

Integrative Lyme Solutions with Dr. Karlfeldt
Dr. Michael Karlfeldt
Integrative Lyme Solutions with Dr. Karlfeldt is a podcast focused on chronic Lyme disease, tick-borne illness, and integrative Lyme treatment using functional medicine, natural therapies, and holistic health approaches.
Lyme disease is often called the “great imitator” because its symptoms can resemble many complex chronic conditions including Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS), fibromyalgia, autoimmune disorders, Multiple Sclerosis, and Parkinson’s disease. In this podcast, you’ll hear real recovery stories and expert interviews exploring how integrative medicine can support patients struggling with fatigue, brain fog, joint pain, neurological symptoms, and other complications associated with chronic Lyme disease and co-infections.
If you or a loved one is navigating persistent Lyme symptoms or has received inconclusive test results, this show provides insights into complementary treatment strategies designed to support immune function, reduce inflammation, and improve long-term recovery outcomes.
Lyme disease is often called the “great imitator” because its symptoms can resemble many complex chronic conditions including Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS), fibromyalgia, autoimmune disorders, Multiple Sclerosis, and Parkinson’s disease. In this podcast, you’ll hear real recovery stories and expert interviews exploring how integrative medicine can support patients struggling with fatigue, brain fog, joint pain, neurological symptoms, and other complications associated with chronic Lyme disease and co-infections.
If you or a loved one is navigating persistent Lyme symptoms or has received inconclusive test results, this show provides insights into complementary treatment strategies designed to support immune function, reduce inflammation, and improve long-term recovery outcomes.
Episodes
Mentioned books
Mar 30, 2026 • 34min
Dr. Michael Karlfeldt - Lyme Disease Testing Explained - Why Labs Miss Chronic Lyme
Why do so many Lyme patients test negative while feeling anything but healthy?
This is a special re-release of a powerful episode originally recorded in 2025. We felt it was too important not to bring back, especially as more people continue to struggle with confusing lab results and unanswered symptoms. The insights shared here are just as relevant today, if not more, and deserve to be heard again.
In this episode of Integrative Lyme Solutions, Dr. Michael Karlfeldt breaks down the confusing world of Lyme disease testing and reveals why conventional lab results often fail chronic illness patients. Drawing insights from leading experts like Dr. Bruce Patterson and Dr. Joseph Burrascano, this episode uncovers the limitations of ELISA, Western Blot, and PCR testing and why they were never designed for complex, chronic cases.
You will learn how Lyme evades detection, why immune dysfunction leads to false negatives, and how advanced testing methods like cytokine panels, T-cell testing, and FISH are reshaping diagnosis. If you have ever been told your labs are normal while your body says otherwise, this episode will change how you understand your health and your next steps forward.
Key Takeaways:
0:00 Introduction
2:05 ELISA and Western Blot were never built for chronic Lyme
6:10 Immune dysfunction leads to false negatives
10:30 PCR testing limitations and missed infections
12:00 Expanding beyond standard labs into specialty testing
17:00 FISH testing detecting live organisms in the blood
22:00 Why combining tests gives a clearer diagnosis
23:30 Immune system testing the future of Lyme detection
28:00 Symptom patterns reveal different infections
30:15 Choosing the right test based on your stage
32:00 When to stop testing and start healing
Resources Mentioned:
ArminLabs https://arminlabs.com/
IGeneX https://igenex.com/
Galaxy Diagnostics https://www.galaxydx.com/
DNA Connexions https://dnaconnexions.com/
IncellDX https://incelldx.com/
Medical Disclaimer: This content is for educational purposes only and is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or replace professional medical advice. Always consult your physician or qualified healthcare provider regarding any medical condition or treatment decisions.
_______________________________The Karlfeldt Center offers the most cutting-edge and comprehensive Lyme therapies. To schedule a Free 15-Minute Discovery Call with a Lyme Literate Naturopathic Doctor at The Karlfeldt Center, call 208-338-8902 or email info@TheKarlfeldtCenter.comCheck out Dr. K’s Ebook: Breaking Free From Lyme: A Comprehensive Guide to Healing and Recovery here: https://store.thekarlfeldtcenter.com/products/breaking-free-from-lymeUse the code LYMEPODCAST for a 100% off discount!
