The PK Protocol: Chronic Lyme Disease & Chronic Fatigue

Since last August, 2014, I have been receiving the PK Protocol (see parts 2, 3, 4)  Overall, My parents and I are very pleased with the doctors that we are working with, and certainly will not be “abandoning ship” anytime soon.  In the meantime, I thought I would update everyone on what is going on in regards to my treatment and where we are headed.

An Update

After a bit over 6 months of full blow treatment, with about 4-5 IV’s per week, my doctor had me go into what they call “maintenance mode.”  To summarize, my body should have technically had enough phosphatidyl choline (PC) to clean off all of the toxins on my cell’s DNA.  I must, however, point out that it was not just the PC doing its job, but also me following a strict Ketogenic diet (combined with AIP to address the autoimmunity aspects of chronic Lyme), in order to ensure that my cells were able to rebuild as necessary.  I also am on a specific nutrient and supplement regime that has been customized to my blood work.  Anyways, with a good chunk of the protocol under our belts, my doctor decided it was time to run an ACUMEN test, of which is done by a biochemist in Europe. While there is a lot of information presented the test, and certainly too much to cover in today’s post, there are two main aspects that I found too fascinating not too share.

My Background

One of the largest aspects of my journey through chronic Lyme Disease, is the missing piece that is “energy.”  Ever since the summer afternoon in July, 2011 when my body hit its “brick wall” and literally collapsed, I have had no energy. When I say no energy, I mean energy that nothing, not even sleep can help restore.  Now, you may not necessarily think I lack energy if you saw me in person, however, this is simply because I have learned to cope and do things regardless of the underlying extreme fatigue that never stop nagging at my bones.  While my body would be perfectly happy laying down all day trying to “sleep,” I am constantly pushing myself.  Of course this comes with a great deal of troubles, as I have to make sure not to “over-do” it, and ultimately, have to think about every little thing I do each day.  This is rough, as there are many times I wish I could do something such as going to church, visit with a friend, or go to my brother’s lacrosse game, yet my body just revolts.  In fact, not only has it been something difficult that I have had to come to terms with, deal with, and learn from, but it can be quite heartbreaking. It’s really hard for people to understand why you can “do” something one day, and the next be a completely different ball game.  Yet this struggle with real, deep, chronic fatigue is nothing to take lightly, nor is it simply “in my head.”  For years my family has been in search of how to fix this issue, and finally, after 4 1/2 years of not knowing why chronic Lyme Disease has caused “chronic fatigue syndrome” in my body, I have learned why.

Acumen Testing

ACUMEN blood work tests the various aspects of one’s cells, including DNA, blood plasma, red cell superoxide dismutase (SOD), toxins present on DNA and mitochondria, the amount of metallothionein and cardiolipin present, lymphocyte sensitivity, as well as the state of one’s mitochondrial membrane TL protein.  While many of these things may just sound like a bunch of long, confusing words, the one I am going to focus on in today’s post is the mitochondrial TL protein. Much to what we had hoped, my DNA, though still very fragile, is clear of toxins.  However, there is still a problem with my mitochondria due to the presence of a chemical named “GSH-complex,” a “12 amino acid peptide with the glutathione tri-peptide at one end of the peptide chain.”  While it may not sound like that big of a deal, it is, as this toxin is attached directly to the TL protein of my mitochondria, of which is responsible for turning ADP into ATP energy, as well as recycling ATP energy as a normal human being does. To put it simply, there is a chemical present on my mitochondrial that is directly inhibiting them from allowing my cells to make energy. 

How it Works

Let me back up a bit and explain how the body works, as really, this is quite fascinating….The body produces energy through the mitochondrial present in each and every cell, of which can be up to “several thousands” “depending on its function.” Mitochondrial first take in oxygen, sugar, and ADP (adenosine diphosphate), and in turn create energy, carbon dioxide, and ATP (adenosine-5’-triphosphate). Ultimately, ATP is responsible for transferring energy throughout the cells in one’s body, and energy is released when it is then converted into ADP.  Many different enzymes and cellular processes use ATP, such as transportation of nutrient ions and muscle contractions throughout the body.  However, when ADP cannot be recycled back to ATP, one experiences “fatigue.”  Quite literally, when cells run out of ATP, they go into a “rest period” until more can be made or recycled from ADP.  That being said, if one uses more ATP energy than the cells literally have, it then taps into ADP stores, of which must convert into AMP (adenosine monophosphate), a type of energy that cannot be recycled.  Therefore, whenever AMP energy must be used, it cannot be easily replaced.  Instead, new ATP production through proteins, triglycerides, fatty acids, and sugars in the body, must start all over again to create new, raw energy.  Ultimately, creating new ATP takes a very long time, and therefore will cause fatigue to linger until one’s energy (ATP) stores are replenished.  This is the cause for one’s extreme fatigue in the case of  “chronic fatigue syndrome,” and is also while those like myself with chronic Lyme Disease must take it easy, pace themselves, and make sure not to “over-do” it.  Quite simply, one’s cells can very easily be stretched beyond their limits, not able to keep up with sufficient energy (ATP) production, therefore tapping into the cell’s last resort (ADP converted into ATP), which then puts the body into a state of making brand-spanking-new energy, something that is seriously exhausting.  Ultimately, one is are asking their bodies to create energy faster than they are able. 

Summary

Wait, there ought to be a cause for this insufficient energy production? This is precisely what I found out through my ACUMEN test.  Not only are my bodies cells unable to release ATP energy, but they are then, also, unable to recycle ADP back into more energy.  Instead, my mitochondrial’s transport proteins, which are supposed to carry produced and recycled energy past the membrane, are being hindered, and therefore aren’t doing their job.  Bottom line?  Damaged mitochondrial transport proteins = no cellular energy available = tired Gaby.   The answer to how do I get rid of this toxin and thus allow my cells to function properly?  We aren’t sure yet, as my doctor is still consulting with the doctor in England.  In the meantime, I thought I’d bring to attention of “chronic fatigue” and the true science behind it, and share the fact that I remain persistent in believing that there is hope for healing, whether solely through God, or God working through the resources here on earth. 

Proverbs 4:11 “I instruct you in the way of wisdom and lead you along straight paths.”