My job as a physician is to find out where the patient is stuck and allow their body to do the work. -Dr. Tom Moorcroft

Put your seatbelts and your thinking caps on, folks, this one is packed with info!

Dr. Tom Moorcroft and I went deep about mystery illnesses (with “chronic” in quotation marks for a very good and inspiring reason) and we even circled around to the virus of the hour and how the long haul form is looking a little bit like bacterial illnesses like Lyme, viral illnesses caused by the Epstein-Barr virus, and even mold toxicity.

So why listen even if you or those you love don’t have mystery symptoms that docs don’t seem to be able to diagnose easily or correctly?

Y’all.

It’s been a while since I’ve felt so called out on the carpet for some mistakes I’ve been making in my wellness. Not that Dr. Tom reprimanded me, far from it—he set such an inspiring example that it made it easy for me to reflect upon my own week and see a deficiency that I didn’t realize was there.

This D.O. is so dang smart (and better yet, wise), and I think EVERY human needs to hear his message of the power of the body to heal itself.

Here’s just a small sample of what you’ll learn (quick warning if you’re listening with kids in the room – Dr. Tom gets pretty passionate a few times and uses some words that most people would call swear words, but not the biggest/worst ones):

  • Why Lyme disease is so tricky to uncover and treat (and more importantly, what you can look for to know it might be a suspect)
  • Many ways I’ve never heard of before to protect yourself from ticks, and even more ideas to protect yourself from devastating consequences from all diseases so that you have new tools in your arsenal
  • The impact of food on the immune system and mindset on healing, so that you don’t need to feel dependent on doctors and medicine for everything (just the things you really do need them for)
  • Dr. Tom’s 4-step “protocol” for a quick recovery from the currently circulating virus (that anyone can implement starting today…you’ll see what I mean)
  • The most important aspect of health that most people (definitely almost all doctors) usually miss
  • Why I put “chronic” in quotation marks 😉

Can’t see the video? Learn about mysterious chronic illness here on YouTube!

No time for the video? Here are the notes!

Getting to the Root of Mystery Chronic Illness

  • 0:17: More and more people seem to be having mystery illnesses that doctors can’t figure out. Today we’re getting to the root of some of those things with Dr. Tom Moorcroft. Here’s the interview about PANS/PANDAS I mentioned that I did with Dr. Roseann.
  • 2:54: Dr. Tom shares his background with us and how he came to specialize in tick-borne infections. He has an amazing story that kicks off his interest in medicine. 
  • 6:02: I first met Dr. Tom at a storytelling conference. He tells great stories and has done a lot of training on sharing his passions from his heart. 

How do You Know if You Have Lyme Disease?

  • 8:11: We jump in with an overview of Lyme disease and how it goes chronic. Most people know Lyme as associated with the bullseye rash, but only about 1/2 of Lyme cases have a rash and about 1/3 of them are bullseye so it often gets missed.
  • 9:40: Flu symptoms in the summer often preceded a Lyme diagnosis, but it is diagnosed every month of the year. It can take weeks to months for symptoms to show or you could be misdiagnosed at first. 

one-page cheat sheets for the Healthy Parenting Handbook

Do you forget everything immediately? (My hand is raised …)

That’s why we created the one-page summaries of each podcast episode, in a simple Google Doc so there’s nothing to download.

Print them off and make yourself an actual handbook or just view online and search for what you want!

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  • 10:24: Lyme is persistent. It can evade your immune system and antibiotics. There’s only one combination of 3 antibiotics that will 100% eliminate the spirochete in a petri dish. There’s one herb that will do the same thing.
  • 11:05: Lyme needs to be hit early before it gets chronic for best results. 

How and Where Can You Get Lyme Disease?

  • 11:15: You can get Lyme disease without knowing you had a tick bite, without a rash, and without early symptoms. It’s estimated that 95% of the ticks that transmit Lyme are nymph deer ticks with are about the size of a poppy seed.
  • 12:30: About 75% of people get Lyme in their yard or their neighbor’s yard, you don’t have to go out in the woods to get bit. The ticks are found at the edges of the woods. From about 10 feet in to 10 feet out from the edge of the woods is the primary location.

Playing in the yard is sometimes the most dangerous place to get tick bites. -Dr. Tom Moorcroft

  • 13:27: There are things you can do to manage your yard. Put your swing set or other outdoor toys more than 10-15 feet away from the edge of the woods. Permethrin is the product he mentioned spraying on your shoes and socks. When you’re spending time outside out of the shade of the woods make sure you use mineral sunscreen!
  • 15:27: We’re hearing about sprays and chemicals here in the tick management. What are the more “green” options? Natural bug sprays are not very effective against ticks. You need to balance the risks. We don’t want to be spraying toxic chemicals around, but Lyme disease is a serious health issue and the risks here may outweigh the risks of judicious tick spray use depending on where you live. 
  • 17:12: Stay away from DEET if you’re concerned about ticks. If you’re spraying something on your body stick with natural options. Wearing tight clothing can limit a tick’s access to the moist, dark areas they like best. 

Wish you didn’t have to feel nervous when your kids ask to use knives?

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  • 18:44: Dr. Tom describes some of the ways people eventually realize they have Lyme and come to work with him. Joint pain, brain fog, sudden onset anxiety and depression, heart palpitations, dizziness, irritability, and chronic fatigue are all common chronic symptoms. Fibromyalgia is a common misdiagnosis. 
  • 21:27: In kids, you’ll often see acute behavioral regression with Lyme disease. Severe acute onset, ADHD, anxiety, OCD, rage, extreme food restrictions, and bedwetting are all things that can come out in kids. 
  • 22:35: Lyme is called the next great imitator. It looks like so many other diseases including multiple sclerosis, lupus, and rheumatoid arthritis. 

