417. MICHELLE SLATER HAD LATE-STAGE LYME DISEASE THAT WAS SO BAD SHE CONSIDERED ASSISTED SUICIDE, BUT CURED IT WITH A 9-DAY "DRY" FAST IN SIBERIA

Michelle Slater, a Ph.D. in French literature and former professor, endured six years of debilitating late-stage neurological Lyme disease after a 2012 diagnosis, marked by severe cognitive decline, chronic pain, fatigue, and autoimmune symptoms. Unable to work or function independently, she considered assisted suicide in 2017. That year, she traveled to Siberia to undergo a medically supervised dry fasting protocol under Dr. Sergei Filanov, who specializes in therapeutic dry fasting in the Altai Mountains. After multiple preparatory fasts, Slater completed a nine-day dry fast—consuming no food or water—followed by a carefully managed refeeding phase. She emerged symptom-free, returned to full professional and physical activity, and has remained in remission for over seven years. The host of *Surviving Healthcare* presents this as a transformative case study, arguing that symptom resolution—not serological testing—should define a cure for Lyme disease. The episode explores the science behind dry fasting, including autophagy, glucocorticoid surges, and immune regeneration, while cautioning that unsupervised dry fasting is dangerous. The host also shares their own recent Lyme diagnosis and treatment journey using chlorine dioxide, citing anecdotal success from friends like Herb Richards, a 94-year-old who reversed severe Lyme-related arthritis. The episode concludes with a call to action, promoting subscriptions and affiliate products while advocating for alternative Lyme treatments.