Integrative Approaches to Covid Vaccine Injury from Five Experienced Physicians…Drs. Bowden, McCullough, Kory, Tankersley and James

Mary Talley Bowden, MD

• Houston-based ENT and sleep specialist.
• Hosts the program and interviews four physicians about how they treat patients who attribute ongoing symptoms to COVID vaccination.

Recommendations

• Usually starts vaccine-injured patients on Ivermectin.
• Ivermectin has been the single most effective therapy in her practice, but:
  • Not sufficient by itself, especially for severe neurological injuries.
  • Most patients improve gradually over many months rather than rapidly.
  • Vaccine injured patients, especially ones with neurologic issues are complex and results are often slow.
  • There is a need for more research and collaboration on vaccine injured patients.

Peter McCullough, MD (Cardiologist) 

• Attributes most “long COVID” and many chronic post-vaccine problems to persistence of the spike protein and, in some cases, persistent virus.
• Uses spike protein IGG quantitative antibody levels (Lab Corp) as a rough marker of estimated spike protein load:
  • Vaccine recipients typically have much higher levels than infection-only patients.
  • In his practice, levels > ~5000 (on the Labcorp/BioRad assay) often correlate with detectable circulating spike in research collaborations.
  • Considers levels < ~1000 as a “safer” range.

1. “Spike detox” supplement protocol (his core approach)

He describes a three-component supplement combination he calls his spike protein detox protocol:

• Nattokinase
  • Enzyme derived from fermented soy (natto).
  • Preclinical work suggests it can degrade spike protein and that oral forms reach the bloodstream.
  • Uses relatively high doses (e.g., 4000 FU twice daily, potentially titrating higher).
  • Uses it cautiously in some patients on anticoagulants, while watching for bleeding risk.
• Bromelain
  • Enzyme from pineapple.
  • Added for additional proteolytic effects on spike and clotting/inflammation pathways.
• Curcumin
  • Anti-inflammatory compound from turmeric.
  • Randomized trials suggest it can improve “long COVID” symptoms by reducing spike-related inflammation.

Dr. McCullough’s personal experience with treating patients with elevated IGG spike protein antibodies with Covid Long Haul or post Covid vaccine syndrome.

• Notes patients show gradual symptom improvement over ~9–12 months and a decline in spike antibody levels.
• The goal is spike antibody levels to be < 1000.
• A subset does not respond or show much change.

2. Additional or experimental spike-related strategies

• Augmented / modified N-acetylcysteine (NAC)
  • Described as a specialized NAC formulation under development in Europe.
  • Hypothesized to denature or “unfold” spike protein for clearance.
  • Notes that evidence is still preliminary and not fully peer-reviewed.
• Broad enzymatic “cocktails”
  • References a Japanese case report using combinations of:
    • Nattokinase
    • Bromelain
    • Lumbrokinase
    • Serrapeptase
    • Papain
    • Curcumin
  • Used aggressively in a single patient with vaccine-related carotid clotting with benefit.

3. Targeted prescription agents (based on clinical pattern)

Dr. McCullough describes tailoring drug therapy to the predominant clinical picture:

• Suspected persistent SARS-CoV-2 virus
  • Signs: recurrent fever, night sweats, cranial nerve symptoms, sensory loss, persistent pulmonary findings, certain rashes.
  • Uses ivermectin at relatively high doses for extended durations (e.g., 90 days).
  • Rationale: antiviral and anti-spike effects, but he emphasizes it does not clear vaccine-derived spike protein.
• Autoimmune / inflammatory joint or neuromuscular disease
  • Positive ANA, rheumatoid factor, or anti-CCP with arthralgia/neuromuscular complaints.
  • Uses hydroxychloroquine (e.g., 200 mg twice daily for 90 days) as an immunomodulator.
• Neuropathy / small fiber neuropathy / cognitive fog
  • Uses nicotine patches (e.g., 7 mg daily) for ~90 days, citing Swiss data.

4. Approaches Dr. McCullough does not find effective (in his practice)

• Maraviroc (CCR5 antagonist, anti-retroviral medication) + high-dose pravastatin
• Low-dose naltrexone (LDN) – has not found it helpful.
• Ivermectin alone without spike-targeting measures – feels does not work well for chronic injury if spike is not being cleared.