Mar 16, 2026 • 47min
Amy Rose - Misdiagnosed Lyme Disease, Brain Inflammation, and the Fight for Lyme Awareness
What happens when Lyme disease is repeatedly dismissed even when the symptoms are clear?
In this episode of Integrative Lyme Solutions, Dr. K speaks with Lyme advocate Amy Rose, who spent more than eight years searching for answers after being infected by a tick bite in 2008. Within days she developed severe flu-like symptoms and later discovered a large bullseye rash on her shoulder. Despite these classic warning signs, doctors repeatedly told her Lyme disease was impossible because she had been bitten in Arkansas. Multiple tests came back negative and she was given numerous misdiagnoses and medications instead of answers.
Amy shares how her health continued to decline while she saw 27 doctors before finally receiving a proper diagnosis from a Lyme-literate practitioner. She also explains how this experience led her to start the Arkansas Lyme Foundation to support patients in a state where Lyme disease is still widely denied. Her story reveals the serious gaps in Lyme testing, the consequences of misdiagnosis, and the power of patient advocacy.
Key Takeaways:
0:00 Introduction
2:15 Amy Rose’s Lyme infection and early symptoms in 2008
6:40 The bullseye rash and why Lyme was still missed
10:30 Five negative tests through Labcorp and misdiagnosis
16:50 Neurological Lyme and being misdiagnosed with Alzheimer’s
22:10 Losing the ability to drive due to brain inflammation
26:30 Finding a Lyme-literate doctor after seeing 27 physicians
32:45 Starting the Arkansas Lyme Foundation
38:20 Why Arkansas still denies Lyme disease exists
44:15 Reaching remission and focusing on cellular health and mold detox
Resources Mentioned:
Arkansas Lyme Foundation - https://www.arkansaslyme.org/
Labcorp - https://www.labcorp.com/
Medical Disclaimer: This content is for educational purposes only and is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or replace professional medical advice. Always consult your physician or qualified healthcare provider regarding any medical condition or treatment decisions.
_______________________________The Karlfeldt Center offers the most cutting-edge and comprehensive Lyme therapies. To schedule a Free 15-Minute Discovery Call with a Lyme Literate Naturopathic Doctor at The Karlfeldt Center, call 208-338-8902 or email info@TheKarlfeldtCenter.comCheck out Dr. K’s Ebook: Breaking Free From Lyme: A Comprehensive Guide to Healing and Recovery here: https://store.thekarlfeldtcenter.com/products/breaking-free-from-lymeUse the code LYMEPODCAST for a 100% off discount!
Mar 9, 2026 • 50min
Nikki Schultek – Chronic Infections & The Alzheimer’s Pathobiome: The Hidden Pathogens Driving Neurodegeneration
What if Alzheimer’s, multiple sclerosis, chronic fatigue, and even psychiatric symptoms are not random but driven by hidden infections?
In this episode of Integrative Lyme Solutions, Dr. K sits down with research scientist and Lyme survivor Nikki Schultek to explore the infection hypothesis behind chronic disease. After battling years of misdiagnosed symptoms including asthma flares, interstitial cystitis, arrhythmias, neurological decline, and suspected MS, Nikki uncovered a complex web of infections including Borrelia, Bartonella, Babesia, Chlamydia pneumoniae, Epstein-Barr virus, and more.
Now founder of the Alzheimer’s Pathobiome Initiative, Nikki is leading a global consortium investigating how stealth pathogens may trigger neurodegeneration, immune dysfunction, and dementia. This conversation dives into intracellular infections, the Herxheimer reaction, amyloid as an antimicrobial response, sterile brain autopsies, precision medicine, and why federal health agencies are finally acknowledging Lyme disease as a serious public health crisis.
If you or someone you love is dealing with chronic Lyme, long COVID, autoimmune illness, or cognitive decline, this episode may change how you see disease.
Key Takeaways:
0:00 Introduction
3:15 Asthma, air hunger, and early misdiagnoses
8:40 From interstitial cystitis to suspected multiple sclerosis
14:30 Discovering intracellular infections and Chlamydia pneumoniae
18:45 Lyme, Bartonella, Babesia and the whack-a-mole effect
24:10 The Pathobiome concept and microbial imbalance
27:30 Alzheimer’s disease and the infection hypothesis
32:00 Sterile brain autopsies and spinal fluid research
35:20 Amyloid plaque as an antimicrobial defense mechanism
41:00 APOE4, genetics, and infection susceptibility
44:30 Federal recognition of Lyme disease and future funding
Resources Mentioned:
Alzheimer’s Pathobiome Initiative - https://alzheimerspathobiome.org
ILADS - https://www.ilads.org
ILADS Education Foundation - https://www.iladef.org
Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine - https://www.pcom.edu
Medical Disclaimer: This content is for educational purposes only and is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or replace professional medical advice. Always consult your physician or qualified healthcare provider regarding any medical condition or treatment decisions.
