The Risks We Take to Become Well
The Risks We Take to Become Well
A few months back, I remember reading an article in the New York Times, For Intrigue, Malaria Drug Gets the Prize, it gave a rundown of the history of Artemisinin’s discovery. Since my biggest battle was fighting Babesiosis (Babesia) among Bartonella and Lyme Disease, I was extremely curious as to what it said. It stated that Artemisinin was known best for treating Malaria, but I used this along with a number of drugs that were mentioned in the article.
I found it quite interesting indeed. Why? Because I was warned about Mefloquine a/k/a Lariam. Stay away from it, many said. Didn’t you hear about the Fort Bragg incident? I was surprised to hear that it was discovered back in the 1960’s to help the many military soldiers suffering from Malaria. The drawbacks were serious which included nightmares and paranoia. I’d have to admit I was quite scared, actually petrified but I was on a quest to get better. I hated the cycle of uncontrollable shaking being freezing cold to completely drenching my clothes and bedding. The chest pains, excruciating 24/7 migraines and then the “air hunger” (you know, how it feels when it is so bitterly cold that you can’t breathe) were no picnic either.
At first, I thought, what’s the big deal? But the longer I took it and then increased the doses; I totally understood why I was told not to throw caution to the wind. There were days when I thought I saw things that weren’t there, voices that I heard to only find out that the TV was not on, and the dark thoughts ever slowly began creeping in. It was frightening, but I heard that Jiminy Cricket voice deep inside me telling me that “it was not me telling you those thoughts” – “tell your family, your friends, they’ll help you keep your head straight” – “this is not you!” Eventually I became so worried that I shared some of those thoughts with my doctor. I knew it wasn’t me because I couldn’t say them out loud. I shared one of my scarier blogs with him. Right away, we developed a plan to help me get through and alleviate the paranoia and dark thoughts.
Once again, I was back using Artemisia. “One herb, qinghao, was mentioned on tomb carvings as far back as 168 B.C. and praised on medical scrolls through the centuries, up to the 1798 Book of Seasonal Fevers. Rural healers identified qinghao as what the West calls Artemisia annua, or sweet wormwood, a spiky-leafed weed with yellow flowers.” Of course, it went through the gauntlet as many of the new “miracle” drugs do. It caused discourse and delays before it was endorsed and able to be distributed (which also included a way to make a major profit or the saving of the all mighty dollar). At last, “a Swiss company, Novartis, finally broke the logjam” which produced Coartem. It was fascinating to read of how Artemisinin, Artemisia, Lariam and Coartem and how they came to be.
Why, you may say? Well, many of those that are fighting the various tick-borne diseases use these drugs as part of their treatment. They weigh the risks and benefits of the treatment they choose to undergo all in a major effort to regain their lives and their health. Despite being ridiculed, harassed, and ignored, they continue the fight to win the war!
Thank goodness I took the risk and now I am doing well. My word of caution is to work with your doctor and use your resources to weigh the risks and the benefits before you choose your treatment. Do what is best for you!
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