Pierre Kory, MD (Critical Care / Leading Edge Clinic)

• Distinguishes:
  • Acute vaccine injuries (e.g., myocarditis, stroke, GBS, etc.).
  • Post-COVID vaccine syndrome – a chronic condition overlapping strongly with Myalgic Encephalomyelitis (ME), often called Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS):
    • Core symptoms: profound fatigue, post-exertional malaise, cognitive dysfunction (“brain fog”).
• Believes there is no single standard therapy; treatment is trial-and-error and highly individualized.

1. First-line therapies

• Ivermectin
  • “First line” for essentially all new, untreated patients.
  • Rationale: broad mechanisms (binds spike, reduces inflammation).
  • Estimates ~70% response, but often modest; a small subset improves dramatically.
• Low-dose naltrexone (LDN)
  • Initiated early and titrated slowly.
  • For broad immunomodulatory and neuroinflammatory effects.
• Mast cell–directed therapies
  • Dietary changes to reduce triggers.
  • H1/H2 antihistamines: e.g., famotidine (Pepcid).
  • Mast cell stabilizers: e.g., cromolyn, ketotifen.
  • Notes that, in some patients, these can have dramatic effects.

2. Hypercoagulability / microclotting strategies

Early approach:

• Triple therapy:
  • Direct oral anticoagulant (e.g., apixaban/Eliquis),
  • Antiplatelet (e.g., clopidogrel/Plavix),
  • Aspirin,
  • Plus nattokinase as a proteolytic enzyme.
• Has seen some “dramatic responses” in certain patients.

Current preference:

• Sulodexide
  • Oral anticoagulant used outside the U.S. (Italy/Russia/Japan), obtained via international sources.
  • Used now often as his first-line agent for microclots, sometimes alone, because:
    • He considers it very safe (low observed bleeding risk in published trials).
    • Also reported to reduce endothelial inflammation.
  • Sometimes helpful for tinnitus.
• Nattokinase
  • Still uses as a supportive enzyme for clotting/spike,but rarely sees a clear, isolated response just from nattokinase.

3. Other modalities and multi-modality centers

• Describes patients undergoing multi-week intensive programs including:
  • Apheresis
  • Ozone therapies
  • Hyperbaric oxygen
  • IV vitamin C
  • Methylene blue
  • Near-infrared light
• Reports:
  • Many patients improved substantially during these programs.
  • However, benefits often were not sustained, with relapses over time.
  • Cost and access are major barriers.

4. Chlorine dioxide (CDS)

• Dr. Kory is intensively researching chlorine dioxide and writing a book about the “war” on it.
• Notes:
  • Many patients self-initiate chlorine dioxide “protocols” found online.
  • He views it as promising and generally safe at those protocol doses based on his literature review.
  • At present he frames his role more as researcher and observer rather than prescriber.
• This is highly controversial and not an accepted mainstream medical treatment.

5. Ketamine (low-dose, daily, oral/sublingual)

• Describes daily, low-dose oral/sublingual ketamine as one of the most “transformative” recent additions in his practice, based on mentorship from psychiatrists.
• Reported benefits:
  • Neurologic symptoms,
  • Dysautonomia,
  • Fatigue,
  • Neuroinflammation-related issues.
• Protocol:
  • Compounded as liquid or troches.
  • Taken mainly at night, slowly titrated.
  • Combined with curcumin, NAC, and MSM to support glutathione and anti-inflammatory actions.
• Notes that typical “IV ketamine depression” protocols (expensive, intermittent infusions) are different from his daily oral approach.

6. DMSO and NAC

• Uses DMSO:
  • Topical: for focal pains, joint swelling, arthritic symptoms.
  • Oral: for systemic anti-inflammatory and other purported mechanisms.
• Values NAC and augmented NAC:
  • Widely used in his practice as a “fan favorite,” especially among his colleagues.
  • Helpful for some patients, but again not universally effective.

Stewart Tankersley, MD (Family Practice, Alabama)

General approach / philosophy

• Believes many vaccinated individuals have or will develop injuries.
• Uses a broad symptom checklist and history to screen for potential injury.
• Encourages vaccinated patients to undergo some form of “detox,” even if they do not initially recognize symptoms.