_______________________________The Karlfeldt Center offers the most cutting-edge and comprehensive Lyme therapies. To schedule a Free 15-Minute Discovery Call with a Lyme Literate Naturopathic Doctor at The Karlfeldt Center, call 208-338-8902 or email info@TheKarlfeldtCenter.comCheck out Dr. K’s Ebook: Breaking Free From Lyme: A Comprehensive Guide to Healing and Recovery here: https://store.thekarlfeldtcenter.com/products/breaking-free-from-lymeUse the code LYMEPODCAST for a 100% off discount!
Mar 4, 2026 • 33min
Susan Pogorzelski – Lyme Misdiagnosis, Babesia Recovery, Emotional Healing & The Last Letter
What happens when Lyme disease goes undiagnosed for 15 years — and the emotional toll becomes just as devastating as the physical symptoms?In this episode of Integrative Lyme Solutions, Dr. K sits down with Susan Pogorzelski, author of The Last Letter: A Novel and founder of the Lyme Brave Foundation. Susan shares her 30-year journey through misdiagnosis, neurological decline, co-infections like Babesia, severe fatigue, psychiatric symptoms, and the long road of recovery. From being dismissed by doctors to experiencing suicidal ideation during treatment, Susan opens up about the isolation, trauma, and resilience that shaped her healing.This powerful conversation explores Lyme misdiagnosis, Babesia treatment, herxing, emotional trauma, nervous system regulation, EFT tapping, relapse recovery, and how chronic illness can reshape identity. If you or a loved one is navigating chronic Lyme disease, co-infections, or the emotional weight of invisible illness, this episode is both validation and hope.Key Takeaways:0:00 Introduction3:15 15 years of misdiagnosis and declining neurological health8:20 Gallbladder surgery, rapid deterioration, and ER visits12:05 Lyme diagnosis and multiple co-infections confirmed15:40 Babesia treatment and what moved the needle in recovery19:30 Herx reactions, suicidal ideation, and psychological symptoms23:50 Emotional trauma, loneliness, and invisible illness27:45 EFT tapping, nervous system healing, and energetic tools30:10 Relapses, flares, and building resilience over time33:00 Lyme Brave Foundation and supporting patients emotionallyResources Mentioned:Susan Pogorzelski Website - https://www.susanpogorzelski.com/aboutLyme Brave Foundation - https://lymebravefoundation.orgThe Last Letter: A Novel by Susan Pogorzelski - https://www.amazon.com/Last-Letter-Novel-Susan-Pogorzelski/dp/0988875136Medical Disclaimer: This content is for educational purposes only and is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or replace professional medical advice. Always consult your physician or qualified healthcare provider regarding any medical condition or treatment decisions.#Babesia #InvisibleIllness #ChronicLyme
_______________________________The Karlfeldt Center offers the most cutting-edge and comprehensive Lyme therapies. To schedule a Free 15-Minute Discovery Call with a Lyme Literate Naturopathic Doctor at The Karlfeldt Center, call 208-338-8902 or email info@TheKarlfeldtCenter.comCheck out Dr. K’s Ebook: Breaking Free From Lyme: A Comprehensive Guide to Healing and Recovery here: https://store.thekarlfeldtcenter.com/products/breaking-free-from-lymeUse the code LYMEPODCAST for a 100% off discount!

