I thought I’d pull up an interesting tale from the comments. It is a great illustration of what we’re trying to accomplish on this blog.
Thomas first commented here on December 31:
I just got your book from a relative for Christmas (I told them to buy me it!) and am reading through it now. Very interesting, although some of it is beyond a simple layman like me.
The part of this blog post that starts “Thus common symptoms of a bacterial infection of the brain are those of cognitive hypoglycemia and serotonin deficiency” and continues for several paragraphs describes precisely the mysterious changes I have experience over the last decade of life (I am now 33), with the one variation being that I suffer extreme fatigue rather than insomnia or restlessness. Every other sympton, including the odd mental state you mention, is a perfect match, and I experience them all to a marked degree….
I have been diagnosed with general anxiety but never depression. I do not feel sad ever, just irritable and anhedonia-ac, if I may coin a word. Anti-depressants, and I’ve tried a bunch, do absolutely nothing for me.
Brain infections are widespread – I wouldn’t be surprised if 20% of the adult population has a brain infection of mild severity – but they are hardly ever diagnosed or treated.
Fortunately, there are some symptoms that are almost universally generated by brain infections, so it’s not necessarily that difficult to diagnose them. But I think no one knows the symptoms. Infections are generally allowed to progress for decades.
One of my crucial steps forward was when I recognized that I had the cognitive symptoms of hypoglycemia when my blood sugar was normal. I could relieve the symptoms if my blood sugar became highly elevated. Thinking about why that might be led me toward the idea of bacterial infections.
Thomas went on to describe the origin of his symptoms:
I began to decline after suffering the second subdural hematoma of my life at age 20 when I was in Italy, followed by a 5 year binge on alcohol.
This was another clue. Traumatic brain injuries, such as hematomas, often initiate brain infections, because they breach the blood-brain barrier. Alcohol is also a risk factor, as I pointed out in my reply to Thomas:
Alcohol abuse depresses bacterial immunity and would be a risk factor for a brain infection: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16413723, http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20161709. Subdural hematomas frequently show infections, e.g. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20430901.
We next heard from Thomas on February 22, when he had been on our diet for 7 weeks and had just tried his first ketogenic fast:
I’ve been doing PHD for about 7 weeks now, and tried a ketogenic fast this past weekend. I ended up going 33 hours with some coconut oil and cream. It was a bit tough having to eat a bunch of oil on an empty stomach, but nothing too bad.
I can’t say there was any improvement cognitively or with anhedonia, but there seemed to me to be a pronounced calming effect after about 24 hours of fasting. I often stutter or stumble over words (again, for about 10 years now), which usually goes away only with two or three alcoholic drinks. But the speech problems stopped almost completely during the fast, which makes me thing that there is some link to anxiety and stuttering.
Positive changes in brain function during ketosis suggest that the brain isn’t functioning normally when it relies on glucose as a fuel. There are several possible causes of this, but one is a bacterial infection. Another clue.
I generally recommend getting on our diet and supplement regimen, and reaching a stable health condition, before starting antibiotics. There are several reasons for this, which I’ll elaborate on later, but briefly:
- Antibiotics work well on a good diet but may fail on a bad diet.
- Pathogen die-off toxins can cause significant neurological damage and this toxicity may be substantially increased on a bad diet.
- There is considerable diagnostic value in being able to clearly discern the reaction to antibiotics. Rarely is it certain that a brain infection is bacterial, or that the antibiotic in question is the correct one. To judge whether the antibiotic is working, it’s important that health be stable and as good as possible.
I therefore recommend being on our diet and supplement regimen for 3-4 months before starting antibiotics.
Thomas seems to have followed this advice, since he has just reported starting antibiotics:
I’ve been on PHD for a few months, and about a month ago went to the low-carb therapeutic ketogenic version of the PHD. After reading some of Paul’s posts, I believe that I might have a brain infection as a result of a head injury from more than a decade ago (Paul, if you recall, my condition has a lot of similarities to the one you once had). I started taking doxycycline a few days ago, and I have already noticed pronounced improvement (whether due to the diet or the antibiotic or both) in controlling the irritability and anxiety that have plagued me for years….