1. Monitoring and stratification

• Uses spike protein antibody levels as a key marker:
  • Helps determine whether and how long patients should stay on detox regimens.
• Lab-based stratification:
  • Positive ANA → more likely to add LDN and hydroxychloroquine earlier.
  • Pelvic symptoms / D-dimer abnormalities → leads him to consider pelvic vein clotting and more aggressive coagulation management (referencing colleague Dr. Jordan Vaughn’s work).

2. Core regimen (for many patients)

If no strong autoimmune or pelvic-clot signal, he often starts with four main components:

1. Ivermectin
   • For spike binding and anti-inflammatory effects; historically used at 0.2 mg/kg.
   • Notes FLCCC/IMA now suggests starting at 0.3 mg/kg and potentially increasing to 0.6 mg/kg if tolerated and beneficial.
2. Centurion BT-Plus
   • Contains contains Black Cumin Seed Powder, Bromelain, N-Acetyl L-Cysteine (NAC), Luteolin, Lumbrokinase, and Serrapeptase rather than nattokinase.
3. Probiotic (e.g., Quest Probiotic)
   • To support gut microbiome health, citing the importance of GI balance.
4. Resveratrol
   • As an antioxidant and anti-inflammatory supplement.

3. Neurological symptoms

• Works collaboratively with a neurologist colleague.
• Reports benefit from a German product that is expensive and not widely available.
• Also uses:
  • Low-dose naltrexone (LDN)
  • Methylene blue for a subset (though he notes concerns from Dr. Peter Breggin 1) and is somewhat cautious now).
• Believes ivermectin remains central even in neurologic presentations.

4. Overall outcomes

• Claims that roughly 90% of his vaccine-injured patients experience significant improvement on his regimens.
• Notes a small subset who remain refractory.
• Emphasizes that many patients only realize in retrospect how unwell they were once they start to improve.

Molly James, MD (Functional / Integrative Medicine; James Clinic)

Overall approach

• Sees a range of vaccine-injured and long-COVID patients.
• Starts almost all such patients on a base regimen of four therapies, then layers in organ-specific and advanced interventions.

1. Standard four-item starting regimen

1. Ivermectin
   • Aimed at binding/neutralizing spike, reducing viral activity and inflammation.
   • Uses weight-based dosing (e.g., 0.2–0.4 mg/kg in Covid context; uses sometimes higher doses in cancer patients).
2. Fenofibrate
   • An older non-statin lipid drug.
   • It binds spike protein
   • Has fibrinolytic and anti-inflammatory properties.
   • In acute / subacute settings, may use for 1–4 weeks; in long-COVID / vaccine-injury, commonly up to ~3 months.
3. Fish oil (omega-3 fatty acids)
   • Systemic anti-inflammatory and endothelial support.
4. “Core Support” (proprietary formulas from her clinic store)
   • Mix of amino acids and other strongly anti-inflammatory ingredients designed to support vascular and systemic inflammation.

She says she does not use a spike “detox” product in the sense of direct elimination of spike, but tries to neutralize or sequester spike and let the body clear it.

2. Organ-specific work-ups and treatments

• Fatigue / systemic symptoms
  • Evaluates mitochondrial function and looks for chronic infections:
    • Epstein–Barr virus,
    • Chronic Lyme, etc.
• Cardiac symptoms
  • Ensures appropriate cardiac work-up and then tailors additional therapies accordingly.
• Neurological manifestations
  • Uses IV PRP (platelet-rich plasma):
    • Draws blood, spins off red/white cells, and reinfuses plasma + platelets IV.
    • Cites cases of complete neuropathy resolution in non-COVID patients and anecdotal improvements in vaccine-injured patients.
    • Asks patients to commit to at least 2 treatments; many need 2–4 or more.