Feb 25, 2026 • 39min
Dr. Geoff Dow – New Clinical Trial for Chronic Babesiosis: Tafenoquine, Malaria Drugs, and Hope for Lyme-Linked Fatigue
Is chronic babesiosis finally getting the scientific attention it deserves?In this episode of Integrative Lyme Solutions, Dr. K sits down with Dr. Geoff Dow, CEO & President of Sixty Degrees Pharmaceuticals, to discuss a groundbreaking clinical trial targeting chronic babesiosis — a common and often overlooked Lyme co-infection. Originally developed for malaria prevention, the drug Tafenoquine (brand name Kodatef®) is now being studied for its potential to treat persistent Babesia infections and Lyme-related fatigue.They explore the science behind red blood cell parasites, how Babesia differs from malaria, why chronic babesiosis remains controversial, and what makes this new trial the first FDA-reviewed IND study focused on chronic disease. If you or a loved one struggle with Lyme-related fatigue, relapsing babesiosis, or limited treatment options, this conversation offers cautious optimism and a closer look at the future of targeted therapies.Key Takeaways:0:00 Introduction3:10 From Malaria Drug Development to Lyme Co-Infections6:45 How Babesia Infects Red Blood Cells and Causes Fatigue10:40 Why Chronic Babesiosis Is Still Controversial14:50 No FDA-Approved Drugs Specifically for Babesiosis18:30 New Clinical Trials for Chronic and Relapsing Babesiosis24:00 Measuring Fatigue as a Primary Endpoint in Chronic DiseaseResources Mentioned:Sixty Degrees Pharmaceuticals - https://www.sixtydegreespharma.comKodatef® (Tafenoquine) Information - Available via company website aboveMount Sinai (Clinical Trial Site) - https://www.mountsinai.orgYale Babesiosis Case Series (Referenced Study) - https://medicine.yale.eduMedical Disclaimer: This content is for educational purposes only and is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or replace professional medical advice. Always consult your physician or qualified healthcare provider regarding any medical condition or treatment decisions.
_______________________________The Karlfeldt Center offers the most cutting-edge and comprehensive Lyme therapies. To schedule a Free 15-Minute Discovery Call with a Lyme Literate Naturopathic Doctor at The Karlfeldt Center, call 208-338-8902 or email info@TheKarlfeldtCenter.comCheck out Dr. K’s Ebook: Breaking Free From Lyme: A Comprehensive Guide to Healing and Recovery here: https://store.thekarlfeldtcenter.com/products/breaking-free-from-lymeUse the code LYMEPODCAST for a 100% off discount!

Feb 18, 2026 • 33min
Dr. Somer DelSignore – Congenital Lyme, Pediatric Neuroinflammation, and the Hidden Root of Autism
Can Lyme disease begin before birth — and could it be driving neurodevelopmental conditions like autism, ADHD, and anxiety?In this episode of Integrative Lyme Solutions, Dr. K is joined by Dr. Somer DelSignore, a leading pediatric integrative clinician, to explore the overlooked science of congenital Lyme and in utero transmission of vector-borne infections. Dr. DelSignore explains how infections such as Borrelia, Bartonella, and Babesia can cross the placenta, disrupt fetal brain development, and silently fuel inflammation that shows up later as behavioral, cognitive, and immune dysfunction.You’ll learn why standard TORCH testing fails to catch these infections, what symptoms parents should watch for in infants and children, and how addressing inflammation, infections, and immune imbalance can dramatically improve outcomes. This episode offers critical insight for parents, practitioners, and anyone focused on true prevention and root-cause healing in pediatric Lyme disease.Key Takeaways:0:00 Introduction and Dr. Somer DelSignore’s clinical journey3:10 From pediatric ICU to integrative Lyme care6:20 Congenital Lyme: 40 years of overlooked science9:00 Why TORCH testing misses vector-borne infections12:45 Preconception testing and prevention strategies15:30 Why treating Lyme before pregnancy matters18:05 Infant symptoms parents should never ignore21:10 Autism, neuroinflammation, and misdiagnosis24:15 The RESET framework for pediatric healing28:10 What real recovery can look like for childrenResources Mentioned:IGeneX Laboratories – https://igenex.comTLABDX (Babesia & Bartonella testing) – https://www.tlabdx.com/Horowitz/MSIDS 38 point symptom checklist – https://projectlyme.org/msids-questionnaire/IV Ozone Therapy – https://health.clevelandclinic.org/ozone-therapySOT (Supportive Oligonucleotide Therapy) – https://projectlyme.org/supportive-oligonucleotide-therapy-sot-for-lyme/Medical Disclaimer: This content is for educational purposes only and is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or replace professional medical advice. Always consult your physician or qualified healthcare provider regarding any medical condition or treatment decisions.
