
  • Cancer
  • Candida
  • Children
  • Cooking equipment
  • Coronavirus/COVID-19
  • Cravings
  • Depression
  • Detoxification
  • Diabetes
  • Diet
  • DPA/DLPA
  • Drugs
  • EFT/Tapping
  • EMF
  • EMFs
  • Emotional Eating
  • Environment
  • Essential oils
  • Events
  • Exercise
  • Fear of public speaking
  • Fertility and Pregnancy
  • Fish
  • Food
  • Food and mood
  • Functional neurology
  • GABA
  • Gene polymorphisms
  • General Health
  • Giving
  • Giving back
  • Glutamine
  • Gluten
  • GMOs
  • Gratitude
  • Gut health
  • Heart health
  • Histamine
  • Hormone
  • Immune system
  • Inflammation
  • Insomnia
  • Inspiration
  • Introversion
  • Joy and happiness
  • Ketogenic diet
  • Looking awesome
  • Lyme disease and co-infections
  • MCAS/histamine
  • Medication
  • Mental health
  • Mercury
  • Migraine
  • Mold
  • Movie
  • MTHFR
  • Music
  • NANP
  • Nature
  • Nutritional Psychiatry
  • OCD
  • Oxalates
  • Oxytocin
  • Pain
  • Paleo
  • Parasites
  • Parkinson’s disease
  • People
  • PMS
  • Postpartum
  • PTSD/Trauma
  • Pyroluria
  • Questionnaires
  • Real whole food
  • Recipes
  • Research
  • serotonin
  • SIBO
  • Sleep
  • Special diets
  • Sports nutrition
  • Stress
  • Sugar addiction
  • Sugar and mood
  • Supplements
  • Teens
  • Testimonials
  • Testing
  • The Anxiety Summit
  • The Anxiety Summit 2
  • The Anxiety Summit 3
  • The Anxiety Summit 4
  • The Anxiety Summit 5
  • The Anxiety Summit 6
  • Thyroid
  • Thyroid health
  • Toxins
  • Tryptophan
  • Tyrosine
  • Uncategorized
  • Vegan/vegetarian
  • Women's health
  • Yoga

Archives

  • May 2022
  • April 2022
  • March 2022
  • February 2022
  • January 2022
  • December 2021
  • November 2021
  • October 2021
  • September 2021
  • August 2021
  • July 2021
  • June 2021
  • May 2021
  • April 2021
  • March 2021
  • February 2021
  • January 2021
  • December 2020
  • November 2020
  • October 2020
  • September 2020
  • August 2020
  • July 2020
  • June 2020
  • May 2020
  • April 2020
  • March 2020
  • February 2020
  • January 2020
  • December 2019
  • November 2019
  • October 2019
  • September 2019
  • August 2019
  • July 2019
  • June 2019
  • May 2019
  • April 2019
  • March 2019
  • February 2019
  • January 2019
  • December 2018
  • November 2018
  • October 2018
  • September 2018
  • August 2018
  • July 2018
  • June 2018
  • May 2018
  • April 2018
  • March 2018
  • February 2018
  • January 2018
  • December 2017
  • November 2017
  • October 2017
  • September 2017
  • August 2017
  • July 2017
  • June 2017
  • May 2017
  • April 2017
  • March 2017
  • February 2017
  • January 2017
  • December 2016
  • November 2016
  • October 2016
  • September 2016
  • August 2016
  • July 2016
  • June 2016
  • May 2016
  • April 2016
  • March 2016
  • February 2016
  • January 2016
  • December 2015
  • November 2015
  • October 2015
  • September 2015
  • August 2015
  • July 2015
  • June 2015
  • May 2015
  • April 2015
  • March 2015
  • February 2015
  • January 2015
  • December 2014
  • November 2014
  • October 2014
  • September 2014
  • August 2014
  • July 2014
  • June 2014
  • May 2014
  • April 2014
  • March 2014
  • February 2014
  • January 2014
  • December 2013
  • November 2013
  • October 2013
  • September 2013
  • August 2013
  • July 2013
  • June 2013
  • May 2013
  • April 2013
  • March 2013
  • February 2013
  • January 2013
  • December 2012
  • November 2012
  • October 2012
  • August 2012
  • July 2012
  • June 2012
  • May 2012
  • April 2012
  • March 2012
  • February 2012
  • January 2012
  • December 2011
  • November 2011
  • October 2011
  • September 2011
  • August 2011
  • July 2011
  • June 2011
  • May 2011
  • April 2011
  • March 2011
  • February 2011
  • January 2011
  • December 2010
  • October 2010
  • September 2010
  • July 2010
  • May 2010
  • April 2010
  • March 2010
  • February 2010
  • January 2010
  • November 2009

Copyright © 2022 Trudy Scott. All Rights Reserved. | Privacy | Terms of Use | Refund Policy