3. Additional biologic and oxidative therapies

• IV glutathione
  • Used frequently as a detox and antioxidant support (not typically as a stand-alone main therapy).
• EBOO (extracorporeal blood oxygenation and ozonation)
  • Two IV lines circulate blood through a dialysis-type filter exposed to oxygen + ozone, then UV light, then back to patient.
  • A session (~1 hour) treats roughly half the blood volume.
  • Data cited suggesting EBOO may reduce spike burden and biofilms, improving oxygenation, especially in dyspneic and chronically ill patients.
  • Typically used weekly for 3–4 sessions, then spaced out.
• Hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT)
  • Reports benefit especially in:
    • Patients with shortness of breath,
    • Neurologic symptoms like brain fog and headaches.
  • Less benefit seen in her experience for cardiac manifestations.
  • Often used 2–3 times per week for selected patients.

4. NAC vs augmented NAC, nattokinase, etc.

• Uses standard NAC and milk thistle routinely for liver and antioxidant support.
• Has not adopted “augmented” NAC, as she does not yet see a clear advantage over standard NAC + milk thistle.
• Tried nattokinase previously but stopped:
  • Did not see many patients report strong, clear benefit when it was added.
  • References conference discussions suggesting nattokinase might fragment spike in ways that could potentially increase smaller inflammatory components in circulation (this is speculative and not a settled point).
• Does not routinely check spike antibody levels, because results have not changed her clinical decisions.

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Important Caveats From All Therapies

1. Evidence quality & controversy
   • Many of the therapies and protocols described (e.g., ivermectin for chronic post-COVID/vaccine symptoms, chlorine dioxide, high-dose or long-course ivermectin, various enzyme “spike detox” regimens, ketamine for long COVID/vaccine injury, EBOO, PRP IV, sulodexide, etc.) are experimental, off-label, or not supported by large, high-quality randomized trials.
   • Several claims (especially about vaccine-associated spike persistence, exact causal attributions, and effectiveness of specific detox regimens) are not accepted by mainstream medical organizations and are actively debated.
2. Safety
   • Some of these agents have side-effects and drug interactions but generally are safe and minimal but should be done under medical supervision (e.g., anticoagulants, ivermectin at high doses and long durations, hydroxychloroquine, ketamine, high-intensity enzyme therapy, ozone-based procedures, chlorine dioxide).
   • Combining multiple anticoagulants, antiplatelets, and enzymes can increase bleeding risk.
   • Some modalities (EBOO, HBOT, PRP IV, multi-week clinics) are expensive and not standardized.
3. What to do with this information
   • Treat these protocols as descriptions of what these specific clinicians say they are doing, not as universal recommendations.
   • If you or someone you know is dealing with long-COVID or possible post-vaccine symptoms, the safest path is:
     • Work with a licensed clinician ideally who has experience using these integrative approaches mixed with conventional therapies.
     • Ensure standard evaluations for heart, lung, neurologic, autoimmune, and other causes are done concurrently.
     • Discuss any interest in off-label or experimental treatments openly so risks, benefits, and alternatives can be weighed.

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My Thoughts (Kirk Hamilton PA)…

My thoughts on the approaches from the above clinicians to vaccine injury intermix with my own experiences. There is no exact science in treating Covid vaccine injury (or Long Haul symptoms). It is logical and studied clinician driven therapeutic trials, then sharing of information that will help these patients and practitioners help each other… And the obvious removal from the market of any more mRNA vaccines.

Some of My Therapeutic Approaches to Post Vaccine Syndrome…

1) DIET: Diet is not mentioned or emphasized as an important part of vaccine injury recovery in the above clinician discussions. The clinicians might emphasize it in the patient setting but it wasn’t mention as part of the therapy for vaccine injury in these interviews.

Diet is the foundation of either pro-inflammation or anti-inflammation. While diet may not be the direct cause of inflammation caused by vaccine injury, someone who is “primed” inflammation-wise prior to vaccination (or after) is probably going to have a more difficult time recovering from vaccine injury and have more serious side effects.

a) I put almost everyone initially on an Elimination Diet devoid of all dairy products, wheat, frequently eggs (many people are eating 2-3 eggs a day), no alcohol, only whole foods (which eliminates by definition all ultra-processed, sugary foods and foods with “bad” oils) and try and get the patient off caffeine for 2-4 weeks.

b) In addition I will frequently put them on a low allergy, pea and rice protein (Inflamx) mixed with either plain water or a 75/25% blend of greens/berries with water and/or a dairy-free nut milk for 1 meal.

