Day 1: FAR clinic

We were to arrive at the clinic at 11:30, but we are used to traffic and left early. We arrived early and they were happy to get started right away. The first thing we did was do their legal disclaimer on video. Since these treatments are not FDA approved and are considered experimental, they have to do what most LLMDs do - CYA with legal forms. Matt was very patient and answered all of our questions as we went through this. After this was done, it was "go time."

First treatment was hyperthermia. John is their youngest patient so far so the hyperthermia wet suit was huuuuge. The suit is meant for an adult probably 6' tall and John is 4'6" with shoes. John put on his swimsuit and climbed into the suit.

They had to prop up his feet and arms because when it fills with water, it starts pulling on his feet and arms.

Since this was Day 1, they wanted to go gently with the temperature. The water was never above 103, and for the most part, it was at 101. The entire time, Matt watched the water temperature while Barbara watched his body temperature and his blood pressure, and also kept him hydrated with electrolytes. The whole process was comfortable for John. His temperature hit 100.5, but he didn't do much sweating. They kept feeling his forehead and monitoring him to make sure he didn't spike. At one point early on, his blood pressure was high.

Barbara said it was quite normal because people are often anxious the first time in the suit. Sure enough, his BP stabilized quickly at a normal level.   The hyperthermia suit takes a half hour.  I should also mention that they hooked John up to oxygen. Did you know normal air is mostly nitrogen?  The reason they hooked him up to oxygen was that Lyme spirochetes hate oxygen rich environments. Using oxygen gas was just one more way to do battle. 

After hyperthermia came the health pod. This big machine consists of a plate to stand on and a large PEMF coil. The plate jiggles and shakes you while the PEMF is penetrating you. The shaking is rather intense and it's highly recommended that you empty your bladder before going in. John had fun making sound effects while being shook.

When he was done, Matt let me try it too. All I can compare it to is a washing machine minus the agitator. The pod cycles between different rhythms and frequencies. Some really jiggle your belly and make you notice your lack of muscle tone and others are just amusing because of the way your head feels. It's definitely an interesting experience. John was on oxygen the entire time in the pod, which was 10 minutes. 

After health pod, John got to sit in a PEMF chair.

Think of a super comfortable dentist chair but without the bright light. Matt ran PEMF frequencies for detox and calming I think. Again, John was under the use of oxygen during his time. Matt suggested that John move the PEMF pad to anywhere that had pain. John rested the pad on his left wrist, which was flaring up.  This treatment was 30 minutes.

The was a final treatment of 5 minutes on another shaking plate. I don't remember what it was called. Information overload.


Before we were done for the day, Jessica presented us with a welcome basket.

There was a shaker bottle for smoothies, a thermometer, a fit bit so Matt could monitor John's sleep, a fuzzy blanket, and a digital pulse oximeter.  The blanket and fit bit were very popular.

While Matt set  the fit bit, John had to drink his medical smoothie. It is supercharged with nutrition, but left partially chewable. The point in this is chewing activates saliva and other important enzymes.

John said it was gross, but Matt assured him in two weeks, his taste buds would shift and his body would crave it. Since Matt made enough for an adult, he only wanted John to drink half of the smoothie. I made a bargain with my son... you drink to the half way mark, I'll finish it.  That did the trick!  Now I can attest to the grossness of it.  The chewable bits and the strong broccoli aftertaste wasn't up my alley either.  We were warned to hang out close to bathrooms due to the detoxing potential of the smoothie, but also John was to try to take a nap when we got back to the the hotel.

I'm very proud of my son.  He was engaged, talkative, friendly and polite.  He's usually skeptical and quiet with new clinics, so this was a good change.  The staff was constantly asking questions and ensuring his comfort, which for a preteen could be kind of like an interrogation. But he said he felt funnier or more witty with the treatments, so I guess he was happy to talk.