Lyme Treatment at JSC®
25 Years of Innovations
Dr. Jemsek’s Contributions to Lyme Disease Treatment
Promoted combination treatment routinely in treatment (2002) Influenced by more than 20 years of experience in HIV/AIDS.
Implemented pulsed anti-infective treatment model to directly target the causative pathogen’s life form and location (2002) Derived from experience in treating tuberculosis and observation of chemotherapeutic models used in cancer treatment.
First to implement symptom ratings of major clinical categories (such as cognitive functioning, limbic irritability, etc.) (2002) Jemsek® Specialty Clinic recognizes the importance of symptom ratings which, albeit subjective, help track clinical progress over time.
First to advance the inveterate role of coinfections in Lyme borreliosis complex, although rare exceptions do exist (2003)
First to employ combination antiepileptic drugs (also known as neurotropic agents) to control neuropathic pain (2003) As a corollary, we recognize the futility of opioids in combatting neuropathic and central pain.
First to institute extended antibiotic holidays in treatment programs (2003)
Created the term Lyme Borreliosis Complex as a moniker for persistent Lyme Disease (2004) “Complex” reflects polymicrobial infection (with multiple co-pathogens), multisystem involvement, multi-compartmental neurologic manifestations, and immune evasion and immune suppression mechanisms.
Created and first to utilize the acronym POEMS (pain, other, endocrine, mood, sleep) (2005) This represents Phase II of Jemsek® Specialty Clinic’s treatment model, in which we focus on stabilization prior to initiating therapy.
Created a durable definition of Lyme Borreliosis Complex (2005) Presented at annual International Lyme and Associated Diseases Society conferences and to multiple other audiences.
Recognition of T and B immune cell depletion within the context of Lyme Borreliosis Complex (2005) Recognized in part due to Dr. Jemsek’s extensive background in HIV/AIDS treatment and care.
Identifying Lyme Borreliosis Complex as a co-factor for the expression of multiple chronic illnesses of unknown cause (2005) Presented at multiple conferences.
First to recognize subacute acalculous cholecystitis as a common syndrome affecting Lyme Borreliosis Complex patients of all ages (2006) Currently in the process of peer review and publication. This diagnostic syndrome is not yet included in surgical texts.
Created the concept of the maintenance phase for patients having completed core treatment in order to lock in immunologic gains (2007)
Early participant in the emphasis of neuro-anatomical disease state manifestations (2011) Presented at International Lyme and Associated Diseases Society and multiple other conferences and heavily influenced by the research and clinical practice of Dr. Robert Bransfield.
Use of intravenous (IV) lactated ringers’ solution as a major detoxification tool, particularly in patients undergoing an infusion (IV-based) program (2011)
First to employ sugar alcohols targeting biofilm colonies as a crucial part of Lyme Borreliosis Complex treatment, with overwhelming clinical evidence that Babesia (a common protozoal co-infection) sequesters itself in biofilm throughout the body (2012)
Noted the significance and promoted assertive management of non-hepatic hyperammonemia (2014) With assistance from Dr. Jodi Dashore and Dr. Phuli Cohan, this led to Jemsek® Specialty Clinic’s emphasis on reviewing genetic methylation pathways.
Created the kefir cocktail recipe to promote gut health, especially in histamine tolerant patients (2015)
Recognition of Immune Reconstitution Syndrome, to include migratory arthralgias, dermal flushing, and intensification of neuropsychiatric symptomatology and other findings (2016) In our clinical experience, this syndrome classically presents in approximately 30% of patients late in treatment. It is analogous to immune reconstitution inflammatory syndrome seen in HIV/AIDS.
First to identify the classic cervicofacial headache (often confused with migraine headache) as C2/V1 in origin (2016)
Recognized and defined involuntary weight gain seen within the Lyme Borreliosis Complex patient population as indicative of a continued inflammatory state (2018) Currently in process of peer review, publication, and presentation.
First to spearhead a large-scale economic study based on direct patient interaction and utilizing recognized economic models (2018) Over 100 Jemsek® Specialty Clinic patients enrolled to date.
Joseph G. Jemsek
MD, FACP, AAHIVS
“Everything I have learned — truly learned — in the practice of medicine, I have learned from my patients.” — Joseph Jemsek, MD
Jemsek Protocol® Overview: Jemsek’s holistic five-step approach to diagnosis and treatment.
Dr. Jemsek’s approach to treatment is multi-pronged and involves careful sequencing of anti-infective medications which target the bacteria, fungi, and protozoan pathogens responsible for Lyme borreliosis complex (LBC). Medications are used in various combinations and are typically administered on a pulsing (intermittent) basis which takes advantage of the targeted pathogends’ life cycles. This approach has the additional benefit of allowing the body to recover between treatment cycles.
TheJemsek Protocol®, which is rapidly becoming an important standard of care for the treatment of LBC, strives to combine the best of both Eastern and Western medicine and comprises either an oral and – or an intravenous approach to treatment. This protocol comprises five holistic steps.
POEMS: Jemsek’s program to identify and stabilize health issues associated with LBC
P
Pain
O
Other conditions that are roadblocks, including addressing social support, access to care, etc.
E
Endocrine/metabolic
M
Mood
S
Sleep