c) A raw salad, with olive oil and vinegar dressing with or without a palm-full of animal food for a mid-day meal or vegetables and a small amount of animal food or a “good” whole food starch (beans, yams, sweet potatoes, quinoa).

d) Evening meal would be – ¼ plate animal food, ¼ good starch (yam, sweat potato, quinoa, brown rice, lentils, beans) and ½ cooked vegetables or just animal foods and non-starchy vegetables.

e) Snack would some raw nuts and 1-2 WHOLE fruits.

f) Water, herbal teas, or green or black tea and less than a cup of coffee daily.

2) DIET: After 2-4 weeks of a trial of this Basic Elimination Diet (BED) I frequently recommend a monthly 5 Day Fasting Mimicking Diet (ProlonLife.FMD) from 3-6 months (The Longevity Diet and Fasting Cancer by Valter Longo, PhD). To put the patient in and out of a fasting state, experience autophagy and to reset their dietary habits. It is a doable, science-backed way for busy people to put themselves into a fasting state that can be done in a normal lifestyle (minus “heavy” exercise for 5 days). Aside from the metabolic effects of doing this 5 Day Modified Fast what I really want people to become aware of his how powerful the foods they eat are. Foods consumed can be at the cause of any symptom and ultimately to get well you have to change and improve the quality of what you eat to not be in a hyper-inflamed state by either food intolerance of inflammation driven metabolism.

3) ANTIBIOTIC HISTORY?: Anti-Fungal Trial – If these patients in their recent or early history have had rounds of antibiotics for REPEATED acne, ear infections, tonsillitis, sinus infections, bronchitis, pneumonias, urinary tract infections, hospitalizations etc., especially with histories of repeated vaginal infections, toenail fungus, IBS and bloating, etc. I will do an empirical two-week therapeutic trial of fluconazole 200 mg/d. If “responsive” (clear symptom improvement or obvious positive improvement in well-being) I will continue the antifungal for another two weeks to a month or switch to Nystatin Tablets 500,000 Units 2 BID for 2-4 weeks or pure oral nystatin powder ¼-1/2 tsp 2-3 x daily for 2-4 weeks (taste terrible). I will use “heavy” probiotics for that time period as well.

The gut microbiome is where most of the problem (s) lies I believe and may be the difference between someone who recovers quickly from vaccine injury or their problem lingers. Especially if Covid or the Spike protein can “hide out” in the microbiome. I look forward to continue following the microbiome work of gastroenterologist Hazan Sabine, MD Progenbiome ) a world expert on the microbiome and especially how it relates to the Covid virus . The higher the bifidobacter the lower the Covid virus and possibly systemic disease risk (?? from the spike protein) which can include vaccine injury susceptibility, problems with recovery and cancer risk (See my interview with Dr. Sabine ). I am personally following a program she designed from a stool exam I did from her company to change my “Pro Colon Cancer” microbiome to one that is more protective from cancer (my one year anniversary of the tumor removal was 1/16/25. I have had a negative CT in 8/25 and colonscopy in 9/23/25. I will have my second followup CT Ab/pelvis 2/27/26 ). I suspect that a lot of persistent symptoms of vaccine injury or severity of symptoms are created by an altered microbiome.

4) Using IV vitamin C from 10-50 grams mixed with a complex of B vitamins and magnesium 1-2 x weekly for a month is not a cure but helps “pull” people out of a bad space. It is a short-term therapy (weeks to a couple of months). Additional IVs that might be tried are piggybacked IV glutathione, alpha lipoic acid and H202. A trial of NAD home injections (10 over 30 days) and/or a combination B1, B12 and folate IM home injections 1-2 times per week for 1 month. My colleagues usually only do B12/folic because thiamine can sting sometimes. But thiamine is critical for energy metabolism and has been used alone in megadoses for fatigue orally and IM.

5) A trial of a glandular driven Adrenal Support for 2-3 months or a trial of low dose cortisone acetate/hydrocortisone 5-10 mg four times daily or 2 twice daily (Safe Uses of Cortisol, William Mck Jeffries, MD). It does not “suppress” adrenal function but helps support it. Cortisol is 1/4-1/5 the potency of prednisone.

