My LLMD wants me to start rifabutin with a few other antibiotics to hit bart. I just found out it is an extremely expensive antibiotic. Has anyone had success with it, or think it would be worth it to spend that kind of money on it? Thanks! Mike
Posted by Lyme248 (Member # 51011) on :
I would also like to hear about people's experience with rifabutin. I've heard that it is better than rifampin.
I tried rifampin for a while, and it didn't do much. It did seem to help with some of my severe stomach issues though.
Posted by bcb1200 (Member # 25745) on :
I couldn't handle it. My WBC would plummet to dangerous levels within a few days of starting it. (it is a known side effect for some people.)
It also caused a change in my taste. In that things tasted differently. This was temporary.
It is good if you can handle it. But watch for fever and feeling off. I thought it was a herx but it was low WBC.
Posted by Rumigirl (Member # 15091) on :
I took it for a while---I forget how long. I did fine with it, although, as with all abx, I ramped up very slowly. Plus, as with rifampin, it does affect blood levels of a number of other meds, although not nearly as badly as rifampin.
I need to go back on it in the near future, as I never got on top of Bart. Sigh.
Do you have to pay totally out-of-pocket? If so, how much more is it?
I do think that it's worthwhile, but, of course, financial considerations are definitely an issue.