_______________________________The Karlfeldt Center offers the most cutting-edge and comprehensive Lyme therapies. To schedule a Free 15-Minute Discovery Call with a Lyme Literate Naturopathic Doctor at The Karlfeldt Center, call 208-338-8902 or email info@TheKarlfeldtCenter.comCheck out Dr. K’s Ebook: Breaking Free From Lyme: A Comprehensive Guide to Healing and Recovery here: https://store.thekarlfeldtcenter.com/products/breaking-free-from-lymeUse the code LYMEPODCAST for a 100% off discount!

Feb 11, 2026 • 37min
Dr. Kelly McCann – Lyme, Mold, Mast Cell Activation & Healing the Terrain Through Mind, Body, and Spirit
Why do so many Lyme patients stay sick — even after treating infections, detoxing, and “doing everything right”?In this episode of Integrative Lyme Solutions, Dr. K sits down with functional and environmental medicine pioneer Dr. Kelly McCann to explore why Lyme disease, mold toxicity, and Mast Cell Activation Syndrome (MCAS) are rarely just infections — and why true healing requires addressing the terrain of the body, nervous system, emotions, and spirit. Drawing from her own journey through mold illness and Lyme disease, Dr. McCann explains how immune dysregulation, trauma, limbic system activation, and cell membrane damage keep patients stuck in chronic illness.This conversation dives deep into mast cell activation, mold exposure, Bartonella, phosphatidylcholine therapy, biofilms, nervous system regulation, emotional trauma, spirituality, and why symptoms are not betrayals — but messages. If you’ve been gaslit, dismissed, or feel like your body is working against you, this episode offers validation, insight, and a radically different way to understand Lyme healing.Key Takeaways:0:00 Introduction and Dr. Kelly McCann’s personal healing journey3:00 Mold exposure as a hidden driver of chronic illness6:20 Lyme, Bartonella, and the overlap with mast cell activation9:30 Why siloed medicine fails complex chronic disease patients11:40 Phosphatidylcholine and cell membrane repair explained13:50 When antimicrobial treatment stalls, look beyond infections16:50 Mast cell activation, trauma, and nervous system dysregulation18:40 The limbic system’s role in chronic illness21:10 Emotional trauma, immune boundaries, and people-pleasing24:00 Language, identity, and separating yourself from disease26:10 Terrain theory and why healing requires self-honoring choices29:00 Illness as an invitation, not a punishmentResources Mentioned:Dr. Kelly McCann – https://drkellymccann.comThe Spring Center – https://thespringcenter.comThe Unforgetting Project – https://unforgettingproject.comMicroGen DX (Next Generation Sequencing) – https://microgendx.comByron White Formulas – https://byronwhiteformulas.com
_______________________________The Karlfeldt Center offers the most cutting-edge and comprehensive Lyme therapies. To schedule a Free 15-Minute Discovery Call with a Lyme Literate Naturopathic Doctor at The Karlfeldt Center, call 208-338-8902 or email info@TheKarlfeldtCenter.comCheck out Dr. K’s Ebook: Breaking Free From Lyme: A Comprehensive Guide to Healing and Recovery here: https://store.thekarlfeldtcenter.com/products/breaking-free-from-lymeUse the code LYMEPODCAST for a 100% off discount!