I definitely feel great since making the diet changes. My blood pressure, which has been creeping upwards over the last few years to 135/80 or so, is back down to 110/70. My testosterone is 824, and I am pleased to see that I maintaining my strength in the gym despite being on a ketogenic diet.
Pronounced improvement in the first days of doxycycline is quite possible, because doxy acts as a protein synthesis inhibitor. It essentially blocks bacterial functions and switches them into a state of hibernation. The bacteria are still there, but they are not interfering with brain function as much as before.
This improvement is confirmation that Thomas has a bacterial infection of the brain. If there were no infection, he wouldn’t notice an effect from the antibiotics.
Over a period of months, the doxycycline plus ketogenic dieting should help his innate immune defenses clear the brain of most bacteria. Combination antibiotic protocols may be even more effective.
In a follow-up comment, Thomas mentioned Ben Franklin and the blessing of good health:
Thanks for the response Paul, as well as all your help. If this works, I owe you my first-born child and then some! Ben Franklin (I think it was him) might have been right about health being the greatest blessing. The improvements I’ve seen recently have done more for my well-being than anything in the last decade, and I am profoundly grateful to you for all your excellent advice.
It’s comments like this that make blogging and book writing worthwhile.
It’s probably hard for those who have never had ill health to appreciate how enjoyable it can be for those with chronic diseases to recover good health. I’ve blogged on this before (Of Recovery, Hope, and Happiness, July 13, 2010 – don’t miss Ladybug’s painting).
Thomas, antibiotics and ketogenic dieting will work, I’m pretty sure. May you come to perfect health, and always remain grateful for the many blessings that are yours.
via this link:
Hi Paul,
A question I’m hoping you can help me with:
I often find myself in a state that might be best described as experiencing a cognitive “lack of fuel” – a difficulty controlling my attention and following a train of thought, associated with a mild irritability and lack of patience. This almost always manifests alongside a strong craving for sugars. However, when I test my blood sugar during these episodes, I usually find that it’s at normal levels (90 to 100 or greater if I’ve just eaten).
Interestingly, drinking a tablespoon of MCT very often resolves this issue quickly, within minutes, even in the absence of overt ketosis. Eating carbs (starch, fruit) usually does not resolve the issue, at least in the immediate term, unless I inhale large quantities of sugar.
Does this seem like evidence of a brain infection? Or could these symptoms be due simply to a glucose deficiency? I’m currently consuming about 400 carb calories per day.
Also, what about doxycycline makes it uniquely suited to dealing with brain infections? I’ve recently taken penicillin and Xifaxan (for strep and suspected SIBO, respectively) but haven’t noticed any effect on the cognitive episodes from these.
Thanks,
Jordan
In response to Ellen who had burning leg issues after time on a lo-carb diet, I had the same reaction. Can’t be good. 🙄
Hi Paul,
I am a type 1 diabetic but I also believe I have a systemic fungal infection or brain fungal infection – I have found myself to be extremely intolerant to Glucose and eating above 50g of Carbohydrates per day disrupts my blood glucose regulation.
I am worried that whilst Ketogenic Diet suits my Type 1 Diabetes it could worsen Brain symptoms of fungal infection.
What could I do to stay on the Ketogenic Diet if I do indeed have a systemic fungal problem?
Should I consider a systemic antifungal medication?
Thanks
Dan
How are you doing Paul?
if you stop antibotics stay on a good diet will the bacteria stay away
Hi Davis,
You have to beat the bacteria back enough that your own immune system can control them. The decision on when to stop antibiotics should be made in consultation with a doctor. You should not take antibiotics indefinitely.
Best, Paul
Hello Paul and All, Thank you for your posts. I just found out I have a leak in my skull. Looking at the CT scan I am self-diagnosing that i have a cerebral spinal fluid leak, causing my runny nose. My research indicated the meninges, the three protective layers of the brain can get torn with whiplash, concussions, etc. which I have sustained. I too find I only function better with sugar. I have suspected I have some low grade chronic infection. Bacterial? Over the years every single gland has been diagnosed as hypo or borderline. I have yet to get results with conventional med (b/c they only treat one gland at a time when maybe treat BOTH adrenal and thyroid?).I have limited income and get food from the food bank yet I try to do autoimmune Paleo best that I can. Grains and legumes, dairy and nightshades disrupt my quality of life much as I would like them. I just wanted to post about the dangers of whiplash, that folks might want to check out the possibility of meningitis. It seems very very easy to get.