There has been evidence forever that an antibiotic won’t completely eradicate Lyme disease in 20% of people. -Dr. Tom Moorcroft

  • 24:06: Most doctors are doing their best, but they just aren’t being taught what to look for. The most common Lyme rash is a purple, red blotchy rash. The next test for Lyme is a blood test, but the results are really hard to decipher. 44% of Lyme patients are missed following the standard procedure. 
  • 25:47: The more I’ve learned over the last few years, the more I say that Lyme is one of my biggest fears when it comes to health. 

Healing from Mystery Chronic Illnesses

  • 26:10: There are more mystery infections that come from ticks as well. Some can be carried on lice as well. Sometimes there will be a wave of OCD or ADHD in classes where lice have gone through. 
  • 27:57: Lyme is the straw that breaks the camel’s back for many people. Our bodies are able to protect us from a lot, but an infection like Lyme can allow all your bad health habits to catch up with you. 

Whether you have any of these diseases or not, it’s important to up the ante on your health and be in a better place to withstand disease. -Dr. Tom Moorcroft

Health starts with your food, your family, and other relationships. -Dr. Tom Moorcroft

  • 29:29: Epstein-Barr, other viruses, heavy metals, and mold are some other issues Dr. Tom deals with in his practice. 
  • 30:17: Think of your body as a self-healing mechanism. Find out where you’re stuck and then allow the body to do its work. 
  • 31:30: We don’t need to go around afraid of every virus, toxin, or bacteria out there. We need to focus on building up our health so our bodies will respond properly to whatever we encounter. 
  • 32:05: Much of what we’ve been talking about is our immune system hyperreacting and eating a clean diet is a great way to counteract that.

Chemicals in Pajamas?

Kids spend about half their time in bed and pajamas. Most kids PJs are laced with toxic flame-retardant chemicals or made with fabrics that will melt when exposed to flames and we say “No thank you!” to those in our house!

kimball family in non-toxic jammies

It’s tricky to find non-toxic pajamas, but I’ve got you covered! Some of our favorite brands of non-toxic PJs:

Read more about why to choose organic, non-toxic pajamas.

  • 33:16: Patients with chronic diseases often end up totally reliant on doctors and prescriptions. If you get a cut on your arm, you assume it’s going to heal, but for some reason, we have this view that so many things can’t be healed. Assume you’re going to get better and find someone to help you if you need help.  

Optimizing Your Mindset Around Chronic Illnesses

  • 35:41: I put chronic in quotation marks because I know Dr. Tom doesn’t believe in chronic diseases. He’s a huge believer in mindset when overcoming chronic illness. 

I knew I was going to get better because I had stuff to do with my life. -Dr. Tom Moorcroft

  • 37:33: Dr. Tom shares a bit more of the story of how he healed from Lyme. The turning point was when he started listening to his body and making diet and lifestyle changes. 

We think “I don’t feel well, I need to lay in bed.” You need to get past that and find out what your body is really telling you. -Dr. Tom Moorcroft

  • 40:35: This reminds me of a friend of mine from high school who recently had an Epstein-Barr flare after having the currently circulating virus. 
  • 43:14: Many people look healthy, but their reserve is so low, they have no margin in their health. Dr. Tom shares an analogy with bamboo and health.

one-page cheat sheets for the Healthy Parenting Handbook

Do you forget everything immediately? (My hand is raised …)

That’s why we created the one-page summaries of each podcast episode, in a simple Google Doc so there’s nothing to download.

Print them off and make yourself an actual handbook or just view online and search for what you want!

GET THE CHEAT SHEETS NOW

  • 44:50: Optimising your circadian rhythm by sleeping well (and at the right times), getting sunlight in the morning, and allowing your body to produce enough melatonin is huge for your overall health and immunity. Here are some tips for healing sleep, tools to improve sleep, and strategies for sleep coaching.
  • 46:35: Whatever you focus on the most, you bring into your life. Focus on gratitude and you’ll find more things to be grateful for. Dr. Tom has some encouraging words for those suffering from any kind of sickness. 
  • 49:16: When you expect a negative outcome, you’ll find one. 
  • 49:36: We wrap up with a message of hope for parents. 
  • 53:35: Dr. Tom shares how you can connect with him and a free gift you can use to Rest and Reboot your immune system.

Resources We Mention for Chronic Mystery Illnesses

Tom MoorcroftDr. Tom treats some of the sickest, most sensitive patients suffering from chronic Lyme disease, tick-borne co-infections, mold illness as well as children with infection-induced autoimmune encephalitis (PANS/PANDAS).Dr. Tom treats some of the sickest, most sensitive patients suffering from chronic Lyme disease, tick-borne co-infections, mold illness as well as children with infection-induced autoimmune encephalitis (PANS/PANDAS). He focuses on optimizing the body’s self-healing systems in order to achieve optimal health with simple, natural interventions; utilizing more conventional approaches when needed. Each individual is a unique unity of body, mind, and spirit. Successful treatment strategies are patient-centered and address all three levels. The true source of radiant health is within each of us.

Through nearly two decades of medical practice, Dr. Tom has seen the importance of one’s mindset – the habitual patterns that create your results. His mission is to share proven strategies for aligning your conscious and subconscious mind so you can design your health, business, and personal goals and achieve them with amazing speed. You can immediately apply these principles to your life and improve your clients’ results.

Dr. Tom’s goal is to empower everyone he meets to reach their highest potential and get in touch with their inner source of healing so they can experience optimal health.

getting to the root of mystery illness