Feb 4, 2026 • 45min
Dr. Kristi Hellenbrand, DC — Surviving Neuro Lyme: Clinical Diagnosis, the Horowitz Protocol, and Healing When Tests Say “Normal”
What happens when your body is shutting down—but every scan, lab, and specialist says they “can’t find anything”? In this episode, we unpack the reality of Lyme-related neurological illness, the emotional toll of chronic disease, and what it takes to keep moving forward when healing isn’t linear.We’re joined by Dr. Kristi Hellenbrand, DC, chiropractor and author of Let Me Tell You a Secret…She Makes It: a Lyme survival story, who shares how a tick bite in 2020 leads to rapid neurological decline, wheelchair-level symptoms, and relentless migraines—until a clinician treats based on a clinical diagnosis and response to treatment, not just lab confirmation. Kristi walks us through the decision points that change everything: antibiotics as an early signal, later testing that reveals a viral layer, and a pivotal turn to the Horowitz protocol (including double-dose dapsone) as part of her path back to remission.Key Takeaways:03:45 Lyme can first appear as heart and neurological symptoms—not joint pain.07:15 Clinical diagnosis can move treatment forward when labs and specialists stall.10:30 Response to treatment can confirm infection before tests do.13:10 Healing from Lyme is nonlinear and follows the grief cycle.14:25 The Horowitz protocol helped resolve daily, debilitating migraines.19:15 Retracing symptoms signal healing in reverse order—not relapse.31:00 Fear is inflammatory; regulating the nervous system supports long-term recovery.Resources Mentioned:Let Me Tell You a Secret...She Makes It.: - a Lyme survival story - https://www.amazon.com/Let-Tell-You-Secret-Makes/dp/B0CJB825R1Lyme Lives Here - https://www.lymeliveshere.com/#lymewarrior #chronicillness #TheKarlfeldtCenter #IntegrativeLymeSolutionsWant to guest on our shows?Calendly Link for Integrative Lyme Solutions: https://calendly.com/drmichaelk/integrative-lyme-solutions-podcast-interviewCalendly Link for Integrative Cancer Solutions: https://calendly.com/drmichaelk/podcast-interviewCalendly Link for Dr. K Show: https://calendly.com/drmichaelk/dr-k-show-interviewBreaking Free From Lyme: A Comprehensive Guide to Healing and Recovery-URL: https://store.thekarlfeldtcenter.com/products/breaking-free-from-lyme-Price: $24.99-Discount Code: LYMEPODCASTUnleashing 10X Power: A Revolutionary Approach to Conquering Cancer-URL: https://store.thekarlfeldtcenter.com/products/unleashing-10x-power-Price: $24.99-Discount Code: CANCERPODCAST1Healing Within: Unraveling the Emotional Roots of Cancer-URL: https://store.thekarlfeldtcenter.com/products/healing-within-Price: $24.99-Discount Code: CANCERPODCAST2The Science and Spirit of Transformation: A Holistic Guide to Elevating Health, Consciousness, and Purpose-URL: https://store.thekarlfeldtcenter.com/products/the-science-and-spirit-of-transformation-Price: $24.99-Discount Code: DRKSHOWPODCAST
_______________________________The Karlfeldt Center offers the most cutting-edge and comprehensive Lyme therapies. To schedule a Free 15-Minute Discovery Call with a Lyme Literate Naturopathic Doctor at The Karlfeldt Center, call 208-338-8902 or email info@TheKarlfeldtCenter.comCheck out Dr. K’s Ebook: Breaking Free From Lyme: A Comprehensive Guide to Healing and Recovery here: https://store.thekarlfeldtcenter.com/products/breaking-free-from-lymeUse the code LYMEPODCAST for a 100% off discount!

Jan 28, 2026 • 46min
Cracking the Chronic Illness Code with Dr. Eric Gordon: Lyme, Mold, Mast Cells, and the Future of AI-Guided Healing
Dr. Eric Gordon—Medical Director at Gordon Medical Associates and President of the Gordon Medical Research Center—joins Dr. Karlfeldt for a wide-ranging conversation on what it really takes to help “end-of-the-line” patients with complex, chronic illness. With 45+ years of clinical experience and deep involvement in research on ME/CFS, Lyme disease, and autoimmune conditions, Dr. Gordon offers a grounded, clinician-to-clinician look at why so many patients remain undiagnosed, misunderstood, or stuck despite seeing multiple providers.In this episode, you’ll learn why chronic illness is rarely “in the book,” and why recovery often requires detective work across toxin load, infectious burden, genetics, immune dysfunction, and environmental triggers. Dr. Gordon breaks down how modern medicine’s siloed specialties can miss multi-system patterns—and why tools like advanced testing and AI may become essential to sift exploding research (like microbiome discoveries) into something clinically useful. They also explore the evolving landscape of long COVID research, the importance of identifying patient subtypes (instead of lumping everyone into one diagnosis), and what this shift could mean for faster, more affordable healing.If you’ve tried the “usual” protocols and still don’t improve, this conversation reframes the journey: why complexity doesn’t mean hopelessness—and how the next wave of systems biology, smarter data-mining, and targeted interventions may finally change the game for chronic fatigue, Lyme, mold illness, and beyond.Key Topics CoveredWhy “complex chronic illness” usually isn’t a simple diagnosis—and why that matters for treatmentThe “end-of-the-line” patient: what it means when you’ve already seen many good doctorsHow toxin load, infections, genetics, and terrain combine into a personalized illness patternWhy medical silos and protocol-based care often fail complex patientsMold exposure and mycotoxin sensitivity: why environment can block progressMast cell activation and reactivity: why treatment tolerance can be a major barrierThe microbiome information explosion—and why AI is becoming necessary to interpret itGarbage-in/garbage-out in AI: why context and quality data still matterLong COVID as a turning point: validating post-viral illness and advancing immune researchThe importance of subtyping ME/CFS, long COVID, and Lyme presentations to find what actually works
_______________________________The Karlfeldt Center offers the most cutting-edge and comprehensive Lyme therapies. To schedule a Free 15-Minute Discovery Call with a Lyme Literate Naturopathic Doctor at The Karlfeldt Center, call 208-338-8902 or email info@TheKarlfeldtCenter.comCheck out Dr. K’s Ebook: Breaking Free From Lyme: A Comprehensive Guide to Healing and Recovery here: https://store.thekarlfeldtcenter.com/products/breaking-free-from-lymeUse the code LYMEPODCAST for a 100% off discount!