Hello Paul,
The original post on chronic brain infections where you mentioned supplements and herbs, is no longer available? Sorry I couldn’t find it.
Thanks!
Hi I believe I’ve had an intermmitent csf leak for some time. I hadn’t known what it was before. I have systemic candida and certain parts of my body react with pain or itching when I eat sugar or carbs. Now for three weeks my brain is reacting as well, weird boring pain and sizzling pains all over when I eat sugar. I have purchased many things to combat candida but the die off is horrible. I’ve lost my job. I am in this alone. No doctor thinks I have yeast in my brain. And the csf leak is intermittent, hard to find. The liquid comes out into my throat. I don’t know if there is any hope for me. I have to eliminate the fungus or I’m going to die. What can I do? no doctor will help.
Hi Kelly,
You are not alone and there is always hope.
Healing generally takes some time, it’s best to tend to the basics first. Eat PHD, and practice circadian rhythm entrainment. Optimize vitamin A and D. Eat 3 egg yolks per day, and 2 tbsp vinegar, and 5 g vitamin C per day, plus N-acetylcysteine and a teaspoon of glycine. Optimize zinc and copper per PHD advice. Supplement some iodine each day, get adequate salt, and eat green leafy vegetables and tomatoes regularly. Report any medical lab values that are out of the ordinary.
Best, Paul
after having on going sinuitis i began feeling light headed eyes blurry no energy sleepy all day. I cannot think of words or remeber most things. I feel like Im about to faint alot. feels like I,m falling forward. no answers from drs
Hi Paul,
What would you recommend for chronic coronavirus brain infection, now spreading into the peripheral nervous system? I’ve been suffering for months. I tried inducing autophagy but I don’t want it to kill brain cells. And Ivermectin doesn’t cross the blood brain barrier. How could I get rid of this without killing brain cells? I seems I have to wait for an antiviral, but in the mean time, I believe I’m sustaining brain and nervous system damage.
Hi J,
Get a prescription for neutralizing antibodies, eg the Regeneron cocktail or a competing version. Among supplements, vitamin D, vitamin A, vitamin K2, vitamin C, zinc, copper, taurine in the morning and glycine in the evening, melatonin in the evening are likely to be beneficial. Drugs like Ivermectin, if they are efficacious, will be helpful even if they don’t cross the blood-brain barrier, because they will help in the vasculature and help clear the virus from the rest of the body. So don’t neglect them. Circadian rhythm entrainment and minimization of dietary omega-6 fats will also help, if more slowly.
Best, Paul
https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10875-021-01158-5
From this thread:
https://twitter.com/virusesimmunity/status/1454523592037838856?s=21
Q: Does this imply that Regeneron could also help immunodeficiency in some Long Covid patients?
A: Great question. If the vaccine-induced improvement in LC requires T cells for clearance of the virally infected cells, then Ab alone will not be sufficient. It may be worth combining Ab and antivirals. Lots to think about here.
“We find that mRNA vaccination allowed induction of humoral and cellular immune responses to SARS-CoV-2, which had not been triggered by the ongoing infection itself, followed by viral clearance.”
Hi J,
In some patients, it appears that vaccination will prompt an immune response that clears the chronic infection. Evidence so far is mostly anecdotal, and results are probably seen less than half the time, but it does seem worth trying. See for example:
https://www.yalemedicine.org/news/vaccines-long-covid
As for drugs: I very much doubt Ivermectin is helpful; the data in its favor seems to have been fabricated outright. See for example http://steamtraen.blogspot.com/2021/07/Some-problems-with-the-data-from-a-Covid-study.html
The case for Fluvoxamine is a bit stronger, I think… but even then I am not yet convinced. Note that, unlike Ivermectin, Fluvoxamine does cross the blood-brain barrier.
Neutralizing antibodies, such as the Regeneron cocktail, are definitely worth trying.
Best
-Eric