Unlocking Lyme: Myths, Truths, and Practical Solutions for Chronic Lyme Disease

Tons of research on all my symptoms led me to Lyme Disease and this book. This book, quite simply, seems to be changing my life and freeing my body from something that has likely been there in the background since I was a kid but began getting a foothold after a stressful period in life. 5+ Years of seemingly unrelated health issues very slowly got worse and worse. All blood work was totally normal (other than cholesterol) so Drs wanted to test me for MS, brain tumor, cardiac issues etc but I wanted to rule out all other possibilities before opening the doors to undergoing endless expensive diagnostics which I suspected would turn up nothing or get me on high power drugs that wound up doing more harm than good. Though I fully believe there is a place for Western medicine, I've managed to stay off (ongoing) prescription drugs and want to stay that way as long as I can. This book has provided that path to healing. Listed are a few of my issues - the intent is to encourage folks that perhaps are wondering if this book will address what they are experiencing. You can skip this paragraph if you aren't interested in symptoms. Everyone's experience of Lyme is different. This is simply mine. All of these symptoms have been mentioned as either having direct connection to lyme or possibly loosely associated (tho not proven). It should be noted I had severe mononucleosis (Epstein Barr Virus - EBV) as a child - which likely is at play with Lyme. If your symptoms aren't listed that does NOT mean you can rule out Lyme. Chronic Conditions: High cholesterol, Endometriosis, hip arthroscopic surgery to repair torn labrum (i.e. collagen issues), tinnitus (ear ringing). Sporadic symptoms: PVCs (heart palpitations), tingling, muscle twitching, pins and needles, "flushing" heat sensation in the skin, elbow pain, knee pain, stiff neck/tight shoulders, dizziness, floaters (floating, dark spots in vision), brain fog (1. knew what I wanted to say but couldn't find the words 2. a few seconds of not knowing where I was despite being in a familiar place), whole body/nervous system felt like it was mildly buzzing, anxiousness (I wouldn't call it anxiety but just unable to "settle"), depression, general decrease in cognitive ability I stumbled on this book "Unlocking Lyme" by Dr. Rawls and "Healing Lyme" by Buhner. Buhner is considered the/one of the pioneers in treating Lyme herbally. I have his book, value it, use part of his protocol and consult it often. Much respect for him. However, Dr. Rawls has done a tremendous job of giving enough depth to help you understand what's happening without getting unnecessarily bogged down in the technical details and is by far my favorite book. He helps you understand why you need to take what you are taking. He also includes both the common name and the genus/species of the herbs. The other book only includes the genus/species so if you aren't familiar with the herbs its a pain to google every single one to figure out what it is. The biggest thing I appreciate about the protocol Dr. Rawls has adopted is that he has worked to find the herbal approach with the least amount of possible side effects. It should be noted that since I was chronic/late stage Lyme, I opted not to try antibiotics since it seems they don't have a good long term success rate for chronic/late stage cases. My system is very sensitive. By using Tick Immune Support by Samsara (great stuff) and additional mushroom supplements, herbs and amino acids, I wound up adopting a bit of a mix between Dr. Rawls and Buhner protocols for my specific symptoms (including approaches for some specific neuroborreliosis symptoms) but when there is a choice between approaches, I feel Dr. Rawls is safer but just as effective so his is the approach I chose when possible. I started taking the herbal supplements only one week ago. I started very slowly only taking one thing at a time. My PVCs (heart palpitations) stopped immediately, pins and needles stopped after about 2 days, tinnitus is almost zero after 5 days (OMG sweet relief). I am experiencing mild herxing each time I increase something or add something but nothing I can't tolerate and Dr. Rawls does a great job at preparing you for what to expect with herxing and guiding you through it. Dr. Rawls and his book are literally giving me my life back and I simply can't believe it. The only negative to this book is that it doesn't have an index. This would drive me crazy except that I also purchased the electronic version so I can search keywords when I'm trying to look something up (which I do constantly right now as I'm figuring out my protocol, herxing and watching for side effects). I pray for healing for us all. I can't say it enough.... Thank you Dr. Rawls for giving me the path to get my life back!