6) Basic Supplements: Vitamin C 1-5 gm/d, vitamin D 5000-10,000 IU/d (with K2 100-200 mcg), CoQ10 200-600 mg, magnesium glycinate 200-400 mg/d, bifidobacter rich probiotics, colostrum products, Omega-3 Fats (prefer from algae).

7) Specific Supplements: Ultimate Spike Detox 4-8 capsules daily on empty stomach; N-Acetylcystine 500-600 mg twice daily; modified citrus pectin (Pectasol) 1 scoop / 5 gm 1-3 times daily.

8) Ivermectin ½-1 mg/d x 30-90 days in divided doses with food (watch for neurologic symptoms of confusion, balance, visual, etc. with larger doses initially. Start with smaller mg pills 12-20 mg and tapper up every 3-5 days to your desired mg/kg dosing).

9) LDN 1.5 mg hs x 1 week; 3 mg hs x 1 week then 4.5 mg hs x 2 weeks for 1-3 month trial or highest tolerated dose between 1.5-4.5 mg hs. It can disturb sleep.

10) Nicotine patch 7 mg/patch daily for a one month trial if tolerated. I don’t know if this is efficacious yet.

11) A trial of hydroxychloroquine 200 mg twice daily for a month, especially if there is significant joint pain, myalgias or positive ANA.

12) Home Mold Evaluation and CIRS Markers (TGFBeta, VIP, MSH, C4a, VEGF), Panel #8 from www.envirobomics if history warrants investigation. (go to www.survivingmold.com )

13) Testing Basics – Follow spike protein IGG quantitative antibodies with goal of < 1000; galectin-3 Low Risk: ≤ 17.8 ng/mL; vitamin D (50-75 ng/ml); fasting insulin and HgbA1C ≤ 5; < hsCRP <1; ANA negative; RBC magnesium > 5 mg/dl, Omega 3 Fatty Acids ≥ 5.5% by weight. Repeat every 3 months minimally.

14) Relaxsaunas (Far Infrared ). Sauna’s in general for sweating and exercise that induces sweating.

15) As vigorous exercise as possible (“hard” execise is good if you are not wiped out the next day). Taper your exercise so you are fully recovered by the next day. Both aerobic and strength training (simple as doing brisk walking and bodyweight exercises to circuit training). Something daily. NOTE: The patient needs to move…Daily. They can start with a five-or-10-minute walk. Something. The goal is to build movement up to a half hour next… Then an hour per day. That can take weeks to months. Those who move regularly almost always have their symptoms and treatments work better, faster and they are more sustained.

16) Meditation – Dr. Joe Dispenza’s. Watch the documentary www.Sourcethefilm.org. Then go to “Stories of Transformation” then read “Becoming Supernatural”. If “moved” start with “Count Your Blessings” A guided practice with the energy centers.” Watch my substack interviews with UCSD researcher Hemal Patel, PhD [Click Here for Interviews 1) 2) ].

CONCLUSIONS… There is no “perfect” protocol to bringing a vaccine injured person back to balance. It may be individualized to the practitioner who has more experience with one or more “body balancing or regenerative” techniques than another…and some trial and error. There needs to be a trusted patient-clinician relationship. Sometimes clinicians get “stuck” with their pool of modalities and expertise and should encourage patients to try another approach if it makes sense and leave their egos at the door…

“The Wheel of Health and Recovery”…

“Good health and recovery are like a “bicycle tire”. The patient’s wheel has 5-20 “lose or bent” spokes and the wheel is thumping along turning inefficiently and sometimes “painfully”. You identify five or so spokes that the patient can tighten and that you have experience in to guide the patient. You (and the patient) tighten those 5 spokes and the wheel turns a little easier. Then you tighten those spokes some more (lifestyle habits or therapies that have some benefit). And there is more improvement. Then as the wheel turns by itself some other spokes start to “self-tighten.” Then you help the patient tighten another spoke…in time (weeks to months) the tire is becoming more “round” with enough spokes being continually tightened and the patient has improved significantly!…And hopefully they have learned how to tighten their own spokes! Or ask for your help to get back on track…”
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