WPinVA
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 33581
posted
My LLMD has me on Flagyl for only two days out of a three week cycle (he does pulsing). I've been on it for a couple of months.
I do think it's helping - when I started it a couple months ago, I definitely had a herx at first and then had some improvement.
But I'm wondering why I'm only on it for two days and not more? Has anyone heard of a similar dosing schedule or have an opinion on whether this will be enough?
Prior to starting Flagyl, I took a variety of other meds for a year (mostly pulsed), but Flagyl was my first cyst buster, unless you count Diflucan. So I would think I had a chance for cysts to form?
And currently, in addition to Flagyl, I'm on Mino, Art, Cefdinir, Diflucan, Bactrim, Folinic Acid, and about to start Pyrimethamine, as well as a lot of supplements and vitamins.
thank you for your help!
Posts: 1737 | From Virginia | Registered: Aug 2011
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CherylSue
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 13077
posted
My LLMD has me pulse Flagyl two consecutives days each week until I build up to the maximum prescribed dose.
He said Flagyl tampers with the B vitamins and people herx badly on Flagyl.
I'm doing pretty well and almost to the maximum dose. I've made some pretty good progress on it over the last few months.
Posts: 1954 | From Illinois | Registered: Aug 2007
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Dawn in VA
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 9693
posted
I *just* learned this from my LLMD- said if you're a woman and are pulsing flagyl, it's wise to pulse it just b/f you menstruate. So that you're removing some of the toxins via that blood; there was more to the explanation, but that's the main gist.
-------------------- (The ole disclaimer: I'm not a doctor.) Posts: 1349 | From VA | Registered: Jul 2006
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TF
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 14183
posted
It sounds like your doctor does not follow the Burrascano protocol. Sounds like your doc is in D.C. There is a doc there that is big on pulsing.
Burrascano doesn't pulse meds as a general rule, and he has said at recent conferences that you have to take flagyl for at least 14 days in a row.
So, you have to talk to folks who got cured by your doctor and see if his methods worked for them.
I don't believe I know anybody who was cured by your doc, if it is who I think it is.
If you want to know the good docs in the area who follow Burrascano's protocol, let me know.
Posts: 9931 | From Maryland | Registered: Dec 2007
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gigimac
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 33353
posted
TF, When you say that you need to take flagyl for 14 days in a row, do you mean to kill cysts off or to treat lyme in general?
My doc wants me to pulse flagyl now two days a week but I have been on mono therapy for so long I want to take flagyl longer and will be speaking to my doc about it.
Posts: 1534 | From Greensboro NC | Registered: Aug 2011
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TF
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 14183
posted
Here is the note that was taken of Burrascano's talk in 2010:
"◦Flagyl must be taken for 14-30 days minimum to have any impact on Borrelia"
And, here is the website where the notes are located:
WPinVA
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 33581
posted
TF - Nope, my doctor is not in DC but I do know who you are talking about and my doc follows parts of his protocol.
Thank you so much for the info about taking Flagyl for 14-30 days; I'm glad to know that and I will ask about that at my next appointment. It's possible that my doc has that in mind and is working me up to it. I hope so because my gut says that two days is not enough.
Posts: 1737 | From Virginia | Registered: Aug 2011
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surprise
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 34987
posted
My LLMD also says 2 weeks on/ 2 weeks off, but Tindamax
(which I love now) but said build up to it- just take the same days off as I did on.
By the 3rd time, I was able to do the full 2weeks on.
-------------------- Lyme positive PCR blood, and positive Bartonella henselae Igenex, 2011. low positive Fry biofilm test, 2012. Update 7/16- After extensive treatments, doing okay! Posts: 2518 | From USA | Registered: Nov 2011
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WPinVA
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 33581
posted
just read all the notes from the better health guy link you posted - lots of great stuff in there - thanks again!
Posts: 1737 | From Virginia | Registered: Aug 2011
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Jamers
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 28016
posted
WPinVA-Do you see Dr. P in NC?? This is my LLMD and this sounds like what I've been doing.
Honestly, I do not like the pulsing especially for coinfections. I pulsed 3 months for Babs and did not notice any improvement until I began taking Mepron daily again. The longest I've taken Flagyl was also 2 days. I was pulsing it 2 days every week.
-------------------- Diagnosed Pos. Lyme Nov. 17, 2010, Igx. Pos. Babesia Duncani March 2011, Igx. Clinical diagnosis for Bartonella Posts: 1127 | From North Carolina | Registered: Sep 2010
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posted
I take flagyl two weeks on and two weeks off. I can't imagine doing it longer than 14 days in a row. I notice the difference when on it.
My LLMD said that most couldn't tolerate it longer than 14 days and it is herx hell those two weeks. If she told me to take it for longer, I would do it. I am finally getting better after being with this LLMD since the end of January.
-------------------- Faithful
Just sharing my experience, I am not a doctor. Posts: 2682 | From Colorado | Registered: Oct 2009
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gmb
Unregistered
posted
Met LLNP last night and I will start TindaMax once a week next week. If all goes OK I'm told to increase and take it two consecutive days till my next appointment in December
This will be on top of IV Rocephin, Mepron double dose, Zith, Bactrim DS, Actigol, Gabapentin, and my list of supplements and probiotics.
I haven't had a real hard Lyme Herx since starting treatment in March 2010. Babs has been my biggest foe when changing protocols.
So I guess pulsing in this manner is the low and slow route for cyst busting.
posted
My LLMD says it is too hard on the liver if taken continuously. I just started it myself.
-Guido
Posts: 199 | From Let's Go Pens! | Registered: Apr 2010
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WPinVA
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 33581
posted
Jamers, nope, don't see Dr. P. My LLMD is in VA.
thanks, everyone for all the replies!
I also reread part of Burrascano's guidelines again and he does mention pulsing for difficult cases. I think it was on page 20 or 21.
Posts: 1737 | From Virginia | Registered: Aug 2011
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TF
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 14183
posted
Burrascano only recommends pulsing for patients on IV ceftriaxone (pages 14 & 16). The reason for this is to protect the gallbladder (prevents bilary sludging) and it is easier on the patient (less C. diff). A higher dose of the med is used since it will only be given 4 days out of 7.
Burrascano does not recommend pulsing oral medications. Just look at his "Antibiotics Choices and Doses" starting on page 18 and you will see. The only exception is for vancomycin since it is so toxic. See page 19.
Do a search on "pulse" and you will see it is only mentioned for that one particular IV med and for vanco.
He then summarizes all of this again on page 21 under the heading "Pulse Therapy."
So, I don't think you can find Burrascano advocating pulsing flagyl anywhere.
Posts: 9931 | From Maryland | Registered: Dec 2007
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