My husband has had chronic Lyme for almost 30 years; it was in a dormant state for approximately 8 years and then a few months after our wedding in 2022 reemerged. I don’t even want to guess what we’ve spent on what Dr. Rawls refers to as “hero” treatments over the last several years. This book has been an incredible resource about the condition. After 2 years of hell, my husband is living a normal life. For anyone reading this who has Lyme, the only thing that worked for us was changing the diet. I know this can be hard when it feels like everything pleasurable has been taken from you, but the AIP diet worked to course correct when nothing else did. As we’ve started to reintroduce foods, the information in this book and in Dr. Rawls’ blog on the inflammatory response in the body, lowering cortisol, and supportive measures with specific nutrients and supplements has been illuminating. Anytime a health issue comes up, I refer to Dr. Rawls. The book costs money (well worth it) but there is so much information for free on his website and it is robust - an absolute godsend when you’re used to paying thousands to Lyme literate integrative wellness practitioners who don’t take insurance. Managing Lyme for those that have it and those who love them is a full time job, but it gets easier with time and becomes a lifestyle that is beneficial to everyone rather than a burden. Wishing those who lives with this condition the best of luck on the journey to restored health and happiness.

Dr. Rawls has written a book that is easy for the non-medical mind to understand and make sense of and he clearly understands Lyme and the co-infections that often come with it. He has dedicated years of his life to not just healing himself but also helping those of us without significant and unlimited financial means find a path to wellness. This book and his protocol allows you to begin healing whether or not you have a doctor that understands Lyme or not which is invaluable! You also don't have to wait until you have a formal diagnosis that would be recognized by the CDC. So many of us stay sick because that doesn't come. I am so grateful for Dr. Rawls life, his journey, his research, this book and his herbal protocol which have given me HOPE that I can restore my health and find the quality of life that has been missing for far too long. Even if you aren't looking for a protocol, this is a must read book in helping you understand Lyme. I started his protocol just over a month ago and I noticed improvements immediately in my health. I know that ultimately complete healing will take time and patience - there is no quick fix with this disease and this information has helped me understand that. I encounter people every day losing their peace and balance chasing the quick fix and from what I can tell that isn't working for anyone! Not only are people not getting well that way, they are making things worse. This book and Dr. Rawls research will help you understand why with Lyme, slow and steady wins the race. Thank you Dr. Rawls for giving me the gifts of hope and health!

Just downloaded the kindle version after not even completing the sample reading. Just wow. Rawls has already established himself to me as someone smart, well-researched, scientific in his approach, and very balanced and calm in his thinking. Starting literally at ancient history- this is facinating and also a bit comforting. He is also happens to be a wonderful writer.

A really helpful way forward if you’re suffering from Lyme or other tick-borne or chronic illness

just got diagnosed and this info is great for my future recovery! well written and investigated. easy to read book

Am only half way through but already this has proven to be BY FAR the best book on Lyme I have read since Steve Buhner's Healing Lyme. Written by an MD who came down with fibromyalgia later diagnosed as Lyme Disease and who himself found Buhner's book of great help in coming to grips with the whole syndrome, Dr. Rawls goes a few steps further. First of all, along with this book he offers a full line of quality herbal supplements based on Buhner's protocols and more, far more, and along with those regular email support letters and the ability of the supplement subscriber to call in and ask for a little help, or for an additional fee have in-depth consultations. So here you have a book by a Doctor who has recovered from Lyme Disease and offers medicines and other support to help you heal from Lyme Disease as well. Am not aware of anything else out there even close to this. He builds on Buhner's approach. He puts Lyme Disease in overall context compared with other types of infectious diseases, explaining how stealth microbes function in the body and how they differ from more life-threatening, more virulent acute syndrome infections; he explains why most medical professionals are not equipped to help heal chronic conditions like LD, and also how lab tests work and why there are problems with some of them. He also explains how to work with doctors in the system and lays out the various different types of approaches and where to go for them. Finally he has a thoroughly researched and well put together dietary and health regimen similar to many microbiome-friendly multi-phase diets, which is perhaps the most important practice step most Lymeys should take given how it has of late emerged that perhaps the single main common factor uniting all Lymeys is dysbiosis, or imbalance of the microbiome which in turn is the main brain aspect of the so-called lower, or enteric, brain (which is why chronic Lyme can feel so wretched). So as someone who has been dealing with this Lymey business for quite some time, and even though have not yet gone through the supplements (in the mail still), I unreservedly highly recommend this book. If you are new to Lyme, I don't believe there is anything out there written so clearly and intelligently that can give you both a basic and intelligent understanding of what you are dealing with and how to proceed in order to handle the challenges it presents.

Very well done, clear content, easy to follow instructions on how to treat Lyme holistically with plants, good food, exercise and other additional therapy. Like the pros and cons and critical thinking. We treated my son with Buhner's protocol which is this book along with supplements. He's now at 85% of his previous health. Antibiotics were too taxing for his system so we had to find an alternative.

Glad that I’ve got this book. I have as bitten by a tick. Got the bulls eye. So far im ok. I had the antibiotics and I have this book, a good doctor and pharmacist