Jan 21, 2026 • 49min
Carter and Payton Bradsky: Building “Ella,” the AI Companion Helping Lyme+ Patients Track Symptoms, Treatments, and Progress
Carter and Payton Bradsky—siblings, co-founders, and the CEO/CTO team behind LymeLess Health—join Dr. Karlfeldt to share a deeply personal and practical conversation about navigating Lyme+ illness and how they’re using technology to change the patient experience. With Carter’s lived experience battling Lyme disease, Babesia, Bartonella, and mold toxicity—and Payton’s background as a former Google software engineer and product manager—this episode connects real-world patient pain points to a new kind of solution: Ella, an AI-powered companion built specifically for Lyme+ patients. Learn more (and find the app) at https://lymeless.com/.You’ll hear how their family’s journey began with their mother being dismissed after years of symptoms and dozens of doctors—until one chance conversation led to Lyme testing and answers. Carter and Payton break down what it was like to be kids and caregivers, how symptoms can show up differently in each person (from brain fog and anxiety to seizure-like episodes and misdiagnosis), and what actually helped them move toward remission. They also explain why Lyme care is so difficult to manage day-to-day—and how Ella helps patients track symptoms, treatments (including pulsing protocols), and lifestyle factors, then turn that data into actionable insights and shareable reports to improve doctor visits.If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed trying to remember what changed, what helped, or what triggered a flare—this episode offers a new framework: reduce the burden of “managing Lyme” so you can focus on living again. From weekly insights to provider-ready summaries and a future vision for research breakthroughs driven by patient data (with patient privacy and ownership at the core), this conversation is packed with hope, clarity, and next-step tools.Key Topics CoveredThe Bradsky family’s “Lyme was a family affair” origin story—and how diagnosis finally happenedMedical gaslighting and dismissal: “It’s all in your head” and the toll it takes on familiesBeing a child/caregiver while a parent becomes bedridden: trauma, coping, and shifting family dynamicsCarter’s symptoms (brain fog, anxiety, dissociation) and the impact on athletics and college lifePayton’s seizure-like episodes, epilepsy misdiagnosis, loss of license, and eventual Lyme/Babesia/Bartonella diagnosisWhy Lyme recovery is rarely linear: flare patterns, stress effects, and measuring progress when memory is impairedIntegrative treatment approaches: herbals + antibiotics, detox support, probiotics, and pulsing protocolsThe “appointment gap” problem: forgetting symptoms, underreporting, and losing clinical time to catch-upHow Ella works: daily check-ins, trend detection, symptom/treatment tracking, and weekly insightsProvider-facing reporting (“warrior report”) and the long-term goal of precision medicine + research breakthroughs via opt-in anonymized data
_______________________________The Karlfeldt Center offers the most cutting-edge and comprehensive Lyme therapies. To schedule a Free 15-Minute Discovery Call with a Lyme Literate Naturopathic Doctor at The Karlfeldt Center, call 208-338-8902 or email info@TheKarlfeldtCenter.comCheck out Dr. K’s Ebook: Breaking Free From Lyme: A Comprehensive Guide to Healing and Recovery here: https://store.thekarlfeldtcenter.com/products/breaking-free-from-lymeUse the code LYMEPODCAST for a 100% off discount!


